Are you tired of forgetting the details of your favorite books? Do you struggle to keep track of your reading progress? You're not alone. Studies show that 77% of book readers want to track what they've read, but only a tiny fraction actually takes the time to do so.
This is where a reading journal comes in handy. Whether you're a casual reader or a bookworm, maintaining a reading journal can make your reading experience more enjoyable and rewarding. You can reflect on your reading habits and stay motivated by recording your thoughts, progress, and goals.
Our reading journal template is the perfect tool if you're looking for an easy way to start journaling. This free printable template helps you track your reading habits, set achievable goals, and reflect on what you've learned all in one place.
We designed our reading journal template to cover all your reading needs and more. Here are the key features that make it an all-in-one solution for book lovers:
Book review sections.
Each book has a dedicated space where you can write your thoughts and review the plot, characters, and your overall impression. Perfect for reflecting on the bookshelf of your life and is suitable for audiobook reviews, too!
Wishlist for books to read.
Create your ultimate reading list by adding books you want to read in the future. It's the perfect way to keep track of recommendations from friends, book clubs, or book challenges on social media.
Space for favorite quotes.
If you're an avid fan of bookish quotes, this section will let you jot down your favorites as you go. It's a wonderful way to revisit the memorable lines that stuck with you.
Bonus: Digital reading journal option.
The digital reading journal is also available for those who prefer to go paperless. It works perfectly on apps like Goodnotes and Canva, making it easy to carry your journal wherever you go.
This printable reading journal template is fully customizable, so you can add your personal touch, whether you're creating a bullet journal or organizing it into different sections to suit your reading journey.
By downloading our reading journal template, you're not just getting a book journal — you're gaining a powerful tool to elevate your reading experience. Here's how it can benefit you:
Tracking reading progress.
Studies show that people who track their progress are 50% more likely to achieve their reading goals. With the reading log section within the journal pages, you can record every book you've read and keep track of your favorite books, allowing you to celebrate milestones and stay motivated to read more.
Setting and achieving reading goals.
Research from the American Library Association found that readers with specific goals read 20% more books annually. Our reading tracker allows you to set monthly goals, whether finishing a book a week or completing a reading challenge, helping you stay on target.
Reflecting and retaining read content.
A study by the National Reading Panel found that summarizing and reflecting on reading boosts comprehension and retention. Writing down your thoughts in the book review section will improve recall and deepen your understanding of key themes and characters.
Building consistent reading habits.
According to a study from the University of London, tracking habits increases the likelihood of sticking to them by 33%. The reading habit tracker helps you monitor daily, weekly, or monthly reading patterns, keeping you consistent and motivated.
Staying organized with reading plans.
A reading planner can help you set clear goals and stay on track. A 2020 study by Goodreads found that readers who plan their yearly reading goals are 60% more likely to complete them, and our reading planner lets you map out your goals for the year, ensuring you're always working toward your next book.
Ready to take your reading to the next level? Download your free reading journal template today! Simply enter your email, and you'll get immediate access to the printable template. As a bonus, we'll include you in our email list to receive exclusive offers and updates, including a special promotion on the Headway app — your perfect companion to reading and self-improvement.
Don't miss out on this freebie — start tracking your reading habits today!
In addition to using your reading journal template or a book tracker, incorporating Headway's book summaries into your book reading routine can improve your habit-building process.
With Headway, you can get concise, insightful summaries of thousands of books covering personal development to productivity. The app helps you easily fit reading into your busy day, even if you don't have time to finish an entire book.
Headway's summaries save you time and provide key takeaways that reinforce the lessons you've learned in your reading journal.
Whether you aim to improve your reading habits or set new goals, these summaries can act as a daily source of inspiration and learning, keeping you motivated to fill in your journal entries regularly. Plus, with the Headway app, you can listen to summaries on the go — perfect for busy readers who want to make the most of every moment!
If you don't want to use a reading log, here are a few alternatives:
Book review journal: Focus only on summarizing and reviewing each book you finish without tracking your reading pace.
Book list: Keep a simple book list where you note down books you want to read and the books you've completed.
Reading planner: Use a reading planner to plan your reading goals and progress without recording every detail.
A good journal entry for your reading journal could be something like this:
Book Title: The Great Gatsby
Date Finished: April 15, 2025
Review: The book explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream through the eyes of Nick Carraway. The characters are complex, with Gatsby standing out as a tragic figure driven by ambition and love.
Favorite Quote: "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us."
Rating: 4/5 This is just an example. You can personalize your book journal to suit your preferences, including sections like themes, character analysis, and personal thoughts.
Structuring a reading log is simple and can be tailored to your needs. Here's a basic structure:
Book Title: The name of the book you're reading.
Date Started/Finished: Track when you started and finished each book.
Pages Read: Include how many pages you read each day or in a sitting.
Thoughts/Review: Write a summary of your thoughts on the book.
Rating: Give the book a rating out of 5 stars. You can modify this structure per your preferences, but it's important to keep it consistent to make tracking your reading progress easier.
A log format for your reading log can be structured as follows:
Title of book: The book's title.
Start date and end date: Track when you started and finished the book.
Pages read/Time spent: Keep track of how many pages you've read each day or how much time you spent reading.
Review: A summary of what you liked or didn't like about the book. You can customize this format to fit your personal journaling style, but these basics will help you get started.