Between the Pages: Reading Journal Printables for Book Lovers
Plan, design and package a cozy reading journal in PDF and GoodNotes formats — with reviews, TBR lists, challenges and quotes.
Reading journal printables help book lovers keep book reviews, TBR lists, reading challenges and favorite quotes together in one cozy PDF or GoodNotes file. If you read a lot, you know the problem: titles blur together, the TBR pile keeps growing, and the line you meant to save disappears by the next chapter. Notes apps and screenshots scatter everything, so nothing feels like a real record of your reading year.
This guide shows how to plan, design and package Between the Pages, a reading journal sold as a print-ready PDF and a hyperlinked digital file. For example, one review page can hold a star rating, a mood or trope tracker, a favorite quote and a “would I reread it?” box, so a reader can capture a whole book in about five minutes.
Why it matters: BookTok made reading visible and social, and many readers now enjoy tracking almost as much as reading. For creators, a well-structured journal is an evergreen digital product that fits naturally into New Year reading goals, summer reading and gift seasons. Read on for the exact page list, a step-by-step build, format trade-offs, pricing context and a pre-launch checklist.
- Book reviews
- TBR lists
- PDF + GoodNotes
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains a Gumroad affiliate link. If you buy through it, Digital Idea Tool may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to platforms relevant to the topic.
Key takeaways
- Reading journal printables bundle reviews, TBR lists, challenges and quotes into one file readers reuse all year.
- Offer two formats: a print-ready PDF (US Letter and A4) and a hyperlinked digital version for GoodNotes and similar PDF apps.
- BookTok-driven fiction is still growing, though more slowly — so niche, well-designed journals beat generic ones.
- Test every link, skip book-cover art and TikTok logos, and never promise reading or income results.
What are reading journal printables?
Short answer: reading journal printables are ready-made pages that help readers log what they read, rate and review books, plan their TBR (to-be-read) list and track reading goals. They come as a printable PDF for paper journals or as a hyperlinked PDF used in note-taking apps such as GoodNotes.
Think of “Between the Pages” as a reader’s home base. Instead of scattered notes, screenshots and half-remembered ratings, everything lives in one structured place. Readers fill it by hand on paper or with a stylus on a tablet, and the finished journal becomes a record of their reading year.
For a creator, the appeal is simple: you design once, then deliver the file instantly with no shipping, inventory or reprints.
Why readers want reading journals now
BookTok — the book community on TikTok — turned reading into something people share, film and talk about. Tracking is part of that culture: monthly wrap-ups, star ratings, trope lists and “books I read this year” posts all start with good notes.
The sales data supports a steady, not explosive, picture. According to Publishers Weekly’s report on Circana BookScan data, US print unit sales rose 0.3% in 2025, adult fiction grew about 1%, and romance rose 3.9% while fantasy fell. In other words, the reading audience is large and engaged, but growth has cooled since the early BookTok boom.
What that means for you: a generic “reading log” competes with thousands of listings. A journal built for a specific reader — romance fans tracking tropes, book clubs, or readers chasing a 52-book challenge — has a clearer reason to exist.
Trend context checked October 2026. Market figures describe book sales, not sales of reading journals.
Pages to include in “Between the Pages”
Start with the pages readers use most, then add extras. A focused 40-page journal that works beautifully is better than 500 pages nobody navigates.
- Yearly goals & challengesA book-count goal, a 52-book tracker, A–Z or genre bingo.
- TBR list & wishlistTitles to read, priority stars and where to find each book.
- Book review pageRating, mood, tropes, favorite character, quote and a reread box.
- Monthly reading logStart and finish dates, format (print, ebook, audio) and pages.
- Favorite quotesBlank quote cards with page numbers so readers can find lines again.
- Series trackerBook order, what’s read and upcoming releases.
- Book club notesDiscussion questions, meeting dates and buddy-read thoughts.
- Lending trackerWho borrowed which book — and when it should come back.
How to build the journal, step by step
-
Pick one reader and one mood
Decide who it’s for before you design. A cozy fantasy reader wants different prompts than a nonfiction reader. Use the words your reader uses: TBR, DNF (did not finish), tropes, wrap-up.
-
Map pages and navigation
Sketch the index, section tabs and how many copies of each page you’ll include. For digital versions, plan a “home” link on every page so readers never get lost.
-
Design at the right sizes
Export US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) for the US and Canada, and A4 for the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Optional A5 or half-letter inserts suit planner binders. Leave generous writing space and margins that home printers won’t clip.
-
Export a clean print PDF
Use fonts licensed for commercial use, embed them in the PDF, and check that pages still read clearly when printed in grayscale.
-
Build the hyperlinked digital version
In a layout tool that keeps links on PDF export (for example Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher or Canva), link the index to each section and every tab back to its section. Make tabs large enough to tap with a finger or stylus.
-
Test, then package
Import the file into GoodNotes and at least one other PDF app, tap every link, and fix anything that misfires. Add a one-page “how to import” guide and a simple personal-use license to the download.
Printable PDF vs GoodNotes digital: the trade-offs
Most sellers offer both formats in one bundle, because readers are split between paper and tablets.
| Feature | Printable PDF | Hyperlinked digital PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Paper lovers, binders, book clubs | iPad and tablet readers |
| Page size | US Letter + A4 | Tablet-friendly portrait or landscape |
| Navigation | Printed index and page numbers | Tappable tabs and index |
| Reusing pages | Reprint the page | Duplicate the page inside the app |
| Nice extras | Bookmarks, cover sheets | Digital stickers, cover options |
| Main risk | Printer margins cutting content | Broken or misaligned links |
Pricing and bundles
Price by value, not page count alone. A quick look at public Gumroad listings in October 2026 showed reading journals from pay-what-you-want and around $4 for small files up to roughly $30 for 500-page hyperlinked editions with stickers. Treat that as market context, not a guarantee of sales.
A simple three-tier structure keeps choices easy:
- Starter: core pages only (review, TBR, log, quotes).
- Complete: every page in both PDF and digital formats.
- Bundle: complete journal plus stickers, cover options or a book-club kit.
Tip: offer one free review page as a sampler. It lets readers test the layout and gives you a reason to start an email list for launches.
Listing and marketing ideas
- Clear titles: lead with what it is (“reading journal printable”, “digital reading journal for GoodNotes”) before the brand name.
- Your own mockups: show real pages on a tablet and on printed paper. Five or six images covering each section answer most buyer questions.
- Flip-through video: a short screen recording of tapping tabs shows the hyperlinks working better than any description.
- Seasonal hooks: New Year reading goals, summer reading, National Book Lovers Day in August and holiday gifting.
- Pinterest: book-themed pins keep sending traffic long after posting — see the guide linked below.
Warning: don’t use book-cover art, long excerpts, pre-filled quotes from published books or TikTok logos in your journal or listing images. Let readers write their own quotes, and describe the product as BookTok-inspired rather than implying any affiliation with TikTok.
Pre-launch checklist
- Target reader and niche written in one sentence
- Core pages designed, proofread and consistent
- US Letter and A4 print PDFs exported with embedded fonts
- Digital PDF tested in GoodNotes plus one other app
- Every tab and index link tapped and working
- Import guide and personal-use license included
- Original mockups and a flip-through video ready
- No copyrighted covers, excerpts or platform logos
Ready to explore digital products?
Browse ready-made printables and digital tools in the Digital Idea Tool store, or see what other creators are selling on Gumroad for inspiration.
Visit the digital product store Browse Gumroad DiscoverFrequently asked questions
What should be in a reading journal?
Most readers want a book review page, a TBR list, a reading log and a place for favorite quotes. Yearly goals, challenge trackers and a series tracker are popular extras. Start with the pages your target reader would use every week.
Are reading journal printables still worth selling in 2026?
They can be, but the market is crowded. Reading demand stays steady, with adult fiction still growing slightly in 2025, so a journal aimed at a clear niche usually stands out more than a generic log. Results depend on design, listing quality and marketing.
What page size should I use for printable versions?
Offer US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) for US and Canadian buyers and A4 for most other countries, including the UK and Australia. Including both in one download avoids scaling problems and refund requests.
How do hyperlinks work in a GoodNotes reading journal?
The links are built into the PDF before export, so tapping a tab jumps to the linked page after the file is imported into GoodNotes or a similar app. Always test the final file inside the apps you list, because a link can break if pages are reordered after export.
Can I include book quotes or cover images in my journal?
Avoid it. Book covers and longer passages are usually protected by copyright, and platform logos are trademarks. Provide blank quote and cover spaces so buyers add their own for personal use.
Quick self-check quiz
- What does TBR stand for?
Show answer
To be read — the list of books a reader plans to read next.
- Which two print sizes cover most English-speaking buyers?
Show answer
US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) and A4.
- What makes a digital journal “hyperlinked”?
Show answer
Tabs and index entries are clickable links that jump to other pages in the PDF.
- How many PDF apps should you test the digital version in?
Show answer
At least two — GoodNotes plus one other, such as Notability or Noteshelf.
- Why is a niche journal often stronger than a generic one?
Show answer
The market is crowded, so a journal built for a specific reader gives buyers a clearer reason to choose it.
- What should every page of a digital journal include?
Show answer
A link back to home or the index, so readers never get lost.
- Should you pre-fill quote pages with lines from bestselling books?
Show answer
No. Leave them blank so readers add their own quotes for personal use.
- What file extras help buyers get started?
Show answer
A short how-to-import guide and a clear personal-use license.
- What is a good free sampler for a reading journal?
Show answer
A single book review page that shows the layout and style.
- Which marketing asset best proves the links work?
Show answer
A short flip-through video showing tabs being tapped.
Disclaimer & compliance note
This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Prices and market figures mentioned were checked in October 2026 and may change; they are not predictions of your sales or income. GoodNotes, TikTok, Gumroad, Canva, Adobe InDesign and Affinity Publisher are trademarks of their respective owners, and Digital Idea Tool is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Some links are affiliate links marked as sponsored. Always check copyright, font licenses and marketplace rules before selling. Questions or corrections: support@digitalideatool.com.
📝 Key Takeaways & Action Notes
Jot down insights, next steps, or thoughts from this post. Your notes save automatically in your browser.
- What is the #1 breakthrough insight you took away today?
- What is one concrete action you will take in the next 24 hours?
- What questions or ideas do you want to research further?
Stay ahead with exclusive updates
Join our community. Get curated industry trends, actionable guides, and fresh resources delivered straight to your inbox.