You've heard about it on BookTok. You've seen photos on Bookstagram of readers tracking their progress, setting goals, and flipping through a fully filled notebook at the end of the year. And now you're wondering: what exactly is a reading log, and how do I start one?
This is the complete guide — from what a reading log is to how to use it, maintain it, and get the most out of it.
What is a reading log?
A reading log is simply a record of the books you read. For each book, you note four things: the title, the start date, the end date, and a star rating from 1 to 5. That's it.
It sounds simple, and it is. But the value of a reading log really becomes clear when you look back at the end of the year at everything you've read — titles you'd almost forgotten, periods when you read more or less, genres you increasingly chose.
A reading log transforms reading from something you do into something you track. And that gives reading goals a whole new meaning.
Why keep a reading log?
You forget less. Without a reading log, after six months you'll have forgotten which books you've read and what you thought of them. With a reading log, you have a permanent overview of all titles, when you read them, and how you rated them.
You read more. Research shows that people who track their progress are more likely to achieve their goals. When you see how far you've come, you want to go further.
You discover patterns. Which genres do you read the most? In which months did you read the most? When were you in a reading slump? A reading log gives you those insights.
It's motivating. Every title you fill in is a small victory. A reading log full of books feels like an accomplishment — and rightly so.
It makes reading challenges more fun. If you have a reading goal, a reading log gives you the structure to keep track of it.
Which reading log is right for you?
Our Reading Log Book Tracker — €1.99
Our Reading Log Book Tracker is specially designed for book lovers who want to track their reading year without it becoming an administrative burden. For each book, you fill in:
- Title of the book
- Start date — when you began
- End date — when you finished
- Star rating — from 1 to 5 stars
That's it. Simple, clear, and just enough to document your reading year without it feeling like homework.
Printed on sturdy 300 gsm paper with rounded corners, available in two designs:
Summer Reading Log — cheerful summer design with flamingos and tropical details. Perfect for the reader who wants to document their summer reading.
Fantasy Reading Log — magical library full of floating books and candlelight. Perfect for the romantasy fan who wants to track their reading year.
Price: €1.99 — the most affordable bookish accessory in our shop.
📋 Buy the Reading Log Book Tracker now
→ Order for €1.99
How to use a reading log: step by step
Step 1: Set a reading goal
Before you start tracking, it's helpful to set a goal. It doesn't have to be ambitious. Consider:
- "I want to read 12 books this year" (one per month)
- "I want to try at least 3 new genres this year"
- "I want to read one romantasy and one thriller every month"
A reading goal turns your reading log from an archive into a motivational tool.
Step 2: Fill in the title and start date when you begin
Note the title of the book and the start date as soon as you open it. Many readers forget this and try to reconstruct it afterwards — that never works. Threaten yourself with an empty cell in your reading log and you'll remember.
Step 3: Fill in the end date immediately after finishing the book
Write down the end date as soon as you finish the book. Immediately afterwards — not the next day, not next week. Otherwise, you'll forget.
Step 4: Give a star rating from 1 to 5
This is the most fun part. Immediately after finishing the book, give it a star rating:
- ⭐ — not for me
- ⭐⭐ — okay but not special
- ⭐⭐⭐ — good, I would recommend
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — very good, I'll reread it
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — my new favorite
That first reaction is always the most honest — before you start doubting whether you really want to give it three or four stars.
Step 5: Review monthly
At the end of each month, take five minutes to leaf through your reading log. How many books did you read? What was your favorite (high score)? What was a disappointment (low score)? Are you meeting your reading goal?
What if you don't finish a book?
That happens to everyone. Just note the title and start date, and write "DNF" (Did Not Finish) as the end date. This way, you still get an honest picture of all the books you've picked up — including those that couldn't win you over.
Reading log vs. Book Review Notebook: what's the difference?
Many readers wonder about the difference between a reading log and a book review notebook. The short answer: they complement each other.
| Reading Log Book Tracker | Book Review Notebook | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Overview of all books you read | In-depth notes per book |
| What you fill in | Title, start date, end date, 5 stars | Quotes, tropes, characters, feelings |
| When | Every time you start or finish a book | After each book you want to document |
| How long | Short — four fields per book | More extensive — half a page to more |
| Price | €1.99 | €7.99 |
Our recommendation: use both. The Reading Log gives you the overview, the Book Review Notebook gives you the depth.
✍️ Combine the two for the complete reading experience
Reading Log Book Tracker (€1.99) + Book Review Notebook (€7.99)
→ Order the Reading Log
→ Order the Book Review Notebook
Reading log tips for beginners
Start with just the four fields. Title, start date, end date, star rating. You don't need to fill in more. Our Reading Log Book Tracker is designed exactly like that — simple, clear, and easy to get started with.
Fill it in immediately. Don't wait until the end of the week to fill in multiple books at once. You'll quickly forget dates and feelings.
Don't be too hard on yourself. A reading log is not a school assignment. If you don't finish a book, note DNF. If you read little for a month, that's okay too.
Make it personal. Decorate your reading log with stickers for an extra fun touch. Our bookish die-cut stickers are perfect for personalizing your reading log.
Link it to your bookmark. Use a bookmark to mark your current book, and note in your reading log when you started it. This keeps everything organized.
Reading log and reading challenges
A reading log is especially valuable if you're doing a reading challenge. Consider:
- Goodreads Reading Challenge — how many books do you want to read this year?
- Summer Reading Bingo — our free Bingo Card with the Summer Reading Starter Kit
- Genre Challenge — read at least one book per genre this year
- BookTok Reading Challenge — read the most trending books of the year
With a reading log, you can see at a glance how many boxes you've checked and which goals you still need to achieve. And by tracking your star rating, you can also see which genres consistently receive high scores — that helps you make future choices.
Complete your reading setup
📚 The perfect reading setup with reading log:
✔ Reading Log Book Tracker (€1.99) — track your reading year with title, date, and star rating
✔ Book Review Notepad (€7.99) — record your thoughts and feelings for each book
✔ Bookmark of your choice — mark your current book
✔ Die-cut stickers — decorate your reading log
✔ Glass Can — for the drink that accompanies every reading session
✔ Blind Date Book — for when you don't know what to read next
Frequently Asked Questions about Reading Logs
What is a reading log?
A reading log is an overview of the books you read. For each book, you note the title, start date, end date, and a star rating from 1 to 5. It helps you keep track of how much you read and whether you achieve your reading goals.
What do you fill in a reading log?
In our Reading Log Book Tracker, you fill in four things: the title of the book, the start date, the end date, and a star rating from 1 to 5 stars. Simple and clear.
How do I start a reading log?
Start as soon as you pick up a new book: note the title and start date. When you finish the book, fill in the end date and your star rating. Our Reading Log Book Tracker is specially designed for this purpose and costs only €1.99.
What is the difference between a reading log and a reading journal?
A reading log is an overview with four fields per book (title, start date, end date, star rating). A reading journal goes deeper into each book with quotes, feelings, tropes, and character notes. Both complement each other.
What do I do if I don't finish a book?
Simply note the title and start date, and write "DNF" (Did Not Finish) as the end date. This way, you still have an honest overview of all the books you've picked up.
How much time does it take to maintain a reading log?
Minimal: two minutes per book. You note four fields — title, start date, end date, and star rating. That's really all.
Is a digital or physical reading log better?
That's personal. Goodreads is a popular digital option. But many readers find a physical reading log more satisfying — it feels like an achievement to fill it in manually and look back at it on paper.
What is the cheapest way to start a reading log?
Our Reading Log Book Tracker costs only €1.99 and is printed on sturdy 300 gsm paper in a Summer of Fantasy design.
📋 Start your reading log today
Reading Log Book Tracker (€1.99) • Book Review Notepad (€7.99) • Bookmarks • Glass Can
Happy reading! 📚✍️