I have used the app Evernote for my book lists since it first was released in 2011. My husband and several family members share some lists (like good campgrounds, gluten-free restaurants) and I have 15 book lists divided into categories: Non-fiction, spiritual, fantasy, Canadian authors, and the two biggest categories of Fiction and Mysteries. The later are so large they are broken alphabetically by author into 3 sections each (A-F, G-M, N-Z). This makes it easy mark books read and copy a piece of a list to email to friends and remember what I have read in a series. I am up to Nightshade in Bayless series and Voodoo Lily in Dahila series (my favorite). I write reviews on Goodreads as well, in part to improve my writing. Yes, I do have a dozen book journals spanning 25 years, though they are all for spiritual books and studies. Those notes have helped me through professional and personal crisis. And, yes, I am one of those people who read 3-4 books at a time: bedside, bathroom, my Study and phone. Finally moved favorite quotes and card savings into two journals (with notes on to whom I have used them in cards sent to family and friends).
Pamela, all good keeptrack systems! I tried Evernote but had trouble pulling it into my other ongoing systems. My failing, not Evernotes. It was excellent then (that was about 5-6 years ago) and is probably even better now.
I applaud keeping a book journal by genre/category, especially if you're doing intensive reading in an area. Keeps everything together--also helpful to go back and reread those notes, just to see how the interest has matured over time.
Like you, Susan, my hands do not function as they once did. I have familial tremors, and even with medication, my handwriting is nearly illegible. So, I love the computer for writing and tracking thoughts.
Years ago I began a list of beloved quotes in a Word doc and I add to it regularly. Before my hand movement deteriorated, I found reward in creating calligraphy designs of favorite quotes. I also made many calligraphy gifts specially designed and framed for special occasions. It saddens me deeply that I have lost this talent that I so treasured. But, I can create computer renditions of artistic fonts on lovely paper, though it is certainly not the personal artistic result from before.
I have also written some memories on the computer and frequently return to them to remind me of where I've been and who matters so to me. Writing is a way for me to not merely remember, but to create. And, through all of my studies, I have found writing to be the way to in-depth understanding of whatever the subject, much like working in a science lab. I am simply thankful to be able to read and write and wish all had those privileges.
Working within these new (to us) physical limitations can be a challenge. Good for you for finding ways to work around yours--especially the computer fonts on special papers. I've been experimenting with dictation to Word docs and (in my phone) emails, thinking ahead to the time I may need it. Grateful that we have these workarounds!
So many impressive journal keepers here! (Does being a 'journal keeper' make one a 'journalist'? Funny how our American-English steals words and issues new meanings.) And that is an example of why I don't keep a formal journal. I mean when would one not be taking notes!?!? 🙃
I have tons of old notebooks, tablets and appointment books that I enjoy leafing through from time to time and remembering who I have talked with or what I was reading or watching on TV to say nothing of shopping lists and To Do lists that are almost as revealing as any diary might be. So, some part of me does hang on to these cookie crumbs though the past that was me. One thing that is worth rereading in this hodgepodge of miscellaneous,, is a habit of noting things that have made me laugh out loud and little word plays that caught my attention. Quite surprising how many double entendres there are at play in our everyday language. There are also lists of books to pick-up at the library, from before I started reading or listening to most books either on my phone or laptop. BTW The comments of how you all love your Kindles has me ordering one! 😄
There is one slim dime-store (remember those?) notebook I have made entries in since 1986. It is a gardening journal, and I am glad that I started it the year I moved into this house. It reminds me of how gardening has developed and stirred me as well as the soil. One side note is that I was raised in a household of dictionary lovers. And following that tradition there is a dictionary or two in most rooms in my home. Many have bookmarks and little paper notes tucked in where someone found a bit worth noting. True, I use the pc for many spellings and meanings, but I still can enjoy a good sit down with one of the dictionaries! So that's how the note taking of life has happened with me. I have so enjoyed reading how you all have been keeping your notes!
I am a serious "note-taker." My learning style required that I "write-to-learn." One "necessary" luxury in school was actual purchase of textbooks. My handwriting has always been abysmal ; I learned to type out of necessity.
I have over 30 years of book summaries. All are now stored in my computer. I went back several years ago and entered all the handwritten summaries- or at least what I could read.
In many instances, I also went back and at least partially reread the book. One indulgence for me is actual purchase of a book (I did haunt used bookstores) so that I could write in the book too. While most would describe my possessions as "minimal," I have hundreds of books.
My book summaries include the usual information of title, author, sequence in the series, pages etc. I also noted whether it was a hard copy or paperback. Then I recorded main character details (especially their motivation), settings, clues I identified along the way, the "who-dun-it" conclusion. Also my impressions of the book as well as how I felt about the story.
I also created a spreadsheet summary of my books, as well as an ongoing list of "to-be-released" books by my favorite authors.
Georgeann, you personify all my own best intentions! Congratulations on completing such a Herculean task. I have made several false starts toward digitizing my various collections of data on everything from quotes that grabbed me in the moment, to spreadsheets for authors and the associated titles, etc. For me life seems to get in the way and once I get side-tracked the days turn into months. And the materials become buried under other projects, or gather dust behind the current “most-urgent-thing”.
One thing I have taken to doing is grabbing a poem or quote or essay that I want to be able to come back to, or share, and emailing it to myself. I have folders in my email account labeled accordingly where I store each one. I use the search function to retrieve them later.
Our library system allows patrons to retrieve their circulation records as a spreadsheet. I use library books as much as possible, so about once a year I download my records. It only stores the basic catalogue information, plus the dates I checked them out and renewed or returned.
I don’t think of myself as one who journals, but I’ve always been a good correspondent. Now I’m seeing my collections of letters as a kind of journal. Thanks, Susan W, for getting me started on a new way of looking at my array of jottings and reflections.
Kathleen, your mention of the spreadsheet retrieval may be useful to library users who don't know about this possible service. And like you, I often email next-read items, notes, etc to myself, using my phone when I'm away from the desk. Love to hear from others who are using their devices as a reading/writing/notetaking tool!
I use bookmarks to keep track of books I want to read. Over time I have created a personal catalog of sorts, arranged by topic. It is searchable and I can add descriptive words of my own to each link.
My journaling is not frequent, nor organized. So thanks to all for the motivation found in these comments.
And Susan it is quite possible I heard about Julian Hess from you and so I thank you for that as well.
She is so much fun.
The caveat is that I use a Chromebook for my Internet based usage.
I am not sure if what I do translates to other computers/browsers.
I base my personal topics roughly on Library of Congress subject headings (and can send more information specific to the history of Great Britain if there is interest and if you dare)
The result is a nested set of folders and sub-folders arranged by topic and containing links to web pages to books and beyond.
An example:
I have a particular interest in the historical fiction of Great Britain.
In this instance (but not always) the main arrangement is chronological, subdivided by significant persons of the period.
Here is what a bit of my hierarchy looks like:
Britain
-- BC
--- Cicero 106-43 BC
--- Caesar 100-44 BC
-- 1st century [Roman invasion]
--- Claudius 10-54
--- Boudica ~25-~62
The formatting may not show up in the post but Cicero and Caesar are sub-folders of the main BC folder and Claudius and Boudica are sub-folders of the 1st century folder.
The main folders and their sub-folders can all contain links to specific web pages I have bookmarked: to books offered by booksellers; held by libraries; a goodreads book review; an IMDb page for a film adaptation of a book; a Wikipedia entry about a topic related to the book, etc.
I can see why you like Hess, Karen! The two of you share a love of indexing (this is a compliment 🏆🏆🏆). My reading note system is something like yours, but in Word docs primarily, secondarily in Outlook. Plus I'm also a big user of Kindle color highlights, which is why I liked Hess's note about Woolf's notes. IMO, Hess has an excellent project underway!
Kathleen, I very much enjoy your "email" solution. I am impressed that your library has such a service. I admit the purchase of books is my one luxury. I don't go out to eat, I buy very few, simple clothes, I am no longer able to travel anywhere.
I have to admit my "book journal" has slowly declined now that I sometimes only listen on audible.
Each morning is a new beginning - I try to to look at the day not with the perspective of what I didn't do yesterday but what I will do today.
Georgeann, we are a small rural county in Western North Carolina. Our public libraries entered the digital age in the late ‘90s. Our patron database and card catalogue were integrated with our circulation system for all three of our library branches. For the first time anyone could log on with their patron card and see what was available, request an item from another branch, etc. About ten years ago we upgraded to the statewide system. Now we can request items from anywhere in North Carolina.
Many states have this capability now. One important thing to know is public library policies about patron privacy. The default on digital patron records is to delete records of a patron’s activity when each item is returned. The feature to save one’s circulation history has to be requested by the patron. One has to opt in to have your circulation records archived. This goes for public access computers, too. Each user’s activity is erased when they log off. This is fairly standard practice across the country, so you any have that option where you live.
Susan W., I have friends who have used audiobooks for years, either because of vision limitations or careers that take them on the road for many hours a week. It has often been a complaint that the selection of non-fiction titles is too small and narrow. My impression is the rise of podcasts has filled in some gaps for them. It’s a challenge because there is more available, but teasing out the good resources from the vast array out there can be a daunting task! I’ve been heartened to see that you have published your titles in the various formats. I know it’s an investment to do so, and I hope it is popular enough to let you continue the practice.
Kathleen, the picture has changed dramatically in the past decade, and especially since the advent of easy downloads and sites like Apple iBooks and Audible. There is a fast-growing demand for audio, and while fiction dominates the market, nonfiction is also growing. My husband listens to a couple of books a week, exclusively NF, and even though his taste is fairly narrow (science, history, anthropology) we're always finding good titles for him.
Most new books are being released in print, digital, and audio now, and selection/choice in audio presents the same problem as it does in print. Too many titles! Reviews you can trust and friends' word-of-mouth are both big helps. My work is now almost all in audio (thanks for noticining!) , even the backlist. I'll do a post on the topic of audiobooks when we get a little time--I think everyone is interested.
Georgeann, so far, you are our champion reading journal-keeper, both for the time you've invested (30 years!) and the amount of information you keep about each book. Your comment here is such a good report: I'm going to mention it in Friday's Footnotes. Thanks for taking the time to share what you've been up to all these years: it's impressive!
I love all the different ways to journal that are listed. As much as I love to read and write, I never enjoyed journaling. It's not that I don't keep track of things for reviews or research. It's not that I don't spend time in the moment either. My conclusion is that it's a privacy issue. I lived most of my life without that type of privacy, and I some things should belong to me. I hadn't thought about why I never felt at ease journaling until I read this post.
In some ways I feel the same way. In one book club a few years ago, a member sat next to me and saw my copious notes on the book under discussion. She commented that we were not "studying" the book - how could I enjoy the book while taking so many notes?
I do not use a personal journal - but rather focused quiet reflection about my life past, present and future.
Absolutely agree, but for me, that value is far outweighed by the ability to search what I've typed--can't do that easily in a written document. Plus, my writing is no longer very legible. 🙃
Pamela, I agree - writing is the best for retention. Alas my handwriting was never very legible - and now with the ravages of RA, it is a struggle to hold a pencil for any length of time. And as Susan pointed out, searching documents is such a convenient resource.
Journaling provides an additional asset to reflective thought: it's a record of the thought and thought process that we can use for further, deeper reflection.
Oct 16, 2023·edited Oct 16, 2023Liked by Susan Wittig Albert
This post and its comments have introduced some new ideas into my book life. I started participating in the Goodreads Annual Book Challenge a few years back and found it to be a useful tool for my everyday casual reading. I also found it motivating to read more (via audiobooks). As a freelance writer I create copious notes and quotes from my research reading. I started daily journaling two years ago after reading Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. Loosely using her "morning pages" concept, I simply write what is running through my mind and life. It often is a compilation of family concerns or health problems, some whining here and there, my garden's progress, political worries and gratitude for the good in my life.
I regret not keeping a journal throughout my life. I would like to have visited my chaotic younger self with the eyes my wise older self.
I think book challenges give us a helpful poke (I sometimes need that!). Goodreads is especially good because it has so many visual components--can be an interesting display. I understand about the "copious" notes/quotes. I mostly read on Kindle and make heavy use of highlights/notes and the online display page of those. Cameron's book has been a wonderful starter for many--glad you've been using her concept!
There are so many great ideas here. I've always journaled since childhood but not about books. I keep a list of those I want to read but only quotes and words from those I have read. So many great ideas here I can try out--thanks to you all.
I am embarking on art journaling and since I cannot draw a lick, my thoughts have been to create backgrounds, collage, and printed words. I read mostly on Kindle and love to look up new words. I think I'll put quotes and words and definitions in my art journal (among other things). Two words I like the sound of: cagoule and farrago. Can't wait to try out some of y'all's ideas.
I'm just using an inexpensive composition notebook. I'll be able to gesso the pages and create backgrounds from found objects (I have lots of old yellowed books, cookbooks, etc.)
and paint pencils, inks, stamps, stencils and such. My first pages are on the prompt- heritage --and I'm using digitized old pictures of family members and pockets (from painted envelopes) for recipes from both sides of the family. I have an idea to also put pictures in and then write my recollections of these family members from my past. Now there will be books, words, and quotes too. It should be fun (well, let's hope so, or it will be short-lived). Maybe someone from my family will want to keep it as part of our history (one can hope).
I love the Kindle's ability to touch a word and find its meaning immediately. At four AM this morning I was looking up "adumbration" just by putting my finger on it. Marvelous!
This from Lynne Mayer, who asked me to post for her:
This was so interesting, Susan. I’m much more of a reader than a journaler or record keeper, but in recent months while trying to sort out the mountain of papers that have accumulated over my life I’ve found several journals started and abandoned, notebooks with lists of books read or to read and scraps of paper or notepads with quotations. They’re in a separate place now, waiting until I have time to go through them, see who I once was, what I was reading, why a certain quotation resonated. Personal archaeology!
It IS a kind of personal archaeology, Lynne--that's a useful description. Hope you have time to pull at least some of it together and perhaps to start on a new record, going forward.
In general, I have found it very hard to keep up a journal with any regularity. Seems I get started and then months go by with no entries. But I like the idea of a journal to keep track of books read. I do have various lists of all the different series I have, but have not yet started keeping notes about the books themselves. Like you say Susan, "Now would be a good time to get started..."!! 😉
Lists are always a good starting point. (Have I said that I love lists?) Maybe start now to figure out a format that works for you, with the idea of making a commitment for 2024? I'm thinking this is something we might work on as a group next year.
Are you familiar with the term listicles? I enjoy a magazine called Bella Grace ( visually stunning, dreamy, and pricey!). I am considering trying to write a listicle for submission there.
I'm familiar with listicles--a good way to organize a batch of similar stuff--but am more comfortable with longer-form writing. I love lists, though: as starting points or topic headers. They're even useful in fiction (plot points, for instance). Good to know about Bella Grace. Let us know if you score over there!
Good morning from the Central Coast of California, Susan - When our Food for Thought book club began almost 20 years ago, I started using LibraryThing to record all my reads, book club-related or not. I recently entered my 1000th book, Demon Copperhead.
Our book club is non-traditional, as we do not all read the same book, but share what we have read, whether we recommend it, and why. It has been a great way to discover authors and genres I would have never have explored.
Best wishes & looking forward to the next China Bayles -
I have not traditionally kept a reading journal but I often tend to do thematic reading when I want to learn about something. Right now I’m reading Appalachian authors, an area I’m from and that I have recently returned to. This might be a good place to start. You also mentioned keeping an inventory of your books. Organizing that would save me time when I’m looking for something specific or to see if I already own something before I order it. I am currently reading David Joy’s Where All Light Tends To Go set in North Carolina mountains very near where I now live in SC. I also recently read his book Those We Thought We Knew. Both are excellent books. Far more violent than something I would normally read but so engaging I pushed through.
A journal is a great place to sort out (and remember) why we liked an author's work. And regional would be a fine category to start with.
I finally gave up trying to catalog all my books (back when I was still buying/reading print)--just too many. And since I bought used, I gave many away, so there was a constant turnover. Knowing where to lay hands on a book can be a serious challenge! (Grateful for ebooks--much easier to find, as long as I remember author or title.)
Been an ardent reader since birth, practically, but have never thought to keep any records - relying on memory! Well, my bytes have bitten the dust and a reading journal sounds like a lovely and timely idea. Thanks for these wonderful ideas ~
Book Journals! For the pleasurable remembrance of the stories, a feeling of accomplishment, recall to recommend to a friend, recall of an author to seek more titles and reminiscing the moment in my life when a read was important.
I started with BOOK LUST with an intro by Nancy Pearl. Nancy had clever recommendations of favorites ie. Favorite authors named David" and "Pawns of History"! Nice, smooth quality lined paper, a page marker and paperback-sized. Loved it!
My current book journal (B&N product) was gifted me and has NO LINES! I miss lines. 1/2 the pages are challenge pages, directed reading, and Pulitzer, Booker and The Modern Library best novels. I like lists/suggestions but the number of pages allotted limits my preferred use.
I've not kept a book log on computer but your experience makes me consider it. Happy Reading!
I like BOOK LUST (great title!)--and especially because it includes backlist titles. It's an excellent roundup of titles in specific areas. I do recommend a computer catalog, especially for "power readers." It is infinitely flexible--and lines aren't an issue. :)
Some thirty years ago I bought in a museum gift store a small book with a handmade soft leather cover and handmade paper pages, and I copied into it quotations I liked from ongoing reading. When I came close to its end I started looking for another book worthy to be its successor, and I found one in Laos, in a small town famous for its handmade paper. By the time I'd filled that up I was past much traveling or on-my-feet browsing, but I did pick up another book-let and have continued the quotation-journaling to this day. Like you I enjoy reading them all over; sometimes I go back to the book from which a quotation came and remember my-then-self noticing it.
And since I became single again in 1989 I've written a journal just about me -- what I'm feeling, what I'm discovering about myself or my life, what joy or pain sparks my day, what fills my heart in the tides - seasons - weathers - birds across the marshes or on the Long Island Sound.
I've thought of keeping a reading journal -- but I don't know what I'd choose and what I'd leave out, because I do so much re-reading. I'm 84, and I've read all of Jane Austen at least ten times, same for any number of the classic Victorian novels. But I also re-read purely for comfort, when I'm stressed or in pain -- thumb-sucking reading -- books I know by heart and can use to keep hurt and fear out of my head. Would those "count" in a reading journal?
But now you've given me ideas for half a dozen other journals I'd like to write as well!
I too use books to ease my embattled body and spirit. My mechanism is to listen (using audible) to books I have already read. My preference is tea-cozy mysteries; my favorite author is Donna Andrews. I have never read another series so filled with humor. Her Christmas books enrich the holiday.
For me, it's "chicken-and-dumplings" reading. 😊 I indulged in a couple of chapter from one of Miss Read's Thrush Green novels late last night, after a long and difficult read.
Delighted to hear that you're thinking of other journaling possibilities, Nina. And I love your description of your leather-covered handmade book--a trover of meaningful treasures. It's interesting that the term "commonplace book" is not a helpful description now, in our day. Nothing at all "commonplace" (in the modern use of that word) about our little collections of quotations. I too do a lot of rereading, and note those also.
What a wonderful post! So many great ideas, Susan. My Mom was a librarian and always encouraged me to keep a reading journal - she even bought me one from Waldenbooks back when it was a bookstore in the mall that we used to like to go to. I wish I had done it. I would start and then not continue it. But now and for the last few years I have been keeping my reading on Goodreads, and it is very useful to go back and look at books I've read that I want to revisit. And like you said, you can highlight lines and take notes and they all show up in Goodreads. And Goodreads also let's me know if I've met my reading goal for the year. Plus I can view ideas from other people's reading lists.
I like the idea of keeping notes as I go along, and will start doing that, too. Thank you for the idea. My Mom kept a reading journal and she would pull it out to recommend titles to me. Ooh, if only I had a complete list of all that I've read over the years! Not only for pleasure, but for school and work.
Here's a great quote that I just posted on FB the other day, from Stephen King’s FINDERS KEEPERS: "For readers, one of life's most electrifying discoveries is that they are readers - not just capable of doing it (which Morris already knew), but in love with it. Hopelessly. Head over heels."
Oh, thanks for mentioning Goodreads, Pamela! LibraryThing is another good online cataloging site, https://www.librarything.com/ It's especially good for readers who want to keep an inventory of all their books, physical or virtual. And yes, it's an addiction!
You're lucky that your mom understood the value of reading. My mother was a dear soul, but she only had an 8th-grade education and didn't read anything beyond the local newspaper and a few magazines. Early encouragement builds readers!
I also think that having people you live with read helps a great deal. My mother thought reading "a waste of time;" my father said he was "too busy" to read. My children grew up with two parents who were constant readers - both professionally and for pleasure. My husband was always reading a military history book - for pleasure. Even our children's friends noted his choice of book.
I'll check out librarything! Thank you for reminding me of this tool.
My Mom knew the value of reading to her children starting from babies. She would hold me as a new-born as she read intrigue, spy and action books to my older brother (3 1/2 years older than me) and you know that little baby girl was absorbing what Mom was reading to him/us.
My older sister worked with me as I was learning to read. As I got a bit older, maybe starting in first grade, I remember trips to the library by my grade school where I would pick up a book or two. These were great times and definitely led to the reader I am today.
Much like you decided to read all Sandford's works (my husband just finished his latest!), I decided to read your China Bayles series - so I started Witches' Bane this morning. But I can never have only one book "going" at a time so I also started SG Maclean's The Bookseller of Inverness and I'm listening to Jojo Moyes' The Giver of Stars and my husband and I are listening to Will Grant's The Last Ride of the Pony Express.
I just finished (yesterday) Heather Webber's In the Middle of Hickory Lane - a truly delightful story.
I keep a Word document list of books I am reading and then record the date I complete them. This is certainly better than nothing but not quite satisfactory so I am looking for another method.
Titles and dates are a good place to start. And thanks for the titles--and for the compliment (of reading the series). 🧡🧡 It's a yuuuuge investment of time and energy. I hope you find it worthwhile.
I have used the app Evernote for my book lists since it first was released in 2011. My husband and several family members share some lists (like good campgrounds, gluten-free restaurants) and I have 15 book lists divided into categories: Non-fiction, spiritual, fantasy, Canadian authors, and the two biggest categories of Fiction and Mysteries. The later are so large they are broken alphabetically by author into 3 sections each (A-F, G-M, N-Z). This makes it easy mark books read and copy a piece of a list to email to friends and remember what I have read in a series. I am up to Nightshade in Bayless series and Voodoo Lily in Dahila series (my favorite). I write reviews on Goodreads as well, in part to improve my writing. Yes, I do have a dozen book journals spanning 25 years, though they are all for spiritual books and studies. Those notes have helped me through professional and personal crisis. And, yes, I am one of those people who read 3-4 books at a time: bedside, bathroom, my Study and phone. Finally moved favorite quotes and card savings into two journals (with notes on to whom I have used them in cards sent to family and friends).
Pamela, all good keeptrack systems! I tried Evernote but had trouble pulling it into my other ongoing systems. My failing, not Evernotes. It was excellent then (that was about 5-6 years ago) and is probably even better now.
I applaud keeping a book journal by genre/category, especially if you're doing intensive reading in an area. Keeps everything together--also helpful to go back and reread those notes, just to see how the interest has matured over time.
Like you, Susan, my hands do not function as they once did. I have familial tremors, and even with medication, my handwriting is nearly illegible. So, I love the computer for writing and tracking thoughts.
Years ago I began a list of beloved quotes in a Word doc and I add to it regularly. Before my hand movement deteriorated, I found reward in creating calligraphy designs of favorite quotes. I also made many calligraphy gifts specially designed and framed for special occasions. It saddens me deeply that I have lost this talent that I so treasured. But, I can create computer renditions of artistic fonts on lovely paper, though it is certainly not the personal artistic result from before.
I have also written some memories on the computer and frequently return to them to remind me of where I've been and who matters so to me. Writing is a way for me to not merely remember, but to create. And, through all of my studies, I have found writing to be the way to in-depth understanding of whatever the subject, much like working in a science lab. I am simply thankful to be able to read and write and wish all had those privileges.
Working within these new (to us) physical limitations can be a challenge. Good for you for finding ways to work around yours--especially the computer fonts on special papers. I've been experimenting with dictation to Word docs and (in my phone) emails, thinking ahead to the time I may need it. Grateful that we have these workarounds!
So many impressive journal keepers here! (Does being a 'journal keeper' make one a 'journalist'? Funny how our American-English steals words and issues new meanings.) And that is an example of why I don't keep a formal journal. I mean when would one not be taking notes!?!? 🙃
I have tons of old notebooks, tablets and appointment books that I enjoy leafing through from time to time and remembering who I have talked with or what I was reading or watching on TV to say nothing of shopping lists and To Do lists that are almost as revealing as any diary might be. So, some part of me does hang on to these cookie crumbs though the past that was me. One thing that is worth rereading in this hodgepodge of miscellaneous,, is a habit of noting things that have made me laugh out loud and little word plays that caught my attention. Quite surprising how many double entendres there are at play in our everyday language. There are also lists of books to pick-up at the library, from before I started reading or listening to most books either on my phone or laptop. BTW The comments of how you all love your Kindles has me ordering one! 😄
There is one slim dime-store (remember those?) notebook I have made entries in since 1986. It is a gardening journal, and I am glad that I started it the year I moved into this house. It reminds me of how gardening has developed and stirred me as well as the soil. One side note is that I was raised in a household of dictionary lovers. And following that tradition there is a dictionary or two in most rooms in my home. Many have bookmarks and little paper notes tucked in where someone found a bit worth noting. True, I use the pc for many spellings and meanings, but I still can enjoy a good sit down with one of the dictionaries! So that's how the note taking of life has happened with me. I have so enjoyed reading how you all have been keeping your notes!
I am a serious "note-taker." My learning style required that I "write-to-learn." One "necessary" luxury in school was actual purchase of textbooks. My handwriting has always been abysmal ; I learned to type out of necessity.
I have over 30 years of book summaries. All are now stored in my computer. I went back several years ago and entered all the handwritten summaries- or at least what I could read.
In many instances, I also went back and at least partially reread the book. One indulgence for me is actual purchase of a book (I did haunt used bookstores) so that I could write in the book too. While most would describe my possessions as "minimal," I have hundreds of books.
My book summaries include the usual information of title, author, sequence in the series, pages etc. I also noted whether it was a hard copy or paperback. Then I recorded main character details (especially their motivation), settings, clues I identified along the way, the "who-dun-it" conclusion. Also my impressions of the book as well as how I felt about the story.
I also created a spreadsheet summary of my books, as well as an ongoing list of "to-be-released" books by my favorite authors.
Georgeann, you personify all my own best intentions! Congratulations on completing such a Herculean task. I have made several false starts toward digitizing my various collections of data on everything from quotes that grabbed me in the moment, to spreadsheets for authors and the associated titles, etc. For me life seems to get in the way and once I get side-tracked the days turn into months. And the materials become buried under other projects, or gather dust behind the current “most-urgent-thing”.
One thing I have taken to doing is grabbing a poem or quote or essay that I want to be able to come back to, or share, and emailing it to myself. I have folders in my email account labeled accordingly where I store each one. I use the search function to retrieve them later.
Our library system allows patrons to retrieve their circulation records as a spreadsheet. I use library books as much as possible, so about once a year I download my records. It only stores the basic catalogue information, plus the dates I checked them out and renewed or returned.
I don’t think of myself as one who journals, but I’ve always been a good correspondent. Now I’m seeing my collections of letters as a kind of journal. Thanks, Susan W, for getting me started on a new way of looking at my array of jottings and reflections.
Kathleen, your mention of the spreadsheet retrieval may be useful to library users who don't know about this possible service. And like you, I often email next-read items, notes, etc to myself, using my phone when I'm away from the desk. Love to hear from others who are using their devices as a reading/writing/notetaking tool!
I use bookmarks to keep track of books I want to read. Over time I have created a personal catalog of sorts, arranged by topic. It is searchable and I can add descriptive words of my own to each link.
My journaling is not frequent, nor organized. So thanks to all for the motivation found in these comments.
I can suggest a further Substack on journaling: Noted by Jillian Hess. I found Virginia Woolf's indexing method particularly intriguing: https://jillianhess.substack.com/p/re-noted-read-like-virginia-woolf
I’d like to know more about the bookmarks you describe, too!
Karen, are these printed bookmarks? A software program? An online trackers? Tell us more, please.
I'm a fan of Jillian Hess's NOTED (I've recommended her Substack on my page) and enjoyed her post on Woolf. Thank you for mentioning her!
Thank you Susan and Kathleen for your interest.
And Susan it is quite possible I heard about Julian Hess from you and so I thank you for that as well.
She is so much fun.
The caveat is that I use a Chromebook for my Internet based usage.
I am not sure if what I do translates to other computers/browsers.
I base my personal topics roughly on Library of Congress subject headings (and can send more information specific to the history of Great Britain if there is interest and if you dare)
The result is a nested set of folders and sub-folders arranged by topic and containing links to web pages to books and beyond.
An example:
I have a particular interest in the historical fiction of Great Britain.
In this instance (but not always) the main arrangement is chronological, subdivided by significant persons of the period.
Here is what a bit of my hierarchy looks like:
Britain
-- BC
--- Cicero 106-43 BC
--- Caesar 100-44 BC
-- 1st century [Roman invasion]
--- Claudius 10-54
--- Boudica ~25-~62
The formatting may not show up in the post but Cicero and Caesar are sub-folders of the main BC folder and Claudius and Boudica are sub-folders of the 1st century folder.
The main folders and their sub-folders can all contain links to specific web pages I have bookmarked: to books offered by booksellers; held by libraries; a goodreads book review; an IMDb page for a film adaptation of a book; a Wikipedia entry about a topic related to the book, etc.
I can see why you like Hess, Karen! The two of you share a love of indexing (this is a compliment 🏆🏆🏆). My reading note system is something like yours, but in Word docs primarily, secondarily in Outlook. Plus I'm also a big user of Kindle color highlights, which is why I liked Hess's note about Woolf's notes. IMO, Hess has an excellent project underway!
Kathleen, I very much enjoy your "email" solution. I am impressed that your library has such a service. I admit the purchase of books is my one luxury. I don't go out to eat, I buy very few, simple clothes, I am no longer able to travel anywhere.
I have to admit my "book journal" has slowly declined now that I sometimes only listen on audible.
Each morning is a new beginning - I try to to look at the day not with the perspective of what I didn't do yesterday but what I will do today.
Georgeann, we are a small rural county in Western North Carolina. Our public libraries entered the digital age in the late ‘90s. Our patron database and card catalogue were integrated with our circulation system for all three of our library branches. For the first time anyone could log on with their patron card and see what was available, request an item from another branch, etc. About ten years ago we upgraded to the statewide system. Now we can request items from anywhere in North Carolina.
Many states have this capability now. One important thing to know is public library policies about patron privacy. The default on digital patron records is to delete records of a patron’s activity when each item is returned. The feature to save one’s circulation history has to be requested by the patron. One has to opt in to have your circulation records archived. This goes for public access computers, too. Each user’s activity is erased when they log off. This is fairly standard practice across the country, so you any have that option where you live.
Kathleen, thank you for sharing this wealth of information.
Interesting comment about audiobooks. I wonder: do we see these as "just entertainment"?
Susan W., I have friends who have used audiobooks for years, either because of vision limitations or careers that take them on the road for many hours a week. It has often been a complaint that the selection of non-fiction titles is too small and narrow. My impression is the rise of podcasts has filled in some gaps for them. It’s a challenge because there is more available, but teasing out the good resources from the vast array out there can be a daunting task! I’ve been heartened to see that you have published your titles in the various formats. I know it’s an investment to do so, and I hope it is popular enough to let you continue the practice.
Kathleen, the picture has changed dramatically in the past decade, and especially since the advent of easy downloads and sites like Apple iBooks and Audible. There is a fast-growing demand for audio, and while fiction dominates the market, nonfiction is also growing. My husband listens to a couple of books a week, exclusively NF, and even though his taste is fairly narrow (science, history, anthropology) we're always finding good titles for him.
Most new books are being released in print, digital, and audio now, and selection/choice in audio presents the same problem as it does in print. Too many titles! Reviews you can trust and friends' word-of-mouth are both big helps. My work is now almost all in audio (thanks for noticining!) , even the backlist. I'll do a post on the topic of audiobooks when we get a little time--I think everyone is interested.
Georgeann, so far, you are our champion reading journal-keeper, both for the time you've invested (30 years!) and the amount of information you keep about each book. Your comment here is such a good report: I'm going to mention it in Friday's Footnotes. Thanks for taking the time to share what you've been up to all these years: it's impressive!
I certainly have been accused of being an over-achiever. I do what brings me joy.
I love all the different ways to journal that are listed. As much as I love to read and write, I never enjoyed journaling. It's not that I don't keep track of things for reviews or research. It's not that I don't spend time in the moment either. My conclusion is that it's a privacy issue. I lived most of my life without that type of privacy, and I some things should belong to me. I hadn't thought about why I never felt at ease journaling until I read this post.
In some ways I feel the same way. In one book club a few years ago, a member sat next to me and saw my copious notes on the book under discussion. She commented that we were not "studying" the book - how could I enjoy the book while taking so many notes?
I do not use a personal journal - but rather focused quiet reflection about my life past, present and future.
We retain far more when we write it, not type, actually write it.
Absolutely agree, but for me, that value is far outweighed by the ability to search what I've typed--can't do that easily in a written document. Plus, my writing is no longer very legible. 🙃
Pamela, I agree - writing is the best for retention. Alas my handwriting was never very legible - and now with the ravages of RA, it is a struggle to hold a pencil for any length of time. And as Susan pointed out, searching documents is such a convenient resource.
Journaling provides an additional asset to reflective thought: it's a record of the thought and thought process that we can use for further, deeper reflection.
This post and its comments have introduced some new ideas into my book life. I started participating in the Goodreads Annual Book Challenge a few years back and found it to be a useful tool for my everyday casual reading. I also found it motivating to read more (via audiobooks). As a freelance writer I create copious notes and quotes from my research reading. I started daily journaling two years ago after reading Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. Loosely using her "morning pages" concept, I simply write what is running through my mind and life. It often is a compilation of family concerns or health problems, some whining here and there, my garden's progress, political worries and gratitude for the good in my life.
I regret not keeping a journal throughout my life. I would like to have visited my chaotic younger self with the eyes my wise older self.
I think book challenges give us a helpful poke (I sometimes need that!). Goodreads is especially good because it has so many visual components--can be an interesting display. I understand about the "copious" notes/quotes. I mostly read on Kindle and make heavy use of highlights/notes and the online display page of those. Cameron's book has been a wonderful starter for many--glad you've been using her concept!
There are so many great ideas here. I've always journaled since childhood but not about books. I keep a list of those I want to read but only quotes and words from those I have read. So many great ideas here I can try out--thanks to you all.
I am embarking on art journaling and since I cannot draw a lick, my thoughts have been to create backgrounds, collage, and printed words. I read mostly on Kindle and love to look up new words. I think I'll put quotes and words and definitions in my art journal (among other things). Two words I like the sound of: cagoule and farrago. Can't wait to try out some of y'all's ideas.
I love new words! Had to look up cagoule, so you get my word-of-the-day award! 😊
I think an art journal is a wonderful idea. Do you know yet what the format's going to be?
I'm just using an inexpensive composition notebook. I'll be able to gesso the pages and create backgrounds from found objects (I have lots of old yellowed books, cookbooks, etc.)
and paint pencils, inks, stamps, stencils and such. My first pages are on the prompt- heritage --and I'm using digitized old pictures of family members and pockets (from painted envelopes) for recipes from both sides of the family. I have an idea to also put pictures in and then write my recollections of these family members from my past. Now there will be books, words, and quotes too. It should be fun (well, let's hope so, or it will be short-lived). Maybe someone from my family will want to keep it as part of our history (one can hope).
I love the Kindle's ability to touch a word and find its meaning immediately. At four AM this morning I was looking up "adumbration" just by putting my finger on it. Marvelous!
This from Lynne Mayer, who asked me to post for her:
This was so interesting, Susan. I’m much more of a reader than a journaler or record keeper, but in recent months while trying to sort out the mountain of papers that have accumulated over my life I’ve found several journals started and abandoned, notebooks with lists of books read or to read and scraps of paper or notepads with quotations. They’re in a separate place now, waiting until I have time to go through them, see who I once was, what I was reading, why a certain quotation resonated. Personal archaeology!
It IS a kind of personal archaeology, Lynne--that's a useful description. Hope you have time to pull at least some of it together and perhaps to start on a new record, going forward.
In general, I have found it very hard to keep up a journal with any regularity. Seems I get started and then months go by with no entries. But I like the idea of a journal to keep track of books read. I do have various lists of all the different series I have, but have not yet started keeping notes about the books themselves. Like you say Susan, "Now would be a good time to get started..."!! 😉
Lists are always a good starting point. (Have I said that I love lists?) Maybe start now to figure out a format that works for you, with the idea of making a commitment for 2024? I'm thinking this is something we might work on as a group next year.
Are you familiar with the term listicles? I enjoy a magazine called Bella Grace ( visually stunning, dreamy, and pricey!). I am considering trying to write a listicle for submission there.
I'm familiar with listicles--a good way to organize a batch of similar stuff--but am more comfortable with longer-form writing. I love lists, though: as starting points or topic headers. They're even useful in fiction (plot points, for instance). Good to know about Bella Grace. Let us know if you score over there!
This from Sandra, who asked me to post for her:
Good morning from the Central Coast of California, Susan - When our Food for Thought book club began almost 20 years ago, I started using LibraryThing to record all my reads, book club-related or not. I recently entered my 1000th book, Demon Copperhead.
Our book club is non-traditional, as we do not all read the same book, but share what we have read, whether we recommend it, and why. It has been a great way to discover authors and genres I would have never have explored.
Best wishes & looking forward to the next China Bayles -
Sandra
I’ve used LibraryThing too—it’s excellent. And thanks for mentioning that smorgasbord-style book group, Sandra. A good model, because it makes such good use of the group resources. For the past few years, I've been doing a brief Saturday version of that. Here's the latest, with a photo of a pair of visiting turkeys: https://www.facebook.com/susan.w.albert/posts/pfbid02mPD9L3qGXHMmSmtdZQJwJvH8K4sU6jwqY1arQJAF7Z8u25Aq1XrbsggoaTfTCzpGl
I have not traditionally kept a reading journal but I often tend to do thematic reading when I want to learn about something. Right now I’m reading Appalachian authors, an area I’m from and that I have recently returned to. This might be a good place to start. You also mentioned keeping an inventory of your books. Organizing that would save me time when I’m looking for something specific or to see if I already own something before I order it. I am currently reading David Joy’s Where All Light Tends To Go set in North Carolina mountains very near where I now live in SC. I also recently read his book Those We Thought We Knew. Both are excellent books. Far more violent than something I would normally read but so engaging I pushed through.
Have you read Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver? A novel based in the reality of today in Appalachia.
I have not read that one but I have read others of hers. I’m a fan.
A journal is a great place to sort out (and remember) why we liked an author's work. And regional would be a fine category to start with.
I finally gave up trying to catalog all my books (back when I was still buying/reading print)--just too many. And since I bought used, I gave many away, so there was a constant turnover. Knowing where to lay hands on a book can be a serious challenge! (Grateful for ebooks--much easier to find, as long as I remember author or title.)
Been an ardent reader since birth, practically, but have never thought to keep any records - relying on memory! Well, my bytes have bitten the dust and a reading journal sounds like a lovely and timely idea. Thanks for these wonderful ideas ~
Now would be a good time to get started--that way, you'll be all set to journal your entire 2024 reading year. (Just sayin'. 🥰)
Agreed!
Book Journals! For the pleasurable remembrance of the stories, a feeling of accomplishment, recall to recommend to a friend, recall of an author to seek more titles and reminiscing the moment in my life when a read was important.
I started with BOOK LUST with an intro by Nancy Pearl. Nancy had clever recommendations of favorites ie. Favorite authors named David" and "Pawns of History"! Nice, smooth quality lined paper, a page marker and paperback-sized. Loved it!
My current book journal (B&N product) was gifted me and has NO LINES! I miss lines. 1/2 the pages are challenge pages, directed reading, and Pulitzer, Booker and The Modern Library best novels. I like lists/suggestions but the number of pages allotted limits my preferred use.
I've not kept a book log on computer but your experience makes me consider it. Happy Reading!
Love Nancy Pearl! Have three of hers books. Great for when you want to discover something new
I like BOOK LUST (great title!)--and especially because it includes backlist titles. It's an excellent roundup of titles in specific areas. I do recommend a computer catalog, especially for "power readers." It is infinitely flexible--and lines aren't an issue. :)
Some thirty years ago I bought in a museum gift store a small book with a handmade soft leather cover and handmade paper pages, and I copied into it quotations I liked from ongoing reading. When I came close to its end I started looking for another book worthy to be its successor, and I found one in Laos, in a small town famous for its handmade paper. By the time I'd filled that up I was past much traveling or on-my-feet browsing, but I did pick up another book-let and have continued the quotation-journaling to this day. Like you I enjoy reading them all over; sometimes I go back to the book from which a quotation came and remember my-then-self noticing it.
And since I became single again in 1989 I've written a journal just about me -- what I'm feeling, what I'm discovering about myself or my life, what joy or pain sparks my day, what fills my heart in the tides - seasons - weathers - birds across the marshes or on the Long Island Sound.
I've thought of keeping a reading journal -- but I don't know what I'd choose and what I'd leave out, because I do so much re-reading. I'm 84, and I've read all of Jane Austen at least ten times, same for any number of the classic Victorian novels. But I also re-read purely for comfort, when I'm stressed or in pain -- thumb-sucking reading -- books I know by heart and can use to keep hurt and fear out of my head. Would those "count" in a reading journal?
But now you've given me ideas for half a dozen other journals I'd like to write as well!
Nina
I too use books to ease my embattled body and spirit. My mechanism is to listen (using audible) to books I have already read. My preference is tea-cozy mysteries; my favorite author is Donna Andrews. I have never read another series so filled with humor. Her Christmas books enrich the holiday.
I love "thumb-sucking" reading. I always called it "palate cleansing" reading.
For me, it's "chicken-and-dumplings" reading. 😊 I indulged in a couple of chapter from one of Miss Read's Thrush Green novels late last night, after a long and difficult read.
Delighted to hear that you're thinking of other journaling possibilities, Nina. And I love your description of your leather-covered handmade book--a trover of meaningful treasures. It's interesting that the term "commonplace book" is not a helpful description now, in our day. Nothing at all "commonplace" (in the modern use of that word) about our little collections of quotations. I too do a lot of rereading, and note those also.
What a wonderful post! So many great ideas, Susan. My Mom was a librarian and always encouraged me to keep a reading journal - she even bought me one from Waldenbooks back when it was a bookstore in the mall that we used to like to go to. I wish I had done it. I would start and then not continue it. But now and for the last few years I have been keeping my reading on Goodreads, and it is very useful to go back and look at books I've read that I want to revisit. And like you said, you can highlight lines and take notes and they all show up in Goodreads. And Goodreads also let's me know if I've met my reading goal for the year. Plus I can view ideas from other people's reading lists.
I like the idea of keeping notes as I go along, and will start doing that, too. Thank you for the idea. My Mom kept a reading journal and she would pull it out to recommend titles to me. Ooh, if only I had a complete list of all that I've read over the years! Not only for pleasure, but for school and work.
Here's a great quote that I just posted on FB the other day, from Stephen King’s FINDERS KEEPERS: "For readers, one of life's most electrifying discoveries is that they are readers - not just capable of doing it (which Morris already knew), but in love with it. Hopelessly. Head over heels."
I'm sure this describes all of us here!
Oh, thanks for mentioning Goodreads, Pamela! LibraryThing is another good online cataloging site, https://www.librarything.com/ It's especially good for readers who want to keep an inventory of all their books, physical or virtual. And yes, it's an addiction!
You're lucky that your mom understood the value of reading. My mother was a dear soul, but she only had an 8th-grade education and didn't read anything beyond the local newspaper and a few magazines. Early encouragement builds readers!
I also think that having people you live with read helps a great deal. My mother thought reading "a waste of time;" my father said he was "too busy" to read. My children grew up with two parents who were constant readers - both professionally and for pleasure. My husband was always reading a military history book - for pleasure. Even our children's friends noted his choice of book.
I'll check out librarything! Thank you for reminding me of this tool.
My Mom knew the value of reading to her children starting from babies. She would hold me as a new-born as she read intrigue, spy and action books to my older brother (3 1/2 years older than me) and you know that little baby girl was absorbing what Mom was reading to him/us.
My older sister worked with me as I was learning to read. As I got a bit older, maybe starting in first grade, I remember trips to the library by my grade school where I would pick up a book or two. These were great times and definitely led to the reader I am today.
Fortunate you, to have a caring sister/reader!
Much like you decided to read all Sandford's works (my husband just finished his latest!), I decided to read your China Bayles series - so I started Witches' Bane this morning. But I can never have only one book "going" at a time so I also started SG Maclean's The Bookseller of Inverness and I'm listening to Jojo Moyes' The Giver of Stars and my husband and I are listening to Will Grant's The Last Ride of the Pony Express.
I just finished (yesterday) Heather Webber's In the Middle of Hickory Lane - a truly delightful story.
I keep a Word document list of books I am reading and then record the date I complete them. This is certainly better than nothing but not quite satisfactory so I am looking for another method.
Titles and dates are a good place to start. And thanks for the titles--and for the compliment (of reading the series). 🧡🧡 It's a yuuuuge investment of time and energy. I hope you find it worthwhile.
Wow, there's some excellent titles here, that I'm going to check out. Thanks for posting them!