A few years ago I somewhat haphazardly began to write down the books I read (in print or by audio). Mostly just a list with an occasional comment or 5 star rating.
This year I have determined to put to use one of several reading journals I've acquired over time. A quick look at Amazon shows me that the serious book reader has a number of nice options of reading journals.
Last year, I read Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books. Excellent book with lots of good tips for readers, including how the author writes in the fronts and backs of the books he reads, summarizing them for himself. Since I do most of my reading on my Kindle, the separate journal is my best option.
I forget how many times a person has to repeat something for it to become a habit, but so far so good. I hope it will become a lifelong habit to write down detailed thoughts about the books I've read.
Lots of people do reading challenges (200+ books in a year!), but I don't want to read books just to make another entry in my reading journal. I want to absorb what I read, whether fiction or non-fiction. I want to enjoy what I read. Some books are meant to be read very slowly in order to savor the words on the page. Others, like a great suspense novel, are meant to be read while holding ones breath.
Whether or not you keep a record of the books you read in 2013, as I plan to do, here's hoping it's a great reading year for all of us.
~robin
Wow, Robin! Thank you for sharing this, because just last week I was thinking that I needed to keep some sort of "reading log" for my own personal use and because it would be interesting to see just how many books I'd actually read this year. Never thought of an actual reading journal--great idea. I'm gasping at the idea of someone reading 200+ books in a year though--I could only do that by counting Dr. Seuss books (and other kiddo books) that I'm keeping to read to my grandchildren one day (Lord willing) *smile*. ~ I'd love to be a faster reader, but do tend to savor the words and often re-read passages. And I'm still claiming that being under anesthesia for 22 hours in 2010 has slowed my reading rate (feeble excuse, I know--but I'm sticking to it, LOL). Thanks again for sharing. Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing, In 2011 I started keeping track of the books I read and rating them. Its fun to look back at what I have read through the years.
ReplyDeleteI just opened a GoodReads account, and I'm doing a pretty good job finding all the books I have read and the ones I am now reading...
ReplyDeleteI think it will be a pretty good "tracker." That is if I keep up with it. :)
~~~~Dee
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have always wished that I had started keeping track of the books I read and comments about them ever since high school, a long, long time ago. I'm going to have to check into this red journal.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of such organized living. My hope is that I'll actually USE the calendar this year. *SIGH* Beautiful songbirds on it might coax me to be more organized.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Patti Jo, you are welcome to use any excuse you wish for slowing down as a reader. Anesthesia three years ago works for me.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, freddikb.
Dee, I have a GoodReads account. I failed to keep an accurate record because I had to go online to enter it. I think my journal will be more successful. I can always go to GoodReads later.
Let me know how it works for you, Cherie.
Cathy, you made me LOL!
I've been writing down the titles and authors of books I read since I was in high school (quite a long time ago). I just use notebook paper and stick them in a binder. It's fun to go back and see what I've read. I also have another binder I call my favorite authors binder (yes, you have a page in it). Each author has his or her own page. On it I list the books they've written and then mark the ones I've read. I've never counted how many are in that binder, but I'd guess there are at least 50, probably more. This really helps me keep up with what books I've read and which ones I want to look for. I did start a GoodReads page but didn't keep up with it. My old school binders are easier for me.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I know what you mean, but since I just started it, I'm doing good. I'm sure that will end soon...LOL...Paper is probably the way I'll go for too!
ReplyDelete~~~Dee