As book lovers, we often find ourselves deeply immersed in the worlds created by our favorite authors. We devour pages after pages, eager to know what happens next and to unravel the mysteries that lie within the covers. But have you ever stopped to think about the impact that these stories have on us, pondering the themes and messages conveyed by the characters and their journeys?
That is where keeping a reading journal comes in.
A reading journal is a personal record of your reading journey. Like a travel journal, only about books. It can be a simple notebook or something more ornate. (Scroll down to see the video about book journaling for examples. ) The idea is to jot down your thoughts, reflections, and reactions to the books you read. To some, this might seem tedious, like homework. But for others, who agree with this quote by S.I. Hayakawa,
“It is not true that we have only one life to live; if we can read, we can live as many more lives and as many kinds of lives as we wish.”
keeping a reading journal is a way to chronicle the many lives we get to live through books.
A reading journal allows you to engage with the text on a deeper level. As you write down your thoughts and feelings, you analyze and reflect upon the story and its characters. Oftentimes, we tend to simply consume the story without truly understanding the underlying themes and messages. But with a reading journal, we can unravel hidden gems and truly appreciate the depth of the literature.
Moreover, a reading journal serves as a time capsule, preserving your thoughts and emotions at the time of reading. As we grow and evolve, our perspectives and outlook on life also change. Looking back at our old reading journals allows us to see how far we have come and how our thoughts have evolved. It also brings a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of the emotions we felt while reading a particular book.
Not only does a reading journal enhance our reading experience, but it also helps us become better writers. By reflecting on the writing style, plot structure, and character development of the books we read, we can improve our own writing skills. As writers, we should constantly learn and grow, and a reading journal is a tool for self-improvement.
Lastly, a reading journal is a form of self-care. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is important to take a step back and engage in activities that bring us joy and relaxation. For book lovers, reading is often a form of escapism, but writing in a reading journal can take that experience to a whole new level. It allows us to disconnect from the outside world and immerse ourselves in the book we are reading.
If you’re curious how to get started, you can do what I did and search for “Reading Journal Download” on Etsy. There were many options, but I chose the one by GirlsGotGoals.
The download included a cover and a lot of blank journal pages, like this:
Which I can now fill out, so it will look like this:
Now, I’m not very good at arts & crafts. If you want advice for how to take your book journaling to the next level, check out the video below.
You can start reading my FREE, Taylor Swift- inspired short story, Love and Poetry today!
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