Five Essential Reading Journal Layouts I Create at the Start of Every Month
There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with turning the page to a new month in my reading journal. It’s a fresh start—a clean slate to plan, dream, and visually map out my reading journey for the next few weeks. Over the years, I’ve established a rhythm that keeps me both organized and inspired. Each month, I set up five core layouts: a monthly title page, a TBR (to-be-read) list, a book bingo board, a quotes of the month page, and a DNF (did not finish) space. And because I can never resist adding a little extra fun, I also include a bonus layout for books I’m most excited about—and those that are stretching me outside of my reading comfort zone. These layouts aren’t just pretty pages. They anchor my reading life, help me keep track of review commitments, and give me a creative outlet that keeps reading feeling fresh and joyful.
Step 1: Choosing a Monthly Theme and Color Palette.
Before I start printing, designing, or cutting, I pick a theme and color scheme for the month. This simple decision sets the tone for everything that follows. For November, I’m leaning into a palette of red, black, and grey—a subtle nod to Remembrance Day, which is the main observance we mark here in Canada during this month. It feels quiet, reflective, and respectful—tones that fit perfectly with the slower pace of late autumn reading days. I usually head over to Creative Fabrica to browse for graphics and fonts that fit my theme. Their seasonal bundles and aesthetic fonts make it easy to find matching styles that tie everything together. After downloading the ZIP files, I extract them and move them into Canva, where I create my monthly spreads on 8.5” x 11” pages.
Step 2: Designing the Monthly Title Page
The title page is my visual “welcome” to a new month. I created this first because it sets the mood for the rest of the journal. In Canva, I start a clean page, drop in the month’s name—something simple like “November Reading”—and then experiment with different fonts until one feels right. I love combining a bold serif for the main title with a delicate script accent for a cozy yet polished look. After my title is done, I design and print small headers for the other sections I’ll need this month: Monthly TBR, Book Bingo, Quotes, and DNF. I leave enough space between the text so I can easily cut it into individual labels later. This makes decorating my journal much faster once I move to the physical layout stage. When planning my images, I like using one repeated graphic throughout the month to maintain cohesion. For example, in October, I used one fall floral image repeatedly—resizing, flipping, and cropping it to create everything from page borders to a DIY “washi tape.”I always print a few extra graphics too, so I can fill any blank spots that pop up later in the month. Nothing brings a spread to life like the right little creative touch.
Step 3: Creating the Monthly TBR Layout
My TBR layout is both a visual motivator and an accountability page. Once I know what I plan to read in the coming weeks, I download the miniature book covers for each title—especially for ARCs, Kindle Unlimited picks, or Prime Reading selections. Then, I use Canva to arrange the covers into a clean grid. I’ll sometimes add a small star rating template below each so I can fill it in after reading. Even though my TBR might shift—new releases arrive, review copies show up, or something irresistible appears in my Kindle suggestions—this layout helps me stay focused. It’s my reading roadmap, reminding me what’s on deck and which books come with deadlines for reviews or blog features. Since I now read exclusively on my Kindle Paperwhite, I take screenshots of my downloaded covers to use in the journal. It’s a fun way to bring the digital experience into my paper world.
Step 4: Designing a Monthly Book Bingo
No month is complete without a little book bingo challenge! Creating one is surprisingly simple: just open Canva, drop a big square on the page, and either add 25 smaller squares inside for a 5x5 board or use the line tool to draw a grid. Then comes the creative part—filling each square with fun reading prompts. I like to handwrite my bingo prompts after printing the page because it makes the board feel more personal. Some months I’ll base my squares on genres (“read a thriller,” “pick up a debut author”), while other times I’ll make it more mood-based (“a cozy late-night read,” “book that made you cry”). Throughout the month, as I finish books, I mark off the squares. It might sound small, but watching that bingo board slowly fill is deeply satisfying. It’s both a motivator and a playful way to stretch my reading habits.
Step 5: Collecting Quotes of the Month
The Quotes of the Month page is my treasure chest of literary gems. Whenever I read a passage that moves me, surprises me, or captures a truth beautifully, I highlight it on my Kindle. When I finish that book, I go back and re-read the highlights to decide which belong in my journal. Using a mix of printed quote boxes and handwritten notes, I record the best lines—sometimes adding doodles or decorative frames to make them pop. Over time, this page has become a mini anthology of words that have shaped my reading year. It also serves a great purpose for blogging: when I write my full book reviews, this page helps me find standout quotes to include. It’s both inspiring and practical.
Step 6: Making Space for DNFs
Let’s be honest—sometimes, despite our best intentions, a book just doesn’t work out. That’s where my DNF (Did Not Finish) layout comes in. When I first started, I dedicated two full pages to books I didn’t finish—thinking, perhaps, I’d be abandoning several titles each month. Over time, though, I realized one-third of a page is more than enough. Now, I use that small space to jot down: the title and author, what stopped me from finishing, and whether I’d consider returning to it later. If I reach the month’s end and haven’t used the space, I decorate it with stickers or extra cutouts from my printed graphics. It keeps everything tidy and uplifting—no guilt, just creative flow.
Bonus Layout:
Books I’m Excited About. My “bonus” page is one of my favourites. It’s where I jot down the titles that make me feel most eager to read—whether they’re upcoming releases, part of a beloved series, or written by a trusted favourite author. I also include a small section for books outside my comfort zone. These could be genres I rarely read (like sci-fi or memoirs) or authors new to me. Not only does it diversify my reading, but it gives me a fuller picture of my own evolving taste. Having this overview lets me track what excited me at the start of the month versus what actually resonated by the end.
The Purpose Behind the Pages of these layouts—five essential ones and a fun bonus—gives me a strong framework to navigate each reading month.
They help me:
Keep book reviews and ARC deadlines organized, visually separate what I read from month to month,
Maintain motivation through creative journaling and capture memories of my reading journey.
Starting the month with a fresh set of pages feels grounding. It’s a ritual that connects planning with creativity, reading with reflection. By the time the month ends, those pages are filled with notes, stickers, book covers, quotes, and splashes of color—an artistic snapshot of what I loved, what I learned, and what I left behind.
Final Thoughts
Setting up my monthly reading journal is one of the gentlest transitions I make each month. It bridges the gap between creativity and structure, giving my reading life both form and freedom. Whether you’re new to journaling or a seasoned reader looking to add more visual joy to your monthly routine, I hope these five (plus one) layouts inspire you to create something that keeps your reading life meaningful and organized. Because ultimately, that’s what reading journaling is all about—honoring not just the books we read, but the quiet, mindful moments we spend with them.
If you would like to download my November printables you can download them here. November Printables
Helpful Posts About Reading Journal Layouts
Walk in Her Shoes Challenge Layout
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What are your must-have layouts for each month? Do they change during the year? Put your ideas in the comments below.
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