2027 Reading Journal Setup 👻, by Goobers Who Read on YouTube. 41 min 2 s.
- Video length
- 41 min 2 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick an A5 dot grid notebook with at least 150 pages. Number every page in the bottom corner before you add anything, so your index has something to point to.
Write your reading goals on the first pages. Note how many books you want to finish, which genres you want to explore and any challenges you plan to join.
Build the index on the next spread. List each section name beside its page number and leave a few blank lines for pages you add later.
Draw a reading calendar with one box for each month. Fill in titles as you finish them so you can see your pace across the year.
Set up a reading log with columns for title, author, rating, format and date finished. Rule the lines in pencil with a clear ruler before going over them in pen.
Add a series tracker page. List the series you have started, the books in reading order and which ones you still need to buy or borrow.
Make a TBR page of the books you want to read next. Keep it to 10 or 12 titles so the list stays realistic and useful.
Add a few challenge spreads such as book bingo, an A to Z list and a scavenger hunt. Draw the grids first, then fill in prompts.
Create review pages with a star rating and a short notes box, then add a book awards page for your favourites at the end of the year.
Write your name on the inside cover or a name plate page so the journal gets back to you if you leave it somewhere.
Tips and common mistakes
Number all the pages first, because adding pages later breaks the page numbers in your index.
Test your pens on a back page, since brush pens and markers can bleed through thin paper.
Keep the TBR list short, as long lists slow most readers down.
Use pencil for the calendar so you can move entries when your plans change.
Questions
How many pages should I leave for the index?
Two to four pages at the front is plenty. A two-column layout fits around 30 entries per page, which covers most journals.
Do I need printables and stickers?
No. Hand-drawn headers and boxes work fine. Printables and clear sticker paper just save time if you want neat, matching spreads.
Can I use a plain lined notebook?
Yes, but a dot grid makes columns, boxes and calendars much easier to line up with a ruler.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
