Journal Porn

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.

I get lots of questions about my journals and note taking. The practice has evolved over the years. I primarily maintain three journals.

• A chronological list of every book I have read since 1997. I log the date finished, title, and author. (pic #1)

• A “Sessions” journal that I keep next to me while reading. I keep track of how many pages I read, jot down any notes that struck me as important while reading, etc. It is sort of a commonplace book. When I finish a book I make a longer note about my overall impressions. At the end of each month I tally a wrap-up of pages read and hours listened for audio books. (pic #2 and #3)

• A journal where I record more in depth thoughts, personal reflections, random doodles, bad poetry, long term ideas, etc. I keep an index in the back of topics so I can go back for ready reference. (pic #4 and #5)

For Jillian Hess, Petya K. Grady, and anyone else who enjoys this sort of thing.