Thanks so much for this! As a librarian, it warms my heart that you use your local library for physical books, the Libby ebook service and that you participate in the book of the month program! This video inspired me to do more than keep a 'titles read' and 'to read' list! Love all the wonderful book nerd stickers you create!❤️
Physical books are the best 😻 A few days ago I went to library (I had a break with reading for a year) and it was very special to me Libraries and books are just so beautiful
Does anyone else immediately smell the spine when you open a book you're about to dive into? ME TOO! Okay, seriously: libraries are my happy place. Plus, if the book you're looking for isn't on the shelf, the librarian will find and order it for you (within reason, I'm sure, but still...). There is nothing like the feel of a physical book in your hands!
@@TheCoffeeMonsterzCothis comment gave me cold chills! So worried that libraries will go away one day and they are one of my favorite places on earth!!!!
Your writing is so beautiful that I honestly thought you had printed the pages and glued them into a notebook. Then I peeked at a different video where you are doing calligraphy and it dawned on me that it's hand written. Beautiful! Plus, a reading journal where someone actually WRITES ABOUT THE BOOKS! Every journal I see looks pretty, but has barely any content about the books. This made me so happy, for both reasons! And I just started Frankenstein for the very first time today, almost on a whim! I was scrolling through my ereader for something to read, and there it was.
I think the style you are using for this journal is very minimal and I love it, I guess I just love seeing pages with only handwriting on them, is very satisfying to see 😅. Regarding the notebook, I have a couple stalogy notebooks and I definitely recommend the grid pages since they are easier to see than the dots. The grids are a bit bigger than hobonichi, but I think it's quite nice.
I really like your reading journal. It makes so much more sense to have notes on the books, than just charts logging which books you read. To me, your style reflects learning from what you read, versus just focusing on speeding through a number of books. I am encouraged to try this method to enhance my reading experience. Thanks for sharing.
i would love to see more videos about your reading journaling the future! such as flipthougt… I really enjoyed this video, since i live reading and have a reading journal too :) PS : sorry for my bad english, i’m french ^^
Same!!! I really loved this. Please do more about your book journal. I’m an avid read too Helen. I’d love a flip through and thoughts on what you did and about each book!!
I love the idea of writing down the main characters, setting etc when starting a book because I too end up forgetting names and sometimes feel a little lost and overwhelmed when there's lots going on so having foundation to refer back to is a great idea! Thank you for sharing your reading journal I really enjoyed the video and that nutrition facts sticker is so cute! It also made my heart happy to hear you loved Frankenstein too, I read that summer of last year and loved every minute
You’re doing all the right things with your approach to reading, Helen! You read mostly sitting up, with a pen in hand, and take notes. All these elements allow you to stay engaged and focused while developing a host of other life benefits such as improving your memory, empathy, expression,…and even the joy of reading itself once these skills become second nature! Reading doesn’t have to be laborious but it should demand some reflective thought and attention, which you understand. 👏🏻 If you’re someone who doesn’t mind marking up books (doesn’t work with library books, though) and are reading for school or study, I would also suggest writing a simple word or phrase at the top of a page where something key happens (ex. the word “Helen” at the top of a page would mean that’s when the character entered the text; “shared chocolates after holiday dinners” would be at the top of the page where the episode of you cutting up the special chocolates over Christmas occurred). This tiny effort makes it much easier to work with the book later when writing essays or tests. I have a million other tricks and tips (passionate literature academic 🙋🏼♀️), but to stop myself from going on and on, I just wanted to congratulate you for being a role model other readers can look up to. 📚✍🏻 ❤
Hi, I love all your videos and I've been watching them for a few months, I would just want to ask if you could make a video about fountain pen maintenance like how do you clean out the fountain len and refill, stuff like that... thx 😊
I still find myself struggling to reach for books. I used to carry my kindle around everywhere, but ever since I got old enough to have a phone, I just don’t find myse,f reading as much, even though I want to. I always end up reaching for my phone :( any tips?
Aww it definitely happens! I find that having a dedicated time JUST for my phone to get it "out of my system" helps haha Then I'm not so tempted afterwards!!
This is super nice to see! The main focus is that you're reading, not trying to make a complex & hard to maintain journal^^ Maybe adding a highlighter to your arsenal solely for the "quotes" that get a little lost among your thoughts would help you pick them out a little better! (Or different colour pen or just underlining them) It might be an easier visual overview for when your looking to see if they pass the vibe check enough to make it on to your dedicated quotes page pfft Good luck with your reading!
I love watching your videos - you're soothing to listen to. Thanks for the tip on the reading stand - I have dexterity problems in my wrist and have not read much because of this - thank you so much I think this will be a huge help for me!
So lovely to have a look at how you approach your reading journal! Very inspiring. You mentioned that you could add in an extra page if it turns out you need more space for a book that you only planned two pages for, and I'm wondering what that would look like. You write from edge to edge on the pages, how do you connect a new/extra page in the middle? Thank you so much for the videos you make, they're so calming and informative to watch
I fail reading journals because even if my thoughts are loud, i stubbornly continue reading. Holding a pen, breaking away from the book, and writing elsewhere is "too distracting" even if i really want to have a reading journal. Details fly by me and only remember impactful events. And im more of a digital/ebook reader (bought a kindle to spare my eyes). And my ability to highlight, note, and bookmark revealed how loud and commentary my brain can be (esp since it doesnt fully break my reading spree as I slowly type in my thoughts)
This was a super fun and enjoyable video, Helen!! Ahhhh, i love that you have A Farewell to Arms on your list! Have you read The Old Man and the Sea? Very short, amazing Hemingway piece. I admit I often just re-read my favourite books over and over, I don't know why?!
I love the aesthetic, style of journaling, and the techniques you used for your journaling. I'm not a hugely decorative person and I wasn't planning on doing too much for every single entry so this was great inspiration. I especially like the actual way you entered your journal entries where everything didn't have it's own dedicated section, just a stream of thoughts and quotes and questions and new words learned. Thanks for the great video!
The stalogy paper is pretty much a form of tomoe river paper. Actually, the hobonichi 2024 paper is pretty similar to stalogy. I like stalogy paper better than the Hobonichi. Works much better for me.
Thank you so much for this video. I have been trying to find a system for a reading journal, to make it more fun for me to read. This is basic and simple. Love it!
This is so good. I have a loose goal but big interest in reading some classics this year, but with my ADHD and anxiety I loose focus so quickly, so having a journal is such a good idea!! ❤❤❤
I have the same disorders. I have bought so many books and only read a few of them. There’s an app I have (Bookly) that after I finish a session I can type out whatever I want about what I wrote, but it’s not enough. Especially for definitions, characters, settings and thoughts when reading at present time. If journaling ends up working well for you. Could you please please please respond back or update your comment? With anyway you did your journal to keep you engaged with your reading and other way you might go about keeping your focus? Sorry for the questions! 🥲
Honestly, I keep coming back to this video. I have a reading journal that looks exactly like everyone else’s, with charts and stuff like that, but I always felt that it was just for keeping track of the titles I was reading and just that. When I encountered this video I was really inspired to make a companion for my reading journal where I could basically just rant without worrying about it being pretty and yours really helped me to set up something that was just simple. Whenever I'm looking for inspiration I always come back to this video, so thanks.
I just started watching your video and because there aren't closed-captions on (auto closed-captions are not good), I didn't hear/see the name of the notebook you use for your reading journal. Is it possible someone could tell me what she's using? Thanks!
I soooo love this idea! ❤ Thank you, you’re such an inspiration (and I’m in my early 50s, but I still love cute things like your emojis) I love to read and do get lost still with some of the characters and places. This is a great idea to keep track of thoughts too. I would give the book Paper Palace a negative starI and wish I kept track of my thoughts about this book in a journal such as this, it would have been better to get all those feelings I had on paper 😅
I have to ask, can we see your "scratch" notes? To see your finished product looks pristine, too perfect. It is quite an impression you are leaving behind. I have viewed other content where the reading journal requires a handwriting expert to translate what is scribbled down. Much of their marginalia and annotations absolutely destroys their thoughts; almost graffiti-esque. I have been getting back into writing as much as I can. Spending a few minutes every day practicing my script. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to fill my notebooks "properly" and with ease.
This is quite possibly the very best reading journal ever! It features your work, summaries and thoughts without featuring books like an advertisement. Love it! This is def sustainable.
I have just started writing in my reading journal as I go with the book. But for whatever reason I have thought to keep it to one page. But seeing your multi-page spreads. Maybe I should be less restrictive on myself. Thanks for sharing
I've been wanting to start my reading journal and have been looking up sample spreads. As much as I want to do something artsy, I don't think I have the time to maintain that. I will do something similar to what you've done. I want a journal that is not too restricting. I also know that I wont be reading a lot of books every year. I'll just write in the journal as I read a book.
I love your reading journal!! What permanent inks do you like? I add watercolor to my journals and I’m always afraid that there will be lots of bleeding. The stickers are amazing, I need to check them out
Thank you so much for this. I have watched so many book journal ideas on yt and although what they do is beautiful I just don’t have the time to make it look like that. I already have four planners lol. Urs is simple and exactly what I need in a book journal. I need a place beyond my goodreads reviews. Thank you for all of these ideas. I really love the idea of using pages from the back 😊
I enjoyed this video so much. Your voice is calming, your ideas on journaling are inspiring, your handwriting is sooo neat and your tbr is great! I have read some and they're on my fav list (like Anna Karenina!), others I want to read too!
Wow, I love your note-taking method! Just the basics, but very well laid out. The stream-of-Consciousness writing makes the most sense, since it doesn't require flipping through different sections of the journal. I will re-visit the book journal I've all but abandoned since the beginning of the year.
I am using Stalogy for “brain dump” journaling. Gel pens do bleed and ghosting as well. But I love Stalogy for narrative journalling. I find Sharpee fine point pens or Zebra Saraza .7 gel pens worked, just don’t use mild liner because it doesn’t blend. I haven’t tried tombow though. 😊
Thanks for sharing your journal! It's amazing! It has inspired me to start writing my own journal. I wonder if I can also write so neat without the lines. Love it! 😍
Omg! You're early this week! Happy yo Finally see your reading journal! Just started myself too 🤣 I so get the start on both front and back thing. Im doing that a lot in almost all of my notebooks now 😅
Thank you for your video and sharing your beautiful book journal. I have been wanting to get into book journaling but after watching many videos where most are extravagantly artistic, I felt overwhelmed and uneasy about it. This is not a slight to your journal. After watching your video I exhaled and felt some weight fall from my shoulders. This is how I want to make my journal, minimal art work --though that may change with time -- and more thoughts, ideas, and quotes--along with other things of course. Anyway, great work and thank you again for sharing. I apologize for the strange manner of writing. It is 0200 (2AM) for me so my brain is working on fumes. I didn't want to forget to write a message of thanks though.
Hey Helen this video is awsome and I love it.❤ And of course I Love your handwriting. Can you please suggest some technique to improve handwriting? Or how can I make my handwriting like you?
Just my takeaways as I re-evaluate my recently started reading journal and what I really love about your system 1. I shouldve gotten a decent thickness journal (i used a6 500 blank pages coz it looked like a "book" and my writing is small anyway) 2. I shouldn've made the journal template flexible (I pre-allocated pages for "future" books coz I had too many TOC pages) 3. A preliminary section wouldve been nice (I only had summary and bookmarks, which makes the journal an after-reading activity, not while-reading) 4. Glad I could still incorporate "want to read" and "memorable qoutes" in my journal. The former into my excess TOC and the latter already fulfilled by my "bookmarks" 5. I take a picture of noteable pages for journaling so I don't struggle holding the book open. I also read in three ways: physical, phone, kindle. So, i tend to worry about my 45 degree angled elbows rather than my neck HAHAHA 6. I love the simplicity yet straightforward journaling system you have. Likewise, I'm jealous of your handwriting --Really neat regardless if you cross out words.
Lust For Life is my FAVORITE book in the entire world! I watch so much booktube and I literally never hear people talk about it! I’m so happy you read it.
Hi! Thanks for this video. You’ve given me some ideas for keeping my own reading journal. Most of the videos I watch put me off because everyone sticks paper everywhere. :)
I really like your reading journal. I usually don't take notes while I read. However, I read a lot of series, particularly fantasy series, which usually have a lot of characters. So when I start a series, I also start a list of all the characters with a description and information of who they are in the series. That has helped me a lot. Particularly when I have to wait one or two years for the next book. Also, The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite book of all time. I hope you like it. Thanks for sharing your reading journal with us!
Great ideas Helen, love the book stand too !! I’ve had neck surgery and my neck can get strained really easily, I didn’t know such things existed 👏🏻👏🏻. Really love your reading journal 😊
Wow!!! You just helped me with staying interested in books. I don’t read a lot because of the exact reasons you gave. Nonfiction that I’m interested in is usually a little easier but I lose interest after I get what I want out of it. But fiction has been a bigger struggle. I read the Harry Potter books easily because I started the books after seeing the movies. So I had the characters fully established. But trying to read new books was always so difficult for me. Now I know what I need to do!! Once those characters or any foundational info is really set it makes it a lot of easier to get into the book, so thank you for this! I think I can enjoy reading again!!
Happy Sunday, Helen! A million thanks for sharing your reading journal with us. I haven't started mine yet because I hadn't thought about all that I want to put in it, so I just have one thin notebook for all the books I've read and movies and TV shows I've seen last year and this year. I love the idea of adding a section for information because I, too, tend to forget characters and important dates and events. BTW, I just read for my book club Michelle Obama's The Light We Carry. It's a book I wish had been available when I was in my teens and 20s and still need now. I always thought everyone else had their act together, but I was wrong. She is very candid about her insecurities and the problems she has faced as being part of a double minority. I think you would really like it. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Thank you so much for this video I’ve been very curious about your reading journal since I’ve been thinking of starting one myself. Your spread of quotes reminded me of common placing. I just started a common place book for things like that.
This was really good! You show a nice format for a reading journal. I’ve been wanting to start one and your tips are very helpful. And your voice is so calming and soothing, too. Thank you for all you do in the journaling/planning world!
Hi Helen, thank you for your new video 🤩 you mentioned that you read at night. Do you journal in bed or at a desk?🥰 I've never managed to write easily from bed, but if you can, I'd love to hear your tips
Helen, I read Frankenstein, and I really enjoyed it. Especially book 2 of the story focuses on the Creation, pleading for his life and for his future with the doctor. When Dr. Frankenstein shows that he truly is the monster, and then how he had shown his true inability, to have any compassion, or humanity with any himself. I’m so glad to have seen your review and that you actually read the book.
It looks great! I guess that journaling as you read the book helps you understand the story better🤔When I start a book with many characters, I always think I should do a "character tree" but then I am too lazy hahaha Right now I am reading the second book of a trilogy and I am still not sure who a third of the characters are🙈 I also look up the new words and screenshot them when I look them up on my phone. Never to read them again😂
Tried keeping a book journal once, didn't work out because I was trying to keep too many journals at once. Now I just write my book log in my regular journal. Glad to see someone is able to keep it up!
what’d you think of a little life ? i saw you were reading it at the beginning of the year and funnily enough i was too , i finished it a couple weeks ago and gave myself some recovery lol but i’m gonna read it again and i’m interested in knowing what you thought of it
i really like how you keep up to all these journals/planners! i admire how you plan/journal, it's rlly so neat! i wish u journal like you as well, you're my role modelll
Thanks so much for this! As a librarian, it warms my heart that you use your local library for physical books, the Libby ebook service and that you participate in the book of the month program! This video inspired me to do more than keep a 'titles read' and 'to read' list! Love all the wonderful book nerd stickers you create!❤️
Physical books are the best 😻 A few days ago I went to library (I had a break with reading for a year) and it was very special to me Libraries and books are just so beautiful
This comment made my day Denise! I think libraries are one of the most valuable entities ever! Will always support ❤️
@@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo ❤️😍❤️
Does anyone else immediately smell the spine when you open a book you're about to dive into? ME TOO! Okay, seriously: libraries are my happy place. Plus, if the book you're looking for isn't on the shelf, the librarian will find and order it for you (within reason, I'm sure, but still...). There is nothing like the feel of a physical book in your hands!
@@TheCoffeeMonsterzCothis comment gave me cold chills! So worried that libraries will go away one day and they are one of my favorite places on earth!!!!
Your writing is so beautiful that I honestly thought you had printed the pages and glued them into a notebook. Then I peeked at a different video where you are doing calligraphy and it dawned on me that it's hand written. Beautiful!
Plus, a reading journal where someone actually WRITES ABOUT THE BOOKS! Every journal I see looks pretty, but has barely any content about the books. This made me so happy, for both reasons!
And I just started Frankenstein for the very first time today, almost on a whim! I was scrolling through my ereader for something to read, and there it was.
Your reading journal looks absolutely clean. Keep up the good work as always.
Thank you so much!
I think the style you are using for this journal is very minimal and I love it, I guess I just love seeing pages with only handwriting on them, is very satisfying to see 😅.
Regarding the notebook, I have a couple stalogy notebooks and I definitely recommend the grid pages since they are easier to see than the dots. The grids are a bit bigger than hobonichi, but I think it's quite nice.
I really like your reading journal. It makes so much more sense to have notes on the books, than just charts logging which books you read. To me, your style reflects learning from what you read, versus just focusing on speeding through a number of books. I am encouraged to try this method to enhance my reading experience. Thanks for sharing.
Do you read lying down? Or sitting at a desk. I struggle to journal like this bc I read in bed hahaha 😂
Oh you answered it!! Thank you for the recommendation of the book stand :)
My pleasure!!!! It has been a game changer!
Beautiful expressive hands & voice
i would love to see more videos about your reading journaling the future! such as flipthougt… I really enjoyed this video, since i live reading and have a reading journal too :)
PS : sorry for my bad english, i’m french ^^
Thank you and will do! No need to apologize, my French is much worse than your English hahaha
Same!!! I really loved this. Please do more about your book journal. I’m an avid read too Helen. I’d love a flip through and thoughts on what you did and about each book!!
I like your journal-basic, simple and to the point! Also really like the emotie stickers all over your notebook!
Did anyone else take notes while watching this video? No, just me? I am looking forward to doing this Helen. Thank you for the great ideas!
I love the idea of writing down the main characters, setting etc when starting a book because I too end up forgetting names and sometimes feel a little lost and overwhelmed when there's lots going on so having foundation to refer back to is a great idea!
Thank you for sharing your reading journal I really enjoyed the video and that nutrition facts sticker is so cute! It also made my heart happy to hear you loved Frankenstein too, I read that summer of last year and loved every minute
I’m so impressed with how you can write straight in a non lined notebook 🤯 the handwriting and doodles are amazing as well!!
Practice makes perfect
There's a dot grid. She mentions in the beginning that it's a bit too light for her to see at night.
@@SharkLizard Thank you, that makes sense!
I can't write straight even with the dot grid, LOL. It's so embarrassing. @@SharkLizard
6:06 Oh good, I’m not the only one who loses who is who in the book! It never even dawned on me to WRITE it down😅 I just kept plugging away!!
Right?! I used to get more and more lost then give up on the book lol
Me too!
You’re doing all the right things with your approach to reading, Helen! You read mostly sitting up, with a pen in hand, and take notes. All these elements allow you to stay engaged and focused while developing a host of other life benefits such as improving your memory, empathy, expression,…and even the joy of reading itself once these skills become second nature! Reading doesn’t have to be laborious but it should demand some reflective thought and attention, which you understand. 👏🏻 If you’re someone who doesn’t mind marking up books (doesn’t work with library books, though) and are reading for school or study, I would also suggest writing a simple word or phrase at the top of a page where something key happens (ex. the word “Helen” at the top of a page would mean that’s when the character entered the text; “shared chocolates after holiday dinners” would be at the top of the page where the episode of you cutting up the special chocolates over Christmas occurred). This tiny effort makes it much easier to work with the book later when writing essays or tests. I have a million other tricks and tips (passionate literature academic 🙋🏼♀️), but to stop myself from going on and on, I just wanted to congratulate you for being a role model other readers can look up to. 📚✍🏻
❤
Would you consider making a video with your tips?
Hi, I love all your videos and I've been watching them for a few months, I would just want to ask if you could make a video about fountain pen maintenance like how do you clean out the fountain len and refill, stuff like that... thx 😊
Thank you Spriha! This means a lot and that is a great suggestion!!!!
I still find myself struggling to reach for books. I used to carry my kindle around everywhere, but ever since I got old enough to have a phone, I just don’t find myse,f reading as much, even though I want to. I always end up reaching for my phone :( any tips?
Aww it definitely happens! I find that having a dedicated time JUST for my phone to get it "out of my system" helps haha Then I'm not so tempted afterwards!!
This is super nice to see! The main focus is that you're reading, not trying to make a complex & hard to maintain journal^^
Maybe adding a highlighter to your arsenal solely for the "quotes" that get a little lost among your thoughts would help you pick them out a little better! (Or different colour pen or just underlining them)
It might be an easier visual overview for when your looking to see if they pass the vibe check enough to make it on to your dedicated quotes page pfft
Good luck with your reading!
I love watching your videos - you're soothing to listen to. Thanks for the tip on the reading stand - I have dexterity problems in my wrist and have not read much because of this - thank you so much I think this will be a huge help for me!
So lovely to have a look at how you approach your reading journal! Very inspiring.
You mentioned that you could add in an extra page if it turns out you need more space for a book that you only planned two pages for, and I'm wondering what that would look like. You write from edge to edge on the pages, how do you connect a new/extra page in the middle?
Thank you so much for the videos you make, they're so calming and informative to watch
I fail reading journals because even if my thoughts are loud, i stubbornly continue reading. Holding a pen, breaking away from the book, and writing elsewhere is "too distracting" even if i really want to have a reading journal. Details fly by me and only remember impactful events. And im more of a digital/ebook reader (bought a kindle to spare my eyes). And my ability to highlight, note, and bookmark revealed how loud and commentary my brain can be (esp since it doesnt fully break my reading spree as I slowly type in my thoughts)
This was a super fun and enjoyable video, Helen!! Ahhhh, i love that you have A Farewell to Arms on your list! Have you read The Old Man and the Sea? Very short, amazing Hemingway piece. I admit I often just re-read my favourite books over and over, I don't know why?!
I'm sooo looking forward to reading it! And yes, The Old Man and the Sea was amazing! I read it last year and I loved it ❤️
Omg im soooo happy she made a video on her reading journal. I NEEDED THIS inspiration.
I love this! Simple and beautiful
I love the aesthetic, style of journaling, and the techniques you used for your journaling. I'm not a hugely decorative person and I wasn't planning on doing too much for every single entry so this was great inspiration. I especially like the actual way you entered your journal entries where everything didn't have it's own dedicated section, just a stream of thoughts and quotes and questions and new words learned. Thanks for the great video!
I’ve learned my lesson with Stalogy. Their paper is just too thin and NOT fountain pen or marker friendly.
The stalogy paper is pretty much a form of tomoe river paper. Actually, the hobonichi 2024 paper is pretty similar to stalogy. I like stalogy paper better than the Hobonichi. Works much better for me.
Thank you so much for this video. I have been trying to find a system for a reading journal, to make it more fun for me to read. This is basic and simple. Love it!
I really love your handwriting and system! you just inspired me to start my own reading journal, thank you for this video! 💗
You're voice is so calming to listen to!!!
This is so good. I have a loose goal but big interest in reading some classics this year, but with my ADHD and anxiety I loose focus so quickly, so having a journal is such a good idea!! ❤❤❤
I have the same disorders. I have bought so many books and only read a few of them. There’s an app I have (Bookly) that after I finish a session I can type out whatever I want about what I wrote, but it’s not enough. Especially for definitions, characters, settings and thoughts when reading at present time. If journaling ends up working well for you. Could you please please please respond back or update your comment? With anyway you did your journal to keep you engaged with your reading and other way you might go about keeping your focus? Sorry for the questions! 🥲
Definitely trying out the sidebar and preliminary info. I strarted my reading journal just last week and this was a great tip, thank you!
Yayy I hope it works out for yah!
Honestly, I keep coming back to this video. I have a reading journal that looks exactly like everyone else’s, with charts and stuff like that, but I always felt that it was just for keeping track of the titles I was reading and just that. When I encountered this video I was really inspired to make a companion for my reading journal where I could basically just rant without worrying about it being pretty and yours really helped me to set up something that was just simple.
Whenever I'm looking for inspiration I always come back to this video, so thanks.
I just started watching your video and because there aren't closed-captions on (auto closed-captions are not good), I didn't hear/see the name of the notebook you use for your reading journal. Is it possible someone could tell me what she's using? Thanks!
A5 size Stalogy!
Stalogy notebooks A5
I have two unfinished books and at least three to-be-read books right now and this is making me itch to start documenting what I read!
I keep a reading journal because when friends read a book and ask me about it I forget. Goldfish brain is real with books.
I love the idea of starting from the front and the back! Definitely going to use that.
Yesss I use this "trick" in my other notebooks too!
OMG IM SO EXCITED!!! I’ve been waiting for this video🤍🫶🏼
I soooo love this idea! ❤ Thank you, you’re such an inspiration (and I’m in my early 50s, but I still love cute things like your emojis) I love to read and do get lost still with some of the characters and places. This is a great idea to keep track of thoughts too. I would give the book Paper Palace a negative starI and wish I kept track of my thoughts about this book in a journal such as this, it would have been better to get all those feelings I had on paper 😅
I have to ask, can we see your "scratch" notes? To see your finished product looks pristine, too perfect. It is quite an impression you are leaving behind. I have viewed other content where the reading journal requires a handwriting expert to translate what is scribbled down. Much of their marginalia and annotations absolutely destroys their thoughts; almost graffiti-esque.
I have been getting back into writing as much as I can. Spending a few minutes every day practicing my script. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to fill my notebooks "properly" and with ease.
This is quite possibly the very best reading journal ever! It features your work, summaries and thoughts without featuring books like an advertisement. Love it! This is def sustainable.
I have just started writing in my reading journal as I go with the book. But for whatever reason I have thought to keep it to one page. But seeing your multi-page spreads. Maybe I should be less restrictive on myself. Thanks for sharing
would you ever launch digital stickers for people to use on their ipads?
Thanks for sharing, your tip for writing down the initial facts of a book is very helpful
I've been wanting to start my reading journal and have been looking up sample spreads. As much as I want to do something artsy, I don't think I have the time to maintain that.
I will do something similar to what you've done. I want a journal that is not too restricting. I also know that I wont be reading a lot of books every year. I'll just write in the journal as I read a book.
How do you have such beautiful handwriting???? I want it too!!!!
I love your reading journal!! What permanent inks do you like? I add watercolor to my journals and I’m always afraid that there will be lots of bleeding. The stickers are amazing, I need to check them out
Thank you so much for this. I have watched so many book journal ideas on yt and although what they do is beautiful I just don’t have the time to make it look like that. I already have four planners lol. Urs is simple and exactly what I need in a book journal. I need a place beyond my goodreads reviews. Thank you for all of these ideas. I really love the idea of using pages from the back 😊
I enjoyed this video so much. Your voice is calming, your ideas on journaling are inspiring, your handwriting is sooo neat and your tbr is great! I have read some and they're on my fav list (like Anna Karenina!), others I want to read too!
nodding .... now this is the literary / reader carrying-on i vibe with
Wow, I love your note-taking method! Just the basics, but very well laid out. The stream-of-Consciousness writing makes the most sense, since it doesn't require flipping through different sections of the journal. I will re-visit the book journal I've all but abandoned since the beginning of the year.
Where can I find that Nutrition Facts sticker? I looked all over your site, and didn't see it. My daughter would love it.
I am using Stalogy for “brain dump” journaling. Gel pens do bleed and ghosting as well. But I love Stalogy for narrative journalling. I find Sharpee fine point pens or Zebra Saraza .7 gel pens worked, just don’t use mild liner because it doesn’t blend. I haven’t tried tombow though. 😊
Thanks for sharing your journal! It's amazing! It has inspired me to start writing my own journal. I wonder if I can also write so neat without the lines. Love it! 😍
ahhhhhh this was such a treat to see inside your reading journal 😍 love love love to hear your thoughts on books!!!!!
I want your handwriting as a font on my computer!!!😍
Beautiful handwriting as always 😍, i dont know how to read the word " Readeaer? " 😅 love your content Helen
Bahaha I tried XD Thank you Rosalin!!!
i should really start a reading journal...i read sooo many books in a year!!!!
Haha that's a good problem to have!!!
Omg! You're early this week! Happy yo Finally see your reading journal! Just started myself too 🤣 I so get the start on both front and back thing. Im doing that a lot in almost all of my notebooks now 😅
I’m in the UK and don’t know what time it usually posts. I was disappointed last night a midnight when I realised Canada was still on Saturday lol
Thank you for your video and sharing your beautiful book journal. I have been wanting to get into book journaling but after watching many videos where most are extravagantly artistic, I felt overwhelmed and uneasy about it. This is not a slight to your journal. After watching your video I exhaled and felt some weight fall from my shoulders. This is how I want to make my journal, minimal art work --though that may change with time -- and more thoughts, ideas, and quotes--along with other things of course. Anyway, great work and thank you again for sharing. I apologize for the strange manner of writing. It is 0200 (2AM) for me so my brain is working on fumes. I didn't want to forget to write a message of thanks though.
I feek you. I wanted something minimalistic. I like to read and journal at my own pace.
I love your handwriting! so neat :)
this made me want to reread frankenstein, thank u
Lovely video, beautiful handwriting (I wish mine was like that!), and a wonderful voice. Great work; keep it up!
Thank you so much for the video ♥️
Most welcome 😊
I like this. So many reading journal,planners, journals videos waste time with stickers, coloring etc.
Hey Helen this video is awsome and I love it.❤ And of course I Love your handwriting. Can you please suggest some technique to improve handwriting? Or how can I make my handwriting like you?
The best video so far I absolutely enjoyed it 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Glad you enjoyed it Ilianaaaa!
Just my takeaways as I re-evaluate my recently started reading journal and what I really love about your system
1. I shouldve gotten a decent thickness journal (i used a6 500 blank pages coz it looked like a "book" and my writing is small anyway)
2. I shouldn've made the journal template flexible (I pre-allocated pages for "future" books coz I had too many TOC pages)
3. A preliminary section wouldve been nice (I only had summary and bookmarks, which makes the journal an after-reading activity, not while-reading)
4. Glad I could still incorporate "want to read" and "memorable qoutes" in my journal. The former into my excess TOC and the latter already fulfilled by my "bookmarks"
5. I take a picture of noteable pages for journaling so I don't struggle holding the book open. I also read in three ways: physical, phone, kindle. So, i tend to worry about my 45 degree angled elbows rather than my neck HAHAHA
6. I love the simplicity yet straightforward journaling system you have. Likewise, I'm jealous of your handwriting --Really neat regardless if you cross out words.
Lust For Life is my FAVORITE book in the entire world! I watch so much booktube and I literally never hear people talk about it! I’m so happy you read it.
love the Lucky Sticker so much
Hi! Thanks for this video. You’ve given me some ideas for keeping my own reading journal. Most of the videos I watch put me off because everyone sticks paper everywhere. :)
I Do It too!!! Incredibile!!!! Iso Happy that also ather Person are like me when i read a book....👍🤗
Your journal is fantastic, so neat. I really need to restart mine. I begin with all good intentions, but then just don't bother with it.
your voice would be great speaking over a relaxation meditation app, very calming and relaxing to the listener, i really enjoyed this video thank you
I really like your reading journal. I usually don't take notes while I read. However, I read a lot of series, particularly fantasy series, which usually have a lot of characters. So when I start a series, I also start a list of all the characters with a description and information of who they are in the series. That has helped me a lot. Particularly when I have to wait one or two years for the next book. Also, The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite book of all time. I hope you like it. Thanks for sharing your reading journal with us!
Great ideas Helen, love the book stand too !! I’ve had neck surgery and my neck can get strained really easily, I didn’t know such things existed 👏🏻👏🏻. Really love your reading journal 😊
Wow!!! You just helped me with staying interested in books. I don’t read a lot because of the exact reasons you gave. Nonfiction that I’m interested in is usually a little easier but I lose interest after I get what I want out of it. But fiction has been a bigger struggle. I read the Harry Potter books easily because I started the books after seeing the movies. So I had the characters fully established. But trying to read new books was always so difficult for me. Now I know what I need to do!! Once those characters or any foundational info is really set it makes it a lot of easier to get into the book, so thank you for this! I think I can enjoy reading again!!
Happy Sunday, Helen! A million thanks for sharing your reading journal with us. I haven't started mine yet because I hadn't thought about all that I want to put in it, so I just have one thin notebook for all the books I've read and movies and TV shows I've seen last year and this year. I love the idea of adding a section for information because I, too, tend to forget characters and important dates and events. BTW, I just read for my book club Michelle Obama's The Light We Carry. It's a book I wish had been available when I was in my teens and 20s and still need now. I always thought everyone else had their act together, but I was wrong. She is very candid about her insecurities and the problems she has faced as being part of a double minority. I think you would really like it. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Thank you so much for this video I’ve been very curious about your reading journal since I’ve been thinking of starting one myself. Your spread of quotes reminded me of common placing. I just started a common place book for things like that.
What a great idea! I really loved your way of journaling and it’s something that’s gonna work for me too, thank you for explaining it!
This was really good! You show a nice format for a reading journal. I’ve been wanting to start one and your tips are very helpful. And your voice is so calming and soothing, too. Thank you for all you do in the journaling/planning world!
Hi Helen, thank you for your new video 🤩 you mentioned that you read at night. Do you journal in bed or at a desk?🥰 I've never managed to write easily from bed, but if you can, I'd love to hear your tips
Thank you for sharing! I want to read more and do a journal so this proved very helpful!
Helen, I read Frankenstein, and I really enjoyed it. Especially book 2 of the story focuses on the Creation, pleading for his life and for his future with the doctor. When Dr. Frankenstein shows that he truly is the monster, and then how he had shown his true inability, to have any compassion, or humanity with any himself. I’m so glad to have seen your review and that you actually read the book.
I checked out your Etsy shop but couldn’t find the link to the book rating sticker..
This looks like so much fun! I have never thought to write down my thoughts as I read! This could be really fun for me! thanks for the inspo!
where can i get this dot grid notebook? cant find it:)
The notebook is stalogy! You can get it from many stationery stores (jetpens, wonderpens, etc!)
Journal Happy ok.
It looks great! I guess that journaling as you read the book helps you understand the story better🤔When I start a book with many characters, I always think I should do a "character tree" but then I am too lazy hahaha Right now I am reading the second book of a trilogy and I am still not sure who a third of the characters are🙈 I also look up the new words and screenshot them when I look them up on my phone. Never to read them again😂
Tried keeping a book journal once, didn't work out because I was trying to keep too many journals at once. Now I just write my book log in my regular journal. Glad to see someone is able to keep it up!
I loved this video. Wrist hurts, so can't type more than that. But more of this please!
what’d you think of a little life ? i saw you were reading it at the beginning of the year and funnily enough i was too , i finished it a couple weeks ago and gave myself some recovery lol but i’m gonna read it again and i’m interested in knowing what you thought of it
Very interesting! I love seeing different ways people keep a reading journal. And mine are not nearly as nice as yours. Keep up the great videos!
Lust for Life is one of my favorite books of all time! 🎉 would enjoy knowing what you thought of it 😊
Thanks for sharing your reading journal. I love your hand writing!
Moleskin extended 500 pages. I need to write about all the books I read or listen too. Great idea.
So helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for this video! I was the person on the group asking what book you used and now there’s a whole video yay ❤
i really like how you keep up to all these journals/planners! i admire how you plan/journal, it's rlly so neat! i wish u journal like you as well, you're my role modelll
Happy Sunday Helen. I use stalogy a lot to brain dump and as a work bullet journal. ❤
Thank You.
I'm definitely adding that quote page to my own reading journal