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Template

Reading journal template

This reading journal template has three parts: a one-page entry for each book, a yearly log with one line per book, and a page for quotes. Copy the fields into a notebook or a notes app. The rule that keeps a reading journal going: it's fine to fill in only three fields.

Template 1: one page per book

FieldWhat to write
Title and authorAdd the edition if you own more than one.
Dates started and finishedOver a year, this shows your reading pace.
FormatPrint, ebook or audiobook.
RatingAny scale you'll use consistently. Five stars works.
One-sentence verdictWhat would you tell a friend? This is the most useful field.
Favorite passagesTwo or three quotes, with page numbers.
Notes and connectionsWhat it made you think about, and which other books it relates to.
Who you'd recommend it toMakes you say who the book is really for.

If you only fill in three fields, make them title, dates and the one-sentence verdict.

Template 2: yearly reading log

One line per book.

#TitleAuthorFinishedFormatRatingVerdict in a few words
1      
2      

At the end of the year, the log answers the usual questions in a minute: how many books, which authors, which months you read most.

Template 3: quote log

BookPageQuoteWhy it stuck
    

Over a few years, this page becomes the most reread part of the journal.

How to keep a reading journal going

Write the entry the day you finish

The verdict is easiest to write while the book is fresh. A two-minute entry the same day is better than a full page you never get to.

Start with the book you're reading now

Don't backfill from memory. If you've read hundreds of books, catalog what you own, mark what you've read, and start journaling properly with your next book.

Pick paper or digital for a reason

Paper is pleasant to write in and needs no battery, but you can't search it and it's gone if you lose it. Digital is searchable and backed up. Many readers keep the record digitally and use paper for the reflections.

See home library ideas for the shelves the books sit on.

Four lower-effort reading journal ideas

The one-line-a-day version

Lower the bar until you can't miss: one sentence per book, written the day you finish. A year later you have fifty sentences that bring back fifty books. That beats the elaborate journal you abandoned in February.

The quote collector

Skip summaries entirely and record only passages worth keeping, with page numbers. Over time this becomes a personal anthology: the best of everything you've read.

The monthly wrap-up

Journal monthly instead of per-book: what you read, what you abandoned, what surprised you, what's next. Less discipline required, and the pattern-spotting is built in.

The margin-note harvester

If you already highlight while reading, especially on Kindle, your journal half-exists. The work is collection, not creation: pull the highlights together per book and add a verdict on top.

Keep a reading journal in Better Bookshelf

Most of the fields in Template 1 are facts an app can fill in. In Better Bookshelf:

  • Each book you scan or import gets its own page, with the cover and details filled in.
  • Ratings and written reviews are saved on the book.
  • Reading status (Unread, Reading, Read) tracks where you are.
  • Kindle highlights sync in through Readwise and attach to the right book, so your quote log builds itself as you read.
  • Custom tags work as journal themes, like "comfort reads" or "recommend to Dad".
  • Everything is searchable, including your highlights, and exports to CSV.

That leaves you the verdict and the notes. Better Bookshelf is free for your first 50 books, with no sign-up. Adding a 51st book requires upgrading to the paid version (US$29.99). See pricing.

If you also want a reading tracker, see the Goodreads alternatives guide.

Frequently asked questions

What should I write in a reading journal?

At minimum: title, author, dates read, a rating, one honest sentence about what you thought, and a favorite quote. Everything else is optional.

What's the difference between a reading journal and a reading log?

A reading log is a list: title, author, date and maybe a rating. A reading journal adds what you thought, quotes and notes. The template above includes both.

Can I use this template in a notes app?

Yes. Copy the fields. Each template is a simple table.

Is there an app for keeping a book journal?

Better Bookshelf works as one. Scan or import a book and its page is created, add your rating and review, and Kindle highlights sync in through Readwise. It's free for your first 50 books. Adding a 51st book requires upgrading to the paid version (US$29.99).

How do I start a reading journal if I've already read a lot of books?

Don't try to backfill everything. Catalog what you own, mark what you've read, rate the ones you remember well, and start full entries with your next book.

Remember every book you read

Better Bookshelf is free for your first 50 books, with no sign-up. Ratings, reviews and Kindle highlights stay on the book. Adding a 51st book requires upgrading to the paid version (US$29.99). No subscription.

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How to get your Kindle highlights into your journal

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