Last year I started a new habit with my reading life. It’s not working perfectly, but I’m liking it enough to share it with you. I hope it will give you some ideas on how to organize your own reading life.

It all started with a problem.

I couldn’t keep track of what I had already read, if I liked it, what I wanted to read, what friends had recommended. All that good stuff. Even if you don’t care to organize your books, this system would work just as great for TV shows, crafts, movies, music. Anything you want to remember or notice.

Just so you know, I did not invent this system. Thank you to Anne Bogel (Modern Mrs. Darcy) for planting the seed and jump-starting my practice. And thank you to the Bullet Journal guy, Ryder Carroll, for the big picture system. I made it my own, and you should make it your own, too.

How to Organize Your Reading Life

#1. Grab a great little notebook and pen.

You don’t need to go out and buy something new, but be sure this is something that makes you smile. (That green ten-cent spiral notebook from the bin at your local office supply might make you smile big because it was such a deal.) For me, it needs to be something pretty and sturdy.

#2. Label the notebook.

“Reading Journal.” Or “Movie Journal.” Or “Favorite Bible Verses.” You get the idea. And by the way, how you choose to label the journal is completely personal. I love to doodle and copy things to color, so that’s what I choose. Please don’t let this labeling thing stop you. It doesn’t need to be fancy unless you desire that.

#3. Number the pages.

Yes, number every page. It feels daunting, but it only takes a few minutes. Label them however you want. Again, I like some color and doodles, but really, you can just write in a regular black pen.

#4. Create your Index.

Turn to the first page and write “Index” at the top. If this sounds familiar–think, Bullet Journal? You know exactly where I’m going.

Write page numbers down the left side. I usually divide each page of my Index in half so I can get about 50 pages on each Index Page.

#5. Start logging!

Personally, I wanted to write a few more things so I could remember the author, the way I felt about it, the number of pages. Include any details you want.

This morphs over time, by the way. I started with title, author, number of pages, and star ratings. I usually include a few special quotes, if I remember to do that while I’m reading. If not, no big deal. Sometimes I write a quick summary to help me remember the story line. It’s important that each book/movie, etc. starts on a new page. That way your index will work.

Make sure you record the title of the book or the subject of each page on your Index page, too!

#6. Make it your own.

Personally, I wanted to write a few more things so I could remember the author, the way I felt about it, the number of pages. Include any details you want.

This morphs over time, by the way. I started with title, author, number of pages, and star ratings. I usually include a few special quotes, if I remember to do that while I’m reading. If not, no big deal. Sometimes I write a quick summary to help me remember the story line. It’s important that each book/movie, etc. starts on a new page. That way your index will work.

You could also create a page dedicated to recommendations or a to-be-read list. Maybe record the title, the author, and who recommended it to you.

You can get all nerdy about all of this if you want, like transferring the list alphabetically to another Index once you fill the journal. Or you could do this digitally on Evernote or in an Excel spreadsheet. (I tried that. It didn’t last.) Do whatever works for you.

How about you? Does this make you cringe and say, “No way! Too much work!” Or are you already beginning . . . ?

Let me know.

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