Why I Started Keeping A Book Journal

And How It Transformed My Reading Experience

Photo by me

Hey there, fellow bookworm! Happy November! Can you believe it's that time of the year already? The season to cosy up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee.

Now, coming to this week’s newsletter, have you ever considered keeping a reading journal?

I personally hadn't given it much thought until this year. It just didn't seem like my kind of thing. But then, I started reading Tolstoy’s War and Peace back in July. The sheer bulk of the book was so intimidating that I was afraid I’d forget stuff. That was when after watching a YouTube video on reading journals, I decided to start one of my own.

At first, I only wanted to jot down some key points, sort of like a memory backup. So I grabbed a notebook I had, and a pen, absolutely nothing fancy, and I started noting down the names of the characters I thought would be important. Then, as the story progressed, I started writing brief summaries of the events, my goal still was to remember things. But after a while, I slowly started adding my own thoughts. They felt very irrelevant, even silly, but I decided to note them still. If for nothing else, then at least just so I could get a laugh out of them later. But as I kept going, I felt a shift happening.

You see, before this, my reading routine was quite straightforward. I’d read a book, enjoy it (or not), and then move on to the next one. And I did enjoy it. But as I started putting pen to paper, I had to slow down a bit. Instead of racing through the pages to find out what happens next, I found myself pausing to reflect more on what was happening. I began thinking about the characters, their choices, their flaws. The more I wrote, the more I thought. I started analysing the plot intricacies, the character developments, and the underlying themes. I started connecting with the story on a whole new level. And it also changed the way I read, I’m a lot more intentional with my reading now because I know I’ll have to write about it in my journal. The whole thing has been very transformative.

So, I encourage you to give it a try. You don't need a fancy notebook or elaborate writing skills, I surely had neither. All you need is a desire to connect more deeply with the books you read. It's all about introspection, self-expression, and the sheer joy of losing yourself in the books you love.

So, what about you? Do you keep a reading journal? Do you plan to start keeping one? Don’t forget to let me know.

For more of my bookish ramblings, you can also find me on Instagram

Also, if you’d like me to write for you, you can contact me at joyiewrites@gmail.com