Tracking Your Reading Goals: A Journey of Intentional Discovery
Have you ever considered what type of reader you are? Are you reading only for relaxation, or are you reading intentionally? The answer often depends on the type of reading you're doing, whether it's a self-help book that challenges your thinking or just an easy read to help you destress from a hard week with work and family.
Intentional reading is a transformative approach to tracking your literary journey. Even our lightest beach reads can contain unexpected gems of wisdom that we want to remember and reflect on. Sometimes our favourite author has a wicked sense of humour that resonates with us, and we want to capture those snippets of levity for darker days ahead.
The beauty lies in how physical objects can enhance this experience. A beautiful bookmark doesn't just hold your place, it marks moments of significance, passages you want to revisit, or simply that perfect stopping point before sleep. A dedicated reading journal becomes a treasure trove of insights, favourite quotes, and personal reflections that grow more valuable with time.
There's something magical about the multisensory experience of reading. The smell of a book is always one of my favourite things in the world, which is why I prefer reading physical books over digital most of the time. Using physical bookmarks in colours that bring me joy makes me reach for my book more often, and I love keeping physical reminders of beloved stories around my home. They instantly transport me back to that first moment of falling in love with a character or remembering an epic adventure.
I've recently fallen in love with phone charms, particularly ones that serve a dual purpose. I started using dust plugs for my electronic devices, but realized these functional items don't need to be purely utilitarian, they can spark joy and make you smile too. That's why I began creating interchangeable charms that attach to dust plugs, with clips that let you switch them based on your mood or current reading adventure.
Many readers are natural collectors. We collect books, quote memories, and experiences. These charms and bookmarks become more than functional items, they're keepsakes that hold memories of specific reading moments, while journals capture our evolving insights and thoughts.
Another practice that has revolutionized my reading experience is systematic tracking. Alongside my creative mind, I have an analytical brain that craves stimulation, and keeping track of the books I read has become fascinating. Throughout the year, I can observe how I shift between genres and authors, notice seasonal reading patterns, and identify what draws me to certain stories at specific times.
Simple Tracking Methods That Work
Some of the easiest ways to track your reading include:
Reading Trackers: Visual representations of your reading progress that can be both motivating and beautiful. Whether you colour in a reading thermometer or check off books on a themed tracker, seeing your progress visually is incredibly satisfying.
Review Sheets: Brief forms where you capture your thoughts, favourite quotes, and ratings immediately after finishing a book. These become invaluable when friends ask for recommendations months later.
Digital vs. Physical: You can maintain these digitally for easy searching and sharing, or keep physical sheets that you store with your books or in a dedicated folder. Many readers find the act of handwriting their thoughts helps them process and remember books better.
Sharing reading goals creates meaningful connections with friends and family, fostering a community around shared interests. When you can recommend a book with specific, thoughtful notes about why someone might enjoy it, you're not just sharing a story, you're sharing an experience.
To help you begin or enhance your reading tracking journey, I've created a comprehensive digital starter pack available free to my mailing list subscribers. This booklover's starter pack includes:
- A customizable reading tracker that you can colour and personalise
- A book recommendation sheet template for thoughtful gift-giving
- A digital version of our bestselling bookmark design that you can colour and print yourself
These tools are designed to make tracking feel less like a chore and more like a creative extension of your reading practice.
I hope this summer you carve out precious time for reading and relaxation during the holiday season. Whether you lounge with a book by the pool, create a cosy indoor reading nook to escape the heat, or find quiet moments during travel, a good book is always a portal to new magical adventures.
Remember, there's no "right" way to track your reading, only the way that brings you joy and helps you connect more deeply with the stories that shape you. Start small, be consistent, and watch as your reading practice transforms from a simple hobby into a rich, documented journey of personal growth and discovery