Three free reading printables, in A4 and US Letter: a reading log to track every book you finish, a reading journal page for the books worth thinking about, and a yearly reading tracker for your reading goal. No signup.
They share one idea from this site: from every book, keep the one idea you'll actually use. That's the 20%.
Reading log template
Eighteen books per page, with title, author, start and finish dates, pages, a five-star rating and a column for the one idea you're keeping. Print one per season, or one per year if you're a steady reader.
Reading journal template
One page per book: why you picked it up, three ideas worth keeping, the one idea you'll apply and how you'll apply it this week, lines worth remembering with page numbers, and who else should read it. Print a stack and keep them in a folder, and you have a book journal that grows with your reading.
Yearly reading tracker
Twelve monthly boxes for the books you finish, your goal for the year and a "to read next" list. Divide your goal by twelve to see how many books a month it takes.
Book journal template: how to use them together
- Log every book in the reading log as you finish it. It takes a minute.
- Journal the books that matter. Not every book needs a full page. Use the reading journal for the ones you want to apply.
- Review the "one idea" column at the end of each month, and pick one to act on.
- Track the year on the yearly tracker, so the goal stays visible.
Set a realistic reading goal
Before you fill in the yearly tracker, find out what your reading speed allows. Take the reading speed test to get your words per minute, compare it with the average reading speed for adults, and use how long to read to see how long a book of a given length will take you. The lifetime reading calculator shows how many books that adds up to over the years you have left.
FAQ
What should a reading log include?
At minimum: title, author, the date you finished and a rating. This reading log template adds start dates, page counts and a column for the one idea you're keeping from each book, so it becomes useful when you look back.
What's the difference between a reading log and a reading journal?
A reading log is a list: one line per book. A reading journal goes deeper, with a page per book for ideas, quotes and how you'll apply them. Many readers log every book and journal only the best ones.
Are these reading templates free?
Yes. The reading log, reading journal and yearly reading tracker are free to download in A4 and US Letter, with no signup, for personal use.
How many books should I aim to read in a year?
It depends on your reading speed and the time you have. Test your speed first, then use the lifetime reading calculator to set a goal you'll actually hit.
Curious what fills those pages? See how many words per page a typical book holds and how many words in a novel, by genre.