If you haven’t discovered the joy of a reading journal, your bookworm journey is incomplete. We absolutely love them! When we began designing our reading journal, it was obvious that it would be a team effort. We all had different ideas of what we liked to keep track of while reading, and a labor of love was poured into creating a book journal that the entire Once Upon a Book Club team deemed fit-for-a-bookworm!  

Reading journals are like a historic diary of your reading journey—what you have read, how the book made you feel, your favorite quotes, characters, etc.—and nothing beats going through an older reading journal and seeing how your reading has changed. In some ways, it can feel like a reflection of your life as you look back at the genres, authors, and moments that captivated you during different stages.

It’s time to grab a cup of coffee and that obligatory slice of chocolate cake, sit back and relax, and find out exactly why you need a reading journal!

What a Reading Journal Actually Changes About Reading 

Many people mistakenly think that reading journals are simply about recording the title and author and perhaps adding a smiley emoji, but it is so much more!

Besides helping you remember what you read, it helps you think about the story on a whole new level. It's about reflecting and being more intentional. It provides you with a place to jot down your thoughts, emotions, and how the book made you feel. 

If you’re like us, you’ve got various notes with fabulous quotes from books you can’t remember what they were. A reading journal gives you the space to keep them all together. And if you’re into reading trilogies or series, it's the perfect place to jot down your thoughts on what happened and what you think should happen next! 

But perhaps, as we mentioned earlier, one of the most wonderful things about keeping a reading journal is being able to look back and see how your reading journey has changed over time. You can look back at the books that made you laugh, the ones that touched your heart, and the ones that arrived at exactly the right moment, offering the comfort, escape, adventure, or encouragement you needed.

The Structured Journal: For the Reader Who Wants to Remember and Review 

A structured journal is perfect for those of you who want prompts, review pages, ratings, and spaces for quotes. All of these provide a more guided way to reflect on each book, and if you like to follow a standard format, this ticks all the boxes!

Our reading journals are available in three stunning colorways, including Classic Coral, Periwinkle Prose, and Seafoam Stories. Each journal features a sewn-in ribbon bookmark in a coordinating color, matching floral endpapers, 75 unique book review pages, as well as index pages to list which books you've reviewed. 

We have also included fun prompts to help you craft your review (including major characters, favorite quotes, a spice rating, etc), and space to be creative with drawings, stickers, or even display your OUABC Collectible stickers!

The Blank Slate Notebook: For the Reader Who Wants to Create Their Own Story 

Blank notebooks are perfect when you’re looking for the freedom to write down whatever captures you. Perhaps it’s an analysis of the main characters, writing alternative endings, or filling a page with quotes and feelings. Your notebook is like a blank canvas.

These types of notebooks are perfect for reading series like Bridgerton, where you can capture your entire experience and even compare the books to the Netflix series. Especially when it comes to those swoon-worthy moments!

The blank slate also lets your inner creative shine. You can decorate your notebook with regency-styled paper, include pressed flowers, ribbons, and soft pastel colors, and make it completely your own. 

It becomes a keepsake of your entire reading experience, one you can look back on whenever you want to step back into the world of ballrooms and beautifully complicated love stories. 

What to Write When You Don’t Know What to Write

Just like authors, readers get writer's block too! This is where structured notebooks really succeed, but don’t worry, we’ve got some prompts to help you!

• What did I love about this book?

• Which character resonated with me the most?

• What quote do I want to remember?

• How did this book make me feel?

• Would I recommend it, and to whom?

• What was my favourite moment?

Remember, you’re not writing a novel, let alone an essay; just a few lines will also suffice. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to journaling! It's all about what is important to you!

Looking For Your Next Read?

We have some exciting options, so make sure to check out our ready-to-ship book boxes, and if you’re looking to experience something completely different, then you definitely need to take a peek at our OUABC Lite Boxes. It’s like a book-only option with a magical touch. Our Lite Boxes are guaranteed to stimulate your senses like never before. 

In OUABC Lite, paper items wrapped in envelopes work to incorporate the five senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch) to highlight moments that will make you feel like you're part of the story in the most immersive way possible. Only open the envelopes when you reach the corresponding page number, no matter how tempted you are!

Make sure to read our latest blogs on June’s new releases and what the OUABC team is currently reading. Our TBR lists grow longer by the minute! Happy journaling from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club. We would love to hear about your reading journey and which journals work best for you!