2024 Reading Journal Setup - My First One! Easy Spreads and Trackers

[@DarlaPinkerton]

You knocked this out of the park! Absolutely stunning! I am using a reading tracker by Novelly Yours for the first time this year. I have used a different tracker/journal for each of the previous three years. Recently I have been reading between 100 and 200 books a year. I have migrated to more and more audiobooks, with 2023 being all audio. Reading has replaced TV for me. I rarely watch TV anymore. I participate in 4, sometimes 5 book clubs each month.

[@maryd8393]

I am doing a reading journal for the first time like you. But a rib slipped and moved out of place and I am in so much pain. I only sleep a few hrs at a time then I have to get up and move so I sleep in the day time too. It's taken so much out of me to just do the things I need to like shower, change my clothes, eat, and go to the bathroom. I guess I will get to my reading journal eventually. Heck, I can't even read cause holding a book is too heavy. Sooo in the meantime, I will just watch you and others until I can finally do it. I'm not really doing much in my planner either. Instead of starting that early so I'd be ahead of the ball game, I waited til Jan 1st and I hurt my rib during the night. Dream of planning and journaling for awhile yet. Thank you for your videos.

[@heatherjoy4620]

Recommend you start using Audio Books then you will not need to hold a book or E-reader. I use Audible and Kindle and Kobo on a dedicated Nokia Tablet. These all have Apps for phones or Tablets/computers, They also Bookmark/update across devices. I am Australian so not sure what options you have in your country. We also have a free service to borrow Audio and E-Books thru our Libraries in South Australia.

[@mizzmeplans]

I love this video. Thank you for being genuine and sharing something new that you haven’t 100% figured out your style yet. We all start somewhere and it’s good see someone as talented as you try something new take us on the journey with you. I have a suggestion about the stickers you use to keep them cohesive, try the PET tapes. They have the same theme throughout the roll and you can do many spreads with the same style. I have been watching your channel for a while clear stickers aren’t normally your jam but I think it would help.

[@elenacala]

I like your idea on favorite Authors. For me i'm doing more of a book index journal rather than a reading journal. I plan on listing our all the books I own, then having pages for book series I own, and then by genere with a rating. If you want more fantasy but with a hint of romance, check out Julliet Marillier. I love ALL her books, but my favorites out of hers is "Daughter of the Forest", and then "Hearts Blood". Don't be too hard on yourself. Doodles aren't meant to look perfect and you did a far better job than I ever would have!!!!

[@ravent3016]

I liked hearing about your learning process. If you need more space, don't forget you can tip in more pages. In my experience with how ADD I am, I find the less microtracking I have to do, the better. Stats don't matter to me, also; I am a great rereader, and sometimes that means skimming, so it makes no sense to count the pages read for me. One sentence reviews can be a good way to add more to the experience for beginners. And if you want more detailed reviews of a book you really enjoyed, you can do them as you feel inspired. To me, this is a better consideration of which books are most memorable rather than forcing a review of every book. If you join a book club or challenge, it's nice to include the books that you don't read or finish as a record when you look back. You might decide to read those books in the future. I like your idea of including anticipated releases in your TBR. If someone always wants to read the newest books, it makes sense to separate them, but otherwise, it's all TBR. I personally don't track new releases anywhere except in the series tracker because I don't usually buy new releases immediately. I buy most "new" books in trade paperback not hardback. I also buy more used books, so I have to wait. Given my immense physical TBR, that isn't a problem. Favorite authors' books are so memorable that I don't have to have a spread to remind myself. If you create your own series tracker shelf on good reads, you can add the various books in the series you want to complete. And tagging Goodreads books helps you search for a particular genre, etc. when you are mood reading. You can use the spreadsheet view (My Books) on goodreads to select the tags.

[@veronicaj6361]

Love your journal and the florals! I started my first maybe October last year, but my goal is to practice lettering/handwriting by tracking individual books, how I felt about them, quotes I liked, and first lines from each book. So each of my pages are dedicated to a specific book. I've not been really keeping up with the quotes part but I have tons of screenshots on my tablet to refer back to whenever I take the moment to catch those up! I've been using extra stickers I have or stickers from Oops bundles so mine doesn't have a consistent theme, but I love designing each two-page spread regardless. One of the best books I read last year was Lady Tan's Circle of Women - I learned things about foot binding I had never considered. Naomi Novik's Uprooted and Spinning Silver are easy to read young adult fantasy. She also has a darker kind of Harry Potter series and a historical fantasy series about dragons during Napoleanic times. It's hard for me to want to start those books, but once I start reading them, I don't want to stop. 🤷‍♀

[@plancreatecope]

I haven't read the other comments, but I use a sand eraser for all things ink. You have to be careful not to do too much because it actually takes off some of the layers of the paper. Tombow has a good one. Hope this helps!

[@adrie2408]

I started my very first bullet journal a few days ago. I was hesitant about starting one because i thought it would be tedious however I'm having fun decorating and making pages to document my books in a visually appealing way. You have a lot of great ideas and i like the self-critique. Bullet journaling is a learning process it seems. Keep it up❤

[@invizigirl99]

That book journal looks amazing! After earning my masters degree 10 years ago then immediately right before that by undergraduate degrees, it has been hard for me to enjoy reading. All through my youth, I enjoyed reading and decided to pick back up my hobby and passion for books in 2023. For this year, I plan to read even more books. I cannot believe I deprived myself of the enjoyment of reading because college burned my passion.

[@dazzlingcreativevibesandpl6774]

Wow, Love how it turned out, Mary Ellen. I can totally see why it took a long time , but at the end it's all so rewarding. You are totally inspiring me to make one for myself, but I feel overwhelmed with so much to do & so much to fill in , I'm afraid I'll fall off . Can't wait to see the pages being filled in every month.

[@annabonanas]

I love that you chose a bullet journal for this! Maybe next year you could pick out a new sticker book that you only use for your reading journal so you know all of the stickers will match and you will have enough 😊

[@TheBguenth]

This is the best, most creative reading journal! I love it!

[@lauragokey9109]

I know you kept saying the flower colors weren't exactly what was in your head, but I really like it!! I know I want to read a lot more this year than I have been.

[@rachaelbaker4086]

I read alot and have never thought to make a reading journal, you have just inspired me to do just that!! Thank you for all that you do :)

[@amandadh90]

This turned out so incredibly beautiful!!! You could not have done a better job! You've inspired me so much that I've officially decided that I am also going to create and use a reading journal this year!!! I cannot wait to get started 😊 Thanks for the inspiration! Ill definitely be on the lookout for you to update us, and can't wait to see it all filled out and complete at this time next year!!!❤

[@ruthbarmore5211]

Nice! I enjoy watching you doodle. If you'd like a suggestion for historical fiction, Rosemary Simpson is a great author. And for murder mystery I recommend Betty Webb. She has authored two series of books and is currently working on a third.

[@sarah_not_perfect_life]

I need to read more, I love reading. I might setup a reading journal for myself ❤ Love this video ❤

[@boco48]

A sand eraser might take off the rogue ink. Looks great.

[@terriwolek2141]

Love this journal! I like this fun way of tracking books and authors. You mentioned you wanted to read a historical fiction book. My favorite is Lisa Scottoline’s Eternal book. She is my favorite author and she’s from Philly. This genre was her first departure away from legal thriller. It even has some romance. Good luck on your reading goal.

[@margaretwallach7200]

Beautiful job! Loved watching your setup and I actually really like how you did your monthly pages...best of luck in the coming year! 📚❤👍

[@Hawkrn1]

I absolutely love this. I am trying to start a reading journal I think your ideas are great. I usually read between 20-30 books a year My journal will be small, but I thought I could continue adding years to it so I can watch myself progress. Thank you for a lovely video.

[@happyplanner_jana]

Soo pretty! 😍 hope you’ll show us more about this 🤩🤩🤩

[@rmortiz66]

LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you Mary Ellen! Your hard work shows. I like all of the book journals/planners out there but most are overwhelming. I will borrow & credit a few of your ideas for my own reading journey, as I try to build my reading endurance back up.

[@LindaASJ]

I’m using Kelllofaplans new reading journal. I’m loving it! Your reading tracker last year actually set me on my reading again.

[@robinzak5202]

I’ve been wanting to set up a reading journal and you have inspired me to get started! Really liked the set up with the creative spreads and trackers. Thank you!😀

[@dr.janaleewagner1177]

How fun! This is amazing. Enjoyed watching the process. ❤

[@cassandraweaver5766]

Awesome job! Your doodling is amazing

[@YourWorcesterGirl]

Love, love, love this! I've watched so many videos on reading journals and this is by far the best. So doable and I loved that you used stickers. Makes it so much easier to achieve a great look. Thank you for the inspiration. 📚❤

[@PlanningwithBumble]

Thank you so much!

[@mollyjones7737]

Your reading journal is beyond gorgeous! You could put more flowers on the page opposite your title page to cover the smudges. I think you’re being too hard on yourself. This is one of the prettiest reading journals I’ve seen. I have had a reading journal of one kind or another since 2018. It has evolved, but for this year I’m trying the Kell of a Plan one. In the past it’s just been on happy planner pages.

[@leiam7964]

I absolutely loved how this turned out! Makes me want to do one now. 😁

[@erinnewton1391]

Proud of you. This looks fantastic

[@caycollie8284]

This is so beautiful and amazing Mary Ellen!!! Lots of work went into it ❤. I’m not sure I have the patience or motivation to do everything you have done, but I am in a reading challenge & will at least do a few pages❣️💖

[@maureenpalardy4912]

Maryellen.. This Book Journal is gorgeous. All the " doodles" and floral accents make it pleasing to journal. I love it.. Great job. Thank you for sharing. Hugs❤

[@tarakanebrookshire5741]

The washi tape shop makes it really easy to use their stuff for a continuous theme/color scheme.

[@PlanningwithPeggy]

This is a great idea. I’m looking forward to seeing how it works out.

[@tirarosaurioreads]

Loved your reading journal, very functional and cute at the same time :)

[@ritahertzberg5762]

Simply lovely! It is good to “feel the fear and do it anyway”…now it’s my turn. Thanks for the inspiration, as always!

[@annmariesmith-eakins1327]

Thank You for making this reading journal video. It’s a big help to me as I’m struggling to set my journal up.

[@Mocha77793]

I really enjoyed watching you create your reading journal. It is really cute. I think you did an amazing job. Hope you will do a few videos showing how you fill it out. I will be creating my first reading journal this year. I am going to use a Happy Planner notebook and dotted line or grid paper. 😊 Happy New Year, and thanks for sharing.

[@NB-fh6ld]

Beautiful. I love your doodled box's and titles, etc. It is so personal and creative. I wish I could draw and create like you do. I hope you enjoy your first reading journal! Happy reading. 😊

[@susan_brehm_art]

Love this set up! For the unwanted ink marks in the beginning of the journal, try a sand eraser. 😊

[@Notable2Nikki]

Looks great! I tried doing one last year but I fell off with the journal about halfway through the year. It was just lined pages in the Happy Notes reading themed notebook. I was practicing my handwriting while writing out quotes I loved from each book. I want to get back into it but I can't decide if I should start a new one or try to catch up with my old one. I love my in person book clubs! We have such a good time! Historical fiction, I love Kate Quinn! Rose Code is my favorite of hers. Last year, I really loved Weyward by Emilia Hart. Of course, Kristin Hannah is an amazing historical author as well. Emily Henry is a favorite of mine as well. She is local; she shares a high school alma mater with my hubby and kiddos.

[@LuanaCupcake]

This is really pretty. I love your title page. To hide the smear on inside cover just tape down some patterned paper. I have a reading journal and I love filling it in. I read about 35 to 40 books a year. I create a full 2-page spread for each book. I include the title, the author, the dedication, the publishing date, the date I create the pages, a list of chapter headings if they’re named, a quote, characters names, and a summary. If it’s a murder mystery, I include the victim and the killer. Of course I decorate the pages with washi, stickers, doodles, and ephemera. I don’t include my nonfiction books.

[@cherylaceto8541]

Good job, Mary Ellen!! I might use some of your ideas next year for my 2025 reading journal.

[@deeellsworth1630]

I am so excited you are using an actual journal for this and not a planner. This allows more room for creativity. This is my 2nd year keeping a reading journal. I discovered BookTube last year and fell down the rabbit hole 😊

[@melissahuntsman1799]

Beautifully detailed journal! I’m hoping to read more this year, so I’m looking forward to your updates any book recommendations you make

[@deborahcarr4058]

Love this! I have been wanting to set up a reading journal for some time as I often forget what I have already read.

[@yolandagonzalez-rivera5819]

The only issue I have is that you showed this to us after I set my reading journal. 🤪 It’s gorgeous! Love it! An inspiration for next year.

[@cathywright4133]

Maryellen. It just hit me when you said that you like to read books by the same author. Well I do as well and I also like to watch videos by the same artist, which I am doing now. I have only been watching planning videos for a couple weeks, so I have a lot to catch up on 😊

[@PlanningwithBumble]

Aww thanks!

[@claudiamiramontes9851]

I love it!!! You are so talented!!! ❤

[@allisonhall1603]

You did a beautiful job! It’s awesome! Stop being so hard on yourself! I’m gonna steal a couple of your ideas 😉

[@TeamM334]

Wow! Just wow! Your reading journal is amazing. I listen to a lot of audio books, and have occasionally kept track of them, but this inspires me to make a journal for myself. I am soooo impressed! Thank you Mary Ellen for sharing this with us. It is truly inspirational.

[@carlibrooks1586]

Wow Mary Ellen! You are so talented and creative! I adore how this turned out. I use Heather Kells reading planner but find it difficult to utilize the daily pages.

[@patskar4977]

LOVE IT! A motorized eraser might get rid of those smudges. We use them in stamping/scrapbooking. Or else cover them with stickers and call it good.

[@debra9024]

Wow you’ve gone above and beyond typical reading tracking- next level for sure - love it MaryEllen. One question- would do a video on how you printed the book covers?? Thanks for sharing 😊

[@PlanningwithBumble]

I don't think I want to make a full video on my channel, but I did search on youtube and there are a bunch of tutorials! I grab images off google and then size them down in google docs.

[@shutterbugaboo]

Love this so much! 😍 I’m inspired to use a reading tracker this year (maybe a journal next year 😆). My goal is to read more nonfiction this year 🙌🏻

[@kimosmond9278]

I have kept a list of the books I've read for the last four or five years, but nothing more than the title, the date I started it, and my rating. I've been thinking about using a reading journal this year and you've inspired me. (I just might have to "borrow"some of your ideas!)

[@nbmcla2]

You should read Outlander by Diana Gabeldon. Actually you should get it from audible. It’s long and so being able to listen while you are doing dishes or folding laundry will help. It is an historical romance (fiction) one of the best books I have ever read.

[@stephanieblake4618]

This is absolutely awesome. A lot of work thats for sure. Worth it at the end though.

[@bethpodoletz842]

Love this idea. You cracked me up when you got rid of the plant and candle.😂

[@PlanningwithBumble]

I was like “screw this!” 🤣🤣🤣

[@bethpodoletz842]

Still makes me smile when I think about it.

[@nataliereed4366]

I love it! I designed a few pages on Canva for the first time to stick in the back of my catch all. I decided to start small and if I stick with it this year, I’ll likely do a full reading journal next year. I may add a few pages to what I’ve already done after watching this. I’m so excited to see updates as the year progresses! 😊

[@deecai01]

I have been an avid reader for many years but have finally decided to try a reading journal as a way to track everything

[@melinxa]

The desk set up was so cute but totally understand you pushing it to the side 😅. Good luck in all your reading goals! Malcolm Gladwell is one of my favorite authors if you're interested in non-fiction psychology/sociology books as a new genre! 📚

[@kimfields1000]

Beautiful!

[@jowilliams5768]

WOW!! Love this!

[@allisonwinters6442]

I absolutely love this!

[@EvanLuke3]

I LOVE how honest you are about your set up. The thing is that you are awesome! Your reading journal looks great!!! You really inspired me with ideas for my own reading journal. Truly you did an amazing job!❤❤❤

[@PlanningwithBumble]

Thank you so much!

[@lisettevanopbergen2837]

Its looks so easy, now i know how te start. My first page is realy a beginner page but i am part happy with is. I hop to get more ideas from you, thank you!!!

[@iridiaspearmint]

I think that staying on a theme, but using different flowers is perfect. It doesn’t matter the colors are not the same, it still consistent. Anyways, maybe for a next one you can choose a set of pet washi tapes, since it has so many stickers of the same color and theme.

[@serenafernandez2892]

I love how raw and real this is! It's completely new for you and you are learning what you like and what you wont as you go. So inspiring, this is beautiful!

[@PlanningwithBumble]

Thank you so much!!

[@m.gillett7655]

I love your channel and I’ve also been wanting to make a reading journal! You’re amazing! How did you learn hand lettering? Would you consider making some videos on teaching how to?

[@NurdieeBurdiee]

I love this. I think I'm gonna do a few. Idk if you have ever read Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis but it was very inspiring. She has a second one too.

[@heidilapensee9868]

I absolutely LOVE your reading journal. Thank you for all that you do. I have been searching and searching all over the internet for idea. This video is EXACTLY what I have been looking for. You took the time to like preplan it all out and then decorated it and explain what you did. I want to do a reading journal for the first time. While watching your video, I was inspired to start my first page. I now know that I need to just re-watch and pause your video for some ideas. This journal is so simple and perfect for a beginner like myself. I can not wait to see what books you read. I read It Ends With Us and absolutely loved the book and love Colleen Hoover. Thank you

[@debsnowden4310]

WOW that looks AMAZING, Mary Ellen!! You’ve inspired me to add a couple of pages to my book tracker. 2023 was the first year I tracked in my HP the books I read (did a library shelf page, also inspired by you) so now in 2024 I’m going to add a Favourite Author page with all their books listed and a Top 10. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@krislechien1190]

Fantastic.

[@heatherjoy4620]

Thanks for the Inspiration.💜 I was using Goodreads last year and I think it ate a bunch of my reading entries.😢 This year I am going analogue and recording them in a Reading Journal as well as in my planner.🙏 That's the plan lets see how it pans out.

[@angelacolumbia7627]

I also started a reading journal this year and it was not easy for me. I went very simple to try to grow next year.

[@susanherbert3014]

Wow! I love how you created all the pages and the ideas you used throughout. I don’t use a separate reading journal, I have added tabbed dividers in my big HP and one of the sections is where I keep my reading logs, etc for the year. I have thought of eventually moving them into a separate dedicated reading notebook. I love Emily Henry! Her books are so fun. My cousin, a friend of mine, and me read her new release and then we video chat to discuss. Fredrik Backman is a newer favorite of mine, (A Man Called Ove author) I’ve read just about all of his and he’s great. As for book clubs, maybe check local small business coffee shops or your local library.

[@pamcurrie7066]

I love all the florals!! I might have to make a reading journal now! Lol

[@PlanningwithBumble]

You should!

[@Emilyisaknitter]

This was so lovely to watch. I'm excited to see it through the year! I'm using a Little Inklings 'Novel Companion' Ultra this year for reading journalling/planning. Also, I want to out in a plug in for the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club - it is online & they talk to a different author each month.

[@liedjesuitmijnrugzak9845]

Pretty!♥️

[@kathysnyder3881]

You are amazing! I absolutely LOVE how this turned out!! ❤

[@kelleep535]

Love this so much!!

[@15THSTREETSTUDIO]

Great set up! Now I need to break out my bullet journal stuff and make one! Historical Fiction is my favorite! I’d suggest Hidden Among the Stars, The Woman with the blue Star, and Flight Girls

[@candace731]

I love all of your ideas, so cute! I hope you will make at least monthly videos on your reads. After not reading for several years I started reading again this. I love the idea of a book journal. I didn't stick with decorative planning last year like I had hoped for, so I'm not sure that I would stick with the book journal. It just seems so overwhelming to me. But, I love seeing the ideas you create. Is grammar correct and does it flow?

[@cindacat7109]

Love!

[@Heatherverran]

I really love how this turned out and it is great inspiration for me because I am a lazy girl lol

[@maryannmackay2643]

Beautiful journal! I always love florals and they look so nice as an element. 🏵🌼🌻🌸

[@marilynrobles5379]

Oh My Goodness Mary Ellen. I am without words. I love your book journal ! 😍You have given me inspiration to start my own.

[@DvorahDavida5778]

This was a creative tour de force! I don't keep a bullet journal , but now I see why people do! 💗

[@lauraschmied437]

This is amazing! It looks sooooo good! Makes me want to start reading!!

[@PlanningwithBumble]

Do ittttt

[@amandacolours]

This is awesome! I don’t have a reading journal, but as a colourist, I do have a colouring journal and you’ve given me some great ideas! I’ll have to make a video about it when I create it!

[@cherylcoomer8970]

I really enjoyed watching you set up your reading journal. Thank you for sharing.

[@AnneSaullo831]

I’m completing a reading journal for the first time this year too! Thank you for the wonderful ideas, Mary Ellen! I read Fourth Wing, which is a fantasy and I really liked it! Anne

[@rebeccaperez9439]

I absolutely love this!! I have a new journal and I want to use it for this. I just didn't know how to even start. I've watched a few other people, but they have been doing it awhile and included a lot of stuff I knew I would never use. Yours is perfect for what I want. I have been waiting for this since I watched your 2024 planner lineup, so I knew you were thinking about doing a reading journal. I am so excited to set mine up! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Love ya, Mary Ellen!! 📖📕📗📘📙📚✏✒🖋🖊🖌🖍

[@carriemcclaine2049]

Thank you for making this video. I like that it's not perfect. It has your personality in it. I am starting a new reading journal and will be borrowing a few of the ideas you've shared. Have a great day!

[@dachelldavis]

This is awesome Mary Ellen! I have been doing a book tracker in my planner the last few years. I love creating them! But I was also considering a journal this year🤔 Now that I have watched this I want to do some additional research and create one as well! Thanks for the inspiration as always😍

[@YvonneA60]

Absolutely love your reading journal. 👍I am using a Happy Planner for mine just so I can add pages as I need to. Also I am not great at drawing or lettering so thought this was easier!! But I am tempted to try in a bullet journal ...if I can find the time. Xx

[@cherylmusgrove7]

You did a beautiful job!! I love it, well done!! 📚📚📚

[@savannah58]

I love it. Did you hand draw the books? Also could you please show us how you print your stickers..I trying not to pull out my Silhouette