Are you an avid reader? Do you take reading books to the next level by analyzing the characters, plots, and themes? If so—or if this is something you want to do—then you need a reading journal.

What is a Reading Journal?

A reading journal or book log is a way for you to record your reading journey from start to finish. In it, you can

• Keep track of all the books you’ve read
• Write your reflections about the plot of a book
• Record how you feel about the characters from start to finish
• Take note of any questions you may have

While a reading journal isn’t a must for book lovers, you may enjoy the insights they get from deep diving into the plot and characters. It may also be a means to deepen your love for learning and understanding literature.

If you are part of a book club, your reading journal may also be a huge help, so you don’t forget essential points when you discuss the book with fellow readers and book club members.

Why Should You Keep a Reading Journal?

Keeping a reading journal isn’t just about keeping track of all you’ve read. Keeping a reading journal helps you:

Organize Your Memories of the Story

If you read many books, all the plots, characters, and themes can get jumbled in your head, and it might be difficult to tell one from another. Keeping a reading journal helps sort that out, so if you have anything you want to refer to, all you need to do is take a peek at your reading journal.

Develop Reflective and Critical Thinking Skills

For some people, simply reading a book isn’t enough, especially for those kinds of books that linger in your mind and that you can’t stop thinking about after you’ve read them. If you’re a book blogger, you’ll find that keeping a reading journal helps serve as inspiration for creating articles and blog posts.

Most importantly, keeping a reading journal helps you understand what you like and why—in terms of the books you read, the kinds of characters you relate to, and the themes that resonate with you. Tracking your reading this way leads to greater insight and self-awareness.

As a teacher, you can also use your reading journal to spark engaging discussions among your students when you discuss books. If you are a writer, you might use your reading journal to observe writing styles and what you can apply or what to avoid in your own books.

What Can You Do with Your Reading Journal?

Now that you’ve seen the benefits of keeping a reading journal, what can you do with it? What can you write on it?

Keep Track of All the Books You’ve Read

Perhaps the most basic use of a reading journal is as a tracker—to take note of all the books you’ve read. Using your reading journal as a logbook of everything you've read can be helpful, so if someone asks for a book recommendation, you can readily look up the title and author. You may also want to invent your own rating system for the books to keep track of all the books you liked or the ones you didn’t like so much.

Record Your Reading Goals

Some people like setting reading goals at the start of the year. Sometimes, they are more general, like “Read XX books by the end of the year.” You can opt to do this, or you can do the various kinds of book challenges you may see around the internet and write more specific goals every year like the following:

• Read a classic novel
• Read a book translated from another language
• Read a fairytale retelling
• Read a book about mental illnesses or disorders

The list is endless, and the options are limitless. If you do a quick search on Google, you will find plenty of reading lists by book websites, publishing companies, and avid readers. You can choose to make these your reading goals or draw inspiration from them and create personalized reading goals for yourself.

Write Book Reviews

After reading a book, you might want to write down your thoughts about it. It’s entirely up to you if you will dive deep into analyzing every part of the book or just scribble a sentence or two about your thoughts. Writing book reviews helps you remember what the book was about. It will also help you remember what you thought about it if someone asks you your opinion of a particular book in the future.

List Your Favorite Books, Authors, Characters, Etc.

Now and then, in your journey through the fantastic world of books, you’ll encounter characters you won’t forget or some books that just blew you away. Use your reading journal to make a note of those. You can also list all your favorite books, authors, characters, plots, and so on.

Store Your Favorite Quotes

Sometimes, while reading, you’ll come across a quote you can’t forget or a quote that impacts you in a certain way. Keep track of those quotes in your reading journal. You might be able to use it in the future or share it with another person to inspire them, too.

Keeping a Reading Journal on Wondr Journal

These days, keeping digital journals is no longer a foreign concept. Some people even find it easier to access and thus easier to write. Wondr Journal's Explore feature lets you track insights across your entries. With it, you can see recurring themes, topics, and interests. It will give you a summary of what you like—easily accessible at a glance—giving you better insight into your reading habits.

Give it a try! Start a reading journal on Wondr Journal.

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