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Introduction to a person who should have been keeping a reading log already
I love to read, and if you are reading this, you probably love to read too.
I have always loved to read. I have been reading since I was three years old. I read almost every book on my parents’ bookshelves. I spent my babysitting money on books, and as much as I dared of real paychecks on books.
I used to go to Barnes & Noble almost every Saturday night. I was an early adopter of shopping on Amazon. It still surprises me that there are other things to buy there and not just books.
In the unlikely event, I ever come to visit you at your house, I will look at the books on your shelves and most likely ask to borrow one or two. I spend time in libraries when I go on vacation.
Needless to say, I have read A LOT.
I got 99 problems but reading books ain’t one of them
The one thing I never did until just last summer was to keep track of what I had read.
I am a book reader and a book buyer, but not a book hoarder. I don’t own every book I’ve ever owned. I regularly donate or sell them. I also read more books from the library in recent years. Interlibrary loan is an amazing and marvelous thing. Librarians are also amazing: buy them gifts and feed them cookies!
The problem is, I often think of a book that I have read that I want to recommend to someone. Or I want to re-read a favorite or look something up. But I can’t because I don’t remember the title and/or author of all of those books.
Inspiration strikes: Keep A Reading Log
For years I would say to myself, “Self, keep a reading log.” The trouble is I really don’t like people telling me what to do, even if one of those people is myself.
But sometimes I would actually listen and I would create a document or stick a sheet of paper in my journal, but I never really kept track consistently and I would stop and a few months would go by and I would remember that I wanted to keep a reading log and start the cycle again.
But something shifted last summer. I don’t know if it was the full moon, making a Google sheet instead of a document, or just getting older and (hopefully) wiser. But whatever it was, I started a reading log and have kept it going. And I think I will keep it going for as long as Google sheets exist. Probably ‘til the end of time.
Reading was a joy, a desperately needed escape — I didn’t read to learn, I was reading to read.
– Christian Bauman
If you are a voracious, half-crazed reader, like me, keep a reading log.
If you are a casual reader, keep a reading log.
If you are an almost never, but sometimes, when the planets align reader, keep a reading log.
You could say I really want everyone who loves books to keep a reading log. You won’t regret it.
I only wish I had done this a lot sooner.
Free Printable and Digital Reading Logs!
I do most of my organizing and life planning digitally these days, (Cozi, Google calendar and drive, Trello and Evernote) and I keep my reading log online. Feel free to download a copy of my Google sheets template, no signup required.
But for those of you who love pen to paper, have no fear. I created printable bookmarks to use a reading log just for you. They have spaces to write down the dates, title, and author; as well as space for highlights and notes. You can even make a simple bookmark and pencil holder so you will always have a writing utensil at the ready to jot down anything you want to remember on the printable bookmark.
Download a copy of the printable bookmark reading logs, no signup required. When printing, make sure the orientation is set to portrait and print on two sides, flip on the long side. If possible, print on cardstock for greater durability!
Let me know what you think of these reading log templates and how I can improve them.
Do you keep a reading log already? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below.
Email: Katie@KatieMerrill.com
Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.
Charles Dudley Warner
P.S. If you enjoyed this post on reading log templates, pin and comment please =)
