I always wanted to try digital journaling. This is a great tool to keep track of my reading.

Thank you NetGalley!

This is a very simple way to track your books! Easy to use and take with you anywhere! It'll be great to take on vacation or any type of trip really!

Very cool download, I printed it out and put into my reading journal. This will be so useful. Thank you!

This is a nice journal and easy to use. I like using the tracker and stickers. It’s a fun and unique way to track your reading habits.

Disclaimer: Thank you We Are Bookish and NetGalley for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This Solution Is Not For Me But May Be Useful For Many

I have read many posts on GoodReads and Facebook about tracking their NetGalley reading. Most of the responses suggested using a spreadsheet. Many readers may use such software at work or home and be comfortable designing a spreadsheet to accomplish those goals. Many readers may not use a spreadsheet program and do not have the experience to create such a spreadsheet. Here is a much-needed solution developed by the NetGalley Team. It has many good ideas and is well thought-out.

Let me explain why I have rated it with three stars. My criterion for earning a three-star review is that I have mixed feelings because there are good points but also problems. If I rated this for its suitability for me, my rating would be one star. When I started posting reviews to Amazon in 2013, I used my 20 years of experience designing and using PC databases to design an Access database to track my reading, reviews, and helpful votes. When I joined NetGalley in 2016, I modified it to include the extra information on books I have read and my wish list of DRCs I want to request when they become available. I have created reports that slice and dice the data to help me plan my reading. I see excerpts on Facebook, so it works for some NetGalley users. If you are looking for a tool to help you track your reading, this tool may be for you.

My remarks will be limited to using Adobe Reader or Acrobat. The documentation states that this journal can be used with Goodnotes for Mac OS or Xodo for Windows and Android OSs. I do not have those applications, so I comment on the Journal’s use with those applications. Let me make some observations to help you decide whether to use this tool.

On the positive side, it is well thought out. After some personal information about you, the meat of the Journal starts. There is your shelf that can hold 48 Give-Feedback and Feedback-Sent slots and 12 audiobook slots. I found copying the image from the window opened when you double-click the cover image on the Find-Titles page. When pasted into the Journal, they are the correct size. The cover image from the Give-Feedback page is too large and requires resizing. There are places for some information. There are check boxes for Read and Reviewed and a place for your star rating. You can download stickers prepared by NetGalley, but checkbox and one- to five-star stickers were omitted. This is something that would be used for every reviewed book. There is a page where you can paste your stickers, just copying and pasting them within the application for easy use. I average 45 books a year, so there is adequate space. If you need more, you can extract a page, save it separately, and add it as the next page. If you review more books, save that page to add it whenever needed easily. Another issue is that there are places to save summary information for the month, but they require manual entry.

The bottom line is that I do not recommend using this tool with PDF software such as Adobe Acrobat. As I wrote above, Goodnotes for Mac OS or Xodo for Windows and Android OSs may be better. I can not comment on its use with those applications.

Thank you NetGalley . What an awesome way to keep track of my books. I’ve seen many people post about this and printed it out looking forward to using it!

I have enjoyed this journal because it provides a fun way to track the books I have read. It like that I can personalize it. I look forward to using it whenever I finish a new book.

This is a great concept but I couldn’t get it to download for use. Thanks Netgalley. I will keep,trying.

I can see why this journal would be great for those readers that like to keep track of the books they have read, especially if they are using a pad. It's a great way to keep track of your reviews, both for current, and upcoming reviews. It seems easily structured. It won't work for me, but I think other people would like it.

I really enjoyed reading this informative information. Thank you for giving me the opportunity it’s to do so. This platform has helped me so much as a bookseller.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Liked it!

Format: PDF

What a beautiful digital reading journal sent to Netgalley users!

✴️ What I liked:

~ I like the design and layout of the most of the journal, including the monthly check-in page.

~ I love the wrap-up section, especially the reading reflections.

~ I was able to upload to Canva for use on my mobile device, which makes it convenient.

✴️ What didn't work for me:

~ More mobile-friendly would be preferred, as Canva does not have the ability to click on the month header to go to that section quicker, for example.

~ The checkbox for reviewed overlaps the word read in my shelf reviews page (this may be an issue with uploading to Canva).

~ The space for new-to-me authors in the monthly check-in needs a bit more room.

~ Placing the activities in the front of the book instead of at the end would be better.

~ I would love to have color options, as the earthly colors were not my favorite.

✴️ Final thoughts:

I appreciate such a thoughtful and lovely gift of a digital reading journal. Thank you so much Netgalley!

Thank you NetGalley for providing such a useful tool to keep track and manage ARC reads! I love the layout and the aesthetics.

A easy fun way to keep track of your books that you have read and review. Love the stickers you can download. Thank you NetGalley for this useful tool to keep me organized.

This is a wonderful way to keep track of everything for the year. Whether you are looking for a new journal or just starting out, this has everything you could need. From a quick about to every book you read in the month with spaces for marking down how many stars, general book info, book cover and so much more!

My ONLY issue is wishing this could come in print. You could print it out and use it that way, it's just way too long to print it out though. The amount of ink and paper wouldn't be worth it for only one item. BUT if you like digital then this is made for you.

I really love this! It's super helpful to prompt my thoughts. I struggle to put my thoughts into words so I'm grateful for anything that helps me write better reviews.

What a fabulous book journal. I can never have enough of these as someone in constant search of the best format. Thank you so much for this lovely gift

I downloaded this reading journal with the idea it would be a simple tracking log, but was pleasantly surprised at how robust it is! I enjoyed each of the tabs which allowed me to be more reflective and intentional about my reading for the year. The entire journal flows well and has a calming color scheme.

The only think I found lacking was that there isn't a physical copy available. This journal provides so many wonderful features that, for me, would be easier to manage with a physical journal to write in and follow throughout the year. The ability to have it bound and printed still exists, but it would be an easier option to purchase it.

Overall, this was a fantastic tool to keep my reading logs organized. Thank you NetGalley for this reading journal!

This is a great digital journal for those that like to keep track of their reviews over the months. I also appreciated the section showing the different challenges one might partake in as well as the habit tracker. Definitely a great layout too!

Thank you for this free journal Netgalley. It is very useful to keep track of my books and star rating.

I really felt like this was such a great reading journal and very comparable to the ones you can find on amazon or for sale through people. The color scheme was everything and there was so much room for you to add your books. As someone who reads over 200 books a year usually I would need multiple books but if you were to print this out you could just make multiple sheets. It also can be used year after year.