Whether you’re new to bullet journaling or just starting out, you’ve likely considered the idea of using a bullet journal book tracker to keep track of the books you’ve read and those you’d like to read!
This reading journal page (or heck, entire collection!) can include the book title, author name, reading progress, favorite quotes, star rating, book reviews, and even photos or drawings of book covers. You can even dedicate an entire page to tracking your reading goals, such as the number of books you’d like to read by the end of the year.
But what should your bullet journal book review spread look like? What’s the best way to lay out your reading tracker, to-do list, daily log, and more?
Luckily for you, we’re all about creating the best bookish bullet journal in town! Here’s how to do it, fellow book lover…
Designing Your Bullet Journal Book Review Spread
Creating a reading journal spread in your bullet journal is a good idea for capturing your reading experiences in a personal and fun way. You can design a spread that both fits your style and helps you remember key details about the books you’ve read.
Creative Layouts and Themes
Your bullet journal book review spread can be as simple or as fancy as you’d like.
Try a single-page layout with sections for the book title, author, star rating, and your thoughts. Or use a two-page spread to include more details, such as favorite quotes and full-on book reviews.
Considering theming your spread around the book’s genre.
For a fantasy novel, add magical doodles. For a mystery, use a detective theme with magnifying glasses.
Consider making a bookshelf layout.
Draw little books on shelves and fill each spine with a book title as you read it. This is a fun way to create a visual of your reading progress.
Incorporating Visual Elements
Incorporating fun visual elements is a great idea for making your reading journal spread pop.
Draw or paste in mini versions of book covers. This adds color and helps you quickly find book reviews later.
Include a space for favorite quotes. Write them in fancy lettering or surround them with doodles that relate to the quote’s meaning.
Try adding stickers or washi tape to decorate your spread. These can match the book’s mood or your personal style.
You could even create tiny bookmarks or tabs to mark different sections of your review.
Different Colors and Symbols
Use color coding and bullet journaling symbols to make your spread feel more organized and eye-catching.
Assign different colors to different genres. This lets you see at a glance what types of books you read most.
Create a key for rating books.
Instead of a plain star rating, try cute symbols like hearts, bookmarks, or coffee cups. Fill them in with bright colors to make your ratings stand out.
Use colored pens or highlighters to underline important parts of your review.
You might highlight character names in one color and plot points in another. This makes it easy to find specific info when you look back at your bullet journal book tracker spread later.
Managing Reading Goals and Trackers
Reading goals and trackers help a book lover stay motivated and organized. They let you see your reading progress and plan your next read.
Setting Reading Goals
You can set reading goals in your bookish bullet journal to push yourself!
Think about how many books you want to read in a year. Or maybe your goal is to try new genres!
Write your goals on a dedicated page. Make them specific and measurable. For example, “Read 30 books by the end of the year” or “Try 5 new authors.”
You can also break big goals into smaller chunks.
Instead of focusing on reading 30 books “by the end of the year,” aim for 2-3 books by the end of each month. This makes your goals feel more doable.
And don’t forget to make your goals page attractive! Enhance the entire page by utilizing colors, drawings, and washi tape to make it more fun to look at and come back to every day.
Tracking Progress and Completed Books
Tracking your reading is a great way to stay motivated.
Create a simple chart with boxes for each book you plan to read. Color them in as you finish each one.
You can also make a list of completed books. Include the book title, author, and date finished. Add a star rating or short note about what you thought.
For a more visual approach, try drawing bookshelves. Fill them with “books” as you read. Each spine can show the book title you’ve completed.
Want to track more details? Make a book log spread for each with:
- Length of the book
- Start and finish dates
- Favorite quotes
- Brief review
- Characters you loved
- How the book contributed to your personal development
Adding a Future Log
A future log helps you plan your next read ahead of time. It’s great for keeping track of new releases or books you want to read soon.
Create a spread with sections for each month. Write down titles you plan to read or want to remember.
This could include:
- New releases you’re excited about
- Books for your book club
- Library books due dates
You can also use your future log to note reading events. Maybe there’s an author signing or a readathon you want to join.
Update your future log regularly.
Add new books as you hear about them. Cross off ones you’ve read or decided to skip.
Incorporating Detailed Book Reviews
Book reviews offer a fun way to remember what you’ve read and share your thoughts. You can make your bullet journal book reviews fun and useful with a few simple ideas.
Let’s look at how to structure book reviews, what details to include, and how to use a star rating system.
Structuring Your Book Reviews
Set up your book review spread with clear sections.
Start with the title of the book at the top. Add the author’s name and publication date below.
Create boxes or columns for different parts of your review. You might have areas for:
- Plot summary
- Characters
- Writing style
- Your thoughts
Use colorful pens or highlighters to make each section stand out. This makes your spread look nice and helps you find info quickly later.
Not the DIY type? Download a Reading Journal Printable Bundle on Etsy that include a book log journal, book review sheet, and book wish list/TBR list!
Details to Include
Pack your review with fun details about the book. Start by writing down your favorite quotes to help you remember the best parts.
Note any themes or messages that stood out to you. Did the book make you laugh or cry? Say so!
Add a little doodle or symbol that reminds you of the story. This personal touch will make your spread more unique.
Don’t forget practical info like:
- Genre
- Page count
- Dates you started and finished reading
These details help a book lover track their reading habits over time.
Star Rating System
A star rating is a quick way to show how much you liked a book. Choose a scale that works for you, like 1-5 stars.
Draw empty stars on your spread. Color them in based on your rating.
You can use different colors for half or quarter stars if you want to be precise.
Make a key to explain what each star means. For example:
- 1 star: Hated it
- 2 stars: Didn’t enjoy it
- 3 stars: Just okay
- 4 stars: Solid read
- 5 stars: Loved it!
This system lets you see at a glance which books you enjoyed most. It’s also fun to look back and compare ratings of different books you’ve read.
Maintaining and Updating Your Journal
Keeping your bullet journal book review spread current takes regular attention. You’ll want to update it as you finish books and reflect on your reading habits over time.
Monthly and Weekly Spreads
If you’re an avid reader, including a monthly spread in your bookish bullet journal will provide a big-picture view of your reading.
At the start of each month, set up a new page with a calendar grid. Mark the days you plan to read and note any book club meetings or author events.
If you’re an especially avid reader, you can get even more detailed in a weekly spread.
List the books you’re currently reading and your page goals for the week. You can track new book releases you’re excited about here too.
Remember to use colorful pens or stickers to make your spreads visually appealing. This will encourage you to keep using them.
Not the DIY type? Download a Reading Journal Printable Bundle on Etsy that include a book log journal, book review sheet, and book wish list/TBR list!
Dedicated Reading Journal
Is reading your thing? Like, if someone were to think of you, the first words that would come to their mind would be “book lover”? Then you might just need an entire journal dedicated exclusively to reading!
Keeping a dedicated reading journal offers several advantages over a simple page or tracker in your day-to-day bullet journal.
A reading journal allows you to engage more deeply with the material you read, enhancing your critical thinking and comprehension skills. It provides more space to reflect on themes, characters, and plot developments, which can lead to a richer understanding of the text.
Additionally, a reading journal helps you capture insights and wisdom gained from your reading, ensuring that valuable knowledge is not forgotten but rather invested in your personal growth.
Year-End Reflections
As December rolls around, it’s time to look back over your last year of reading. Create a special spread to sum up your literary journey.
List all the books you read, along with the star rating of each. Highlight your top 5 favorite books and jot down a sentence about why you loved each one.
Make a pie chart showing the genres you explored.
Were you heavy on fantasy this year? Did you branch out into non-fiction?
Reflect on your reading goals.
Did you meet them? Why or why not? Be honest but kind to yourself.
Planning for Next Year
With your reflections of last year fresh in your mind, it’s time to plan for the upcoming year. Start by setting some reading goals.
How many books do you want to read? Are there any genres or authors you’d like to explore more?
Create a “To Be Read” list with books you’re excited to read in the coming year. Include upcoming releases from your favorite authors.
Design a habit tracker to monitor your daily reading time. Even 15 minutes a day can make a big difference over a year!
Remember, your bullet journal is a tool to enhance your reading life. Make it work for you!
With all of these ideas in mind, you’ll be sure to make a bullet journal book review spread that you absolutely love. Happy journaling (and reading), friend!
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