Ah, Ruth, you have introduced a subject that is near and dear to many of our hearts.

It is easier and more efficient to keep my journal on my computer, but I don't. I use a small wire-bound book of very modest cost. It is simply chronological, with a TBR list starting on the back page. For some reason I have a pretty good memory and can easily locate books I have read in the past. This would, however, not hold true if I had journals going back for many years. I only have kept a journal for four years, which is still quite small. I record the title and author and sometimes a very short note, often just a star or two, for a favorite. I also have a tiny notebook in my handbag with some titles to look for.

My local library, which is part of a large network, conveniently lets me search for and request books online at home, negating the need for me to carry lists to the library. I rarely buy books any more, alas for the economy and the olden days of disposable income, now a memory. When I do buy, it is usually online because of the terrific prices. Although a recent serendipitious trip to a wonderful old used bookstore yielded three precious volumes, none of which were on any of my lists.

I've kept a reading journal since 2002. I actually have it in two places, first in a cloth-bound blank book where I list the date read, title and author, and then also on Bibliophil.org, a free website where I also rate the book and write a short review. There are some other members of RP who use Bibliophil, as well.

If you're interested in Bibliophil, the link is below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bibliophil.org

I have kept a list of the titles/authors that I have read since 1996, and so it's interesting to go back through the list and remember when I was into some particular subject or what have you. I don't write anything apart from the month/year, title and author so there are a few books that I have absolutely no idea what they are about as I have forgotten everything in them. But the majority of the books I remember in some way.

I know other people keep far more detailed journals. Mine is a small handwritten journal with a list of quotations and poems in the back whenever I get hit with the inspiration to record those.

This is definately the information I was looking to learn. Thanks for the link. I started looking around on that site (but I am at work and wouldn't want to get lost in it for hours while I'm here)

I received a reading journal as a gift in 2005 and it is the one thing, probably ever, that once started I've been able to keep up consistently. It has your typical: title, author, date reviewed, favorite part etc. The things that I found surprising useful to keep track of were: publisher (it's so interesting to realize that there are certain publishers e.g. Little, Brown and Co. or Simon & Schuster that publish the kinds of books I like to read), date (when I look back and realize that I've been reading a lot of newer books lately, it makes me want to go pick up a classic next), and number of pages (some years I don't read as many books, but when I add up the number of pages I see that maybe I've read more substantial books and don't feel so bad).

I've also started noting little life events in the corner, too. I have been really bad about keeping up on my daughter's baby book (I feel like a horrible mother!) but I can look back in this journal and see her development. I only have probably another year's worth of entries in this journal and it is no longer in print. So, I have been thinking of how I am going to craft my next one. It will definitely have a line or two at the bottom (about all I can handle) for what's new in life, in addition to all the book info.

Reading journals! Definitely a necessity. Like many fellow RPers, I also have a reading journal. Since 1990, I have listed title, author, date read and number of pages in my journal. That's it. Two lines per book. No thoughts or commentary. I know myself by now and after years of wanting to journal, I still do not make the time for it, so with my reading journal, I stick with just the basics. With this format, I've filled 63 pages so far. I use a traditional journal. If I used a computer, I'd worry about the computer breaking and losing the information.

I also keep track on goodreads.com, but that is more for fun.
PAM

I keep alphabetical-by-author lists in 6x9" three-ring binders so that, as you said, I can insert pages. I note author at the top of the page, title, date of publication, date read, and a short synopsis. This is the only way I can keep track of series books, which have become much easier to read in their entirety since I'm able to request books from the library via the internet.

I began my lists in 1999, and I now have four notebooks!

I use Goodreads, which is very like bibliophil.

I started in 1968 and used index cards for many years. A college habit I kept for years. Then there was a period when I used wire-bound notebooks. The computer is far and away my favorite.

I have several different files, according to subject. I write summaries by page, along with my reaction and thoughts. It really combines a diary with my reading notes. With the computer, I can cut and paste others' reviews, or add notes years later as I read things over.

I always note the usual bibliographic info, plus where I got the book and when I read it.

I would guess that for lots of us who are avid readers, keeping notes is not a choice but an irresistible urge.

My journal starts on January 1, 2002. I write down the date and title and author of all books I purchase. I also write down the books I download for my Kindle and books I listen to from audible.com. Then for each book I read I record the date started and date completed. For really excellent books I indicate five stars but don't rate others.

I started to enter all my books into LibraryThing but after entering 481 of them I decided it really wasn't worth it. I probably wasn't even 1/4 of the way through and more books were coming in and it was turning into a job, even though it wasn't difficult. However, I really like LibraryThing and wish I had the incentive to continue on with it.

For keeping track of series that I want to read in order, I use 5 x 7 index cards filed alphabetically. I write on them the author, the main character, the genre and all of the titles in order. I use this method to keep track of all of the authors I like whether it is a series or not. When I've read a title, I use a yellow highlighter to cross it off.

PAM

I'm impressed. Me? I've several notebooks around here where I've started a reading journal but didn't keep it up. Oddly enough, I bought a reading journal for my book group that we've maintained for 9 years. We pass it around during the discussion and everyone writes a paragraph or so. It also includes the host, the menu, and who selected the book. We all take great pleasure from the record of our reading.

Thanks for some good ideas here! I've only been keeping my book journal for seven years, encouraged by this site. Mine is just a regular spiral bound notebook, but with a hard decorative cover. 8.5 x 11 inches or so. I enter my books as I read them, noting the change of year. I enter the title, author, date written, pages, ISBN number and if it was a loaned book, who loaned it. (I'm in a group of women who have a girl's night out dinner once a month and we swap bags of books.) If I own the book, I mark if it's a first edition. I also write a synopsis, note the number in a series if applicable. I wish I had started keeping track decades ago!

I started in the late 80s. I have a perpetual diary - it has the date, but not the day or year - and I enter there the year, author, title, whether I own or have borrowed the book, and give it a score. I then found a diary, and there put the authors alphabetically in the address section, with the month and year I read that author (ie Silva, D, 9/06, 5/08) so I can go back to the original to find when I read which book.
I am in the process of putting all this on the computer, but the system is basically the same.
I really like the idea of putting the number of pages.
I did start a diary when I wrote about the book, and altough I find it very useful, I haven't kept it up.

I never would have thought to add the number of pages, but I like that idea. The same with the publisher. I think the reason I was leaning toward a binder and paper is that I have a certain fondness for paper and ink. I work on a computer. Paper and ink give me a more relaxed feeling. I guess if I'm going to start this, I just need to do it, see how it works. I think I will add a few words about the subject of the book. I find myself picking up books I know I have read and having no memory of them. This might help. Your suggestions are really helping.

I have been keeping a reading journal for about 5 years, and sorely regret not having started much earlier.

First I tried keeping a digital reading journal, but kept forgetting to enter the books into the computer. This made me realise that keeping a written journal would be better.

I started out with a thick ring binder and one A5 page for every book, but after 3 years and two binders I decided I didn't want to fill my precious book shelves with ugly binders.

Then I began learning bookbinding, and the first project I did once I had learned the basics was to make myself a reading journal. It's a blank book in A5 format, with unlined paper and enough pages for about 3-4 years of journalling and I am perfectly happy with it. Once it is full, it will blend perfectly in with my books.

Each entry contains the following information, in this format:
date finished - author (editor, illustrator, photographer, translator, reader of audio book) - title, including subtitle, if any - genre - country where originally published - publisher - year originally published - no. of pages - where I got the book - Dewey number (only if it's an interesting non-fiction book and I want to further explore the genre or theme)

This usually only fills 2 lines, but sometimes 3.

With a different coloured pen I add a short synopsis and a star rating and indicate if I have read it before. I write small, so I can get 2 to 3 entries on each page. I journal each book as soon as I finish it and at the end of the month I enter the information (excluding the synopsis) into an Excel file that I use at the end of the year to compile statistical information about my reading during the year.

If you click the link below you can see what kinds of statistics I can get out of this.

Here is a link that might be useful: My annual reading reports

Wow, Netla. I looked at your web page - you are so analytical in what you read.... I just write down title/author/date, but you --- you have statistics, comparisions with previous years, etc etc.

It must take a lot of time, but it looks like it's worth it. I'm impressed.

I am also impressed. I'd love to see what my stats would be. If I set this up right to start with, I'll be able to do the same. Thanks!!!

I know it looks like it's a lot of work, but the monthly entering of information only takes about 15 minutes, and the compilation of statistics only takes an hour or two if you know how to use Excel (I can can spend hours on writing the report for the blog, but that's another story...). I started doing this so I could keep track of how my reading changes from year to year, and I have found out some stuff about my reading habits that surprised me.

Nice site, Netla! I'm curious, though. I understand fiction and non-fiction, but what is mixed?

Thanks, Chris.
I use the term 'mixed' for books that elude classification or mix the two genres. Last year it was, for example, an anthology by an author who writes both fiction and non-fiction, and a book on food and erotica that wove together fact and fiction.

I've been keeping a book journal since 1980. I started it in my second year of high school. I record the title, date finished, author, date of publication, number of pages, and the type of book (ie: novel, short stories, biography, essays, etc.). I use those faux leather bound journals which you can usually pick up at book stores at a fairly inexpensive cost. I keep a "back up" copy of this journal on my computer. I print off a paper copy of this list at the end of the year. These lists are kept in cheap binder.

I don't include any reviews, comments, etc. The only notation I use is a check mark if I have read the book before. This notation ensures I can look at a title like Emma or The Great Gatsby and see exactly how many times I have read it before.

I started adding my finished titles on Bibliophil.org a few years ago. I have to say that I find Bibliophil frustrating to use sometimes because of its various annoying little inconsistencies. Authors names are organized so that there are entries in which sometimes the surname appears first, or sometimes the first name appears first. Example: "Stein, Gertrude" or "Gertrude Stein". I would rather have all of an author's titles grouped together so I can follow how many of them I've read.

I recommend keeping a book list. It can be a very satisfying part of your reading. Sometimes I enjoy just sitting down and reading the list, remembering the various life experiences which occurred while I was reading a particular book.

I second what Tim wrote... I also enjoy reading over my book journal. It is fun to see how my tastes have changed over the years and to see what books I still remember. My journal is an 81/2 x 11 hardbound blank book with faux marble covering. It was a gift and I love it. Yes, do keep a reading journal. No matter what information you decide to write, whether it be just a few lines like mine, or a page of your thoughts and opinions, you will be happy you did.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do and whether you choose computer or paper, what your journal looks like... all of that important stuff.
PAM

I started my first reading journal 5 years ago. I had tried a couple of times before, but always let it go very quickly. My oldest granddaughter was 5 and beginning to read chapter books...I bought both of us marble composition books, told her how I wished I had kept a list of all the books I had ever read...and did she think we could both start a journal? I have never asked her if she keeps the journal or not...it has to be her thing, but she does email me now and them with something interesting she has read and we talk about what she has read when we see each other. She has done junior great books, and WOW! has she done some great stuff there. The students range from 3rd grade to 9th, they read sophisticated works...and she does, several months later, know the books they have read a while back, and can discuss them intelligently.

I have had a reading journal for about 12 years. Like others, I wish I had started earlier, and I have successfully kept this up. I have tried other styles of book, but mostly have continued to use a 5" x 7" 100 page spiral-bound notebook which is commonly available (current one is Ampac). These have a place to tuck papers inside the front cover. It's always full of stuff by the end. It's not too large, lies flat, and is easy to keep close by when I'm reading.

Each book takes up two pages. With the book open, I write the title, author, and year of publication on the top of the right page. I also put the date finished. Below this I put a short synopsis. This has become more important with the the old memory not being as good as it once was. I also put quotes or ideas from the book or things I especially want to make mention of. I sometimes put stars for something really special, but if it's really special I will remember it well anyway! I also record books I made a good stab at but had to abandon and why.

On the left side I put things I want to research, other works by that author I might be interested in, words to look up, etc. I can also transfer things I may have put on on a paper bookmark when not near my notebook. This is very flexible. For some books I fill the whole two pages with tiny writing, for others there's just the title info and a brief description. As a rule, those are ones I know I will not be interested in accessing again, so it doesn't matter so much.

This is chronologic record. I find that I can sort of narrow down the field if I am looking for something from the past, but occasionally have not found it too onerous to just thumb through the pages one by one to find something. That's rare, though. I have quite a few of these and I do find it satisfying to have this growing row of notebooks on the shelf as a visual record of my reading life!

BTW, at one point I did have the idea of printing book covers from Amazon and using those as pages for comments, but I much prefer this format. This is the only thing of this type I have ever kept up and I think it's mostly because it's smallish and kind of book size, and I keep it near when reading. It records everything I need. I did start to print little pictures to put in the journal, but although I think it's a fun idea, I have never kept up with that extra step. I once also started to input the list on the computer, but again, any extra step seems to torpedo the whole plan, so I just have stuck with these notebooks and am very happy with this method.

I have similar book in which I make a note of anything I have even a passing interest in reading. This is also very helpful and I've had it for years. Occasionally I go through and cross off the ones I have actually read and see if there's anything I still want to look for. The others will have turned out to be things I wasn't interested in pursuing after all. I used to keep a list with me at all times of things I...

Desta, when I was using the ring binder journal, I scanned the covers of the books if they had interesting covers and included small print-outs of them with the information on the book. I gave it up when I realised how much space the pictures were taking up, but if I ever switch to a book database program instead of Excel, I will definitely include cover pictures.

I have started with this weeks books - so far I'm using a small 1", 3 ring binder with the blank paper in the back. I am putting the author at the top of the page. Then recording the date finished, title and genre on one line. Date published, publisher and number of pages comes next. I've noted just a few words about the books I've finished after that.
I've already learned that I need to change my reading habits. I have 3 books entered now. One I see I called trite. One cute fluff and one an entertaining read when you have nothing better to do. I had no idea that I was so critical before. So this means I've already learned something.

I started a book journal several years ago. I don't include a lot of information, just the author, title and if it's nonfiction or fiction. I also notate it if I've read it before. As well,I write a quick note if I don't feel it's one worth reading again...usually it says something like "don't bother" or "ugh". (there are a few of those in there, but not many, if it's that bad, I don't usually finish it.) Only books that I've finished get recorded. I start a new section for each year and record the books by the month read. I've found that my reading habits are different for different times of the year. I read more in the colder months than in the warm ones (probably because I am busy working in the garden).