Keeping a Reading Journal

Track and reflect on your reading in a journal that goes beyond a simple list.

A reading journal is a personal record of what you read and what you thought. It helps you remember books, notice your tastes, and have more to say in discussions. A simple entry includes the title, author, genre, dates started and finished, and a rating. The fun part is the reflection. Try one of these prompts: a quote that stuck with you and why; a moment that surprised you; a character you'd like to meet; a question you'd ask the author; how the book connects to your life or another book.

Here's a sample entry: 'Finished a survival novel about a boy stranded in the northern wilderness. Rating 4/5. A moment I keep thinking about: when he fails to start a fire for the tenth time and laughs instead of crying. It reminded me of learning to skateboard. Question for the author: did you test any of these survival skills yourself? ' Over a year, your journal becomes a map of your reading life.

• 1Record title, author, genre, dates, and rating
• 2Add a short reflection using a prompt
• 3Your journal shows patterns in your reading over time