Literary awards are a great way to discover acclaimed books and authors, offering curated lists of standout reads across genres. Whether you’re a fan of the Pulitzer Prize, Booker Prize, or Hugo Awards, a reading journal can help you track award winners and nominees, reflect on their impact, and explore the best in literature.
In this post, we’ll show you how to use your journal to track and engage with literary awards, turning prestigious lists into your next reading adventure.
1. Create an Awards Tracker
Dedicate a section of your journal to tracking literary awards. Include columns or sections for:
- Award name (e.g., National Book Award, Goodreads Choice Awards)
- Year of the award
- Winner and shortlisted nominees
- Genre or category
This tracker keeps all the information in one place, making it easy to revisit.
2. Build an Awards TBR List
Many award-winning books are already on readers’ must-read lists. Use your journal to:
- Log winners and nominees you want to read.
- Categorize them by genre, theme, or year.
- Highlight titles you’re most excited about.
3. Reflect on Award Winners
After reading an award-winning book, reflect on why it may have been recognized. Use prompts like:
- What made this book stand out to you?
- How did it compare to other books in its category?
- Did it meet or exceed your expectations?
4. Compare Nominees and Winners
Sometimes, the most talked-about book isn’t the one that wins. Use your journal to:
- Log your thoughts on shortlisted nominees.
- Reflect on which book you would have chosen as the winner.
- Note any patterns or trends in the selections.
5. Explore Genre-Specific Awards
If you love a particular genre, use your journal to track its major awards. Examples include:
- Mystery: Edgar Awards
- Science Fiction/Fantasy: Hugo and Nebula Awards
- Young Adult: Printz Award
- Non-Fiction: Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
This focus helps you dive deeper into your favorite genres.
6. Create Visual Trackers
Make your awards section engaging with creative trackers:
- Progress Bars: Track how many winners or nominees you’ve read.
- Pie Charts: Visualize how many books you’ve read by category or year.
- Bookshelf Tracker: Add titles to illustrated bookshelves as you complete them.
7. Plan an Awards Reading Challenge
Turn your exploration into a personal challenge. Use your journal to:
- Set a goal to read a certain number of award winners or nominees in a year.
- Focus on a specific award or time period.
- Reflect on how the challenge broadened your literary horizons.
8. Add Creative Elements to Your Pages
Enhance your awards tracker with:
- Stickers or Icons: Use gold stars or award ribbons to highlight winners.
- Themed Designs: Match the layout to the genre or era of the award.
- Quotes and Notes: Capture standout quotes from the books you read.
Ready to Track Literary Awards?
Our Bibliophile’s Bliss Reading Journal includes templates for tracking books, awards, and creative reflections, making it easy to organize your journey through literary excellence. Download your free sample here and start exploring award-winning reads today!
Tracking literary awards is a fantastic way to discover highly acclaimed books and authors. By using your journal to organize and reflect on these reads, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the best in literature and find endless inspiration for your TBR.
Happy journaling and happy reading!
