How to Start a Reading Journal in 2026

There is something so incredibly comforting about curling up with a warm drink and spending some time documenting your latest read. For me, book journaling has become one of my favorite cozy hobbies, allowing me to tune out all the noise and instead just focus on the stories I love. I'll be the first to admit that I completely neglected my 2025 reading journal for months, but getting back into the habit in 2026 has been a serious breath of fresh air.

The best part? There is absolutely no "right" or "wrong" way to book journal. Whether you are into elaborate, artistic spreads, or just want a functional place to jot down all your thoughts, there are so many formats and styles to explore. Journaling is about reflecting and connecting to your books, however you choose to do so is entirely up to you. If you're ready to start documenting your own reading journey, here is everything you need to know to get started.

Choose Your Medium: Finding Your Creative Flow

The first step in journaling is deciding where your thoughts will live, and this is where you can really let your personality shine. Despite there being two main methods to choose from, the styling choices are endless, and allow you to make your reading journal yours.

• Digital vs Physical: Many readers love the convenience of a digital journal on a tablet where you can insert a photo of the book cover as well as type up your thoughts, while others may crave the tactile experience of a physical notebook. 
• The Scrapbook & Collage Style: This is my favorite way to journal! I love using scrapbook materials - think washi tape, highlighters, paper scraps, cute stickers, and printed photos - creating a "mood board" for my journal spreads. Although this can be time consuming, the end result is so satisfying!
• Writing Only: If you aren't the crafty type, then don't sweat it. A minimalist, writing only approach can be just as rewarding. Sometimes a simple list of your thoughts, a star rating, and a few of your favorite quotes is all you need to remember a great story. 
• Pre-Made Journals & Templates: If a blank page seems a little too intimidating, you aren't alone! This is actually why I started designing my own printable journaling templates for my Etsy shop. I wanted to make book journaling more accessible for everyone, while also incorporating fun designs. Pre-made journals and templates usually have designated blanks where you can fill in all of the information about your book, so that later on you can look back at it. 

                ⭐Ready to start your own journal?  You can find my Beginner-Friendly Fantasy Book Review Template Right Here in my Etsy Shop! They are designed to be printed at home or used digitally so you can start your first entry tonight.

What to Track: Keep it Simple

The quickest way to burn out on book journaling is by trying to write every little detail about each book you read. If you feel like you have to write a four page essay for every book you finish you're eventually going to stop wanting to do it. The goal is to record only what you need, so you can look back years from now and remember more about how the book made you feel, opposed to every single plot point you encountered.

Here are some ideas on what to track to keep things fun and fast:

• The Vitals: Title, Author, and Page Count. If it's part of a series include the series name. Overall Book Rating out of 5 stars is also a great vital to include.
• The Trope Checklist: If you're a romance reader, you know we live for the tropes! I find that writing down the tropes I find in each story can be so much more satisfying than writing a book summary. That way if I'm looking back and trying to recommend books with the "Enemies to lovers" or "Only one bed" tropes I can find them quickly.
• Favorite Quotes: Not every book you read is going to have the most amazing quotes, but for the ones that do it's great to write them down so you can always remember the quotes that broke you.
• The Spice Meter: For some romance readers the heat level can be the most important part of the review. Whether it's a "sweet closed door" romance or a "five-chili-pepper" level of spice, make sure you have a spice meter to record it.
• Final Thoughts: Keep this to just a few sentences. What was the "vibe"? Favorite characters? Was the male main character book boyfriend material? What worked, and what didn't? 
• Bonus: If there was a book that was a favorite of the month make a "Favorite Book" spread! Then you can look back at the end of the year and see what books were your favorite for each month. This also allows you to get super creative, think collages, fan art, and stickers.

By keeping it simple, you're much more likely to keep up with your journal even when life gets busy.

Finding Your Own Rhythm

At the end of the day, your reading journal isn't meant to be another "to-do" list or cause you stress. It's a love letter to your library. Whether you choose to fill it with messy scribbles, elaborate scrapbook collages, or just checking off boxes on a digital template, the goal is to celebrate the stories that move you.

So don't worry about it being perfect. Don't worry if you skip a month (trust me, I've skipped a few!). Just pick up your pen, light a cozy candle, and enjoy the process. I can't wait to see how you all document your 2026 Reading journey! 

Ready to jump in? If you want to skip the setup and get straight to journaling, you can find my Book Review Templates & "Clear the TBR" Bingo Board in my Etsy shop here! 

Bonus: An Example of My Journal Pages