My journey creating a reading journal - Part 1

For many years, I had been meaning to start a reading journal in which to keep a log of the books I’ve read, as well as comments/thoughts on the books and authors that wrote them.  I reviewed for over 6 years, and not even then I got motivated to start a reading journal.  The reviews are not available online anywhere anymore as the sites I reviewed for, are gone.  I truly regret not having done so then if only to at least have a list of what I read and reviewed.  I reviewed hundreds of erotic romances and later on, other subgenres of romance as well, particularly paranormal and historical romances.

In late 2018 I joined a group in FB that caters to lovers of Regency romance.  At that point I decided that it was time to give it a roll and stop procrastinating about it. 

I researched online for reading journals, reading journal ideas and reading journal printables.  I found a couple of websites: The Modern Mrs. Darcy and author Roni Loren's  and I got the templates for the reading journals they offered.  Those web pages also discuss reading journals in general, and introduced me to bullet journaling (bujo).  I have to admit I have yet to try using a bullet journal for this, or anything else for that matter, as it seems bujos are THE thing nowadays, but more about that later.

My first hurdle in book journaling was the fact that I am not creative and/or artistic.  I can’t draw a straight line without a ruler, and even with a ruler my lines sometimes go up and sometimes go  down.  In the situation I am currently in (still trying to figure out the creation of a reading journal) it is a bit frustrating to say the least.  Creative types have embraced them to such a degree that it is almost embarrassing for the rest of us, ordinary human beings, to feel motivated enough to even try… of course, that is if you do what I did, research the topic online, and then get feelings of inadequacy even though you are putting together a reading journal for your own personal use and enjoyment, and are not planning on taking screenshots and sharing it with the world…I know, I sound petulant…

Continuing with the research, I realized that there are other ways to make a personal reading journal look pretty, even if it’s only for your own use.  I admit I like pretty things and I have always had a thing for stationery so I was determined to make mine functional AND pretty (to me).  I was elated when I discovered washi tape [link].  I also realized there are other things I can use to make my journal look pretty, i.e. stamps, colored pens and pencils, and stickers.  I was like “now we are talking” when I continued my exploration of resources for the artistically deficient like myself, and the more I looked, the more I found, the more I wanted… and the more I have had to force myself to stick to a very  limited budget, as my husband and I just bought a house. 

After looking for a bit longer, I opted to try washi tapes.  I found a set that I really liked at a good price, and I also bought a set of plain colored ones in which I can write.  I also got a set of thin-line pens in multiple colors, and dug out older pens that I already had.  For writing, I am using a Lamy fountain pen.  I adore fountain pens and have several, though the Lamy ones have the type of nib that I prefer so I own several of them.  My favorite ink color for writing is blue/black.

I have been keeping a reading journal since December 30, 2018.  Almost three months now.  I am still finding out what I prefer and how I prefer it, but so far so good.  I will post separately about what I am using for my journaling.

Some musings on "meltdowns"/"tantrums" due to "bad" reviews

I started writing this article in 2011.  At the time, there had been several very public author meltdowns, and they seemed to be more and more frequent.  Thankfully, I now see that they are not the "thing" anymore, and indie authors (who were usually the main perpetrators) have assumed a more professional attitude and take those "mean"/"bad" reviews in stride by not reacting.  Though meltdowns are not frequent or restricted to the romance genre, as thankfully most authors with more than two brain cells either vent to their friends/family in private, rant in a private venue, or choose some other discreet venue, they were happening back then with a certain frequency in multiple genres/sub-genres.

Of course most meltdowns have to do with reviews or lack thereof.  Some of these ranty, FU expressions of displeasure involved "bad" reviews, the operative word here being "bad".  You see, some of these people have blown up on a very public way about allegedly "bad" reviews they received.  Now, that wouldn't be a problem if the reviews read like this one.  That particular review caused a stir online a few years ago.  Frankly, I still cringe when I think about it.  Though the reviewer was definitely not attacking the author personally, it was so incredibly harsh that I was a quite shocked.  I think that was the first time (aside from Mrs. Giggles' reviews) that I read a review of that nature.  I'd never be able to write any reviews like that.   And yes, I've hated books that much, but not even if the book was a purchase, would I be able to do that.  It's not in me.  But I digress.  (The author of that book is no more, her website is down.  The publishing company, Ellora's Cave, is not in business anymore.  Just an FYI).

The reviews being complained about that I am talking about were actually quite well thought out reviews, non-insulting, definitely not harsh; and the reader of the review could tell that the reviewer was struggling when writing the review .  The reviewers even gave some good points to the book, and explained what didn't work for them. 

That being said, I am a former reviewer and it's things like meltdowns what keep me from returning to that activity in any significant (for me) way.  I now stick to this blog when I want to make public commentary about a book, or stick to the FB groups I belong to.