My Inner Creative

77+ Amazing Bullet Journal Reading tracker and Book Logs

Easily track the progress of your books by creating a bullet journal reading tracker or book log in your bullet journal!

Want to learn more about book trackers in your bullet journal? Check out this post!

bullet journal book review

Updated in August 2022 Nicola @ My Inner Creative

Hi book lover! Book worm or any other term you want to go by! For me, it’s the smell and feel of books, I love sniffing the centre of the book. It’s also a great way to unwind, declutter your mind and create a world for yourself, or even transport you to another world!In this post I am going to talk more about creating a bullet journal book tracker and why its important

If you are into books and reading you should 100% check out our round-up of Harry Potter Spreads and Lord of the Rings Spreads

View this post on Instagram If you have a story you want to tell, tell it. (And if you have a story you don’t want to tell, that’s okay, too. Your stories, your choice!)📚💕 A post shared by Dani DiPirro (@positivelypresent) on Jun 30, 2019 at 6:50am PDT

Want to download the level 10 life, annual planner?

This 50+ page planner helps you set those values and goals for your year ahead and sets awesome goals for mid year review too.

bullet journal book review

Why is reading good for you?

It would appear that science and research have just discovered that reading is, in fact, beneficial to one’s health. And if you believe this essay and this one that was published on NBC , there are nine excellent scientific reasons why you should make reading a habit: (And do you really need any more reasons to make a reading log or keep track of the books you’ve read in your bullet journal?)

  • Makes you emotionally more intelligent
  • Improves your relationships and can bolster our social skills
  • Can make you happier
  • Can make you more empowered or braver
  • Lower risk of dementia or altziemers
  • Makes you smarter
  • Calms us down
  • Helps us create a positive routine for bed
  • Can provide a sense of belonging

This really helps drive home the case of creating bullet journal reading tracker! They are so easy to do!

How can you incorporate reading into your Bullet Journal?

Creating a reading tracker in your bullet journal is a great way to keep on track of those books you have been meaning to read and making sure you are working towards an end game! 

So regardless of if you are ripping through a new book each week or the one still slogging through that bestseller your friend (or Oprah) recommended months ago, its still a good idea to track them in a book journal and see your progress throughout the year.

Now if you are looking for specific bullet journal books to read, head here

Why make a book tracker in your bullet journal?

Well, why the heck not! What a great way to see how many books you have chewed through and you can track your progress and speed of reading. If you love reading and want to keep track so you know what you have read, or planning on reading, creating a book journal is the perfect place to start!

Is there a series of books you are looking at reading and want to track which ones you have read? This is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Creating a book tracker in your bullet journal can be a fantastic idea for several reasons. It not only allows you to visually see how many books you’ve read over time, but it also enables you to monitor your reading progress and the pace at which you devour books. If you’re a passionate reader who wants to keep a comprehensive record of what you’ve read or plan to read, starting a book journal is an ideal way to do so.

Additionally, if you’re delving into a series of books and wish to keep track of which ones you’ve already read, a book tracker in your bullet journal is a perfect solution. It ensures that you won’t lose your place within the series and can easily remember where you left off. By maintaining this journal, you’ll have a clear overview of your reading journey, making it easier to set reading goals, explore new genres, and ultimately enhance your overall reading experience.

Step-By-Step instructions on how to make a bullet journal reading tracker and book tracker.

Creating a book tracker in your bullet journal can be a fun and organized way to keep track of your reading journey. Here’s a step-by-step guide along with the resources you’ll need:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Gather the necessary supplies to get started:

  • Bullet Journal : Choose a notebook with dotted or grid pages. This provides structure without limiting your creativity.
  • Pens and Markers : Use different colors for visual appeal and easy categorization.
  • Ruler : Helps you create straight lines and grids.
  • Stickers or Washi Tape : Optional, but they can add decorative elements to your book tracker.

Step 2: Plan Your Layout

Decide on the layout of your book tracker. You can go for a simple list format, a grid, or a more creative design. Consider including columns for the book title, author, start and finish dates, rating, and any other information you want to track.

Step 3: Create a Key

Design a key to visually represent different aspects of your reading progress. For example:

  • ☑️ = Finished reading
  • 📖 = Currently reading
  • 📚 = To be read

Step 4: Set Up Pages

Allocate pages in your bullet journal for your book tracker. You can dedicate a spread (two facing pages) or multiple pages, depending on how elaborate you want your tracker to be.

Step 5: Start Adding Books

Begin adding books to your tracker. For each book, write down its title, author, and other relevant details. Use the key symbols you created to indicate its status (read, reading, to be read).

Step 6: Add Visual Elements

Enhance your tracker with visual elements like banners, headers, and borders. You can use stickers, washi tape, or hand-drawn designs to make your tracker visually appealing.

Step 7: Incorporate Ratings and Notes

Consider adding a section for ratings or brief notes about each book. This can help you remember your thoughts and impressions after reading.

Step 8: Update Regularly

As you read, update your book tracker by filling in the relevant information. It’s important to keep it up to date to accurately reflect your reading progress.

Step 9: Personalize Your Tracker

Feel free to personalize your book tracker with your own style, colors, and decorations. Make it unique and reflective of your personality.

Step 10: Reflect and Set Goals

Periodically review your book tracker to reflect on your reading habits. Are there patterns in the genres you read or your reading pace? Use this information to set reading goals and challenges for yourself.

  • Bullet Journaling Tutorials : Look for online tutorials or videos on bullet journaling to learn different layout ideas and techniques.
  • Stationery Stores : Visit local stationery stores or shop online for bullet journal supplies such as notebooks, pens, markers, and stickers.
  • Online Communities : Join online bullet journaling communities or social media platforms to get inspiration from others and share your progress.
  • Creative Apps : Use apps like Procreate or Canva to design headers and decorations digitally before adding them to your physical journal.

Remember, your book tracker is a reflection of your reading journey, so have fun and make it your own!

Creating the Ultimate Book Lover’s Corner in Your Bullet Journal

If you’re an avid reader, your bullet journal can become a haven for all things literary. Elevate your journaling experience by incorporating a range of book-themed spreads that cater to every aspect of your reading journey. From planning your next literary adventure to documenting your thoughts on completed books, here’s how to seamlessly integrate these exciting features:

1. Book Tracker Bullet Journal Spread

Kickstart your reading escapade with a dedicated book tracker spread. This is your command center for keeping tabs on your reading progress, complete with columns for titles, authors, start and finish dates, and your personalized book status symbols. Whether it’s a cheerful checkmark for finished books or an inviting book emoji for titles in progress, your tracker encapsulates the essence of each book’s journey.

2. Books to Read Bullet Journal Collection

Every book lover knows the thrill of curating an enticing list of books to dive into. Your bullet journal can be your trusty repository for this purpose. Create an alluring “Books to Read” spread, adorned with bookshelf doodles or charming bookstack stickers. This section becomes a sanctuary for your literary aspirations, a place where you can list titles, authors, and even brief notes or ratings to guide your future selections.

3. Bullet Journal Book Review Spread

Venture beyond the realms of tracking and delve into the realm of reflection. Design an engaging book review spread that welcomes your thoughts and critiques. Pair your well-crafted prose with star ratings, artistic book covers, or thought-provoking quotes. This section transforms your journal into a treasure trove of literary analyses and personal insights.

4. Book Log Bullet Journal Entry

As you journey through the pages of various tomes, capture your reading experiences in the book log section of your journal. Here, you can pen down snippets of your thoughts, reactions, and emotions as you devour each chapter. Accompany your entries with date stamps and perhaps a delicate border reminiscent of an antique bookplate, creating an elegant archive of your reading odyssey.

5. Crafting the Bullet Journal Bookshelf

No book lover’s bullet journal is complete without a charming bookshelf spread. This creative canvas allows you to showcase the covers of your recently read or upcoming books, each carefully illustrated or adorned with washi tape. It’s a delightful visual representation of your literary adventures that adds a touch of whimsy to your journal.

Incorporating these captivating book-themed elements into your bullet journal creates a harmonious symphony of organization and creativity. From meticulously tracking your reading progress to immersing yourself in thoughtful reviews and cherished booklists, your journal becomes a testament to your love affair with literature. So, grab your pens, conjure your artistic flair, and let your bullet journal become the haven where words come alive.

What other things can you track on your BuJo reading tracker?

You could easily track additional things such as:

  • pages read per day,
  • chapters consumed,
  • series finished,
  • Book stores visited,
  • favourite book places,
  • live readings attended
  • Notes taken
  • images of the book
  • favourite quotes
  • upcoming books to read
  • If you have given the book to someone as a loan
  • When the book is due back at the library
  • Book reviews and rankings
  • Book rating
  • reading speed

Do you want to draw a book doodle?

Try some of these simple tutorials for beginners! It is really easy to draw a book doodle! If you are looking for a fun way to add these book doodles to your bullet journal, these simple how-to steps will have you drawing books in no time! An easy-to-draw book, or an open book or story is the perfect way to incorporate these doodles!

If you want to see even more doodle examples for your bullet journal, you can read our post on over 60+ bullet journal doodle examples!

Examples of Book doodles in your bullet journal reading tracker

I love these little tutorials on how to draw a book step by step from @doodle_simply_now. It just makes sense to follow these and its so easy to understand! These drawings of a book show you how simple it is to doodle book!

bullet journal book review

Shelf-style bullet journal reading tracker

The bookshelf is such a popular option when drawing a bullet journal reading tracker! They come in all shapes and sizes and are such a fun way to show the spines of the books you are reading.

bullet journal book review

Reading log layout ideas for your bullet journal

I just can’t get over the fact that these book doodles have been placed in the form of a small heart! What a one-of-a-kind book-tracking system!

These itty-bitty doodles of stacked books are so adorable. These are wonderful for you to colour in and use to make a spread for your book tracker.

This layout features a drawing of books stacked in a straight line across the miniature book shelf! I adore these.

This adorable little bookshelf is so fun to draw and construct, and I LOVE how straightforward the process is. This is a fairly straightforward approach to drawing a book that is held upright.

It makes me happy to see that in addition to these books being stacked, there are also some books that are standing upright. There is also a tab for reviews, which is something that appeals to me greatly.

Drawing an open book can be pretty simple, as demonstrated by this incredible artist who walks us through the steps of drawing an open book complete with pages. This is a quick and simple method for drawing books! It only consists of lines and squares, but the end product is quite stunning!

bullet journal book review

Other inspirational book log and reading trackers to inspire your bullet journal

The Happy Planner has come out with a sticker collection that is ideal for people who enjoy reading in order to make your book doodles easier. It was given the name bookish, and it featured book trackers as well as books that were stacked and lined up! I adore this, and it is just too adorable for words! I really like how the book trackers for this week are just overlaid on top of the weekly spread in this spread. I absolutely adore this I absolutely adore how the book covers are being created and coloured in! This is such an enjoyable activity!

What a wonderful and interesting way to keep track of book series! I think it’s brilliant that you’re recording your reading in a notebook with blacked-out pages.

This year in pixels page tracker is one of my favourite features. What a wonderful way to keep track of how much reading you’ve done and how much you’ve read over the course of the year! This reading tracker that is reminiscent of the 1920s and Great Gatsby This is such a creative approach to putting together a monthly reading journal!

bullet journal book review

Nicola is Blogger and Author, focusing on Creative Productivity and how to get the most out of your time through time management and productivity tools. Nicola has been a #journal and #planneraddict for the longest time and is here to help with any questions you may have.

Similar Posts

20 Sleep Trackers in your bullet journal for better sleep habits

20 Sleep Trackers in your bullet journal for better sleep habits

Tracking your sleep can be extremely beneficial to you mental and physical health. Using Sleep Trackers in your bullet journal you…

How to draw a bullet journal circle habit tracker

How to draw a bullet journal circle habit tracker

Are you wondering how to draw a bullet journal circle habit tracker? I got asked a ton of times this…

5 reasons tracking habits in your bullet journal is NOT helping you!

5 reasons tracking habits in your bullet journal is NOT helping you!

Tracking habits in a bullet journal has gained popularity as a productivity and self-improvement technique. However, there are instances when…

17 Inspirational Wellness Trackers to kick you into gear!

17 Inspirational Wellness Trackers to kick you into gear!

Hello February – the month where you thought you could achieve those resolutions you put in place! This month we…

51 utterly amazing Habit and Mood trackers

51 utterly amazing Habit and Mood trackers

Habit and mood trackers for your bullet journal seem to be one of the most photographed and documented of the…

45 different styles to create a Line a Day in your Bullet Journal

45 different styles to create a Line a Day in your Bullet Journal

A line a day in your bullet journal can be an additional tracker, or a memory capture, gratitude or even…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Celebrity Book Club Picks

The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future

Ryder carroll.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2018

About the author

Profile Image for Ryder Carroll.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think? Rate this book Write a Review

Friends & Following

Community reviews.

Profile Image for Dannii Elle.

Join the discussion

Can't find what you're looking for.

  • Shop Courses
  • Login to Course Portal
  • Get the GOHQV 2023 All Access Pass
  • Login to All Access Pass
  • Login to Courses
  • Login to GOHQ Virtual All Access Pass
  • Login to GOHQ Insiders
  • Search for:
  • NEW! 2024 Planner & Accessories
  • Guides & Ebooks
  • Printable Kits
  • Tablet Planners
  • Insiders Membership
  • View All Products

Book Review: “The Bullet Journal Method” by Ryder Carroll

I don't know about you, but I'm always on the hunt for a new good read. With so many books out there it's hard to know which ones are going to contain those ah-ha moments and which will just be meh.

Once in a while you get lucky and stumble upon a book by word of mouth from a trusted friend – and that's just what's happened here! Shaina, the head of graphic design for I Heart Planners, recently read  The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll and has put together an in depth review for us.

Keep reading – you're in for a real treat!

Curious about bullet journaling and the idea behind it? We decided to get the answers directly from the creator himself from his book all about the bullet journal, how it came to be, and how it can benefit your life.

I’ve felt it the same as many of you have, I’m sure. That overwhelming dread that I’ll never quite catch up with my to-do list, that I’m forgetting something really important, and that, if something doesn’t change, I’m going to be stuck feeling exactly the same way for the rest of my life.

Know what I mean?

And so for years I searched and searched for some sort of system that would ease this feeling, even just a little bit. I tried planners that only got used until about February 6th. I tried so many apps I forgot which ones had which information plugged into them. I bought classes that were supposed to help me get and stay more organized but never had enough time to actually go through all the content. It seemed to be a never-ending pattern of chaos and defeat.

And then in July of 2015, I stumbled across Bullet Journaling on Instagram (of course!) and fell madly in love. I dove headfirst into the hand-drawn layouts and daily logs, doing my best to figure it all out as I went along. Over the months, and years now, it has become a really personal way for me to keep track of what has happened, live more fully present in the moment during my days, and plan for the future.

So when Ryder Carroll, the inventor and creator of the Bullet Journal process, wrote and released his book all about it, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. My paper-pen-checklist-journal-loving heart was all-in! And let me tell you… I got what I expected from this book, but also SO MUCH MORE.

Curious about bullet journaling and the idea behind it? We decided to get the answers directly from the creator himself from his book all about the bullet journal, how it came to be, and how it can benefit your life.

Here’s my review of “The Bullet Journal Method” and why I think everyone should read it, even if you’re already rocking a planner/organizing system you love.

I think the book’s tagline: “Track the Past. Order the Present. Design the Future” says so much. This is way more than just a to-do list, this is a way of life. And using the Bullet Journal Method as a tool, you can pack way more productivity, meaning, intentionality, and life into your days.

Ryder Carroll starts his book by talking about his diagnosis with ADD back in the 80’s when not much was know about it, and even less was known about how to help people with it. To help organize the chaos in his own mind he created this system over a period of time that was part planner, diary, notebook, to-do list, and sketchbook, giving his mind a place to focus and stay organized. As the years passed and he really honed his system and started to share it with others, it became clear he was onto something.

“The Bullet Journal method’s mission is to help us become mindful about how we spend our two most valuable resources in life: our time and our energy. It will help you accomplish more by working on less. It helps you identify and focus on what is meaningful by stripping away what is meaningless.”

It does this through a powerful framework that is flexible, forgiving, and practical.

You might expect the book to begin with a basic tutorial of the different sections of a Bullet Journal, with diagrams and examples, showing you how to use it. And yes, the book includes those things. But interestingly, the book does something completely unexpected and refreshing: it starts with WHY.

And I think WHY is the most important place to start. Because that’s the thing that was missing for me before with my previous planners, and apps, and courses. I just thought I wanted to be less scatter-brained, more organized, and productive. I didn’t realize that each task I wrote down, or event I said “yes” to, or project I wanted to tackle, or goal I set was (consciously or subconsciously) defining the meaning of my life. The Bullet Journal method allows you to make these choices with intention, aligning the things we spend our days doing with the things we truly believe in. So powerful, right?!

Curious about bullet journaling and the idea behind it? We decided to get the answers directly from the creator himself from his book all about the bullet journal, how it came to be, and how it can benefit your life.

The next few chapters dive deep into the framework itself. These parts include the Index, Future Log, Monthly Log, Daily Log, Rapid Logging (a total game changer!), Collections, and the crux of it all: Migration. Each part of the framework is explained in detail with examples of what it can look like and how you can make it your own.

Then the book shifts gear a little, focusing on the Practice of Bullet Journaling. Pairing action with belief and through reflection, we can begin to see how this method will really add meaning to our lives, and help us set and reach goals that actually matter to our hearts. The author shares his approach to goals and working on things in sprints and how that can help us perpetuate our motivation. I really loved this section… seeing the difference between traditional goal-setting and working on things in sprints was a total “aha moment” for me. I can’t wait to implement more of this in my own BuJo.

Curious about bullet journaling and the idea behind it? We decided to get the answers directly from the creator himself from his book all about the bullet journal, how it came to be, and how it can benefit your life.

The final section is all about the Art of Bullet Journaling, which is why I fell in love with it in the first place. Those images on Instagram of custom collections, gorgeous trackers, mood mandalas, and the like. But I love that the author pulls you back to center again, reminding you that anything you add to your Bullet Journal needs to serve a purpose. Don’t allow the pretty to distract you from your purpose. Such a powerful reminder.

The book ends with a note that no two Bullet Journals are alike, and that’s the beauty of the Bullet Journal Method. It helps each individual facilitate their own journey of self-discovery through awareness, reflection, intention, and purpose.

Curious about bullet journaling and the idea behind it? We decided to get the answers directly from the creator himself from his book all about the bullet journal, how it came to be, and how it can benefit your life.

Reading this book has motivated me to be more intentional with not just my personal Bullet Journal, but with my life. I thought I’d already learned all there was to know about the concepts behind the Bullet Journal, and I was so wrong. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy and allow it to guide you on a journey to discover your deeper WHY and see how tracking daily really is the key to becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be. I know I am forever changed.

Want to get a copy for yourself? Order the hard copy or the Kindle version directly from Amazon HERE . And if you take the time to read it my team and I would love to hear your thoughts. Come share with us on Instagram @iheartplanners .

Posted Under: Paper Planner

Laura

Hi, I’m Laura.

I love planners and organizing! I believe organizing systems should be beautiful, practical, and functional, and I’m here to help you with that.

New? Start Here ➜

Get organized today!

bullet journal book review

The Sticky Note Productivity Method

Is an overflowing to-do list an all too familiar companion? Is the phrase “so much to do, so little time” the mantra of your current season of life? I’ve been there, friend. When there’s task upon task demanding your time it become vital to learn how to prioritize. You CAN turn that mountain into a molehill, and I’ll show you can easy way to do that with my Sticky Note Productivity method!

browse the blog

  • Best Products
  • Decluttering
  • Digital Planners
  • Food and Recipes
  • Free Printables
  • Gift Guides
  • How to Blog
  • Meal Planning
  • Digital Organization
  • Organizing on a Budget
  • Organizing Your Spaces
  • Paper Clutter
  • Paper Clutter Challenge
  • Paper Planner
  • Planner Peeks
  • Popular Posts
  • Productivity
  • Time Management
  • Uncategorized

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimers

Ready to Get Organized?

Let us teach you the wash-rinse-repeat-style, step-by-step process to organize absolutely anything. Grab our free guide to getting started… get organized TODAY!

Shortform Books

Shortform Books

The World's Best Book Summaries

The Bullet Journal Method: Book Review

' src=

This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "The Bullet Journal Method" by Ryder Carroll. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.

Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here .

Are you looking for The Bullet Journal Method book review? How did Ryder Carrol come up with his bullet journaling method? 

After years spent perfecting his own organizational techniques, author Ryder Carroll devised the Bullet Journal Method. After realizing the method’s potential to help others, he decided to formalize it, streamline it, and release it to the public.

Here’s our review of the book The Bullet Journal Method.

About the Author

Ryder Carroll is a digital product designer from New York. Throughout his career, he’s worked with notable companies such as Adidas, American Express, Cisco, IBM, Macy’s, and HP. 

After he was diagnosed with learning disabilities in high school, Carroll was determined to find a strategy to improve his focus and productivity. Following years of trial and error, he used his experience with scrapbooking, journaling, and web design to develop what he called the Bullet Journal Method. Although Carroll initially kept the method to himself, he later streamlined it and introduced it to the public through a website launch in 2013. 

After the site went viral, Carroll’s method rose in popularity and was featured by the New York Times , the LA Times , Forbes , the Wall Street Journal , the BBC , Vogue , Fast Company , and Bloomberg , among others. When he realized just how much it had impacted people’s lives, he decided to write a book, The Bullet Journal Method , to demonstrate how you can use the method to tackle not only productivity but also many other of life’s biggest challenges.

Connect With Ryder Carroll:

Bullet Journal Social Accounts:

The Book’s Publication

Publisher: Portfolio , a division of Penguin Random House

The Bullet Journal Method was Carroll’s first (and, thus far, only) book. It was published in 2018 following the success of the launch of the Bullet Journal Method website. Carroll wanted to write a book to explore how to use the method as a practice in mindfulness and intentionality rather than just productivity.

Intellectual Context

While the Bullet Journal Method is a unique system, its usefulness arguably stems from the way it combines many journaling and productivity tools into one streamlined method. To take full advantage of the method’s customizability, Carroll recommends that readers call on existing resources such as lists, calendars, schedules, habit trackers, gratitude logs, and creative journaling. 

In addition, although Carroll dedicates a large part of the book to the Bullet Journal Method itself, he also pulls from a variety of philosophies to explore how the method can help you overcome challenges like maximizing time, cultivating gratitude, and letting go of what you can’t control. In particular, Carroll references the Greek and Greco-Roman philosophies of Eudaimonism and Stoicism, the Japanese concepts of ikigai and kaizen , and problem-solving techniques like sprints and rubber ducking from the field of software development.

The Book’s Impact

Given that the Bullet Journal Method was already popular before The Bullet Journal Method ’s publication (having already garnered significant followings on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube), the book was well-received, which helped extend the method to an even wider audience. It became a New York Times and international best seller and has been published in more than 28 languages. In addition, following the book’s publication in 2018, there was not only an 18% increase in the sale of unruled notebooks in the US from the year before but also a significant growth in the sale of other stationery products.

Critical Reception

The Bullet Journal Method book reviews praise the method’s value to both those who are new to it as well as those who consider themselves veterans . This is because the book covers not only the system itself but also ways you can use it to improve your life .

Overall, reviewers agree that The Bullet Journal Method provides valuable insight

As for the book’s general audience, those who enjoyed it agree that reading it would benefit everyone interested in productivity and self-improvement, whether or not they’ve used the Bullet Journal Method before. They praise how the book utilizes anecdotes and data to back up the author’s claims as well as useful diagrams to demonstrate how the method works. Additionally, they like that the book focuses on both how and why to use the method. Overall, they feel that it helped them reconnect with what truly matters to them.

On the other hand, critics of the book think it focuses too heavily on self-improvement and too lightly on the details of how to use the method. In addition, they claim the book is poorly written and that the author’s recommendations are weak and easily discernible without the help of his book. Moreover, some artistically-inclined readers say the book fails to provide creative inspiration.

Commentary on the Book’s Approach

Carroll’s demonstration of the Bullet Journal Method system and how to customize it is effective. He consistently pairs written descriptions of the system with relevant examples, visual aids, and diagrams that help clarify any uncertainty about how the method works. One potential exception is Carroll’s description of “threading,” a technique that’s supposed to reduce the time you spend searching for pages of related content. Even with a visual aid, it’s difficult to grasp how to implement the technique.

Meanwhile, Carroll’s discussion of how to use the Bullet Journal Method to increase productivity and improve your life has positives and negatives. On the one hand, his anecdotes and references add credibility to his ideas and make compelling arguments for why you should use his method. For example, in the section titled “Imperfection,” Carroll first introduces the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (beauty is found in imperfection), as well as the Japanese culture’s focus on mastery over perfection, to inspire readers to see themselves and their efforts in a different light that eschews perfectionism. Then, he provides an immediate opportunity for application by describing how readers can implement these ideas into their Bullet Journal practice. 

On the other hand, Carroll’s flow of ideas tends to meander and repeat, making it somewhat difficult to identify his main point. For example, in the section titled “Meaning,” Carroll alternates between the idea that we’re searching for fulfillment in the wrong places and the idea that we can find happiness by doing what’s meaningful. In doing so, he ultimately buries the main point—that fulfillment comes from doing what we find worthwhile. While readers may eventually deduce Carroll’s primary idea, the structure of his argument makes reaching this conclusion burdensome.  

Commentary on the Book’s Organization

At surface level, the book’s organization is logical. Carroll divides it into parts that establish a foundational understanding of the Bullet Journal Method before exploring how to make the most of the practice. Specifically, he ensures that readers grasp the basic components of his method before diving into how they can tailor their journals to their needs.

However, some of Carroll’s within-part organizational choices interrupt the flow of his ideas. For example, in Part 1, although he begins intuitively by discussing how he developed the Bullet Journal Method, why readers should use it, and what to expect from the book, the organization then becomes less coherent. Instead of exploring how to get started, he backtracks to provide additional justification for why you should use his method. Then, he changes topic twice more by introducing a mind-decluttering exercise before discussing why notebooks are fundamental to Bullet Journaling and how handwriting is beneficial.

———End of Preview———

Like what you just read read the rest of the world's best book summary and analysis of ryder carroll's "the bullet journal method" at shortform ..

Here's what you'll find in our full The Bullet Journal Method summary :

  • A comprehensive guide to using the Bullet Journal Method
  • How to maintain a journaling practice that can improve your overall quality of life
  • How to extend the method beyond productivity to a practice in mindfulness
  • ← How to Develop Your Child’s Mindset for Learning
  • Ways Exercise and the Brain Work Together →

' src=

Hannah Aster

Hannah graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English and double minors in Professional Writing and Creative Writing. She grew up reading books like Harry Potter and His Dark Materials and has always carried a passion for fiction. However, Hannah transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018 and now enjoys sharing travel guides and trying to inspire others to see the world.

You May Also Like

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Fatima

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Fatima

Tim Ferriss: Tips for Body Recomposition

Tim Ferriss: Tips for Body Recomposition

The Second Mountain: Quotes From David Brooks

The Second Mountain: Quotes From David Brooks

No More Mr. Nice Guy: Chapter Analysis

No More Mr. Nice Guy: Chapter Analysis

Getting the Love You Want: Quotes With Explanations

Getting the Love You Want: Quotes With Explanations

How to Face Reality: 3 Ways to See the Clear Picture

How to Face Reality: 3 Ways to See the Clear Picture

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Authors & Events

Recommendations

Best Audiobooks for Road Trips

  • New & Noteworthy
  • Bestsellers
  • Popular Series
  • The Must-Read Books of 2023
  • Popular Books in Spanish
  • Coming Soon
  • Literary Fiction
  • Mystery & Thriller
  • Science Fiction
  • Spanish Language Fiction
  • Biographies & Memoirs
  • Spanish Language Nonfiction
  • Dark Star Trilogy
  • A Joe Pickett Novel
  • Penguin Classics
  • Award Winners
  • The Parenting Book Guide
  • Books to Read Before Bed
  • Books for Middle Graders
  • Trending Series
  • Magic Tree House
  • The Last Kids on Earth
  • Planet Omar
  • Beloved Characters
  • The World of Eric Carle
  • Llama Llama
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Peter Rabbit
  • Board Books
  • Picture Books
  • Guided Reading Levels
  • Middle Grade
  • Activity Books
  • Trending This Week
  • Top Must-Read Romances
  • Page-Turning Series To Start Now
  • Books to Cope With Anxiety
  • Short Reads
  • Anti-Racist Resources
  • Staff Picks
  • Memoir & Fiction
  • Features & Interviews
  • Emma Brodie Interview
  • James Ellroy Interview
  • Nicola Yoon Interview
  • Qian Julie Wang Interview
  • Deepak Chopra Essay
  • How Can I Get Published?
  • For Book Clubs
  • Reese's Book Club
  • Oprah’s Book Club
  • happy place " data-category="popular" data-location="header">Guide: Happy Place
  • the last white man " data-category="popular" data-location="header">Guide: The Last White Man
  • Authors & Events >
  • Our Authors
  • Michelle Obama
  • Zadie Smith
  • Emily Henry
  • Amor Towles
  • Colson Whitehead
  • In Their Own Words
  • Qian Julie Wang
  • Patrick Radden Keefe
  • Phoebe Robinson
  • Emma Brodie
  • Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • Laura Hankin
  • Recommendations >
  • 21 Books To Help You Learn Something New
  • Books To Read if You Love "The Sympathizer"
  • Insightful Therapy Books To Read This Year
  • Historical Fiction With Female Protagonists
  • Best Thrillers of All Time
  • Manga and Graphic Novels
  • happy place " data-category="recommendations" data-location="header">Start Reading Happy Place
  • How to Make Reading a Habit with James Clear
  • Why Reading Is Good for Your Health
  • 10 Facts About Taylor Swift
  • New Releases
  • Memoirs Read by the Author
  • Our Most Soothing Narrators
  • Press Play for Inspiration
  • Audiobooks You Just Can't Pause
  • Listen With the Whole Family

Penguin Random House

Look Inside

The Bullet Journal Method

Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future

By Ryder Carroll

By ryder carroll read by ryder carroll, category: business | self-improvement & inspiration, category: business | self-improvement & inspiration | audiobooks.

Oct 23, 2018 | ISBN 9780525533337 | 5-1/2 x 7-15/16 --> | ISBN 9780525533337 --> Buy

Oct 23, 2018 | ISBN 9780525533344 | ISBN 9780525533344 --> Buy

Oct 23, 2018 | 342 Minutes | ISBN 9780525642299 --> Buy

Buy from Other Retailers:

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

Oct 23, 2018 | ISBN 9780525533337

Oct 23, 2018 | ISBN 9780525533344

Oct 23, 2018 | ISBN 9780525642299

342 Minutes

Buy the Audiobook Download:

  • audiobooks.com

About The Bullet Journal Method

New York Times  bestseller!  There’s a reason this system for time management, goal setting, and intentional living has been adopted by millions around the globe: it works. Not only will you get more done, but you’ll get the  right  things done. All you need is a pen, paper, and five spare minutes a day. In  The Bullet Journal Method , Ryder Carroll, the system’s founder, provides an essential guide to avoiding all-too-common beginner mistakes and building a core discipline from which you can personalize your practice. You’ll not only learn to organize your tasks, but to focus your time and energy in pursuit of what’s truly meaningful to you by following three simple steps: * Track the past.  Create a clear and comprehensive record of your thoughts. * Order the present . Find daily calm and clarity by tackling your to-do list in a more mindful, systematic, and productive way. * Design the future.  Transform your vague curiosities into meaningful goals, and then break those goals into manageable action steps that lead to big change. Whether you’re a frustrated list maker, an overwhelmed multitasker, or a creative who needs some structure,  The Bullet Journal Method  will help you go from passenger to pilot of your own life.

The long-awaited first book by the founder of the enormously popular Bullet Journal® organizational system. For years Ryder Carroll tried countless organizing systems, online and off, but none of them fit the way his mind worked. Out of sheer necessity, he developed a method called the Bullet Journal that helped him become consistently focused and effective. When he started sharing his system with friends who faced similar challenges, it went viral. Just a few years later, to his astonishment, Bullet Journaling is a global movement.  The Bullet Journal Method  is about much more than organizing your notes and to-do lists. It’s about what Carroll calls “intentional living”: weeding out distractions and focusing your time and energy in pursuit of what’s truly meaningful, in both your work and your personal life. It’s about spending more time with what you care about, by working on fewer things. His new book shows you how to…    *    Track the past:  Using nothing more than a pen and paper, create a clear and comprehensive record of your thoughts.    *    Order the present:  Find daily calm by tackling your to-do list in a more mindful, systematic, and productive way.    *    Design the future:  Transform your vague curiosities into meaningful goals, and then break those goals into manageable action steps that lead to big change.  Carroll wrote this book for frustrated list-makers, overwhelmed multitaskers, and creatives who need some structure. Whether you’ve used a Bullet Journal for years or have never seen one before,  The Bullet Journal Method  will help you go from passenger to pilot of your own life. *Includes a Bonus PDF with Visuals

Listen to a sample from The Bullet Journal Method

About ryder carroll.

Ryder Carroll is a digital product designer and inventor of the Bullet Journal. He’s had the privilege of working with companies like Adidas, American Express, Cisco, IBM, Macy’s, and HP. He’s been featured by the New York Times, Los Angeles… More about Ryder Carroll

Product Details

Category: business | self-improvement & inspiration, category: business | self-improvement & inspiration | audiobooks, you may also like.

Book cover

How to Sew a Button

Book cover

1 Page at a Time

Book cover

The Home Edit Workbook

Book cover

Q&A a Day for Enlightenment

Book cover

The Daily Stoic Journal

Book cover

The Self-Care Cookbook

Book cover

How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety

Book cover

How to Be Happy (Or at Least Less Sad)

Book cover

Coloring for Grown-Ups

Book cover

I Am Here Now

“Ryder has done an extraordinary job in sharing a comprehensive and hands-on methodology to implement the powerful practice of externalizing our thinking. This book is a great treatise and manual for freeing and directing our consciousness, with lots of tips about how to play in that big and wonderful game.” — David Allen , author of  Getting Things Done “Bullet journaling is one of the most elegant and effective productivity systems I’ve ever encountered. It will not only help you get more organized but will also help you become a better person. I highly recommend this book (and the method it details) for anyone looking to get more out of life.” — Cal Newport , author of Deep Work “Whether you are an avid journaler or have always wanted to explore the benefits of journaling, The Bullet Journal Method simplifies the power of putting pen to paper and will undoubtedly transform your life, in more ways than you can imagine.” — Hal Elrod , author of The Miracle Morning “Like to-do lists? Then you’ll love  The Bullet Journal Method .”  —Jeff Haden , author of The Motivation Myth

Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

Raise kids who love to read

Today's Top Books

Want to know what people are actually reading right now?

An online magazine for today’s home cook

Just for joining you’ll get personalized recommendations on your dashboard daily and features only for members.

bullet journal book review

The book that will help you track your past, order your present, and design your future

The New York Times and international bestseller, that will teach you how to go from passenger to pilot of your own life. Now available in over 28+ languages.

B&N ,  BAM , Bookshop , Target

bullet journal book review

Praise for The Bullet Journal Method

“This book is a great treatise and manual for freeing and directing our consciousness, with lots of tips about how to play in that big and wonderful game.”

David Allen

Getting Things Done

bullet journal book review

"...one of the most elegant and effective productivity systems I've ever encountered. It will not only help you get more organized but will also help you become a better person."

Cal Newport

bullet journal book review

"...once you dive beneath the surface, it is actually a holistic methodology for taking action, clarifying your values, and focusing your attention on what matters most."

Tiago Forte

Building a Second Brain

bullet journal book review

"The Bullet Journal Method simplifies the power of putting pen to paper and will undoubtedly transform your life, in more ways than you can imagine."

The Miracle Morning

bullet journal book review

"Like to-do lists? Then you'll love  The Bullet Journal Method ."

Author of The Motivation Myth

bullet journal book review

Unless a designer who also had ADHD designed a planner that was flexible enough to keep up with their brain, but structured enough to keep them on track...and oh my god, someone did!

Jessica McCabe

bullet journal book review

In his internationally best-selling book, Ryder Carroll, creator of the Bullet Journal, explores what it means to live an intentional life, one that's both productive and meaningful.

Learn how to organize what you had to do, using a toolkit of simple writing techniques, all with detailed illustrations and examples.

• Declutter your mind • Organize your thoughts • Focus on what matters

The Practice

Writing things down is only the beginning, it's what we do with our notes that matters. Learn how to use your notes to:

• Discover what adds true value • Focus what you can control • Align actions with your values

Find Your Local Copy

bullet journal book review

Over 9000 five-star reviews on Good Reads

Read it and loved it leave your testimonial here.

ALYSSA LOST IN SPACE

The best way to track your reading: 18 bullet journal spread ideas for readers.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – the bullet journal is unlike any other planning system I’ve come across because it can adapt so easily to your particular needs and lifestyle. I recently made a post about how to use a bullet journal to organize your writing , and I knew I wanted to do a follow-up post about turning your bullet journal into your own custom reading journal.

Because it really is that simple . Your bullet journal can include whatever you want it to include, and if you are the type that likes to keep track of the books you read or keep notes on everything you read, a bullet journal is a great way to do it.

A Bullet Journal vs. A Reading Journal

Should you go digital or physical, to be read list, favourites of the year, reading challenges, reading tracker, favourite book quotes, book reviews, books recommended to me, book wish list, series tracking, monthly/quarterly/yearly reading goals, reading stats, books you’ve loaned out, read-a-thon information, bookish event calendar, book club information, reading prompts, book/reading playlists, library check-out tracking, recommended posts.

bullet journal book review

You might be wondering why I suggest a bullet journal in the first place. After all, a dedicated reading journal (which has become very popular as of late) seems to make more sense as a place to collect all your reading notes. And I would agree – a bullet journal is definitely a productivity tool where a reading journal may or may not be.

I mentioned something similar in my last post , but it really boils down to how much you plan to use it to track and organize your reading. If you only want a handful of spreads to keep track of the books you read throughout the year and make a few notes on each, a bullet journal will work perfectly fine. You simply won’t have the material to fill a proper reading journal.

But if you want to have something with lots of spreads, lengthy reviews, and places for making collages or mood boards for the books you read, you might want to consider having a dedicated reading journal. If reading is a big part of your life, you can certainly introduce bullet journal elements, like monthly and daily logs, but you will need to decide if you want to have a specific journal for organizing your reading, or if you can manage with a few spreads in your daily bullet journal.

The number of books you read might also be a big factor in determining which will work best for you. Someone who reads an average of 15-20 books a year is going to need fewer pages than someone who reads 100. If you’re the type of person that prefers to stick to one notebook at a time, finding a way to incorporate your reading into your bullet journal will make more sense. But if your bullet journal is small in size, you might be wasting one or two entire pages on a book review you’d be better off writing in a larger notebook (or in a digital one).

Take a moment to consider what is currently working for you, and how you can adapt it to track your reading. Regardless of what you decide to do, all of the spreads I’m going to list here will work with either a bullet journal or a reading journal.

If you already carry a bullet journal, I wouldn’t suggest making huge changes. Starting with whatever format you use to bullet journal is where you should stay, at least while you try out some reading spreads.

That aside, how much reading factors into your life is probably a good gauge. If reading is not something you spend a lot of time doing, starting digitally is easy and typically free. It’s a great low-risk way to try out something new. It might also be great for people who don’t like the idea of carrying around a notebook.

My recommendation for a digital bullet journal is, as always, the Notion app , but I would definitely check out my last post for more suggestions for digital bullet journals (or reading journals) if that is the direction you’re looking to go.

If the idea of typing out a book review after you’ve spent all day working at a computer makes you want to leap out the nearest window, then maybe you should consider a physical notebook. There is something to be said for having a physical keepsake of your reading for the year as well. It is more costly to purchase a notebook, and it will have to be something you remember to use regularly, but it can be extremely rewarding – imagine a shelf of reading journals from decades of reading, and how incredible it would be to look back on, or to share with the most important people in your life.

As with everything, there are pros and cons to each. Nothing is stopping you from trying one and switching to the other if it isn’t working for you.

18 Reading Bullet Journal Spread Ideas

bullet journal book review

Having a single place to list all of the books on your TBR can be really useful, especially if you have books you want to read in a bunch of places – your physical bookshelf, ereader, library, Scribd, etc. You can also create specific TBRs based on a theme or for a calendar year, so you have a reference to guide your reading. And as you read through them, you can cross them off which is always extremely satisfying!

If you read dozens of books each year (or each month!), you might want to consider a spread for keeping track of all your favourite reads of the month/season/year. This can be great to look back on, and you can even take it a step further like Elizabeth of Plant Based Bride and her annual book bracket , where she pits her favourite books against each other to find her favourite read of the year.

At the start of every new year, there is a slew of new reading challenges to inspire your reading. There might be something local for you to check out, or you might want to join one of the more popular ones, like the Popsugar Challenge , Indigo Reading Challenge , and Buzzword-a-thon .

These challenges are typically a set of prompts and recommendations for books that fulfil those prompts and help guide your reading each month. If you really enjoy doing challenges, it might be a good idea to keep track of the prompts you’re completing each month and the book you chose to go with it.

If keeping a reading habit is important to you, you might want to consider setting up a monthly or yearly reading tracker, so you can see how often you are reading (or conversely, how long it has been since you last sat down to read). Week to week, month to month, you’ll be able to see how much you’ve improved, and if you keep track from year to year, you can definitely pick up on some patterns.

While you might be able to highlight your favourite quotes on your ereader, doing so in a library book or an expensive hardback might not be something you can do. Aside from snapping a pic with your phone, having a place to record all of your favourite quotes can be a great keepsake to look back on.

The most obvious thing to include in any sort of reading bullet journal is a review of the books you read, but it’s by no means necessary. It can just be a quick line or two about your favourite moments. Or (if you tend to wax poetic about narrative as I sometimes do) you can include whole pages and handwritten essays. You can also just read a book and enjoy it, and not feel the need to articulate any deep thoughts. Whatever works for you.

If you are surrounded by readers in your life, you might find this spread particularly valuable as a gathering place for all of the recommendations people will give you. And maybe even keep a tally of how often they recommend you read it, not just to be cheeky but it might influence the next book you decide to pick up if your friend has recommended the same book ten times over the last month.

Wish lists can be incredibly useful for many reasons. The first, of course, is when your birthday comes around and someone wants to buy you a gift. They can take a picture of your book wish list spread and decide from there. It can also be helpful in curbing any binge-buying. You might not need that book right away, but adding it to the wish list means you’ll be picking it up someday .

If you’re the sort to wait until a series is finished so you can binge it, this might not be quite as meaningful for you, but it never hurts to have a spread for tracking series. If you read new releases as they come out, you might lose track, or forget that last book you read and re-read (or re-buy) the book again in preparation for the next book. This might be especially true if you’re a fantasy reader, since that is a genre where you typically find the longest series.

The number of books you want to read, how often you want to read, the types of books you are picking up – you can still be a mood reader and set goals for your reading. Having a spread to write them all down means you can revisit them at the end of the month/quarter/year and see how well you did. Or make plans to do better next time.

Maybe I’m just a numbers gal, but I love stats, and reading stats are no different. There are many who probably don’t care about the average number of pages in the books they read or the most prominent decade they read from, and that is perfectly fine. But if you’re like me, and you happen to enjoy giving that kind of context to your reading, then a place for keeping track of these stats might be a great spread to add to your bullet journal.

If you’re the avid reader in your group of friends, the one who is always making recommendations and loaning out books, it might be a good idea to start keeping track of that. You can jot down the book(s) you’ve lent to someone, who you lent it to, and most importantly, when you gave it to them. Hopefully, it will help you avoid lending out books you never get back (because we book hoarders know just how painful that can be!).

Reading Challenges take place over months of time, but there are many shorter-term events that run throughout the year, like Bout of Books , Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon , and the Magical Read-a-thon . A 24-hour read-a-thon aside, it’s not a bad idea to make a spread to record your TBR for the challenge, note the dates and times of live shows or chats you want to join, and keep track of your prompts.

Read-a-thons are one thing, but what about major industry events, like Yallfest or the World Fantasy Convention ? Even if you don’t plan to go to them in person, there might be online events, and information drops that you might be interested in.

Whether online or off, it’s a good idea to have a place to record book club information. Where you meet, any necessary login data, contact information for the members, etc., will make for a good reference. And that’s not even including the books you need to read and any notes or questions you want to bring to the discussion.

If you like a bit of random fun, you might consider having a list of fun reading prompts to draw from if you need some inspiration for your next read. You can create a list yourself, or find a list online with some prompts you like. I’ve made a list of 100 prompts that you could use to get some ideas. You could also create prompts around reading itself, and not just the books you pick up. Make a warm drink next time you sit down to read , for example.

When I’m struggling to get my head in a book, I find playlists and ambient soundscapes to be really helpful. Cozy fall and winter playlists are especially welcoming. Classical playlists, crackling fires – you can put together your own playlist next time you want to have some cozy reading time. You can also create playlists inspired by the books and characters you love most!

For the avid library user, having a place to keep track of all of the books you have checked out, whether physical or digital, is probably a good idea. Mark down when you return them, or if you’ve renewed your loan. If you get a lot of books from the library, it can be a real headache trying to remember when they need to go back – one easily remedied if you have a place to record that information.

bullet journal book review

And that’s the end! Here are 18 reading spreads for your bullet journal to help you track your reading! As I mentioned in my post about bullet journaling for writers , you do not need all of these. I’ve tried to create an exhaustive list to inspire you and help you create a bullet journal (or reading journal) that works for you – one that you find easy to keep up with but also satisfyingly rewarding. Pick what interests you, abandon what doesn’t, and don’t forget to have fun with it!

What Reading Spreads Do You Use in Your Bullet Journal?

How do you keep track of your reading? Do you use a reading journal? A few spreads in your bullet journal? Or do you use an online service like Storygraph or Goodreads? Are there any spreads you use that I haven’t included here? Let me know in the comments below!

  • How Do You Choose Your Next Read (& 100 Reading Prompts)
  • A Writer’s Guide to Bullet Journaling: 32 Spread Ideas to Help Organize Your Writing
  • How to Make a Bullet Journal in Notion (& Free Template)

bullet journal book review

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Alyssa Flynn

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

' src=

  • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
  • Copy shortlink
  • Report this content
  • View post in Reader
  • Manage subscriptions
  • Collapse this bar

Readingraphics

Book Summary – The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future

Home > Book Summaries > Book Summary - The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future

bullet journal book review

The Bullet Journal Method (BuJo Method)

What is the bullet journal about.

The author Ryder Carroll suffered from the attention deficit disorder (ADD), and found it hard to stay focused and present. Through years of trial and error, he created his own system—the Bullet Journal (“BuJo”) method—to get more organized, focused, and productive. As he shared the system with others, it started to spread and became a global movement.

The BuJo Method is more than a productivity tool . It also helps you to develop greater self-awareness to live a more intentional, purposeful life. Specifically:

  • It creates a clear, thorough record of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, to track the past that brought you to where you are.
  • By actively logging, reviewing and managing your activities, you can organize your present priorities to optimize the use of your valuable time and energy.
  • With focus, clarity, and an arsenal of ideas, you can design the future deliberately through meaningful goals and actionable steps.

There are 2 parts to the The Bullet Journal Method :

  • Using the BuJo system to convert your notebook into an organizational tool; and
  • Practicing mindfulness and productivity to lead an intentional life.

• The BuJo is best used as an analog productivity tool .

  • Ideally, use physical notebooks instead of apps, since digital devices are a major source of distractions. Use your BuJo as an offline, distraction-free space to connect with yourself.
  • Writing by hand also stimulates the brain differently from typing. It creates more mental-emotional connections, and it’s also more effortful. This forces you to distill what’s important and capture them in your own words, thus forming new mental associations that widen and deepen your understanding.

The Bullet Journal System

The BuJo is extremely flexible—it’s a journal, planner, to-do list, sketchbook, and tracker, all in one. It’s important to understand how each component works, and how to mix and match them synergistically to suit your needs.

The Bullet Journal Method summary - the BuJo system

Rapid Logging

This is at the heart of bullet journaling. Unlike traditional journaling–which can be extremely messy and time-consuming–Rapid Logging allows you to capture, organize and prioritize information quickly using a mix of short-form bullets and symbols, organized into 3 categories: Notes, Events, and Tasks.

This is how it works in a nutshell:

The Bullet Journal Method summary - Rapid Logging

Events (represented by “○”) can be recorded before or after they occur. The goal is to capture your experiences succinctly in your Daily Log, with key Notes or reflections as during your reviews. This gives an objective record of what truly happened, to help you understand your past and make better decisions in the future.

Tasks (represented by “•”) are the things you need to do. You can further divide master tasks into sub-tasks, and indicate the status of each task with additional symbols as shown in the legend above.

Collections

“Collections” are the different types of contents in your BuJo. These are like building blocks that you can mix and match. There’re at least 4 main Collections you can use to store content in your notebook: Daily Log, Monthly Log, Future Log, and Index.

• The Daily Log is where you offload everything throughout the day, so you don’t waste time thinking where to record the entries.

• The Monthly Log gives you a bird’s eye view of the timeline and tasks for the current month.

• The Future Log captures all future Tasks and Events beyond the current month.

• The Index helps you to find content easily, and get a quick overview of how you have been spending your time/energy.

Do check out our full 15-page version of The Bullet Journal summary for details of how to set up and use each of these Collections, and how to set up a new BuJo notebook.

If you keep adding items to your to-do list, you’ll eventually get overwhelmed. Migration helps you to review and sieve out unnecessary content by rewriting them at least once a month.  In our complete summary, you can learn more about monthly migrations, yearly and notebook migrations.

Customizing your Bullet Journal

There’s no “correct” way to do Bullet Journaling. You can take a few months to familiarize yourself with the basics, then tailor the BuJo to suit your needs. This could include Custom Collections for specific needs/projects (e.g. reading lists, finding a new job), and you should apply certain design principles to keep your BuJo effective.

The Bullet Journal Practice

It’s not enough to have a Bullet Journal. You must combine the habit and techniques of journaling with various practices to live a productive, purposeful, and intentional life.

The BuJo helps you to lead an intentional life by getting clear on what matters to you, why they matter, and how best to achieve them. This requires both productivity and mindfulness .

• The BuJo helps to remove clutter and distractions to improve productivity . Your notebook (i) provides an offline space to study your thoughts from a distance, (ii) stores all your thoughts and ideas in 1 place, and (iii) helps to identify the most important things you can do to achieve your goal.

The Bullet Journal Method summary - Living with intentionality

Do check out our full summary, where we dive further into various practices that you can adopt with your BuJo, to cultivate productivity and mindfulness. These include: diagnosing problems, setting goals, chunking them down into sprints and smaller tasks, doing regular reflections, finding meaning in life, and shifting your perceptions of time, control, gratitude, etc.

You may also enjoy related tips and insights in How to Take Smart Notes  and Getting Things Done . Or, check out our Building a Second Brain summary  if you’d prefer to build a digital personal knowledge management instead of an analog one.

Getting More from The Bullet Journal Method

The Bullet Journal Method summary - book summary bundle

This book is written in a fun, casual and conversational tone. It’s packed with illustrations, sample BuJo entries, stories and contributions from both the author and other bullet journalists. You can  purchase the book here , visit bulletjournal.com for more details and resources, or plug in any of the BuJo communities worldwide to get ideas and support.

About the Author of The Bullet Journal Method

The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future was written by Ryder Carroll–a digital product designer, author, and inventor of the Bullet Journal method. He has been been featured by the New York Times, LA Times, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Lifehacker, and Mashable, and also gave a TEDx talk on intentionality.

The Bullet Journal Method Quotes

“The Bullet Journal method will help you accomplish more by working on less. It helps you identify and focus on what is meaningful by stripping away what is meaningless.”

“Knowing where you are begins with knowing who you are.”

“By externalizing our thoughts, we begin to declutter our minds.”

“Our notebook serves as a mental sanctuary where we are free to think, reflect, process, and focus.”

“Productivity is about getting more done by working on fewer things.”

“It’s not about how many goals you have. It’s about working on what matters.”

“Just because you’re driving at full speed does not mean you’re going in the right direction.”

“Worry baits us with the promise of a solution but usually offers none.”

“Like a pebble dropped into a lake, our actions ripple out into the world around us.”

Click here to download The Bullet Journal Method summary & infographic

Summary Preview

Get Powerful Insights with ReadinGraphics

bullet journal book review

Includes: A one-page infographic in pdf A 15-page text summary in pdf A min audio summary in mp3 Available for download or via web app

Get All Book Summaries

bullet journal book review

Includes: Instant web-app access to 300+ summaries 3 monthly title downloads Cancel anytime Discounted rate for annual purchase

Get 2 Free Infographic Summaries

Get All Summaries

of summary infographics purchased every day

of minutes audio summaries accessed every day

summary pages purchased daily

bullet journal book review

Preview Full Summary

Get your next breakthrough

bullet journal book review

Purchase Summary Bundle

of audio summaries accessed every day

bullet journal book review

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Subscribe (Promo)
  • Disclaimers
  • Store (Buy individual summaries)
  • Gift All Summaries
  • Subscription Plans (Get all summaries)
  • List of Book Summaries

Customer Care

  • Suggest book titles
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Readingraphics.

  • Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Business Strategy & Culture
  • Finance, Money & Wealth
  • Leadership & Management
  • Sales & Marketing
  • Health, Wellness & Spiritual Growth
  • Learning & Development
  • Technology & Innovation
  • Problem-Solving & Creativity
  • Personal Development & Success
  • Parenting & Relationships
  • Psychology, Economics, Sociology & General
  • View All Categories
  • Buy Summaries

bullet journal book review

Archer and Olive

Trending Now

  • acrylograph
  • subscription
  • bullet journals
  • vegan leather

Popular Products

Archer & Olive

Recent Post

How to make easy planner storage envelopes.

21 April 2024

Inspiration for Keeping a Motivational Quotes Journal

20 April 2024

Practice Daily Wellness in your Journal with "Notes to Self"

14 April 2024

50+ Ideas For Your A6 Notebook

13 April 2024

Fun and Easy Envelope Art Ideas

07 April 2024

How To Track Your Reading With A Bullet Journal | Trackers, Goals, Book Reviews + MORE

Hello fellow bookworms!

Icy of Eye Sea Studio here, one of the Design Team members of Archer & Olive!

The bullet journal community has an abundance of bookworms who have reading journals. As an avid reader and bullet journal keeper myself, I find it very useful to keep track on the books I read. 

Because there are so many people in the bullet journal community who keep reading journals, there is a plethora of reading journal spreads! There are so many ways to track your reading progress and also there are infinite ways to design your book journal layouts. 

And if keeping track on your books is something you would like to include in your bullet journal, this blog can give you a headstart on your reading journal!

WHAT ARE READING JOURNAL SPREADS?

A reading journal is a notebook that you make from scratch to track reading related progress such as the books you’ve read, want to read, reviews, and the list goes on! This blog also lists ideas, so make sure to read on!

Personally, what I love about keeping a reading journal is that I can look back on the books I have read in the past. And because I love making my bullet journals as creative as I can, I try out different ways to decorate my reading journal by adding book doodles and using book inspired hand lettering font faces.

WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED?

bullet journal supplies

Because bullet journaling is about creativity and individuality, it is completely up to you as to what kind of notebook to use. In the past I’ve used a lot of A5 notebooks but because I like annotating, I have selected a B6 size notebook as it is compact enough to carry around.

And also, feel free to use just a black pen or colored pens/pencils, or even paint! I like experimenting with the Archer & Olive Acrylograph pens in my bullet journal. I will be using the black Acrylograph from the Primary Selection (or you can purchase it by itself!). In addition to that, I will also be using the gold Acrylograph from the Metallic Selection. Again, this is your reading journal, feel free to use whatever colors you prefer!

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO INCLUDE IN MY READING JOURNAL SPREADS?

There are so many things related to reading that you can track! Here are some examples that are popular in the book bullet journal community:

  • Bookish Quotes
  • Reading Goals
  • Reading Progress
  • Reading Log
  • Reading Tracker
  • Book Reviews
  • TBR (To Be Read) List/Books To Read
  • Books I’ve Read
  • Best Books of the Month/Year
  • Book/Reading Doodles

These are just some ideas of the many other things you might want to include in your reading journal spreads. I highly encourage you to be as creative and as individual as you can because this is your reading bullet journal after all!

Also, please do not confine your ideas to what you see in the reading bullet journal community. You can also come up with your own unique ideas to include in your reading journal!

WHAT KIND OF READING JOURNAL SPREADS CAN I USE?

Here are some examples of spreads that I personally use and also commonly see:

book quote cover page

BOOKISH QUOTE

Generally, quotes are a must have for my bullet journals. I usually get my quotes from Pinterest and I have a list of book or reading related quotes for my reading journal. Please feel free to select one of your choosing and play around with the placement of words, and add other creative elements like doodles, calligraphy or hand lettering. This blog post includes a printable of the typewriter style hand lettering font that I used. You can incorporate that into your reading journal too if you like!

reading goals

READING GOAL

I like setting goals in order for me to be accountable for the things I want to achieve. This year, my aim is to read 30 books. As with other goals, make sure your reading goal is realistic and suited to how busy you will generally be. Reading should be fun and it shouldn’t burn you out! 

reading log

READING LOG

Keep track on the books you’ve read with this simple spread that looks like a library card. I like including the start and finish dates to see how long it takes me to read a book. Feel free to use as many pages as you like, or you can always do another reading log page as you go with your reading journal.

reading progress

READING PROGRESS

This is actually a remix of social media goals I commonly see in the bullet journal community but for your reading goals. Because my reading goal is 30 books this year, I’ve divided that goal by five. I will be writing down the dates I have finally completed five, then 10, then 15 and so on books.

reading tracker

READING TRACKER

I’ve used a yearly tracker for my reading journal so that way it’s easier for me to have a yearly overview on the days I have spent reading. Feel free to do a monthly reading tracker if that is more convenient for you.

book review

BOOK REVIEWS

I personally like keeping a record of my book reviews, ratings, and favorite quotes.

Other factors you can include in your reading journal include: number of pages, year published, even a photo of the book, and the list goes on! I highly recommend adding anything that resonates with you in the books that you read.

book doodles

BOOKISH DOODLES

Because I love doodling, I often add drawings to decorate my reading journal. These are also great for filling empty spaces and adding some creativity!

LET’S GET YOUR READING JOURNAL STARTED!

With all these ideas, and the many others in the reading journal community, you should be all set!

I have included a video below which you can follow along and start your reading journal:

This blog post also comes with a free printable on a typewriter font exemplar and bookish doodles you can use to get creative with your reading journal:

free doodle bullet journal printable

Lastly, don’t forget to tag us @archerandolive and @archerandolivecommunity! We’d love to see your reading journal! Happy reading!

  • Bullet Journal
  • Eye Sea Studio

Excellent compilation and ideas design team!

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

  • user Account
  • Cart 0 0 items
  • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose options, edit option.

  • Vegan Leather
  • Practice Pads
  • Goal Planners
  • France (EUR €)
  • Germany (EUR €)
  • Guernsey (GBP £)
  • Isle of Man (GBP £)
  • Jersey (GBP £)
  • United Kingdom (GBP £)

Your Cart is Empty

  • £0.00 GBP Subtotal

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

How to Set Up a Bullet Journal Book Tracker (+ 18 Ideas)

What if your bullet journal could be your own personal library? Creating an instant window into everything you’ve read... Tracking the books you’ve loved, when you read them and what stood out to you. So the next time someone asks you “read anything good lately?” , you’ve got something beautiful to show them. That’s what a bullet journal book tracker does.

bullet journal book review

What is a bullet journal book tracker?

A book tracker is a simple tool used to log the books you’ve read. But when it’s kept inside your bullet journal , you open up a world of possibility. Bullet journals are known for their flexibility and adaptability, so that flows through into your book tracker too. You could keep a separate bullet journal just for your book tracker, or bring it into your day-to-day journal so that it’s always on hand. Whatever route you choose to go down, there are three main ways to track your books:

  • Track what you’ve read , such as filling up a virtual library with all the book titles on one page
  • Track how many books you’ve read , like 11 non-fiction books and 23 fiction books this year
  • Track your thoughts and feelings on each book you’ve read , for example, extracting quotes and highlights from each of your favourite reads

Why keep a bullet journal book tracker?

We all know that words have power. So it’s only natural that the words you consume have an impact too. Reading has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health. A 2009 study showed that 30-minutes of daily reading was able to reduce stress in just the same way as yoga or humour. So if yoga’s not your thing? Pick up a book instead! But it’s not just the mental health benefits that have us adding another book onto our to be read pile. Reading creates an insight into another world that’s hard to replicate. It can transport you to places far away (and even ones that don’t yet exist). It can spark new creative ideas, teach valuable lessons and share life experiences that might otherwise be hard to relate to. A word of warning, however. Don’t be too ambitious. Or rather, don’t be too hard on yourself. As with any quantifiable goal, try not to set one that’s impossible to achieve. It’s not worth berating yourself for. Remember, reading is a thing of joy. Not stress.

A woman reading in a bookshop

What you need to start a bullet journal book tracker

You don’t need much to create a book tracker inside your bullet journal. All you’ll need is your bullet journal (of course!), your favourite pens (colours are your friends here) and a stack of books waiting to be read. That’s it. Here’s how to get started:

  • Get set up in the comfiest and cosiest corner of your house. We love an extra squishy armchair for this!
  • Decide how you’re going to track your books - rating, logging quotes, counting your read pile, illustrating the scenes - whatever you choose to do, do it in your own unique way
  • Create your book tracker system. This could be scoring your books out of 10, giving them a star rating or even sketching a template for all your quotes. Then, add it to your bullet journal key
  • Start tracking your books! Pick up your first book and start tracking your thoughts as you go
  • Get inspired by the bullet journal book tracker ideas below. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite ideas from around the web to give you the inspiration to get started

Bonus tip : add reading to your habit tracker to make reaching those reading goals that much easier.

Deep ocean hummingbird dot grid journal

Bullet journal book tracker ideas

1. Create a virtual library If you’re a book lover, you’re probably hankering after a beautiful home library where all your books can be perfectly arranged on the shelves. But for most of us, that isn’t a reality right now (especially if digital books are your go-to). So this one’s for you. Create a mini library inside your bullet journal instead!

2. Plan your reads, month by month Ever noticed how your body craves cosy foods in winter and cooler ones in summer? It’s the same with books. When those summer holidays roll around, most of us want some lighter reading for a bit of relaxation in the sun. Whilst in winter, we often crave seasonal reads that get us ready for the festive season. Try planning your books month by month, so you can make the most of every season.

3. Work your way through a series We love this minimalist take on a series book tracker. Simply colour in each square to mark your progress through the series. Then reflect on your favourite reads at the end of the year! It’s also a great way to keep track of where you are, especially if you’re dipping in and out of different series.

4. Rate your year (at a glance) This is a great bullet journal book tracker if you like to review your books once you’ve finished them.  By following a simple star rating system, you can start to spot themes throughout your year. Perhaps you always give a certain author five stars, or you hated all the books you read in September! Either way, it’s a handy way to reflect on your year. With just one glance.

5. Highlight your top reads each month You probably know that we’re big fans of breaking your goals down into small achievable milestones. So what better way to make your yearly reading goal more achievable than checking in with it month by month? We love that this monthly review gives you the chance to highlight your top reads each month, whilst merging all our favourite bullet journal book tracker ideas together into one single spread!

6. Create an immersive world inside your bullet journal When your dream reading nook doesn’t exist, get creative and draw it inside your bullet journal instead. Then, get to work on filling those shelves with all your favourite reads.

7. Get granular and track your books inside a book What if you could make a book, to track your books, inside another book? Okay we got a bit confused then too! But how cool is this book tracker? Add a page for every book you want to read this season, and then get tracking.

8. Theme your bullet journal bookshelf around each season We can’t help but notice how beautifully autumnal this book tracker is. So what if you created a different bookshelf for each season? Choose lighter colours for spring, summer holiday decorations for summer and festive items for winter. Then, add your seasonal books and away you go!

9. Choose a more minimal style It’s important to choose a book tracker style that you will actually use. That’s why we’re big fans of a more minimal approach. It’s easier to stick to and even easier to understand. How about trying a simple list approach? Then, tally up your total reads at the end of the year.

10. Track your progress through each book Unpopular opinion : life’s too short to finish books you don’t enjoy. So try this approach, and track your progress through each book you’re reading. That way, if you don’t finish, you can still see how many books you’ve picked up this year.

11. Turn each book into a spread If you like to take a deeper dive into your thoughts about each book, then this bullet journal book tracker is the one for you. Once you’ve finished your latest read, set aside some time to turn it into a moodboard. Extract your favourite quotes, journal your thoughts and create a whole aesthetic around it.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ♕ Maha ♕ 🇨🇦 (@onetruedaydreamer)

12. Turn your entire bullet journal into a book tracker If you’re turning your entire bullet journal into a book tracker then a contents page is a smart way to easily find what you’re looking for. We love the inclusion of the star rating system here too, making it easier to see what you enjoyed before flicking through to find more details about each book.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda (@books_ergo_sum)

13. Use your book tracker to remember recommendations How many times has a friend told you about a great book, only for you to totally forget what it was by the time you’re ready to start reading? If we’re honest, that’s happened more times than we have fingers to count. So setting aside a space in your bullet journal to track your book recommendations is a great way to combat that.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Andrea Journal (@journalandrea)

14. Combine your book tracker with your weekly spread Give yourself an easy system to follow by combining your book tracker with your weekly spread. That way, you can follow your usual bullet journaling routine whilst still checking in with your reading progress. How easy is that!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Megan Easter 🇨🇦 (@littleinklingsdesign)

15. Track the time you’ve spent reading Sometimes, a single book takes up an entire month’s reading time. When that happens, it can be a nice reminder to track the time you’re spending reading, rather than just the books you’ve checked off your list.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jerica Mercado (@jericaelizabeth6)

16. Bring it all together into a detailed monthly review If details are your thing, this is for you. Look at all those stats! You’ve got paperbacks vs hardbacks, genres, star ratings, and so much more.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tonya (@thesubstitutelibrarian)

17. Create mini books inside your bullet journal This is a super creative way to track your reading, by creating mini books inside your bullet journal. We love the idea of adding your favourite quotes inside the flap of each book cover, so you can rediscover your favourite moments months after you’ve finished reading.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex&Diav || Naklejki, 🎨 i 📓 (@ogarniete)

18. Track what you loved (but also what you didn’t ) It’s easy to just want to remember the books we loved to read, but tracking the books you didn’t enjoy can be just as helpful. So make sure they have a place inside your book tracker too. That way, you can start to notice themes that’ll help you steer clear of them in the future.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by K E L L I E W I N N E L L (@kellie.winnell)

Choose the perfect home for your book tracker

Pastel peach cloud dot grid journal

Book Review: The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

The bullet journal method: synopsis .

The long-awaited first book by the founder of the enormously popular Bullet Journal® organizational system.

For years Ryder Carroll tried countless organizing systems, online and off, but none of them fit the way his mind worked. Out of sheer necessity, he developed a method called the Bullet Journal that helped him become consistently focused and effective. When he started sharing his system with friends who faced similar challenges, it went viral. Just a few years later, to his astonishment, Bullet Journaling is a global movement.

The Bullet Journal Method is about much more than organizing your notes and to-do lists. It’s about what Carroll calls “intentional living:” weeding out distractions and focusing your time and energy in pursuit of what’s truly meaningful, in both your work and your personal life. It’s about spending more time with what you care about, by working on fewer things. His new book shows you how to…

• Track the past: Using nothing more than a pen and paper, create a clear and comprehensive record of your thoughts.

• Order the present: Find daily calm by tackling your to-do list in a more mindful, systematic, and productive way.

• Design the future: Transform your vague curiosities into meaningful goals, and then break those goals into manageable action steps that lead to big change.

Carroll wrote this book for frustrated list-makers, overwhelmed multitaskers, and creatives who need some structure. Whether you’ve used a Bullet Journal for years or have never seen one before, The Bullet Journal Method will help you go from passenger to pilot of your own life.

The Bullet Journal Method: My Opinion

Book Review Bullet Journal Method

For the longest time I wanted to start a Bullet Journal but always found it too hard and time-consuming. On Instagram, you always see the most perfect curated spreads, beautiful illustrations of flowers, neat scatches of habit trackers and layouts and I always knew I wouldn’t have the time and patience to get to that level.

I’ve always been a very visual person though. I started journaling in second grade and am still very consistent with it. I couldn’t live without planners and lists. I am creating one for every single occasion and part of my life and I absolutely love it. It makes me feel organized and in control of things, even if I am not.

When I started reading  The Bullet Journal Method , my biggest concern was how much it can help me and the planner inside of me even though I am not planning on starting a Bullet Journal of my own. After reading the first few pages, the answer was easy.

Even though the book tells you all about the basics of starting a Bullet Journal and gives you a perfect idea and plan on how to start your own, it also gives you so much more besides that. You can definitely practice the method in your own planner/notebook and it will work out perfectly fine. That was definitely the reason why I kept reading. I often heard that the Method changed lives and of course I was curious about that and hoped it will have the same effect on me.

I don’t know about you but I always found the different Bullets and Logs very complicated. At least they looked like that to me. But after reading The Bullet Journal Method I finally understood the whole Method and also the hype around it. But in fact, the different Bullets and Logs will not only make your planning so much easier and more effective and fast but will simplify your life as a whole.

Ryder Carroll is explaining everything very detailed and with a lot of insights which is so helpful. I honestly learned so so much while reading this book. About the Method, of course, but also about me and highlighted almost every page because every piece of it is so valuable.

Another thing I loved a lot is that the book wasn’t just about the theoretical aspect of the method. In between chapters were concepts explained on the basis of pictures. I am a very visual person, so seeing the concept come to life was amazing and it’s also so much easier to transfer the methods to your own Bullet Journal/Planner.

The Bullet Journal Method: Summary

This book is not only for people who want to start their own Bullet Journal . In my opinion, it is a book for everyone. A book for people who want to improve their planning skills, a book for people who are perfect planners but want to get a little bit more insight behind the various methods. Every step you need to take to become a better planner is visually explained and you will get an insight into different situations and people that inspired the method. No matter at which state you are with your planning right now, I am sure that The Bullet Journal Method will help you improve it even more and makes you get another perspective of the whole thing.

So, definitely a big recommendation!

The Bullet Journal Method Rating: 4/5 ★

Find all the details about The Bullet Journal Method on  Goodreads  and  Amazon .

Picture Cover:  Amazon  ; Synopsis: Goodreads

*Thank you so much, Rowohlt Verlag for sending me a German copy!

FIND MORE BOOK REVIEWS FROM ME HERE .

Franziska

Always on the hunt for good books, strong coffee and the little things in life ♡

Find me on: Instagram

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Enter your email address:

bullet journal book review

MY COZY PLANNER

SUPPORT UKRAINIAN ARMY

10 best creative bullet journal book review spread ideas

10 Book Review Spreads. Bullet Journal Ideas

If you’re a book lover and bullet journal devotee, I have my new bullet journal book review spread collection here! It’s a perfect fusion of your two passions: bullet journaling and book reviews, and I hope you will find inspiration there. If you consider yourself an avid reader, always on the lookout for new favorite books to add to your collection, then you’re in for a treat.

We’ll explore how to add your love for all bookish things into your bullet journal notebook, from a blank book review template and star rating system to 10 creative and inspirational bullet journal page ideas of a book review spread. Whether you’re a seasoned reviewer or just starting out on your journaling journey, you will find lots of ideas to copy to your own bullet journal. Let’s turn those pages and have a closer look at book reviews in this bullet journal spreads collection!

I share free planning and organizing printables every week. Make sure, you don’t miss them! Get my latest free digital downloads updates here:

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here .

READING JOURNAL BOOK REVIEW TEMPLATE

Book review tempalate example

This bullet journal idea is from:

When you write a book review for the first time in your bullet journal book tracker, the hardest part is not to miss any important piece of information and make your review in your broader book classification system.

This blank book review bullet journal spread template will help you with this challenge. Created by mrsk_plans, this comprehensive template covers all the critical details to classify a book:

  • Book format (e-book, paper book or audio-book)
  • Publish date

It also includes the information related to your personal experience with this book, which can be important for your future choices:

  • Recommended by: Is your reading taste matching with the person who recommended this book? If yes, it can be a good reason to include next book recommendations to your TBR list.
  • Start and finish dates: A great way to see if you really enjoyed a book! The faster you finished it, the more likely the book was interesting and easy to read. There can be other circumstances which impact your reading pace, though.
  • Scales of different aspects of your reading experience: It can be level of excitement, case of reading, and over all rating.

You can also add any other aspects which are important for you. For example: plot logic, characters, insights, etc.

Three big sections at the bottom of this template help to structurize your thoughts and feedback about this book:

  • Your overall thoughts about this book
  • The most useful or exciting part
  • Your takeaways

But the review is not limited to these 3 questions only; this is just a starting point where you can add points that are important to you. It can be favorite quotes, book notes, or any other reflections.

RATING SCALE IDEAS

Raiting scale ideas for book review

  • DesignEvolution

A star rating is a fun way to incorporate a book into your system of personal preferences. Adding a rating section on a review page will provide a quick overview if the book is worth someone’s attention.

I have already mentioned an idea to have rating scales of different aspects, but let’s dive deeper into what you can rate on your own book journal pages. The more aspects you rate, the easier it is to come to a conclusion about a book just by ratings, especially if you use different colors for different scales for visual ease. But using too many points can be overwhelming, so keep a balance!

Here are some examples for your star rating scales:

  • Quality of writing
  • Ease of reading
  • Plot development
  • Language complexity
  • Mood impact
  • Illustrations
  • Sense of humor

BULLET JOURNAL BOOK REVIEW SPREADS INSPIRATION

Now that you’re well-prepared with a book review structure, let’s find some inspiration from gorgeous page layouts selected from the BuJo Instagram community that you can simply copy to your bookish bullet journal. Writing a book review with a creative approach is a cool way to reflect on the book you just finished and add your unique touch to the review, making it more interesting.

It’s a great idea to use stickers , scrapbook papers , washi tapes , stamps, stencils, watercolor markers, your favorite pens – all these kinds of things for creative journaling – to bring more joy to your book reviewing process. Another good idea is to use a habit tracker to visualize your reading progress and a mood tracker to understand the impact of reading on your emotions.

1. Cute Pink Book Review Spread

Cute pink book review spread bullet journal idea

  • Len.Journals

This adorable girlish pink spread is for reviewing a single book, giving plenty of space for reflecting on the book and adding bookish quotes. With lovely hand-written lettering, pre-made stickers, and torn vintage scrapbook papers, the spread design looks really cute.

2. Minimalist One Page Review

Minimalist one page book review for bullet journal

On this image:

  • LindaLoveScreating

The style of this review layout perfectly matches the book’s vibes. A minimalist black and white color scheme with letter and number stamps for the book title and reading dates, along with a black and red title page sticker, fully captures the essence and feel of the book’s story.

3. Scrapbook Your Review Page

Scrapbook your book review page

  • Handlettering.Inspiratie

This entire page is dedicated to a short book summary and review. Carefully selected stickers and decorations, including watercolor shadows for the book title’s letters, add vibes of mysery and a little bit of melancholy.

4. Book Review Spread With a Sidebar

Book review spread with a sidebar

  • KatieReadsFiction

Designing a sidebar is a nice way to highlight a book’s title page, the most important book information, and this book’s number in your reading list. The rest of the spread includes the overall star rating, quotes, thoughts, and illustrations for the book.

Need more Bullet Journal Ideas?

25 minimalist gratitude log pages

25 Minimalist Gratitude Log Pages. Bullet Journal Ideas

3 free printable bullet journal monthly calendars for 2024

Monthly Calendar Stickers. Free Bullet Journal Printables

Bullet journal ideas for beginners

Bullet Journal Ideas For Beginners. January-February

5. torn paper review page.

Torn paper book review page

  • OneWordOnePage

This is a creative single-page book review with different visual blocks for each part of the review. The torn dotted kraft paper makes the genre, page count, book title, and actual review blocks stand out on the page.

6. Add Functional Rating Stickers

Add functional rating stickers for bullet journal book review page

This is an amazing idea to use the undated diary as a book log. Another good idea is to use pre-made stickers for the overall rating and for different aspects of the book. And all this with a nice decorative touch of the washi tape .

7. Add Your Thoughts and Actions

Add your thoughts and actions to the book review page

  • BuJoNotesBySam

The first page of this double spread contains traditional information for a book review: book title, page image, book information, and summary. But the second one is for thoughts, insights, takeaways, and actions! This approach works perfectly for non-fiction books, where the knowledge from the book can be applied for personal development.

8. Ratings and Notes

Book ratings and notes for bullet journal

Compact and brief review spread for multiple books. With 8 books on one spread, there isn’t much space for lengthy reviews, which is why each review only includes a book title, format, finish date, star rating, and notes. Additionally, space is saved in a really creative way by mentioning book formats with doodle icons of headphones for audiobooks and tablets for Kindle books.

9. Brief Reviews and Summaries

Brief book reviews and summaries for bullet journal

  • AshleyHorton75

Another 8-book review spread, but now it’s a monthly spread, as all these books were read in January! This spread has all the book points from the previous spread, but also stickers for different genres, which helps to add additional points without taking up much space.

10. Vertical Reviews

Vertical book review page for bullet journal

  • Books_Ergo_Sum

A lot of books on a single page with minimalist reviews. Book titles, ratings, and reviews are the only information on this page. The feature of this review page is that it follows a vertical layout and combine with the mood reader.

READING GOALS AND TRACKERS

If you’re wondering how to enhance your reading experience and stay motivated with your bullet journal, here are a few ideas:

  • Create a wish list or running list of books you want to read in the next year or 12 months, based on recommendations from fellow readers.
  • Set reading goals, such as the number of pages you aim to read each day or finishing a book every month.
  • Make a yearly or monthly reading tracker to monitor the number of books you’ve finished.
  • Join a reading challenge to stay motivated and track your progress in your bullet journal.

Need more buller journal pages? Check our shop:

Site mcb 202209 02 shopify - 10 book review spreads. Bullet journal ideas

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A bullet journal book review spread is designed to organize and document your thoughts on the books you read. Writing detailed book reviews helps develop writing skills and critical thinking.

The most common questions to build the structure of a book review are:

  • What are your overall thoughts about this book?
  • What is the most enjoyable or exciting part?
  • What are your takeaways?
  • Would I recommend this book and why?

You don’t have to update your book review page at a specific time. Some people like to do it after they finish reading a book, but others do it every week or month. Just pick a schedule that fits your reading habits. And don’t forget to enjoy it!

Sure, you can also use the book review page to keep a list of the books you want to read later on. It’s a handy way to stay organized, building your reading logs, and transforming them into book reviews later.

Using colorful headers, drawings, or decorations related to the book can make your review spread more attractive. You can also try different fonts, layouts, and design ideas to make it special to you.

Absolutely! There’s a range of creative layouts in the collection to match various preferences and styles: from minimalist designs to more decorative spreads.

You can integrate the book review spread into your bullet journal by assigning specific pages or sections for your reviews. Additionally, you can use pre-made page templates or stickers with the layout and prompts for a book review page. Tabs or bookmarks will help navigate to your review pages and maintain organization within your journal.

The star rating system is a fun and visual way to rate your books. Consider using different criteria, such as writing quality, plot development, and character depth, to assign ratings. Experiment with color-coding or symbols to make your ratings more visually appealing.

Yes, the blog post gives you lots of ideas to make your reading better with your bullet journal. It covers everything from setting goals to tracking your progress and joining reading challenges. It’s full of inspiration for book lovers like you!

Certainly! The book review spread is adaptable and suitable for any genre of book. You can also use additional prompts like “Next steps” or “Actions” for non-fiction books to create a plan for applying the knowledge gained from the book.

Sure thing! You can adjust the book review layout to fit digital books or audiobooks by adding details like the format and anything special about those types of books. You even can use it for movie reviews!

Of course! Sharing your book review page on social media is a great way to connect with fellow book lovers and showcase your creative ideas. Remember to tag a creator who inspired you for this spread and use hashtags related to books to reach more people and engage with online communities who share your passion for reading.

10 book review spread ideas for bullet journal. Pin it!

Pin this article to your Free Bullet Journal Ides board to read it late.

Similar Posts

3 100-day challenge calendars. Free planner printables

3 100-Day Challenge Calendars. Free Planner Printables

Ever struggled to stick to a new habit or achieve a big goal? There are three 100-Day Challenge Calendars to help you. With this handy…

Circle habit tracker template. Free planner printables

Circle Habit Tracker Template. Free Planner Printables

Welcome to the dynamic world of habit transformation, where our Free Printable Monthly Circle Habit Tracker Template stands as your ideal ally. Whether you’re on…

Free fitness planner. Free digital downloads

Free Fitness Planner. Free digital downloads

Looking for a free fitness planner? Here are printable planner page, where you can plan and track your wellness activities. Download these planner inserts on…

3 june calendars for 2024. Free planner printables

3 June Calendars for 2024. Free Planner Printables

Looking for a simple way to plan your June activities? Our free printable June calendar is perfect for keeping track of everything happening during the…

25 minimalist gratitude log pages. Bullet journal ideas

Are you ready to explore my collection of 25 easy-to-copy bullet journal minimalist gratitude logs you can use in your own journal? I have selected…

January mood tracker template. Free planner printables

January Mood Tracker Template. Free planner printables

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and emotional exploration with our latest creation, the Free Printable January Mood Tracker. This versatile template, designed for The…

Privacy Overview

bullet journal book review

Mastering Organization And Productivity (The Bullet Journal Method Book Review)

Hello readers, what a good day to start your day!

What do I think about the book review for the bullet journal method?

(Prepare yourself, and I’ll walk you through the entire article.)

As an avid fan of organization and productivity methods, I was intrigued when I came across the Bullet Journal Method book by Ryder Carroll. 

Being someone who loves to keep things organized and efficient, I was eager to dive into this popular method and explore its potential benefits. 

bullet journal book review

I will share my insights and experiences with the bullet journal method in this book review.

Providing a comprehensive overview of its content, discussing its benefits, explaining how to get started, sharing tips and tricks, and evaluating any limitations or critiques.

As a self-improvement enthusiast, I was particularly drawn to the bullet journal method due to its unique approach to organization and productivity.

This method, created by Ryder Carroll, has gained a massive following worldwide, and I was excited to learn more about it. 

Come and let’s get started.

This can be a start to making your own bullet journal !

Table of Contents

Overview of Bullet Journal Method Book

bullet journal book review

The “Bullet Journal Method” is a comprehensive guide to the popular productivity system created by Ryder Carroll. 

The book is divided into sections covering the bullet journal method’s core concepts, principles, and practical application. 

It starts with an introduction to the history and background of the method, followed by detailed explanations of the key components, such as the “rapid logging” system, the “monthly log,” the “daily log,” and the “collections.” 

The book also delves into goal-setting, habit tracking, and reflection, providing a well-rounded approach to productivity and organization.

One of the book’s strengths is its clear and concise writing style.

Ryder Carroll effectively explains the method’s concepts and techniques in a straightforward and approachable manner, making it easy for readers to understand and implement in their own lives. 

The book also includes illustrations and examples to reinforce the concepts visually, making it more accessible and engaging.

Moreover, the book goes beyond just the mechanics of the bullet journal method, delving into the philosophy and mindset behind it. 

Ryder Carroll emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, intentionality, and reflection in the bullet journaling process, which adds a unique and meaningful aspect to the method. 

(Hey, applying this will be significant benefits for you.)

bullet journal book review

This holistic approach makes the book stand out from other productivity guides, as it focuses not only on the external organizational aspects but also on the internal mindset and self-awareness.

Please take a look at my bullet journal template !

The book’s content is well-structured and flows logically, building upon each concept as the book progresses. 

Readers are guided through the method, starting with the basic principles and gradually moving towards more advanced techniques. 

This incremental approach allows readers to grasp and practice the concepts at their own pace gradually.

Once my bullet journal guides you, you won’t return to your old habit.

(So, why not give it a try right now?)

Overall, the content of the “Bullet Journal Method” is comprehensive, well-written, and provides a detailed overview of the key components, techniques, and philosophy of the bullet journal method. 

It covers the practical and philosophical aspects of the method, making it a well-rounded resource for those interested in adopting this productivity system.

Getting Started With Your Journal 

Journaling is a powerful tool that can help you express yourself, reflect on your thoughts and emotions, and gain insight into your life.

Whether you’re looking to boost your creativity, manage stress, or document your experiences, getting started with your journal can be an enriching and fulfilling journey.

Below are some of the bullet journal keys you need to know:

Setting up a Bullet Journal

Setting up a bullet journal is straightforward. All that is needed is a blank notebook and a pen or pencil. 

The notebook can be a plain or dotted grid, allowing for freedom in creating various layouts and designs. 

Users can start with a basic setup, including an index page, a future log, and a monthly record, and then customize it to their liking as they progress.

Key Components of a Bullet Journal

The bullet journal method includes several key components that make it unique and compelling. 

These include the Rapid Logging system, which uses different bullets to represent tasks, events, notes, etc. 

Collections, such as habit trackers, gratitude logs, and project pages, allow users to organize related information in one place for a bullet journal key . 

Migration is another crucial element that ensures tasks and notes are reviewed regularly and transferred to the appropriate time.

Customizing Your Bullet Journal to Fit Your Needs

One of the bullet journal’s methods benefits is its flexibility and adaptability to suit individual needs and preferences. 

Users can customize their bullet journals by experimenting with different layouts, designs, and techniques. 

They can also add personal touches such as hand-lettering, doodles, and colors to make their bullet journal uniquely reflect their personality and style. 

Customization allows users to create a journal that is not only functional but also enjoyable and motivating to use.

Tips for Mastering Effective Bullet Journaling

To fully leverage the benefits of the bullet journal method, there are several tips that users can follow. These include setting up a routine for Rapid Logging, Collections, Migration, and Indexing. 

Consistency in using the system and reviewing tasks and notes is crucial for staying organized and on track. 

Users can also experiment with different collections and layouts to find what works best for them and be bold and adjust as needed. 

Regular reflection and review can help users clean up problem spots and make the appropriate adjustments to enhance their productivity and organization.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges

While the Bullet Journal Method is versatile and effective, users may encounter challenges. 

These can include needing help keeping up with rapid logging for a bullet journal , finding the proper layout or design, or feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information to track. 

The book provides practical solutions and suggestions for overcoming these challenges, such as simplifying the system, focusing on the most critical tasks, and using different techniques to stay organized and motivated.

Using the Bullet Journal Method for Goal Setting and Habit Tracking

bullet journal book review

One of the powerful aspects of the bullet journal method is its ability to help users set and track their goals and habits. 

The book guides how to create goal-oriented collections and habit trackers and integrate them into the bullet journal system. 

Users can learn to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals, track progress, and celebrate successes. 

The bullet journal method can be a powerful personal growth and self-improvement tool.

Incorporating Creativity and Mindfulness in Your Journals

bullet journal book review

In addition to its organizational benefits, the bullet journal method encourages creativity and mindfulness. 

The book provides ideas and suggestions for incorporating creative elements such as hand-lettering, doodling, and coloring into the bullet journal. 

It also emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in bullet journaling , including techniques for staying present, setting intentions, and practicing gratitude. 

The bullet journal method can be a holistic approach to planning and organization, promoting productivity, self-care, and well-being.

Pros and Cons

Like any book, the “Bullet Journal Method” has strengths and weaknesses. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of the book:

  • Comprehensive and Clear: The book provides a comprehensive overview of the bullet journal method, covering the key components, techniques, and philosophy clearly and concisely. Ryder Carroll’s writing style is approachable and easy to understand, making it accessible for readers at various levels of familiarity with the method.
  • Practical and Applicable: The book not only explains the concepts of the bullet journal method but also provides practical examples and illustrations to help readers implement the system in their own lives. It includes tips, tricks, and suggestions for customization, making it adaptable to individual preferences and needs.
  • Holistic Approach: The book goes beyond just the external organization and productivity aspects of the bullet journal method, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, intentionality, and reflection. This holistic approach adds depth and meaning to the process, making it more than just a system for task management but a tool for personal growth and self-awareness.
  • Incremental Learning: The book follows a structured approach, starting with the basic principles and gradually building upon them as the book progresses. This gradual learning approach allows readers to grasp the concepts step by step, making it easier to understand and practice.
  • Inspiration and Creativity: The book encourages creativity and self-expression, inspiring readers to customize their bullet journals according to their style and preferences. It includes examples of different layouts, designs, and collections, sparking creativity and encouraging readers to make their bullet journal a personal reflection of themselves.
  • Repetition: Some readers may find that certain concepts or explanations are repeated multiple times throughout the book, which can feel redundant and repetitive. It may lead to a loss of interest or engagement for some readers.
  • Lack of In-Depth Examples: The book provides practical examples of bullet journal layouts and designs. Some readers may feel that more in-depth examples and case studies would help understand how the system can be applied in different contexts or situations.
  • Not for Everyone: The bullet journal method may only suit some, as it requires consistent effort and commitment to maintain and update the journal regularly. Some readers may find the system too time-consuming or incompatible with their preferred way of organizing or managing tasks.
  • Minimalist Approach: The bullet journal method follows a minimalist approach to organization, which may not appeal to readers who prefer more structured or elaborate systems. Some readers may find the method’s simplicity limiting or unsuitable for their specific needs or preferences.
  • Subjective Philosophy: Some readers will only connect with the book’s emphasis on the philosophical elements of the bullet journaling technique, such as introspection, mindfulness, and intentionality. Some readers may find the philosophical aspects too subjective or incompatible with their beliefs or values.

Revolutionize Your Planning with The Bullet Journal Method. A Must-Read Book Review! Start Now!

bullet journal book review

Attention all those seeking to level up their organization and productivity! 

Are you fed up with experiencing overwhelming amounts of to-do lists and scattered thoughts? 

Do you crave a simple yet effective method to streamline your tasks, goals, and ideas? 

Look no further! 

Check my free bullet journal templates here!

In this book review, I’ll deliver the power of the Bullet Journal Method, a game-changing system that can transform your chaotic days into a well-oiled machine. 

Get ready to master organization and productivity like never before as I uncover the gems hidden within the pages of this invaluable book. 

Join us on this journey and be prepared to take action toward a more organized and productive life!

Enjoy, and happy reading!

Leave a Comment

Teal Notes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2024 Teal Notes

Bullet Journal Method Book Review

Sunrise

What should I be doing with my life?

How the Bullet Journal Method book by Ryder Carrol got me to think about my life’s purpose and direction.

For those of us that use the Bullet Journal system, we fill our books up with daily and weekly tasks and tread a fine line between being productive and being busy. After reading the Bullet Journal Method book (twice!) it has helped me reevaluate my whole outlook on life, and working towards a direction I want to be moving.

Two months ago I looked back at my completed daily tasks and there wasn’t a single item on the list that made any impact on the following day. I caught up on laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, prepped all the meals, etc, and I would need to be repeat everything the following day. It felt like my days were being compartmentalized and I would never get the chance to move forward.

bullet journal book review

Stepping back for a minute, if you haven’t started bullet journaling, here is a quick summary of the process:

Hi, let me give you a brief overview of a method I invented that will help you track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future. I call it the Bullet Journal®, it's an analog system for the digital age. All you need to get started is a notebook and a pen.

The official tagline of the book and the system as a whole is, “track the past, order the present so that you can design your future. ” When I read this book the first time, it felt like these tag lines and others like it throughout the book were simple passages. I didn’t give them any thought and moved through the text to the more interesting stories about Ryder and other artists he mentions. It was upon my own reflection that these simple quotes started to make sense.

“ Leading an intentional life is about keeping your actions aligned with your beliefs. It’s about penning a story that you believe in and that you can be proud of. ”

The term ‘intentional life’ is not new to Ryder’s writing as he had a TED talk on this very subject and it is well worth the time if you haven’t seen it yet.

Being busy doesn't always mean being productive. Ryder Carroll shares the story of how a system he developed to manage his childhood attention deficit disorder now helps people worldwide achieve their goals with greater efficiency and satisfaction. Ryder Carroll is a digital product designer and inventor of the Bullet Journal.

This book is expertly written and it includes so many references to scientific resources that it does an incredible job at explaining how and why the system works. While parts of it can be dry, it avoids adding unrealistic promises or hooey to the book which I prefer. As you work though the steps you find yourself and the book acts as a wise mentor showing you the way, without getting in the way.

IMG_3559.jpg

The section that surprised me the most was toward the end of the book when Ryder talks about putting the system into practice. He wants the best for all of us and his writing is at times, inspiring. When he writes, “If you don’t do, if you don’t dare, then you rob the world-and yourself-of the chance to contribute something meaningful.” The time used for reflection in our journals is key to the purpose of the system. While it takes time to do this, it is one reason why it works so well and keeps us all on task at the greater life purpose. I like the Bullet Journal App as a gentle reminder to take some time each day.

BuJo App

If you don’t have time to read the hardback book, the audio version is a perfect substitute and is read by Ryder himself. He is a great narrator and to hear him tell the story about his apartment flooding and losing his portfolio, you can hear the pain in his voice. You can find the audio version HERE .

Book Elements

Now that you know why I think you should read this book, here is how Ryder laid it out.

I. Preparation

Introduction into the BuJo system and the tools you will need to begin (i.e. a notebook and pen)

II. The System

Beginners guide to the BuJo layouts (Index, Future log, Monthly log, Daily log, Rapid logging, Collections and Migration)

III. The Practice

Learn what you are in control of, the meaning of each thing, what is worth your attention, and why.

IV. The Art

Custom collections to fit specific needs

IMG_3556.png

Moving Forward

As I mentioned in the beginning that my daily tasks were dominating my time, I have made great progress in looking forward and using my future log more to work towards future goals. I found that by creating more time in my day for personal development I am happier, even when working on the same mundane tasks. By waking up at 4:30am each day and running while it is just about light outside, I have taken control of my life and feel amazing for it.

IMG_3557.png

I can’t recommend this book enough as it brings together some incredible ideas and science behind getting organized and leading a better life.

If you are interested to start reading, Ryder has recently launched a huge book giveaway. Read more and enter HERE .

You can also find the book on Amazon HERE .

NOTEBOOK GIVEAWAY!

To help you get started on your own Bullet Journal, I would like to host a giveaway of four Leuchtturm1917 notebooks as seen in the image below. Please enter the contest below for your chance to win!

IMG_3550.png

Giveaway Signup

Drawing will be on June 21 at 12pm EST. (US entries only)

Thank you! We will email you if you are a winner!

Thank you to the 235 backers that helped raise $14,461 and launch our new product called the TopoFolio!

If you would like to help support my blog please check out my product page to order our custom tech case.

bullet journal book review

Follow us for regular updates.

bullet journal book review

bullet journal book review

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll, Book Review

During this very stressful period, are you finding it difficult to focus. Are you feeling distracted and disorganized? The Bullet Journal Method may be your answer!

The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future

I’ve heard a lot about the bullet journal. However, I didn’t understand the system. I saw a bullet journal in a dollar store and bought one. When I got home, removed the packaging and opened the book, all I saw were a bunch of dots. I didn’t have a clue what to do. So I did what any normal person would do, I did a search on Google.

I started watching a YouTube video, but shortly gave up. Videos are not my primary way of learning. I came across The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll and decided to read it. For this book, although I previewed it first, I decided to read most of it since I wanted to master the system. Remember, you read as much of a book as you need to. No more, no less.

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll is not a book that works well in e-book format. There are way too many links in the book to jump to different sections to see what the author is talking about. For me, I found it distracting and started to lose my focus. This book is better as a print book.

What is the Bullet Journal Method?

The bullet journal method is a personal operating system. It helps you to structure your life and focus on the things that matter. Ryder Carroll created the system because of his attention deficit disorder (ADD). Many people who don’t suffer from ADD have successfully used his system in many ways.

In one of the YouTube videos that I watched, Ryder Carroll said something that I thought was interesting. The bullet journal is a mindfulness practice that's disguised as a productivity system. And I thought, that's very interesting, how can I work with that?

The bullet journal is all the following:

Continuous learning is a part of life. If you’re not a reader, you can find a synopsis of many books from Readitforme that you can listen to. Click the link to join. This is a great way to learn the latest thinking on many topics. And it is a great way to learn which books to buy and devour.

Bullet journal method description on amazon.

“The Bullet Journal Method is about much more than organizing your notes and to-do lists. It's about what Carroll calls “intentional living”: weeding out distractions and focusing your time and energy in pursuit of what's truly meaningful, in both your work and your personal life. It's about spending more time with what you care about, by working on fewer things. His new book shows you how to…
Track the past: Using nothing more than a pen and paper, create a clear and comprehensive record of your thoughts.
Order the present: Find daily calm by tackling your to-do list in a more mindful, systematic, and productive way.
Design the future: Transform your vague curiosities into meaningful goals, and then break those goals into manageable action steps that lead to big change.”

Goal of the Bullet Journal Method

According to the author, the mission of the Bullet Journal Method is to help you become more mindful about how you spend your time and energy. It does this by combining productivity, mindfulness, and being intentional into a framework that’s flexible, forgiving, and practical.

“The Bullet Journal method will help you accomplish more by working on less. It helps you identify and focus on what is meaningful by stripping away what is meaningless.”

Productivity

When you open a notebook, you remove yourself from digital distractions. This gives you the opportunity to process, think, and focus. You pause the information overload, giving you the space and time to reflect and examine your life clearly.

The Bullet Journal Method helps you to keep important things in one place. It forces you to get granular, turning ideas into goals and so on. Learn how to weed out distractions.

Mindfulness

The Bullet Journal Method helps you to orient yourself. You see what's right in front of you. And you become laser clear about who you are, where you are, and what you want. Writing by hand forces you to become focused in a distracted world.

Intentionality

For something to be sustainable, it has to fit into your lifestyle and schedule. The Bullet Journal Method is a bridge between your beliefs and actions. It helps you to keep in touch with the things that really matter to you.

Bullet journaling forces you to be reflective. You define what's important, why it's important to you, then figure out how to pursue those things. You're reminded of these every day, which allows you to act on them. You learn the art of intentional living.

Bullet Journal Method

There are two components of the bullet journal method. 

To use the bullet journal method to achieve your goals, you need to believe in what you're doing. And you need to become more self-aware and have regular check-ins with yourself. It's a living autobiography. You are able to distinguish between the meaningful and the meaningless. To live an intentional life, your actions must align with your beliefs.

Every day, you're bombarded with thousands of thoughts. What do you choose to focus on?

“Every decision requires you to focus and focus is an investment of your time and energy.”

You need to find a way to limit the amount of decisions you have to make. There's a simple way to check if a decision is important.

Exercise in The Bullet Journal Method

The author asks you to make a list of:

  • What you're working on.
  • The things you should be working on.
  • What you want to be working on.

I got busy and started to work on my list. Then it struck me that I'd gone through that process already. What I needed to do, was to figure out how to get things done. I like to give myself projects that can help me in my business and career. And I created my Personal Learning Development Plan.

The intent of the Plan is to allow me to get a pool of ideas to pivot my business. To do this, I wanted to read and digest books that had valuable information. What I needed at this point, was a system that enabled me to complete the project deliverables.

There's a lot that’s happening in my life right now, and I needed to figure out which task/activities were the most important to me achieving my goals.

bullet journal method, ryder carroll

The above diagram is the perfect litmus test.

Clarify Your Goals: Questions to Ask for Each Goal

The questions to ask yourself are, What:

  • About this goal sparked my curiosity?
  • Motivated me to want to invest time and energy here?
  • Am I trying to accomplish?
  • Will it require?
  • Is my definition of success for the goal?

The Bullet Journal System

There are four core collections:

  • Monthly Log

The Index rules the other three collections.

Index : Where to find items in your bullet journal. This is similar to a table of contents. I think this is a game-changer. How many times have you recorded important information in a notebook and not know where to find it? This has happened to me many times leaving me a frustrated woman.

Future Log : Future tasks and events that are outside the current month.

Monthly Log : Overview of the time and tasks to complete for the current month. It's a monthly mental inventory.

Daily Log : It's where you quickly write down your thoughts for the day.

Migration : Getting rid of meaningless information from your notebook.

Collection s: A stack of information you need to organize.

bullet journal method, ryder carroll, productivity tool

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Things you need to do (Tasks).
  • Your experiences (Events).
  • Information you don't want to forget (Notes)

Once Ryder Carroll explains the symbols and his rationale for using them, it immediately makes sense.

Avil's Thoughts on the Bullet Journal Method

bullet journal book review

It's less than 5 minutes, but packed with a lot of information that will help you to understand the content of the book.

This book is worth the read. I found many applications for what I learned. And I discovered ways to improve my products. This book will make you think. There is a section on gratitude. Before I go to sleep, I write down five things that I'm grateful for. I've been doing this for a while now, but I do it in an app.

I often rush through the process and I need to slow things down. I need to write things I’m grateful for  in a notebook or even my bullet journal. Why? The act of writing down what I'm grateful for in my own handwriting will force me to experience what I'm grateful for.

Actions to Take

bullet journal book review

  • Watch the Bullet Journal Method Video
  • Read The Bullet Journal Method (Take notes in the notebook)

How Avil Can Help You!

If you need help and would like a program that’s already set-up to help you read more books, join morereads: blueprint to change the world, click the link to buy ..

I invite you to   Join MoreReads: Blueprint to Change the World  that walks you through the process of learning key skills  and more. You’ll be reading books to build skills and develop intercultural awareness.   Get more reading and learning tips here .

In December 2020, I published two books on Amazon. I would greatly appreciate your support if you bought my two short e-books   Read 30 Books in 30 Days Like Francis Bacon  and  Performance Accelerator Plan: Guide to Learning and Mastering Key Skills for the Future .

Read 30 Books in 30 Days Like Francis Bacon is not about speed reading. It’s about approaching every book differently and reading only the sections that align with your purpose.

The Performance Accelerator Plan book is a stripped-down version of the paid reading challenge of the same name. Obviously,  you won’t get all the resources that come with the program that I sell on my website . But if you are a self-directed learner, it will help you tremendously.

About the Author  Avil Beckford

Hello there! I am Avil Beckford, the founder of The Invisible Mentor. I am also a published author, writer, expert interviewer host of The One Problem Podcast and MoreReads Success Blueprint, a movement to help participants learn in-demand skills for future jobs. Sign-up for MoreReads: Blueprint to Change the World today! In the meantime, Please support me by buying my e-books Visit My Shop , and thank you for connecting with me on LinkedIn , Facebook , Twitter and Pinterest !

Enjoyed this article?

Find more great content here:

How I Lost 170 Million Dollars by Noah Kagan, Summary

Teach yourself how to learn by saundra yancy mcguire, summary, the hobbit by jrr tolkien, book summary.

IMAGES

  1. Book Review: "The Bullet Journal Method" by Ryder Carroll

    bullet journal book review

  2. Book Review in 2021

    bullet journal book review

  3. How To Create Book Review Spreads In Your Reading Journal

    bullet journal book review

  4. Bujo book review

    bullet journal book review

  5. 55+ Creative Book and Reading trackers for your Bullet journal

    bullet journal book review

  6. Why You Need A Monthly Review Page In Your Bullet Journal

    bullet journal book review

VIDEO

  1. 2023 reading journal mid-year flip through 📔✨ || READING BULLET JOURNAL

  2. 2024 My Bullet Journal Book 📚🙂❤️ මගේ bullet journal එක හැදුනේ මෙහෙමයි 🤔📚

  3. Reading Journal week 2 of January 2024

  4. Digital Reading Journal, Book Review & Library Tracker for Goodnotes, Digital Reading Log, Bookshelf

  5. Bullet journal book to read + anime list

  6. January Bullet journal setup 2024,bullet journal,study planner malayalam,new year planner idea,bujo

COMMENTS

  1. 77+ Amazing Bullet Journal Reading tracker and Book Logs

    Bullet Journal Book Review Spread. Venture beyond the realms of tracking and delve into the realm of reflection. Design an engaging book review spread that welcomes your thoughts and critiques. Pair your well-crafted prose with star ratings, artistic book covers, or thought-provoking quotes. This section transforms your journal into a treasure ...

  2. The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Pr…

    At the beginning of this book there's a scene, allegedly something that actually happened, in which a bullet journal dramatically saves a child's life. Still, she had the presence of mind to pull out a well-worn, thread-bound book that is quite familiar to me: it was an orchid-colored, soft-covered Leuchtturm 1917. It was a Bullet Journal.

  3. The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design

    Ryder Carroll is a digital product designer and inventor of the Bullet Journal method living in Brooklyn NY. He's had the privilege of working with companies like Adidas, American Express, Cisco, IBM, Macy's, and HP. He's been featured by the LA Times, Fast Co., The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Vogue, New York Magazine, Bloomberg, and others.

  4. Book Review: "The Bullet Journal Method" by Ryder Carroll

    Here's my review of "The Bullet Journal Method" and why I think everyone should read it, even if you're already rocking a planner/organizing system you love. I think the book's tagline: "Track the Past. Order the Present. Design the Future" says so much. This is way more than just a to-do list, this is a way of life.

  5. The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design

    The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future - Kindle edition by Carroll, Ryder. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future.

  6. The Bullet Journal Method: Book Review

    The Bullet Journal Method was Carroll's first (and, thus far, only) book. It was published in 2018 following the success of the launch of the Bullet Journal Method website. Carroll wanted to write a book to explore how to use the method as a practice in mindfulness and intentionality rather than just productivity.

  7. The Bullet Journal Method

    The long-awaited first book by the founder of the enormously popular Bullet Journal® organizational system. For years Ryder Carroll tried countless organizing systems, online and off, but none of them fit the way his mind worked. Out of sheer necessity, he developed a method called the Bullet Journal that helped him become consistently focused ...

  8. The Bullet Journal Method

    Meet The Bullet Journal Method, the mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system. In his long awaited first book, Ryder Carroll, creator of the Bullet Journal, explores what it means to live an intentional life, one that's both productive and meaningful. Whether you've used a Bullet Journal for years or have

  9. The Best Way to Track Your Reading: 18 Bullet Journal Spread Ideas for

    Book Reviews. The most obvious thing to include in any sort of reading bullet journal is a review of the books you read, but it's by no means necessary. It can just be a quick line or two about your favourite moments. Or (if you tend to wax poetic about narrative as I sometimes do) you can include whole pages and handwritten essays.

  10. Book Summary

    The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future was written by Ryder Carroll-a digital product designer, author, and inventor of the Bullet Journal method. He has been been featured by the New York Times, LA Times, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Lifehacker, and Mashable, and also gave a TEDx talk on intentionality ...

  11. How To Track Your Reading With A Bullet Journal

    The bullet journal community has an abundance of bookworms who have reading journals. As an avid reader and bullet journal keeper myself, I find it very useful to keep track on the books I read. Because there are so many people in the bullet journal community who keep reading journals, there is a plethora of reading journal spreads!

  12. How to Set Up a Bullet Journal Book Tracker (+ 18 Ideas)

    17. Create mini books inside your bullet journal. This is a super creative way to track your reading, by creating mini books inside your bullet journal. We love the idea of adding your favourite quotes inside the flap of each book cover, so you can rediscover your favourite moments months after you've finished reading. ogarniete.

  13. The Bullet Journal Method: Ryder Carroll: 9780008261405: Amazon.com: Books

    The Bullet Journal Method. Paperback - January 1, 2021. by Ryder Carroll (Author) 4.6 8,461 ratings. See all formats and editions. Transform your life using the Bullet Journal Method, the revolutionary organisational system and worldwide phenomenon. In his long-awaited first book, Ryder Carroll, the creator of the enormously popular Bullet ...

  14. Book Review: The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

    The Bullet Journal Method: Summary. This book is not only for people who want to start their own Bullet Journal. In my opinion, it is a book for everyone. A book for people who want to improve their planning skills, a book for people who are perfect planners but want to get a little bit more insight behind the various methods.

  15. The 13 Best Bullet Journal Notebooks (2024)

    Before jumping into a rundown of all 13 notebooks on the list, here are my recommendations for anyone wanting to start a bullet journal: Best Bang for Your Buck: Northbooks Dot Grid Notebook. Great Choice for Any Level: Leuchtturm1917. Best Option for Hardcore Artists: Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook.

  16. The Bullet Journal Method: Track Your Past, Order Your Present, Plan

    THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. Transform your life using the Bullet Journal Method, the revolutionary organisational system and worldwide phenomenon. The Bullet Journal Method will undoubtedly transform your life, in more ways than you can imagine' Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning. In his long-awaited first book, Ryder Carroll, the creator of the enormously popular Bullet Journal ...

  17. 10 Best Creative Bullet Journal Book Review Spread Ideas

    Torn Paper Book Review Page. This bullet journal idea is from: OneWordOnePage. This is a creative single-page book review with different visual blocks for each part of the review. The torn dotted kraft paper makes the genre, page count, book title, and actual review blocks stand out on the page. 6.

  18. The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

    The Bullet Journal Method. Hardcover - October 26, 2018. by Ryder Carroll (Author) 4.6 8,355 ratings. See all formats and editions. Transform your life using the Bullet Journal Method, the revolutionary organisational system and worldwide phenomenon. In his long-awaited first book, Ryder Carroll, the creator of the enormously popular Bullet ...

  19. Mastering Organization And Productivity (The Bullet Journal Method Book

    The "Bullet Journal Method" is a comprehensive guide to the popular productivity system created by Ryder Carroll. The book is divided into sections covering the bullet journal method's core concepts, principles, and practical application. It starts with an introduction to the history and background of the method, followed by detailed ...

  20. Bullet Journal Method Book Review

    Ryder Carroll is a digital product designer and inventor of the Bullet Journal. This book is expertly written and it includes so many references to scientific resources that it does an incredible job at explaining how and why the system works. While parts of it can be dry, it avoids adding unrealistic promises or hooey to the book which I prefer.

  21. The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll, Book Review

    No more, no less. The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll is not a book that works well in e-book format. There are way too many links in the book to jump to different sections to see what the author is talking about. For me, I found it distracting and started to lose my focus. This book is better as a print book.