I want to share what I found recently because I love it! I know that many of you know Iliana from Bookgirl's Nighstand. If you don't know her and visit her blog, you should. She's not only a fun blogger, but also a very creative book designer. Her Etsy shop is Bookgirl's Studio. Recently, she shared that she had hit a milestone for sales at her shop, and I remembered that I had been meaning to visit and take a look at the journals and paper goods she had available. I found the perfect thing. It's a Nancy Drew journal/pocket diary.
Here's how it came, all wrapped in pretty tissue paper and tied with a pink ribbon.
And here's my Nancy Drew journal, sitting on my old childhood bookcase next to a couple of other treasures.
As you can see, Iliana used a Nancy Drew postcard for the cover. There are about 50 pages inside and tucked into the back cover is a library pocket. And yes, those are my old hands in the picture. They used to look a little younger, but you know how that goes.
I'm very pleased with my journal and I'm debating whether to use it for my wishlist, TBR list or just for jotting down bookish quotes. Maybe all 3.
Thanks so much for making the sweetest little pocket journal, Iliana! We live in the same general area, but have not ever met face-to-face. One day, perhaps. In the meantime, we'll be good friends and mystery lovers here in our virtual world.
So pretty!! I used to have book journals, but found it difficult to keep up with. I also love that cute sign!
ReplyDeleteOne of my book group members gave me that little plaque when I left the library workplace. I love it!
DeleteI don't write on book journals, but I do like looking at them. :) Yes, Iliana is indeed a creative person. I always enjoy reading her posts on the crafts she's doing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy them too, Melody.
DeleteYes, I keep a record in a word doc. of what I read every year. But back in 2007 I had a huge computer crash and lost everything on it, including family photos. That taught me a hard lesson so I now keep a pretty notebook and write in it which books I read every month. (Not to mention backing up photos on an external hard-drive.) Books I want to read I keep a list of on Goodreads and that's a good back-up too of what I've read, plus telling me what I thought with its star rating system. Nice way to meet new readers too.
ReplyDeleteCath, how awful to lose the photos. Yes, I can see why you do the extra backup. I just like having a pretty journal, but I will admit that the spreadsheet was handy to sort in various ways.
Deletethat's the cutest thing! I use Goodreads as my record.
ReplyDeletePS all the best with your exercise this week ... one step at a time :)
Thanks for your exercise encouragement. One step, for sure.
DeleteI have two of Iliana's journals--love them both. I won one several years ago and then bought one as a gift the next year. I love the beading on the spine of both.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I'll probably take another look at her shop. I'd like to look more closely at the way they are put together.
DeleteThat journal looks adorable!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it though?
Deletethat is so sweet - love it! I use the big sized index cards to keep track of my books. I keep them stored in an index box - with alphabetical cards in them... I so wish I still had my old collection. I think I threw it out years okay and have not stopped kicking myself since! I now have almost two more filled up!
ReplyDeleteLinda in VA
OK, first of all, are you the Linda that I was on a yahoogroup with years ago - with Les and Teri and Nan? I'm thinking you are. If so, hello!! How've you been and I need to take a look and see if you have a blog.
DeleteSo how do you sort the index cards - by author? Good idea.
Yes, it is me - that Linda! I still run Yahoogroup bookgroups!!
DeleteAnd yes, I do keep my index cards sorted by author....
Linda
I have a huge complicated spreadsheet that I couldn't live without. But I love the idea of having an actual journal, and often look at them. So far I've resisted... but you've started me looking again...
ReplyDeleteYou don't have write all that much. I just note the title, author, date finished and how I read it - Kindle, Audio, Library, whatever. And I like to get pretty ones. :-)
DeleteI love journals of any kind. Always have. These days, though, I find it most convenient to keep track of the books I read throughout the year in a list at the bottom of my blog. It's super easy to update and more convenient than a book journal. I also have a TBR spreadsheet, plus GoodReads to keep track of the books I want to read. I love lists in any format.
ReplyDeleteYour journal is so pretty and fun. I hope you love using it!
Susan, I think most of us like lists - I used to site with an open notebook beside me when I was first blogging years ago or even before that with yahoogroups or whatever. Now, a wishlist is handy.
DeleteI love the Nancy Drew journal! I keep a book journal as well. I started out using a spreadsheet type system but than the file corrupted. Since then I've gone the paper and pen route. I love looking through them. They always bring back memories and I can tell what was going on in my life by the number of books I was reading. I can even pinpoint exactly when I started dating my husband because my book count plummeted!
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I am exactly the same. The memories well up as I read through my book list. How funny that you can tell exactly when you started dating your husband. :-)
DeleteI want one! I love that it has Nancy Drew on the cover. Going to look into it right now!
ReplyDeleteGayle, she may have more of the Nancy Drew and she may not. However, I do know she has some other ones that are lovely.
DeleteKay, that it so awesome. How unique! I do use a journal (Moleskein) love the flexibility it offers. I use to sizes -- a 5X7 approx for reviews and note taking while reading and a 3x5 pocket one for my TBR list, review, books I need to review etc.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it though? I love being able to look back and see what I was reading at various times.
DeleteBeautiful!! I started a reading journal in 1995 and wish I'd started much earlier, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike, JoAnn! ;-)
DeleteHow lovely! I will check out that blog...and what a great find. Speaking of Nancy Drew, a few years ago, I bought the first three books in the series, planning to reread them. I still haven't, but knowing they are there waiting is a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my Monday Musings.
How fun, Laurel. I've thought of doing some rereading of Nancy Drew. Not sure how I'd fare with them, but maybe one day.
DeleteThat's an awesome journal! I don't keep a physical book journal just because I read so many books, I'd have no place to store my book journals *is already having space issues with her books as is* Rather, I treat my blog as my book journal :) I do however keep a quotes journal of all my favourite or poignant quotes I come across in the books I do read.
ReplyDeleteA quotes journal sounds wonderful. I never thought of that. Thanks for telling me about it!!
DeleteI love Iliana's journals. I've bought several over the years and given some as gifts. She does amazing work. I used to keep a written journal, but got away from the habit a few years ago. I sometimes think of picking up the habit again, but it's not so easy to break out a pen or pencil and start taking notes when most of the reading I do is in short snatches here and there. I used my written journals for jotting down my thoughts of books as I read them. I still have all my old ones.
ReplyDeleteI used to keep a spreadsheet of all the books I own, but that also fell by the wayside. Now I don't really have a place where I list or track my to be read books. I do track the books I read on on my blog and GoodReads. And I use Amazon as my wish list.
I know, Wendy. I don't take notes, just the facts. However, looking back over them is fun for me at times.
DeleteI am a newcomer to Iliana--her blog and her Etsy-- and am so glad I found out about her. I want to peruse her shop now and pick out a journal for myself, so when I go to the library or bookstore I have a current list of titles I know to look out for. I need help or else I stare blankly at the shelves.
ReplyDeleteI use Goodreads to track my reading, at least starting a couple of years ago. I wish I had done it sooner, but the rest of the titles are stored in my brain, not the best location for them :) Thanks again.
I checked out her store and love her items, but did you have to special-order your journal with the Nancy Drew cover? I didn't see any book-related covers on the journals she currently has for sale. Just wondering, thanks!
DeleteI think the one I bought might have been the only one she had left. She made several of those Nancy Drew ones using postcards, but I guess they all sold. You could ask her if she's planning on doing any more. She's very nice and I'm sure would be happy to answer any queries.
DeleteAnd there's my problem with new journals - what to use them for! They will often sit a long while blank because I just can't make up my mind. This one is so cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! And, yes, I know what you mean. I really have to stop myself from buying too many of them.
DeleteVery cute! I've kept a journal since 2001 with the books I read. No notes, just dates read. Anything more and I surely would have abandoned it years ago!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much what I do too.
DeleteI have kept a reading journal since 1999, that is up until last year. I got a fancy new Moleskin at the beginning of 2014 and after a few entries, I got so far behind and have never caught up! With Goodreads and my blog, I didn't feel a strong need to keep a written journal, but it still bothers me that I let this go. Not sure if I have the energy (or time!) to go back and record all those books...
ReplyDeleteI think your journal was more complicated than mine. I just note title, author, date finished, and how I read it - book, audio, etc.
Delete