If you love books, a reading journal might just become your most treasured possession. It's a place to record every book you've read, capture quotes that moved you, track your reading goals, and reflect on stories long after you've turned the last page. Here's how to create one you'll actually love using.
Why Keep a Reading Journal?
- Remember books you've read years later
- Track your annual reading goal
- Record favourite quotes and passages
- Note books you want to read next
- Reflect on how a book made you feel
Choosing the Right Journal
For a reading journal, you want something that feels special — after all, it's going to hold your literary life. We love the Majestic Butterfly B5 Dotted Journal – Velvet Cover for this purpose. The B5 size gives you plenty of space for detailed book reviews, and the stunning velvet cover makes it feel like a keepsake. Want something personalised? The Personalised Majestic Butterfly B5 Dotted Journal can be customised with your name — a beautiful gift for a fellow book lover too.
Browse all our B5 journals to find your perfect reading companion.
Essential Spreads for Your Reading Journal
1. Reading Tracker / Book List
Create a master list of all the books you want to read, with checkboxes to tick off as you go. You can organise by genre, author, or simply the order you plan to read them.
2. Annual Reading Goal
Set a goal for the year (e.g. 24 books in 2026) and create a visual tracker — a bookshelf drawing, a series of book spines to colour in, or a simple numbered list.
3. Book Review Template
Create a reusable template for each book you finish:
- Title & Author
- Date started / Date finished
- Rating (out of 5 stars)
- One-line summary
- Favourite quote
- Would I recommend it?
- How it made me feel
4. Favourite Quotes Page
Dedicate a few pages to quotes that stopped you in your tracks. These pages are wonderful to revisit.
5. Genre Tracker
Track how many books you've read in each genre — fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, biography, etc. — to discover your reading patterns.
Decorating Your Reading Journal
Make your reading journal as beautiful as the books it celebrates:
- Use the Quotes Sticker Sheets by Opulent Archives to add literary flair to your pages.
- The Letters & Notes Washi Tape is perfect for a reading journal aesthetic.
- Add Circles/Dots Sticker Sheets for rating systems and decorative accents.
- Use washi tape to create colourful tabs for different sections — our Washi Tape collection has over 200 options to choose from.
A Note on Journaling Bundles
If you're just getting started and want everything in one go, our Pink Journaling Bundle is a wonderful option — it includes a curated selection of supplies to get you going right away.
Whether you're a casual reader or a dedicated bookworm, a reading journal transforms the solitary act of reading into something you can look back on for years. Start yours today — your future self will thank you.