100 reading journal prompts for every stage of a book

A reading journal is only as good as what you write in it, and the hardest part is often knowing what to say. Prompts solve that. Choose two or three per book, rotate them, and your journal quickly fills with thoughts that are more interesting than "liked it, 4 stars". New to journaling? Start with our guide to starting a reading journal, then come back here for ideas.

How to use this list: don't answer everything. Pick one prompt from "before", a couple from "after" and maybe one fun one. Most readers settle on a favorite handful they use for every book.

Before you start a book (10 prompts)

1. Why did I pick this book, and why now?
2. Where did I hear about it?
3. What do I expect from it, based on the cover and blurb?
4. What mood am I in as I start?
5. Which tropes or themes am I hoping for?
6. Is there anything I'm nervous about (length, sad endings, hype)?
7. Where am I reading it: paper, e-reader or audio?
8. What was the last book I read, and how might it color this one?
9. What's my first impression of the opening line?
10. How long do I think it'll take me? (Check with the reading time calculator.)

While you're reading (15 prompts)

11. What page am I on, and how do I feel about the story so far?
12. Who is my favorite character right now, and why?
13. Who don't I trust?
14. What do I think will happen next?
15. Which scene would I love to see on screen?
16. A line I had to read twice.
17. Something that surprised me.
18. Something that annoyed me.
19. What does the setting smell, sound and feel like?
20. Which trope just appeared? (Stamp it on your trope bingo card.)
21. Am I reading this fast or slow, and why?
22. Does this book remind me of anything else I've read?
23. If I stopped reading here, what would I miss?
24. What question do I most want answered?
25. Would I choose to be a character in this world? Which one?

After you finish: quick review (15 prompts)

26. This book in one sentence, no spoilers.
27. Three words that describe it.
28. My rating, and what would have made it one star higher.
29. How did it make me feel when I closed it?
30. Best moment.
31. Weakest moment.
32. Favorite quote.
33. Did the ending work for me?
34. Was it what I expected from the blurb?
35. Who would I recommend it to?
36. Would I reread it?
37. Would I read more by this author?
38. What tropes or themes did it have?
39. Did the pacing feel right?
40. Where will this book live on my shelf, and next to what?

Characters and relationships (15 prompts)

41. The character I'd want as a best friend.
42. The character I'd never trust with a secret.
43. Who changed the most from beginning to end?
44. A relationship I was rooting for.
45. A relationship I didn't buy.
46. Which character is most like me?
47. Which character would I most like to be for a day?
48. A side character who deserves their own book.
49. The villain's best argument.
50. A choice I would have made differently.
51. Write a short letter to one character.
52. What would the main character keep in their bag?
53. What song would each main character have on repeat?
54. Which character would I cast as my study buddy, my travel partner and my emergency contact?
55. Where do I think the characters are five years after the ending?

Deeper reflection (15 prompts)

56. What is this book really about, underneath the plot?
57. Did it change my mind about anything?
58. What did it teach me, big or small?
59. Which scene stays with me, and why?
60. What does the title mean now that I've finished?
61. Did the book feel true, even if it was fantasy?
62. Which question did it leave me with?
63. What would I ask the author if I could?
64. How does it fit with other books I've loved?
65. Was it the right book at the right time?
66. What will I remember about it in a year?
67. What did I notice about the writing style?
68. Which moment made me put the book down to think?
69. If I could change one thing, what would it be?
70. How would I describe it to someone who doesn't read?

Fun and creative prompts (10 prompts)

71. Design an alternative cover in a quick sketch.
72. Make a playlist for the book.
73. Pair the book with a drink and a snack.
74. Plan a themed dinner party for the characters.
75. Write the blurb in your own words.
76. List five tropes as emoji or doodles.
77. Which season does this book belong to?
78. Write a six-word review.
79. Rate it on your own scale: cups of tea, hearts, tears or dragons.
80. Pick the reader type it's perfect for. (Find yours with the reader type quiz.)

Monthly check-in prompts (10 prompts)

81. How many books and pages did I read this month?
82. Best book of the month.
83. Biggest surprise.
84. A book I didn't finish, and why.
85. Which genre did I reach for most?
86. When and where did I read most?
87. How did my reading fit with the rest of my life this month?
88. What's next on my TBR?
89. Am I on track for my yearly goal? (Check with the reading plan calculator.)
90. One reading intention for next month.

End-of-year prompts (10 prompts)

91. My favorite book of the year.
92. The book I didn't expect to love.
93. The most disappointing read.
94. My top three characters.
95. My favorite quote of the year.
96. Most-read genre and least-read genre.
97. My busiest reading month.
98. A reading habit I built this year.
99. Something I want to read more of next year.
100. My reading goal for next year, in one sentence.

The end-of-year prompts pair nicely with our free Year in Books maker and our guide to making a reading wrap-up.

Printable · $7.99

Prompts need a place to live.

The printable 2027 Reading Journal has book review pages you can print as often as you like, monthly logs for your check-ins and a year-in-books page for December.

See what's insideBookish gifts →

Tips for keeping up

• Write the same day you finish. Even two lines. Memory fades fast.
• Keep a "favorite prompts" list on the inside cover so you don't have to choose every time.
• Use tabs for quotes and moments you want to write about later. Our annotating guide has a simple color key.
• Skip the pressure. Not every book needs a full page. Some deserve a paragraph, some a single line.

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