February Reading Journal Spreads + What I Read in January ✨📖📚

[@ErinSmith]

The first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/erinsmith02241

[@Bookbonkers8439]

Just a tip: if you store your ink pads face down they last a bit longer because the ink stay at the surface. My favorite read of January was definitely House of Flame and Shadow! So good!!

[@pngn69]

OMG THIS IS SO SMART!!

[@tonyalukens6297]

You could do an end of the year collage with the extra book covers your sprocket keeps creating.

[@EvanLuke3]

In January I started two books that I have not finished. The first book was for my book club. It was called A Fever in the Heartland. So many people in my book club said they could not put the book down. For me it was a slog. Not my type of book. Then I have heard so many good things about Demon Copperhead. The book won the Pulitzer Prize! I a, about 70% done with the book and it has gotten really depressing and I don’t want to finish it. Although I went and read some reviews and they said the book gets good at the end. I don’t know. I did read two other books this month that I really enjoyed. I raced through Britney Spear’s’ memoir. I read that book in one day. Great book. I also read Viola Davis’ book. Another great memoir. She read the audio version and it was excellent! For February I just started Remarkably Bright Creatures. I am only about two hours into the book so I really cannot give a honest review. So far I am confused as to how the octopus and the other characters are going to come together. But I am keeping the faith! I hope you have many good reads for the month of February!❤️📚

[@chaoticfall9451]

You could make an end of the year collage of books (like what Storygraph does!) using the extra book covers.

[@Haffina]

That course through Skillshare sounds right up my alley too! I need to check it out and use my skillshare subscription more lol. Your reading journal is very inspiring.

[@ErinSmith]

There’s so much on there, I feel like sometimes you need someone to tell you they have something like creative writing to realise it 😍

[@sof56867]

For the left over book cover, you could add magnetic tape to the back of it and make it into magnets

[@ErinSmith]

That’s a cool idea! 💡

[@ChantelleArts]

What a gorgeous spread, I love your aesthetic ☺☺☺

[@vivianwakoff]

This theme is so lovely! I know you're on your watercoloring journey but I miss your collage themes! Also, I always track my reading based on the month I ended the book. It gets less conffusing that way.

[@ErinSmith]

That's probably smart haha - I might take that policy on too Vivian! And there's always the Giveaway Journal for more collaging things - next week's video will be March in the Giveaway Journal! 🥰

[@concegoodwin6170]

Living vicariously through your reading journals! Lovely ! My favorite read in January was The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. Very happy for your new adventure.

[@olivia_vermast]

I’m obsessed as always!!🏰

[@juliangelus]

Gorgeous theme for february. My book of the month for January was WIcked Beyond Belief (about the yorkshire ripper) surprised myself by it being a true crime winner but I love it when it's an eclectic mix of genres.

[@ErinSmith]

Oh that sounds really interesting! 😍 I’m not usually a true crime reader but that would be an intriguing one!

[@sugarandhoneybujo]

i use a version of your rating system, but i don’t like math so i changed it to 1 star each for 5 categories. my categories are concept, writing style, character, plot, & enjoyment. i can do half stars for each category so i can figure out my scores!

[@ErinSmith]

I love this! Changing things to work better for you is definitely the way to go.

[@ExLibris-Alys]

White Horse Black Nights by Evie Marceau was my favourite January read and I can’t wait for the next one to come out (I think it’s this month), I really recommend it. I also loved The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E Harrow which is just a short story but is a stunning piece of work.

[@naastyaaaaaaaaa]

I found your channel a couple of days ago and now I'm addicted to your Reading Journal videos!)

[@ErinSmith]

That makes me so happy! 🥰 I’m glad you’re here!

[@maryruiter2416]

My favourite read for Januari was the latest Camilla Läckberg "Koekoeksjong".

[@ramblingperi]

I really enjoyed this video. Everything is so pretty. My favorite read for January was 'Masters of Death' by Olivie Blake. It was amazing in a chaotic sort of way.

[@KellyAK]

Love this set up as always! I read 9 books in January as well, my fave was Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho, it's a lovely collection of short stories. I'm still figuring out how to use my reading journal on a monthly basis, I'm not entirely happy with how I tracked things in January, so I'm trying something different for Feb. I think 2024 is going to be a big experiment in what I like or find useful! Always getting inspiration from your videos though, my FOMO over your in person meet up is real (I'm in the UK so a little too far away 😂)

[@ErinSmith]

I have some tentative UK travel plans for later this year - we might be able to make something happen! 😉

[@KellyAK]

@@ErinSmith oh my goodness that would be amazing! 🤞😍

[@maryruiter2416]

You could make a nice book collage page in your reading journal. I did with all the double book covers I had and it looks really nice.

[@SusanYeske701]

My top read for January was Castle in the Air by Diana Wynn Jones. I'm on Storygraph too, it's so helpful!

[@berenicedugain8709]

Love your designs and page layouts. ❤ I don’t read enough to justify having a reading journal, 📓but this video gave me tons of ideas to decorate my bible pages🌟. Thanks for your inspiration. 😇

[@ErinSmith]

Ohh I love that so much Berenice! 😍 if you do also read a little, you can always add reading pages to a regular journal - an overall list for the year or a section for it on a tracker spread in your monthly pages 🥰

[@killdawgswife5798]

Such a lovely reading journal. My favorite book for January was Satan's Affair. It's part of the Haunting Adeline series.

[@ErinSmith]

I really want to read that series! 😍

[@TheDarthPinkie]

I would really love to hear about your updated CAWPILE system.

[@ErinSmith]

Another commenter has let me know the creator of the CAWPILE system actually adapted it to include half stars, so I'll link you to her video explaining it! It's likely a bit more watertight than my version haha! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmHYeKeHod2VaKcsi=6BodiIBNNhhujdDP

[@TheDarthPinkie]

Oh, I was not aware of this new update. Thank you! 😊

[@Walking_Through_Midnights]

Favorite read for January was Powerless by Lauren Roberts

[@ErinSmith]

I’ve been hearing good things about those ones!

[@steppy3736]

You've definitely inspired me to work on my 2024 book journal.

[@ErinSmith]

That makes me so happy! I hope you have a great time doing it! 🥰

[@Didi-mb3rx]

this is the most beautiful reading journal i've ever sen

[@ErinSmith]

🥹🥰 that’s so lovely of you to say! I have a really good time with it!

[@katerinapolaskova6163]

I loved The house witch so much and looking forward for next book.

[@ErinSmith]

I’m definitely going to read more in the series too! A few of our Page Mages had finished the series and they say it gets even better!

[@fabidbastos]

Love your spreads! They are truly gorgeous, and always inspire me on my journal!. About The cawpile system: It already has half stars implemented in it, if you look it up on youtube, the creator made a few changes throughout the years and I explains how to work with half starts :)

[@ErinSmith]

Ohhh thank you for this! I’ll check it out!

[@mistyblack3895]

I love your reading journal. Have you considered making a video on the stuff you will be teaching so the people who can’t attend can gain important knowledge from you? Just a thought!

[@ErinSmith]

Since it’s a paid workshop, probably not 😅 maybe sometime in the future but likely not anytime soon.

[@pratibhagopalakrishna3436]

Erin, Erin, my dear Erin, once again, your (unintentional) recommendation paid off! I LOVED The House Witch! I finished the trilogy in three days I'm sorry you didn't like it as much but still, thank you so much for giving me this treasure! For me, this book felt warm, cosy, and funny! I loved the setting, the characters and the underlying long plot. The author addresses issues like abuse and trauma very subtly ... I agree that the pace was slow which is exactly why, for me, it was like I was reading a cosy anime - I could imagine all these scenes playing out... In the end, I didn't want to leave this world and these characters! I wanted to stay there for some more time! I wanted to read more about their adventures! Thank you, thank you again!

[@ErinSmith]

Awww I’m so glad you liked it so much! It was definitely a cosy read 🥰 I’m planning to continue the series too, but I think I’ll enjoy it even more if I switch to audio so that’s my plan ☺️

[@pratibhagopalakrishna3436]

@@ErinSmith Oh that's fantastic!! Yes, I'll try audio too! Please let all of us know what you think after you finish it!!!

[@jadaelyse19]

in a jam is one of my favourites ever, definitely my like top five of last year. i bought the physical copy and just hope to re read it in the spring/summer and be able to fully annotate it :)

[@ErinSmith]

It’s SO GOOD 😍 you have excellent taste Jada!

[@dawnkeene3623]

Your work is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your ideas.

[@ErinSmith]

Thank you so much Dawn! I’m so glad you like it 🥰

[@MysteriousMind91]

I finally ventured into the ACOTAR World this January so my favorite read was of course A Court of Mist and Fury, I know very predictable, but I finally get the hype ^^ Also thank you so much for these Videos, Erin! I have loved them always for their bubbly cozyness (is that a thing?) but now that I keep a Reading Journal myself, I love them even more ^_^

[@ErinSmith]

ACOMAF was one of my top reads of last year, I totally get it 🥰 I’m so glad you’re enjoying my little book journal videos!

[@tinaperkins2052]

I am wanting to start scrapbooking. What are my first steps to get started. The date today is July 12, 2024.

[@mariesalway91]

lol, I just had a thought, if you had a frypan sticker for the house witch, it would fit in so well 😆

[@ErinSmith]

A frypan and a passed out knight! 🤣

[@Gplancarte]

Tank you for using ink pads❤

[@ErinSmith]

🤣 I can’t guarantee I’ll always use them!

[@musicmary1331]

your videos are so relaxing for some reason lol

[@ErinSmith]

I’m so glad you think so! 🥰

[@musicmary1331]

@@ErinSmith love them ! on a binge..

[@RusKms]

This is so pretty! I can't wait to try a B5 for my next reading journal. You're inspiring me haha. Also, do you have a template for the CAWPILE stickers?? I have a Phomemo, and I'm toying with the idea of trying the CAWPILE method with my next journal.

[@ErinSmith]

Good idea Leah! I'll pop you a link to the one I made here - it might work best rotated for the Phomemo? Not sure! bit.ly/3Urd8kt

[@belindaclemons6897]

I have Devine Rivals and Ruthless Vows on my wishlist

[@ErinSmith]

You’re in for a heck of an adventure! 😍

[@RachelCerys]

I had the same issue with multiple of the same printing on my sprocket :( now instead, and it seems to be working... fingers crossed, I print via my photos app on my iPhone rather than the Sprocket app :)

[@ErinSmith]

Ohhh Rachel I didn’t know you could do that! Thanks for the tip! 😍

[@jellyberry90]

I really love your reading journal videos and how much fun you‘re having with the setups 😊 I thought it could be fun to do a joke spread at the back of the book à la „my sprocket‘s favourites“ with the duplicates 😂

[@ErinSmith]

That's a great idea! 😍 I might just do that! Like Jashii’s washi graveyard but make it book covers 🤣

[@LatingGirl]

Love all your videos. Can you post the link as to where you purchased your kindle case, please?

[@ErinSmith]

Absolutely! I got it on Amazon: amzn.to/3Xf3anv

[@tanyawilley5247]

You inspired me to start a reading journal and I’ve loved it. So thank you. Also wondering if you had a template for the CAWPILE sticker you use?

[@ErinSmith]

You're going to have so much fun Tanya! You can nab my little CAWPILE sticker here: bit.ly/3Urd8kt

[@tanyawilley5247]

Thank you so much! Saved and off to office works I go for stickers lol. You actually have given me the gift of motivation to read more. I’ve had such a terrible time of late so reading has become so important to my mental health. Bringing reading and journaling, my 2 favourite things together. So thank you 💖

[@ErinSmith]

🥹 I’m so sorry you’re having a rough time. At the same time, I’m so glad you have these positive things to keep you going! Sending you a big hug to go with those CAWPILE stickers!

[@kileyjahn3142]

Did you make that little card with the plain washi tapes on it? It's so cute and practical!

[@ErinSmith]

I bought the card in a set from eBay but I did unwrap all those tapes onto it for easy storage 🤣 it took a while but it was worth it!

[@kileyjahn3142]

@@ErinSmith I have like a million and one washi rolls and I need a better storage solution 😅 Any recollection what they're called? (Also thank you! 🙏)

[@ErinSmith]

Washi tape sample cards usually does it, but some places seem to refer to it as ‘acrylic board’ as well!

[@FoxMonde]

Can you do a video about the materials (camera, micro, etc.) you use to record?

[@ErinSmith]

Funny story - this actually used to be a photography channel! From 2016-2021 posted camera reviews and photoshoot behind the scenes videos here 😅 I feel like it might feel a bit like going backwards to make a video, but everything I use is linked at the bottom of the video description 😘

[@ErinSmith]

All the camera review videos are unlisted now but you can see the review for the camera I shoot my videos with here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWO0fqilfJ1qp68si=aPb6DFOqMUiglI-a

[@FoxMonde]

@ErinSmith wow i didn't knew that. And also never notice that you link these infos in the video descriptions even if I read these for the sticker and journals links! 😅 Thanks you, I'll go watch these. I want to make more bullet journal videos and I'm sure I'll get some good inspo from you 🥰

[@EnsaASMR]

Where do you get your CAWPILE stickers? I would love to use those in my reading journal!

[@ErinSmith]

I made them! 🥰 Here’s a link to an image version in case you’d like to make some too! bit.ly/3Urd8kt

[@Selenzell]

Is there a video dedicated for the rating system?

[@ErinSmith]

There is! This is the original: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4vLmqGuqbmAfLMsi=2E9MehsuxiE-29Ao She has updated it a few times too so if you search CAWPILE on her channel you can see the newer versions!

[@sharlanefenton6213]

Hi Erin. Have you tried Tandem reading?

[@ErinSmith]

Hi Sharlene! Sort of - I tandem read the Twilight with the leaked release of Midnight Sun a few times many many years ago! 🤣 not since then though - I know the TOG books I’m up to are often tandem read but I’m listening to them on audiobook, quite often in the car, so I think it might be a bit too much for me at this stage! In Australia it’s illegal to touch your phone while driving, and you can get huge fines or lose your licence so I’m happy to stick to them as written and released for now 😉

[@Art3mis1990]

this is beautiful! :)

[@ErinSmith]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@ancestryacres7520]

Could you tell me more about the book club? Trying to find some to join this yr

[@ErinSmith]

Absolutely! It’s called the Page Mages, which is also the name of the channel membership tier that can access it. We run it through my private channel members discord, which is only accessible via KZbin channel subscription, and it’s very casual and fun. We have an allocated book each month, which the book club members nominate via a Google form and I choose from there - ideally I want to make sure we have a book chosen by a different book club member each month. We discuss it in a dedicated Discord channel through the month at whatever pace we read it, making sure to reference chapters and conceal spoilers, and at the end of the month we have an audio/video optional call to discuss the book! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to know 🥰 I love questions!

[@ancestryacres7520]

Thank you I will definitely look into this more after work today Love your channel

[@chaoticfall9451]

Nice to see I wasn't the only one who got all three of stickiiclub's advent calendars lol

[@ErinSmith]

Gotta catch em all 🤣 the pop calendar is so good for reading journal stickers!!

[@katyparker9012]

What’s the stamp set you used on the queen of shadows spread?

[@ErinSmith]

I got it in store at Spotlight here in Australia but I've linked a similar in one the description as "silicon letter stamps" 😘

[@katyparker9012]

@@ErinSmith I’m in Australia too so I’ll check my local one. Thanks

[@mooncraftbujo]

Ahhh, the Sprocket gods - the most temperamental of our overlords 😅

[@ErinSmith]

I think I really displeased them Kimberley 😅 how does one appease thermal printer gods?

[@nourin_siddique]

Are you really using fountain pens?nonetheless that pen you are writing with looks beautiful. Edit: yes a beautiful fountain pen. I really love the colour.

[@ErinSmith]

I’ve had this pen for a while - since my last Stationery Pal haul I think? But I’ve always been a bit intimidated by the world of fountain pens! All my usual Pigma Microns are dead or dying though so I’ve reached for it this month and I’m really liking it!

[@nourin_siddique]

@@ErinSmith fountain pens are really nice to write long spreads & stuff, so I hope you continue :33

[@brendabignall9926]

📚📖📊📈🎉🎆🎇✨

[@ErinSmith]

I love how you can tell a whole story with emojis Brenda! 🥰 always appreciate you here in my comments. 😘

[@muskanmohammed8561]

O MY GOSHHH HIIII ERIINNNNN!!!!! how are you, hope your great! ok let me jus say this, your journal is GORGEOUS🤩🤩!!!! all of the spreads and themes are beautiful and sooo awsome looking😃.Also very happy your better love to hear the chatty Erin. I'm finally done with my exams and i got not bad marks so proud of my self but i wanna do better in some subjects but i know ill do it,jus gotta power through you know😅. I love this journal like even if it's not mine but watching it in the video made me feel like i was living in the journal😂, almost like a book how awsome🤣! your sooo talented in everything you do. And you know I totaly FLIPPED when you mentioned writing and poetry, we disscussed about this in my comment and i was so touched that you mentioned it in the video 🥲and let me jus say, keep going Erin it's so fun lets grow in writing together and do somethin cool let's gooo😁😁. Also I'm gonna email you and show you my planner and all of the moths i decorated and i'll explain them as well. I waited cuz febuary was coming pretty soon and i wanted to make that email very packed and meaningful and say things i can't say or aren't really suitble for a public comment so jus stay tuned and active there i'll email you ok. I love you so much Erin you have made me grow sooo much😊, i never thought I, like ME a random teen would be friends with a youtuber i mean idk from your side if i'm your friend or not but just know that i love you and you mean alot to me😭😭. I wish to meet you someday when i've grown into a great person. I feel like both of us have experienced and been with eachother as we grow we have literally felt us grow together you might have felt that more about me cuz I'm still pretty young and changing now and then🤣🤣. I'll talk about this more on the email love youu sooo much erin your amazing🥰🥰, like absolutley awsome love you MWAH😘😍😍!!! And ofcourse Mitsu as well we can't foget about him, and did I ever mintion he reminds me of Oreos like i get hungry for them every time he comes in 🤣🤣

[@ErinSmith]

Aww Muskan! What a beautiful comment 🥹 I would love for you to email me photos of your months! It’s funny, I used to write every day when I was your age and words just poured out of me but I feel like it’s much harder now - I hope you never lose that passion and drive for writing. But even if you did, it’s ok - we can always come back to the things we love, like me right now! I’m so proud of you for working hard in your studies - make sure to get some rest and have fun and eat some good food too! 💕 Mitsu does look like a delicious Oreo doesn’t he? He hates sweet foods though - I hold them out for him to sniff and he makes a face like ‘why would you eat that?!’ Then again, his food doesn’t smell very good to me either 😅 give your lovely Dora a cuddle from me! Does she look like any foods? 😘