New Reading Journal Setup | Traveler's Notebook size reading journal ideas 💡

When you run out of pages in your B5 reading journal in September... you set up a traveler's size reading journal to get you through the rest of the year! I'm looking forward to trying out new layouts in this new little beauty!
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• Old reading journal: A&O B5 notebook from the Charming Picnic gift box - sadly no longer available.
• New reading journal: A&O Compass TN notebook, also sadly no longer available
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• Gold metallic paint marker from this set: amzn.to/48NJnhV *
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• HP Sprocket 2x3" mini printer: amzn.to/3HgQR0Z
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• Tom's Studio Wren writing pen: bit.ly/3Xzhmqa *
• Quirky Cup Collective Reading Journal stamp set: bit.ly/4eI3ssZ
• Quirky Cup Collective Fantasy & Fiction stamp set: bit.ly/3RpGrTc
• Metallic green washi - similar style: amzn.to/4dmPtYj
• Tombow dual brush pen in N89 grey: bit.ly/3qU8BuN
• Sakura Pigma Micron 08 fineliner: bit.ly/3ytWJiJ *
• Sakura Pigma Micron 01 fineliner: bit.ly/3VQ0clY *
• Glue tape: bit.ly/3B5rkp5 *
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[@joannedj1]

I’m with you on cutting washi tape at the halfway point of a spread. Definitely helps the pages fold better. With the journal decor and the music, I’m getting Lord of the Rings vibes.

[@ClaireGreen-wd2gm]

Ive collected journals for 20 years and Ive never bought one this size. I just ordered one from Notebook Therapy because youve shown here how much you can still do with that smaller size. 😁

[@scoutbobout2291]

I’m currently in an A5, but I find it small so I’d love to move to a B5 or even a square. That said, major props to you for using the traveler’s size - even temporarily I think I’d get claustrophobic, but you make it look really nice!!

[@bellemeri8155]

In case you wanted to get them again, JetPens sells MTWashi Tapes. It might be a bit expensive to ship to you from the states, but they do sell them.

[@moriasexton7284]

I don't have a reading journal right now. I am setting up my first reading journal in a Traveler's size notebook for 2025. I am looking forward to seeing all your adventures in this Traveler's sized journal to inspire me for mine. Thank you Erin.

[@debra9916]

Cute set up. I love the book stamp set. I have been using a B6 for 23/24. I will continue with a B6 for next year, but I will only include one year in it.

[@witchey_craft]

I am using a TN for this half of the year as my bullet journal and its fun ..definitely very different from A5 but its so much fun and less scary as its little, I have made dutchdoors and tried out all possibilities of cutting and it works ..It is a nice experience so far ..I am so sure you will have it too and by the way ,the setup was gorgeous !!!

[@susan_brehm_art]

I'm using an 8.5"x11" journal this year, it's the size I've been using for 3 years. I like it because I can print the book covers bigger, but sometimes it's way too much space. So I'm switching to A5 for next year. I'll just need to use more pages which is fine because I always have a lot of pages left at the end. I love the style of your journals, I'm going to try some new looks in 2025. 😊

[@sunfastrose]

I love Terry Pratchett, good choice.

[@yoganisingh5051]

this is a really fun set-up. I am still using a B5 journal, this is only my second year of keeping a reading bujo and i am still finding out what i like. i'm thinking of a square dot grid for next year or maybe a letter size. i want the pretty and the function

[@juliangelus]

I'm in an A5 currently and am thinking about a square for next year. I have a spare one from Scribbles & Dot so will pencil in a set up and see how I feel. I adore this set up of yours, interesting to see how you manage in a travellers. :)

[@vivianwakoff]

I dont have a reading journal, just reading pages in my goals/projects insert. But the travelers notebook is my happy place in planning and I'm thinking of adding a book journal insert for next year. You bet I'll take inspiration from your setups!

[@ChantelleArts]

I have those window stickers too! they're gorgeous 🥰

[@AmberWhidden]

Tysm for this! I’m looking to start a reading journal soon but big aesthetic spreads are not my thing so I have been browsing for traveler size journals, but wasn’t sure if they’d be big enough. This makes me feel more confident that it would be.

[@LaurenMilla]

I'm starting my first reading journal. Using a B6 from one of A&O's sub boxes. I've had my personal database for book tracking and reading logs, but I thought it would still be nice to do something decorative. You've been a great inspiration!

[@TheBellastella]

Nice set up, your use of the stamps is so creative 😍

[@KellyAK]

Love this set up! The bookshelf stamps are inspired, drawing my bookshelves this year took so long 😅 I'm in an A5 currently and really struggling to make sure I get the whole year in it, the last 3 months are going to have to take some careful planning and sacrifice of some spreads possibly, which is frustrating. I am trying a square journal next year, and am also planning on using 2, unless the square proves more accommodating!

[@Chaos_and_Creativity]

A square Archer and Olive?! I've wanted to try out their 8X8 square notebooks so bad!!!

[@KellyAK]

@@Chaos_and_Creativity yes, my first A&O journal! It's beautiful, I am itching to start my 2025 set up already!

[@MysteriousMind91]

Yaay! An Erin Reading Journal Setup to start my morning ^_^ So happy!

[@victoriarabbit9883]

I'm a B5 girl. I can't fit my trackers in a smaller size. Beautiful journal, Erin; thanks for sharing.

[@hazelmorera5946]

This is such a good idea! I only have a few pages left in my A5 reading journal and I kinda hate the thought of starting a new A5 before the start of 2025, so I might take this as inspiration to do the same and just move into a travellers for the last 3 months of the year as well. Your spreads, as always, are so so lovely and so inspiring! :)

[@EvanLuke3]

I love your new set up in a travelers notebook!! You always make the best layouts!! I am excited to see how you do your reviews in your notebook. I currently have an A5 reading notebook but it is super full, so full that it is hard to make new pages. So my plan is to move into a square notebook next. Thanks for a really great video! I really enjoyed it!❤❤❤

[@kileyjahn3142]

I just finished adding the Bewitched challenge to my Reading Records journal! This is such a cute reading journal, I've never entertained a traveler's size.

[@KimTaehee_95]

The journal is so beautiful. I love the set-up btw!

[@Stephanie-kc9kw]

I think you could do Dutch doors or waterfall in the smaller journal. But maybe only do three tabs and try the style where you put a sticker that goes out beyond the edge of the page and you stagger them so there’s one sticking out towards the top of the one page, the middle of the second page, and the bottom right f the last page. Look forward to seeing what you end up doing.

[@charlottemalone7375]

First, love your nails 💅❤ ; Next, I’m not planing a reading journal specifically but I am planning to start a memory keeping journal (square) on my next bday for the following year. If any books knock my socks off, I’ll do a spread in that journal. And if I find I really enjoy those spreads, then there may be a reading journal in my future. Baby steps!

[@bookbinder_way]

I did a square 8x8 journal last year and it was ok. Switched to B5 this year and I love it. Only going to do B5 from now on I think.

[@Sarah-Cornell]

I’m saving this so I can try some of your spreads in my next reading journal lol

[@sherrycohen1824]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. Your pages are fabulous. I haven't set up a reading journal, but I will for 2025. The last four years I've just logged what I read. However, I'm not happy because I clicked on your links and I'm spending a small fortune!

[@joannedj1]

I have a bookshelves stencil so I use that to record all the books I read in a year. Last year, I actually had to set up some “spare shelves” although I don’t think I will need that this year.

[@samsreadingcorner08]

I’m currently in an A5 and that’s my tried and true but i got a square one to try for 2025!

[@toteZitrone]

I was jsut ordering at notebook therapy, finding myself oncemore confronted with the problem of too many great looking notebooks and not enough content/projects/nerves to fill them :D I usually do not Like the TN Size for journaling and planning, due to its extremely vertical format, but I saw such a cute TN size Notebook I just wanted to have it and thought it might make a good notebook for something I do not necessarily regularly design any spreads but rather fill out and collect information that look good in a vertical display, with one to three "items" per page and not a lot of writing. I'm really thinking about making it a book "album", with the goal to not really track (like I would do in my planner) my reading but rather collect a probably multiple years long "reading journey" and thus creating an overview over what I bought an read, and what my main take aways were. I mostly read non-fiction, so I do not read for hours a day and the overall amount stays quite small. I'm really looking forward and hoping to see how my interests developed, where topics and reading behaviour changed and then some time in the future hopefully rediscovering some of my favourite books. (:

[@niccime2278]

I will start with a reading journal next year and find a lot of inspiration in your videos about it! Thank you :) I love the music you added to this video. Me, reading a lot of Fantasy like LOTR, likes that. I will check the playlist! Journalsey has awsome stuff and I ordered a lot for my journal and reading journal. Can't wait to use it. I will use a A5 journal which will last the whole year (I do not do audible books and I am not a fast fast reader because I want to enjoy and linger in the worlds about I am reading). But I think about adding some space for Podcasts, too. I listen to a lot of interesting stuff and I think it would be nice to keep this in mind, too.

[@thiadesg]

I've been keeping reading journala since 2017 and I've always used A5 journals. It's just the perfect size for me, I can do a lot and my reviewa fit really well on a single page. I went around the rainbow (from pink to purple all the way to red) for the first 7 years and this year was silver, so I get to choose another pretty colour for 2025!

[@hillarybigham5872]

I’m stoked so see how this one turns out! And absolutely stunning as always! ❤

[@MemphisJones]

I wish I had it in me to do this, I love watching it done but I must be the laziest reader on earth. 😅 This video has been so relaxing to work to.

[@jules4818]

this came at the perfect time! i have 3 pages left in my current notebook therapy A5 and i’ve been stressing on what to do! I didn’t even think about getting a traveler size just for the rest of the year!! love your vids ❤

[@jennifergentry144]

Erin, this is stunning! You always provide me with such wonderful inspiration! Thank you!

[@sofiewauters7539]

That's so clever! Very good solution when you like to start a new reading journal at the beginning of next year. Do you think you'll start using two reading journals per year from now on? Or is it a case of wait and see for each individual year? Also, please please please, would you consider doing a full flip through of the previous reading journal? ♥ If you have time, obviously.

[@Jen39x]

Very, very pretty

[@concegoodwin6170]

Really nice journal! I have the same stamps from Quirky Cup and use them in a variety of set ups. I also set a goal of reading 100 books this year. So far, I am up to 96.

[@TheConsultingReader]

I’m in an A5 but I can’t decided which size to choose for next year. And I really hope my journal lasts me until the end of 2024, it might get a bit tricky soon because I don’t have too many pages left.

[@isabelhunt5804]

You can always add tip-ins

[@GailB0707]

You should check out jashii corin's book battle layout to get a better result on which book really is your best for the year

[@DAYbreaking_Ideas]

I’m exploring starting a reading journal. The A&O sub box came with a pretty A5 journal that has extra pages and says Reading Journal with the books and flowers on the cover. I have several of the books from the challenge in October. I’m excited about that one 🎉

[@Chaos_and_Creativity]

Wait when was that from?! I've never ordered from A&O but it's because all I want to order is something BOOKISH themed from them! Lol

[@ErinSmith]

Ooh I haven’t seen that journal, it sounds lovely! 😍

[@mopete9830]

All my stuff is digital now but my last paper journal was a B5 and that's pretty close to my eink tablet's size so I'll just go with that size. It's like a 10.5" screen so. But I'm excited to set up next year's journal I'm almost done with the current one and I have a possible replacement ready to go already.

[@joannedj1]

Mort by Sir Terry Pratchett is an excellent choice!

[@Telkana806]

Current reading journal is in a hobonichi avec and I'm not a fan. Next year will be in a TN insert. Love your bookshelf!

[@MeowMyselfandI]

These look so cute! Stamps are a genius idea for the bookshelf haha I actually set up a new one in the beginning of September! I don't read enough to fill a whole book in one year normally but this year I've somehow been on a reading binge I guess so the last one lasted me all of 2023 until about halfway through this month. I'm using the Notebook Therapy lucky bag notebook for my new one, which I think is their original size? Excited to see how you use the traveler's size, the pages always seem too small to do much with so I'm curious how you'll feel☺

[@gamewrit0058]

For October 2023 through December 2024, I'm using the Ivory Paper Co 2024 Planner, 11x8.5 inches (letter size), weekly/monthly wirebound, Tillie Pink floral cover. Customized with stickers, washi tape, and pens; $18.99 USD from Target. For 2025, I've purchased a smaller, hard-bound weekly planner by Flame Tree Publishing, UK. I like the magnetic closure along the full length opposite the binding. It has two golden yellow ribbon page markers. The embossed, shiny cover is an image based on bookshelves at Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford - I didn't know that when I bought it at Barnes and Noble for $13.99 USD here in the States. The Flame Tree cover is similar to your stamped bookshelves layout in this video. Recently, I'm really enjoying that vibe. Since this 2025 journal is a LOT smaller, and it's hardbound, I'm hoping to have it with me more often for jotting down what I've read when, and to write down TBRs while watching booktube or reading reviews.

[@ErinSmith]

Oh my goodness - I visited the Bodleian Libraries yesterday! It must be a beautiful planner 😍

[@elliesnotes]

Honestly that first line was exactly me. Starting a new reading journal for the last three months of they year but I am not sure I can handle it in a travelers size XD. But you almost made me want to try because this notebook was brilliant and gorgeous! Can you design my next reading journal for me, lol.

[@nadjabauer9533]

I use similar spreads for movies and tv shows and I had the same issue with the monthly bracket for finding the "best" movie. Jashiicorrin has a video somewhere on her channel where she explains a different method where you have every book/movie compared to the others and choose which one you like better and in the end you see which one wins overall...it's difficult to explain haha, jashiicorrin does a much better job. But I like her system much better because it is more accurate.

[@angelbaby32294]

I use a traveller's size for my creative/bujo (my first one, mostly just experimenting) and i have done waterfall tabs and dutch doors! Theyre small but fun and cute. Also i did some math and found the medians for the CAWPILE ratings to get middle stars. I can post the numbers if anyone wants it

[@Chaos_and_Creativity]

That Travelers Notebook was literally MADE FOR ME.... But of course they are no longer available 😂 seriously, couldn't be more perfect for my asthetic and overall personality.... I cant wait to see you use this as I got a sterling ink standard horizontal for next year that i am LITERALLY ITCHING TO USE!!! still working on getting some deco simply because everything is so expensive and I saved up most of the year to be able to purchase from sterling ink BUT ill get there.... Still wishing I had another one of your mystery journals because nothing compares to the work of art in that book! Thank you again a hundred times!

[@ErinSmith]

It’s really clever from a marketing standpoint, how A&O do these limited runs but it’s so disheartening when you miss out on your dream journal 😭

[@SirjaKosonen]

I'm in the B5 club 📖 Only my very first bullet journal was A5 and ever since every single journal I've had had been a B5 😆

[@balletbookworm]

Since I read so much (~160 books per year), I keep my "yearly" pages like reading challenges, etc. in a B5 sized journal (right now it's a Moonlight Alchemy B5 NT, but for 2025 I'll move into the A&O B5 from the Desk Aesthetics box bc the current one will be very close to full by then...I also swatch new washi in the back so I work from both ends of the book and meet in the middle 😏). But then my monthly cover page and review spreads are in NT original size books - I just keep going from one to the other when I run out of space, so I use about 3 of them per year (and I'm going to be throwing at least one NT traveler's size in there at some point bc I got one with the Neko Days gift set bc I wanted the cute cat washi and stamps so badly lol).

[@Chaos_and_Creativity]

I HAVE to ask.... And please don't take this as anything other than pure curiosity and bewilderment..... How on earth do you read this many books a year?! Do you work? Have kids? (Again I'm asking because I'm ENVIOUS and want to read at least HALF of that amount). Read fast? I have always loved books but fell away from reading for a long time and started back last year with 10 books for the year and right now I'm working on my 28th and 29th for this year... Trying to meet 50 but man! 80 books a year would be a sweet spot for me!

[@balletbookworm]

@@Chaos_and_Creativity no worries :) ok, so, first off, yay for getting back into reading

[@chaosmensch9544]

I'm also a first time TN user rn :D while you mentioned a stationery store in Sydney.. I will visit Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in October. DO you have any reccomendations for stationery stores? ^^

[@Andrea_769]

Love the setup❤I'm using an A5 now, and I'd love to use a square next year or maybe B5, but I don't really have money too spend on those notebooks, since they're very expensive😕

[@Limbothy]

What is the purple paper cutter that you used? It’s so pretty

[@thehoys9412]

oh thank you for doing this! I'm one of those people, I have a square, A5, and travelers. I fully intended to start a reading journal at the start of this year, but life had other plans for me. I read about 2 books per month, sometimes 3. I'm an avid crafter, cardmakee, and planner. I've already got supplies 😂 Which size do you think is best for me?

[@ErinSmith]

I have a video about this actually! 🥰 I’ll pop you a link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKmyY5uVZa6Anacsi=SvZwDKBbd6jQnYzP

[@thehoys9412]

@@ErinSmith Thank you!! I saw this earlier. Still stuck. And still sick on actually getting started!! I'm in between the travelers and the A5 notebook therapy. It's really hard to find layouts for travelers. Basic things like indexes. I'm not very good with Instagram. I'm slowly putting together a plan for the first few pages.

[@deborawesthauser618]

I'm currently using a square notebook (20x20cm), but I'm thinking about switching for a B5 in 2025. The only problem is that there's no B5 journals in my country and it is kinda expensive to import because import taxes here are really high.

[@eprohoda]

ho’s everything going?~ awesome ~=))

[@VioletPhoenix922]

What was that store in Sydney where you got the washi tape? Just want to be sure it’s on the list for my trip!

[@ErinSmith]

Books Kinokuniya! Their Japanese stationery selection is phenomenal Deb!

[@VioletPhoenix922]

Perfect, it’s on the list!

[@ronjatuan7090]

I made it 3 mins into the video before ordering on Journal say :´-)

[@ErinSmith]

That's gotta be a record! Haha happy new stationery!

[@ronjatuan7090]

@@ErinSmith thank you xD the church window sticker just really did it for me