Do You Keep a Reading Record?

What we read has a profound impact on us. Whether it’s for education or entertainment, instruction or escape, it shapes who we are and who we become.

For that reason (and also because I’m a compulsive documenter), in July of 1986 I began keeping a list of every book I read.

I keep my list in a computer file rather than in a paper journal or notebook.  It’s not as elegant, warm, or personal, but it sure makes it easy to search!

My 45-page record for 1986-2005 lists about 15 books per page, for a total of about 675 books in 19.5 years—an average of 34.62 books per year, or about 3 per month.

For each book, I document the author, title, and date completed

Logging books by date completed can be a bit misleading, since some books are quick reads and others stretch out over a long period of time—especially when you keep several going at the same time, as I do.

I’ve also recently started keeping track of what I read each week (whether I finish it or not), to have a bit more accurate record of what’s going on in my life.  (I warned you I’m a compulsive documenter!)

I use this list only for my personal reading, not for books I read to my children.  (The 49th reading of Goodnight Moon no longer qualifies as having a profound impact 🙂

When my children become independent readers, I start a reading log for them as well.  When they become proficient typists, I’ll turn the job over to them.  Again, I’m keeping their lists on computer to make them searchable.   Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to see what you read when you were in the fifth grade, or to track down the first time you read a favorite book?

If you’re not already keeping track of your reading, this would be a great time to start!

Mary Jo Tate