My Reading Life

Book lovers do not need to be reminded of the pleasures of reading—the power of books to transport us to lands unknown or imagined or, conversely, to make us see familiar places with a fresh eye; the way books drop us into the lives, minds, and hearts of other people so thoroughly that we become those characters, at least for the time we are reading; the incomparable feeling when we finish a great book, knowing that reading it has made us into a different person than we were before we opened it.
 
Book lovers sometimes do need to be reminded, however, of the title of that book that so transported us or the name of that author whose book was so brilliant that we really have to share it with someone special. This journal is designed for that book lover.
 
Our reading lives offer such profound pleasures, and keeping a journal is a wonderful way to deepen and enhance them. The pages of this journal offer readers the opportunity to write down the reasons why a book saved your life, or made you ugly cry, or caused you to snort with laughter; to make a note of a book you know is the perfect gift for a dear friend or that you want to suggest for your next book club meeting; to make lists of the authors you’ve loved and yearn read more of; to jot down a striking phrase or passage that you want to remember. These are just a few of the joys of reading that are enhanced by the act of keeping a journal.
 
Of course, journaling has many benefits beyond its obvious function of helping us keep track of our thoughts—it supports us in being mindful, focuses our attention, and helps us to process our feelings. Science has plenty to say on this point, with many studies offering evidence that keeping a journal is a positive wellness practice that improves our sense of well-being, sharpens our memories, reduces our feelings of anxiety, and can even help lift us out of depression. Book lovers know that beyond the wellness benefits of a reading journal lies the satisfaction of being able to look back and remember what made each book special.