SNORTYHOW-TO by K.

HOW TO KEEP A BOOK JOURNAL

A book journal preserves your reactions to what you read. This can make you a better reader and writer.  Always date your entries! You're going to want to track the passing of time, and the changes in you

A book journal helps chart your evolving tastes.

r outlook. You will love using your journal to chart the evolution of your tastes.

Write in your book journal whenever you feel like it, and never get discouraged because you've let some days pass between entries. If you don't have time to write, just note down the title of the book, and get back to it later.  Have fun with this!  Be proud of yourself for doing something creative.  Only you can set the rules for your journal, and anything you choose to do in it is valid. For increased fun, get a book group started and share your book journals!

What You Will Need:

• A blank book and pen, or a computer (depending upon where you want to keep your journal)
• Reading material
• Some free time and a place where you will be undisturbed
• Your imagination

Step 1: Decide how you want to keep your journal: on your computer, or longhand in a diary or notebook. Have fun with this! Experiment with computer fonts and graphics, or buy a snazzy blank book and pen. Choose a striking ink color.

Step 2: Organize your journal. Add stick-on tabs to your blank book or create different files in your computer directory if you want to organize your reactions to different types of reading material.  Don't be afraid to add doodles or paste in collage art or scan in photos for your computer files. Illustrations give your text a big energy boost.

Step 3: Start with a basic reaction: what the book was about? How did you feel about finishing it? Sorry it ended? Inspired to change your life? Disgruntled at the waste of your time?

Step 4: Add concrete details. How many pages was the book, and how long did it take you to read it?

Step 5: Describe how you acquired each book: from your book group? Recommended by your mother? Assigned in school? Found in the seat pocket on the last airline trip you took? Rescued from a "free bin" at a coffee shop?

Step 6: Add personal details. What was going on in your life while you were reading this? Possibly you were going through a dark and hard time, and you loved this book for providing escapism. Or maybe something in this book gave you an insight on a conflict with a family member. Books become a part of our lives, and it can be interesting to read back on how.

Step 7: Here are some further ideas.

• Artists, describe the cover art: good or bad? Science fiction novels are often burdened with the silliest cover art imaginable. Draw your own improved version. Sketch what you think the characters looked like. Create a map of the book's setting.
• Writers, comment on the story's pacing. Did it drag anywhere? Could certain chapters have been cut out? What event formed the high-point or climax of the novel's action? How did you like the dialogue?
• Critics, analyze the author's intent. What genre or literary influence did the book reflect? How consistent or different was the book in regards to the author's previous body of work?
• Amateur psychologists, did you believe the actions of the characters? What do you think would have been more realistic? Which characters had what type of personality disorder, and which could have benefited from therapy?
• Researchers, especially for non-fiction, did the author get her facts straight? What sources did she draw upon, contradict, or corroborate?
• Film fans, how would you cast the movie version of the book? How would you adapt it to a feature film or mini-series? How faithful would you be to the source material, and where do you think you can improve it for a visual audience?

  Disclaimer:  SnortyHow is intended for entertainment purposes only and has NOT been reviewed by professionals for accuracy, reliability, legality, or safety. Whatever you read in SnortyHow, you must try at your own risk, preferably after seeking advice from licensed professionals.