The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on your reading journey, celebrate milestones, and set intentions for the year ahead. A “Year in Review” spread in your reading journal helps you capture your achievements, favorite books, and lessons learned, creating a keepsake of your literary adventures.
In this post, we’ll guide you through creating a year-end review spread that’s both reflective and inspiring.
1. Total Books Read
Start with the basics by logging your reading stats:
- Total number of books read this year.
- Breakdown by format (e.g., print, digital, audiobook).
- Average pages or hours per book.
Creative Tip: Use a bar graph or pie chart to visualize these numbers.
2. Favorite Books of the Year
Dedicate a section to your standout reads:
- List your top 5 or 10 books and why they resonated with you.
- Highlight specific genres or authors that made an impact.
- Include memorable quotes or scenes from these books.
Creative Tip: Add illustrations, stickers, or color-coded tabs to represent each book.
3. Genre Breakdown
Explore your reading diversity with a genre tracker:
- Create a pie chart or bar graph showing the percentage of each genre you read.
- Reflect on which genres you enjoyed most and which ones you want to explore more.
Reflective Prompt: Did you stick to your usual favorites, or did you branch out this year?
4. Reading Goals Reflection
Revisit the goals you set at the beginning of the year:
- Did you meet your goals? Why or why not?
- Which goals were the most rewarding or challenging?
- What changes will you make to your reading habits next year?
Creative Tip: Use checkboxes to log completed goals and journal about the ones that remain.
5. Favorite Authors and Discoveries
Celebrate the authors who made your year memorable:
- Log authors you read for the first time and plan to revisit.
- Note any new favorites or series you discovered.
Reflective Prompt: How did these authors influence your reading preferences?
6. Favorite Quotes
Dedicate a section to meaningful quotes from the year:
- Include lines that inspired, moved, or entertained you.
- Reflect on how these quotes connect to your life or reading journey.
7. Milestones and Achievements
Track important moments in your reading year:
- Participating in reading challenges.
- Finishing a particularly long or difficult book.
- Reading a book in a new genre or format.
Creative Tip: Use stickers, stars, or badges to mark these achievements.
8. Books You Didn’t Finish
DNF (Did Not Finish) logs can provide valuable insights:
- Reflect on why certain books didn’t work for you.
- Use this information to refine your TBR list for next year.
Reflective Prompt: Were these books a mismatch for your mood, or were there other reasons?
9. Plan for Next Year
End your spread with intentions for the upcoming year:
- Set a new reading goal (e.g., number of books, genres to explore).
- List books or series you want to prioritize.
- Include reading challenges or themes you’d like to try.
Creative Tip: Create a mini vision board with photos, doodles, or cutouts.
Ready to Create Your Year in Review?
Our Bibliophile’s Bliss Reading Journal is a great way to get started with year-end reviews, genre trackers, and goal setting, making it easy to reflect on your reading journey. Download your free sample here and start crafting your year in review today!
A Year in Review spread transforms your reading journal into a celebration of your literary accomplishments. By reflecting on your favorite books, tracking milestones, and setting intentions, you’ll close the year on a high note and enter the next with renewed excitement for reading.
Happy journaling and happy reading!
