Reading Journal Setup | Repurposing my Hobonichi Weeks Mega

[@meghanjackson7494]

I just finished up my chores and this popped up at the perfect time. I love how your reading journal came together. Super cute and it suits you. I’m a big big reader but have found a lot of premade reading journals are too formatted and too much pressure. I keep my reading notes within my regular journal and planner. I also keep a list of preorders I’ve placed for upcoming releases and dates that the next instalments of series are expected to be released. Sometimes I keep a wishlist too (but that gets out of control quickly)! Happy reading!

[@elliescorner2019]

Thanks so much for sharing, Meghan! I love the idea of keeping a list for preorders and series’ instalments. I hear you about premade journals/formats - I know they work for many but I always felt pressure and figuring out why has helped me with this setup. It sounds super functional that you keep your reading notes within your planner and journal - I imagine it helps to have it in a system that you’re in regularly. ☺️ Thank you for watching, and happy reading to you as well!

[@lil.ikuraa]

I am comfort rewatching this and trying to settle down as it’s been a challenging day for me. I love your videos and I love that your reading journal is really built to serve you. I encounter similar struggles when trying to read anything long-form (meaning anything I can’t finish in one sitting or one day max LOL). I’ve seen Lindsey Scribbles do a game log and this reminds me of that! I’ve always been discouraged to read since I easily lose motivation and memory of what I’ve read..but if it means I get to setup another journal I’m here for it! I’m excited and thankful you’ve shared your spreads and setup with us! Thanks Ellie :)))

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you for such a kind comment, Krissy. 🥹🥰 I’m happy to report that the reading journal is still working really well for me. I do tend to let books “pile up” on my Kindle Unlimited, but then I just sit for a spell and jot down some details before I return them. I love that the planner serves me and doesn’t feel like a chore. 😄 (And yesss, setting up planners and journals is always such a fun endeavour!!)

[@roroandlu1214]

Like you I’ve always started and stopped reading journals. I love the way you have laid this out, I feel like this is what I’ve been looking for!! What a great plan. Thank you for sharing

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you! I’m glad you found the video helpful - it was eye-opening for me to really consider why my reading journals of the past haven’t worked out. I hope the simplicity and flexibility of this one allow me to use it consistently! 🤞 Thank you for watching! 🥰

[@allyleech]

I love this Ellie! I bought blank sterling ink books in the weeks size so I’m gonna start a reading journal when I get mine!

[@elliescorner2019]

It’s such a great size!! I hope you enjoy yours too. 🥰 Thank you for watching!

[@cardcaptorsnaruto]

It's amazing how similar you have described me as a reader, I am glad I'm not the only one with a similar story. I have snipits of stories in my mind that I want to go back and reread and I can't find which book it is. I recently read an entire 13 book series over again because I love it but I didn't remember some of the things in the later books! Thank you for breaking down your story I am going to try this. I usually use my weeks as a health trackers but I still have a lot of empty space on the page where I can incorporate this idea for a similar function. So thank you for sharing it! May help me as well!

[@elliescorner2019]

I’m so sorry I’m responding so late - I just saw your comment! It sounds like we definitely have similar reading styles - I love revisiting favourites or books with certain snippets I can’t get out of my head. Thank you for watching and sharing! 💛

[@karinwebster5694]

Don't poke a hole in spine area. I use a ponytail holder/hairband. I have some thin headbands (1/4 in wide, 6 in long) that go around from top to bottom, works great.

[@elliescorner2019]

Oh that’s a great idea, especially since I’m not entirely sure I want a closure! Thank you for sharing and for watching. ☺️

[@kimberlynfauson7561]

I know this video is a year old, but I'm so glad that I found it. I just got a Hobonichi Weeks and I HATE the paper. I know that might possibly be one of the most unpopular opinion around these parts, but it's just too thin for my tastes. I really love and am used to using the paper in Moleskine and Leuchtturm notebooks. I ended up getting the sweet cover with the cat holding a sparkler above the harbor, and the artwork is just so cute that I figured I needed to repurpose the book for something else other than its intended purpose (a hobby journal), so I'm going to use it to log my daily reading. I think I'll be okay as long as all I'm doing is making lists! I have another insert I use in my traveler's notebook for writing about books I've finished. Thank you for this video! (If you're wondering, decided to use a Moleskine Cahier for the hobby journal.)

[@elliescorner2019]

I’m so glad that you found the video helpful! I feel like the Weeks is minimal enough to be used flexibly, which is always a bonus in my mind. I’m glad you’ll be able to enjoy the adorable cover too. 🥰 Thank you for watching! 💛

[@Stormbrise]

The metal brads you are talking about can be found in jewelry making shops, or bead shops. They are called crimping beads. Or if you are talking about the metal ones on the ends of string like shoe lace ends, they can also be the same crimping beads but longer. I am interested in your Secret Society book there, maybe I will check it out. If I ever get out of my detective fiction phase. I have been devouring Charles Todd historical detective fiction and nurse sleuth books. I have learned a lot of history about WWI in the process. Shops that sell these beads, are like shipwrecked beads, caravan beads, among many others that can be found by googling beading or jewelry supply shops. You would also need crimping pliers. You do not need expensive pilers for this, but Bead Smith makes a pair that I use. I love your layout. I have a few underutilized weeks I could do something similar. However, this year I bought an extra weeks just for this purpose. I have upped my reading game this year, my niece-in-law got me into good reads, and my goal was 30 books this year. I have upped it to 35, since I met that goal already.

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you so much for sharing the information on brads - I’ll take a look in the jewellery section the next time I’m at a craft store. 😊 I’ve never read historical detective fiction but it sounds like there are some great options! I may add a couple to my list… the list is always growing, isn’t it?! 😅 The Weeks is such a great size for a reading journal, and it sounds like you’re enjoying yours as well. Happy reading and thank you for watching! 💛📚

[@lilianletters]

This is so lovely Ellie! I was very curious how you would set it up, but it looks great! Can't wait to see how you fill it all up. Thank you for mentioning me and have fun reading ❤

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you so much, Lilian! I continue to get inspiration from your pages as I work in mine. 🥰

[@Jaysaycay]

ahh I was JUST thinking about doing something like this! I use goodreads and storygraph as well as writing down titles/ratings/dates in my yearly hobonichi, but having a written record in one book that covers multiple years sounds like something that would work amazing for me. I really love how you've set yours up. I also just need something simple, so I'm definitely going to keep this video in mind as I think about it

[@elliescorner2019]

Thanks so much, Jay! I’ve never heard of storygraph but I do have a Goodreads account that I’ve never really used haha. One day I’d like to keep track digitally as well, but I’m starting out with this setup which is hopefully simple enough to allow me to be consistent. 🤞 It’s fun to figure out what works best for us. ☺️ Thank you for watching and for commenting!

[@mrsp5713]

Wow. I love how it all came together!! 😍

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you! The simplicity of it really helps me actually use it. 🥰

[@BlushnBlue]

I think I need to do something like this....still thinking. Unfortunately, over time I forget the books that I have read. This year I am proud of myself for completing 2 book so far....LOL. I've been filling my bujo with book post cards, stamps and/or stickers for inspiration and it is fun. Love what you have done with your cover and I am looking forward to purchasing from Planner Monkey Co for the first time. Hugs.

[@elliescorner2019]

My memory is not great so keeping a log is so helpful for me, especially as I start reading more consistently! I’ve always loved your setups and it sounds like your bullet journal is bringing you a lot of joy. 🥰 Thank you for always watching and commenting, I truly appreciate it. 💛 And I hope you love Planner Monkey Co - she is my go-to for tiny, functional icons.

[@BlushnBlue]

@@elliescorner2019 Same with memory that is why I like your idea. I just need to really think about where it will go because I do not want to think of a different idea later....lol. Thank you.

[@joycem7]

Thanks for the inspiration! I was going to set up a reading journal but I have an extra Nolte 2024 planner that I can now set up as my reading journal. I would probably have gotten sidetracked with setting up monthly spreads, so hopefully this will work!

[@elliescorner2019]

I’m so sorry I’m responding so late - I just saw your comment! I’m glad you found the video helpful. It feels so good to be able to repurpose something that we already have, and I find many planners can be flexible if we’re not too caught up in the “rules” of them. Thank you for watching and sharing! 💛

[@jessplansandwrites]

I love the simplicity and beauty of your reading journal set-up! I also keep a reading journal (since 2020) and it‘s also very simple. (There‘s an older video about it on my channel, but it still looks basically the same.) In my opinion, it‘s a great idea to have a simple set-up that allows you to keep up with your journal even during busy times. Happy reading! 💙

[@elliescorner2019]

YES, that’s exactly what I’m hoping for!! I’ll definitely be checking out your reading journal - functional setups that people have used consistently are my favourite. 😍 Thank you for watching, and happy reading to you as well! 🥰

[@talksfromtheheart]

Very creative! I just shared this on my Community page

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you so much for watching and sharing! I appreciate it. 💛

[@christinechan3519]

Thank u so much for this video. You gave me such great idea to repurpose my Hobo weeks.

[@elliescorner2019]

I’m so glad you found it helpful! It’s such an easy and functional setup - I’m still using mine. 🥰 Thanks for watching!

[@CookieR1272]

I've been using a weeks as a media journal about 2 years, Enjoy yours.!

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you for watching and for sharing! I’m glad to hear the Weeks functions well for you as a media journal. ☺️

[@theoryof.lauren]

such a fun idea! i tried setting up a reading bujo earlier this year but i just dont have the time/patience for the upkeep 😫 i'd love to figure out a system like this to keep it sustainable and altogether!

[@elliescorner2019]

Yes! All of my previous reading journal setups have started out strong and then became a chore. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Having blank pages that only require my pen should help me actually *use* this one.🤞 Thanks for watching, Lauren! 😘

[@ScientistPlans]

Ohhh I love this Ellie!!!! Thanks so much for sharing❤

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you, friend!! 😘💛

[@Planadayshay]

This is genius! You could make sections for different genres that you read also!

[@elliescorner2019]

That’s a great idea too! Thank you for sharing and for watching. ☺️

[@tortagialla]

I also have mental hurdles with rating things 😅 so I just journal about all my media consumption rather than ratings. I group reading watching etc all in one media journal. I do love the hobonichi weeks size… my a5 might be a bit too big!

[@elliescorner2019]

I’m learning it’s not just me who struggles with ratings!! It’s so helpful to give ourselves permission to just not use them if they’re more stressful than fun. 😅 I love the idea of a media journal - thank you for sharing and for watching!

[@nordicpapermouse]

This was amazing! Thank you 🎉

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you for watching! 🥰

[@lauemiands]

I have a reading notebook but I just keep the name of the book, author and the date I started as well as the date I finished. I am sad that I didn't start this when I was a teen, I would have twice as many books if I did.

[@elliescorner2019]

Ahh it would be so amazing to have a list of all the books we read as children too!! Hopefully in the future we’ll enjoy flipping through the pages we’re working on now. 🥰 Thank you for watching!

[@jasbookish]

new sub here. i thot the vid was quite soft!

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! ☺️

[@deetee8100]

I agree. It was hard to hear.

[@elliescorner2019]

@@deetee8100 Thank you for the feedback and for watching. 😊

I arrived at your channel and loved it. But your audio is at a very very low volume. Please consider turn it up a bunch. Thank you for your lovely shared content!

[@elliescorner2019]

Thank you for watching! I’ve had a couple of comments lately about my low volume, and I’m not quite sure how to address it. 🤔 I just film with my phone’s built-in camera and microphone, and while it is low on my end once I turn the volume up I find it easy to hear. Does it stay very quiet for you even with the volume turned up? I’d appreciate any feedback or suggestions! 🥰