How to Prep Your Reading Journal for January 1st

One of the best parts of starting a new year with your reading journal is getting it set up and ready to use. A little prep ahead of time makes it so much easier to dive in on January 1st. Here are a few things you can do now to get your journal ready:

1. Fill out your “About Me” section and reading goals
   Take some time to fill out “about me” prompts and what you’d like to accomplish in the year ahead. It’s fun to look back at the end of the year and see how much your reading has grown or changed.
2. Decide how you’ll use your bookshelf coloring page
   Decide how you will use the bookshelf coloring pages. Some suggestions for these pages are using the shelves as a reading tracker or tracking your physical TBR. To prep ahead, you can color in the doodles on each page or use our custom stickers available in our shop. 
3. Start your TBR list
   Write down the books you already know you want to read in the new year. This makes it easy to pull from your list once January kicks off.
4. Record new book releases
   Look up upcoming releases for the year and add them to your journal so you don’t forget about the ones you’re most excited for.
5. Add your trope and genre stickers
   Place the provided stickers located in the front of your planner or tracker into the trope and genre trackers now, so they’re ready to go when you start logging books.
6. Plan out your pixels pages
   Decide how you want to use your pixels pages and choose your color palette. Some suggestions for these pages are format read, pages read, hours listened.  Pro tip: write down the exact colors you pick so you remember what pens or markers you used later.
7. Gather book recs for the 12 book challenge
   Start asking friends or looking for recommendations now, so you’ll be ready to go when it’s time to begin the challenge.
8. Set up your January calendar
   Add in events, book club meetings, and reading goals. Use our custom stickers available in our shop, to add fun and creativity to your monthly sections. 

Getting your journal ready now means you can start the year off strong, organized, and excited to track every book you read.