Pinboard post

Do
you keep a log of your books?

Published: 2026-09-13 • ← Back to pinboard

I keep three different book logs: a practical Notion tracker, a typewritten record, and mini covers in my journal. It’s what actually makes the habit stick.

Three ways I keep a book log

I keep a couple of different book logs. Not because I’m trying to be A Person With A System, but because if I don’t capture things in a way my brain likes, they just… vanish.

One version is practical and searchable. One is slow and satisfying. One is basically “tiny art project”, which is apparently what it takes for me to keep doing it.

My digital log in Notion

My main, reliable log lives in Notion. It’s the one I trust when I want to answer stuff like:

When did I start reading this?
Did I finish it, or did I quietly abandon it?
What did I rate it?
What was I in the mood for when I picked it up?

For each book, I usually capture:

Start date
End date
Rating
(And any quick notes I’ll thank myself for later)

The best part is that it’s searchable and sortable, and I can actually see patterns. Also, on the days where it feels like I have read approximately nothing and my brain is soup, the log is proof that I have been reading. Even if it’s been a bit chaotic.

The typewritten log (yes, I type it up)

Then there’s the version I type up.

Do I need a second log? Absolutely not. Do I love an excuse to use my typewriter? Completely.

Typing the entries turns it into a little ritual. It slows me down enough to actually notice what I thought about the book, instead of immediately sprinting to the next one. And it’s just… nice having a physical record that feels real, not just another tab open in my head.

Mini covers in my journal (because my brain likes visuals)

And then, because my brain loves a bit of visual stimulation, I also add little mini covers into my journal.

It’s part memory aid, part creative project, part “I want my journal to look like a tiny museum of the stories I’ve been living in.”

When I flip back through pages, the covers act like anchors. I remember the vibe of the book faster than I remember a title, and the visuals bring the whole reading season back.

Why I keep more than one log

If you’re also someone whose brain needs a bit of novelty to stay engaged (or you’ve got a lot going on), you might get it:

One system helps me track.
Another helps me reflect.
Another helps me remember.