Let me start by saying: I'm not a "planner person." I don't live and die by my planner. And the fact is, I only use a planner because it's a bookish one, and if I didn't have this bookish planner I just wouldn't use one at all. So there's that.
But, thankfully, there is a bookish planner and its bookishness is exactly what drew me to it. I'm sure there are a variety of book planners out there, and they all have something to offer, but it's the Always Fully Booked planner from Little Inklings Design that makes my bookish heart go pitter pat.
So basically what I'm saying is, I'm sharing this more from a bookish perspective rather than a planner perspective. Someone who is a hardcore planner might go in depth about all the aspects that makes it a great planner for them: a specific layout, a certain paper, a particular binding. Since my planner is simply here to allow me to do a deep-dive into more bookishness and is in no way meant to make me more productive (bahaha!), that's where I'm focused.
This is my second (or third?) year buying the Always Fully Booked planner and I'm a wee bit obsessed. The quality is top notch with a hard cover, a metal coil binding, and corner protectors. But inside... that's where all the fun is!
There's a page to record your yearly goals, pages to track book series, pages to jot down your favorite quotes, reading challenges, wish lists, coloring pages, and more. Each month includes pages for a TBR, new releases, book hauls, wrap-ups, and reviews.
I love that it's so easy to personalize the planner to suit my needs. I don't do reading challenges so I just skip those pages. I use the reading checklist pages to keep track of the books that I *really* want to read - basically, a top-tier TBR. I don't do a whole lot with the monthly spreads, but instead focus more on the weekly pages. There, I track my daily reading and page count, as well as any daily notes/appointments/etc.
Note: The last two pics are from my 2020 planner. The 2021 planner still has the bookshelf coloring pages (among others), and that's where I fill in everything I read throughout the year. The new planner also still has the monthly wrap-up page but it's set up a bit differently than what's shown here.
Unfortunately the 2021 Always Fully Booked planner is sold out (I'm pretty sure they sell out every year - you have to jump on them pretty fast to nab one), but Megan offers other bookish notebooks that are set up very similarly and I believe they are still available.
Speaking of Megan (designer of the Always Fully Booked planner and owner of Little Inklings Design), she is such a sweet person! I love following her on Instagram and YouTube. Not only is she an avid reader, but she is crazy talented and I get heart eyes seeing her planner pages and her stunning hand lettering. Her YouTube videos are a lot of fun and she shares how she sets up her planner, monthly wrap-ups, even her favorite pens and planner supplies.
DO YOU USE A BOOKISH PLANNER?
DO YOU TRACK WHAT AND HOW MUCH YOU READ?
LET'S CHAT ABOUT IT IN THE COMMENTS!
I just use Excel to track my reading, but I like the idea of planner for planning monthly TBRs or a top tier TBR, as you called it! It's so easy to forget about stuff I want to read!
ReplyDeleteI love Excel for tracking what I read! I've been using a spreadsheet (well, multiple spreadsheets LOL) for my reading for years. And still do. But there's something about the physical aspect of seeing it right in front of me that appeals to me so much. :)
DeleteWow! This is a work of art. Looks like you enjoy keeping it up though, so good for you. I just use a spreadsheet.
ReplyDeleteI've been using a spreadsheet(s) for years and haven't given that up, but I love having it right in front of me, too, in the planner. Plus I get to play with markers and pens and that's always fun. :)
DeleteThis planner is gorgeous! I don't use a planner, but I would seriously think about using this one. I kind of want to buy one now... And your penmanship is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI don't use this as a typical planner at all. I am just not one to keep track of every little aspect of my day/life. But I love the bookish aspect and I just use it in a way that works for me and makes me happy. And thanks for the comment on my handwriting. :)
DeleteThis is so pretty!!! I really need to be on it next time around, because a bookish planner would be so fun. I have a "bullet journal" of sorts where I keep track of books and playlists and movies I saw. I didn't do well in 2020, so I really need to go back and fill things in again and then do better this year. It's fun to look back on though!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I know so many people who love (and swear by) bullet journals but I know I wouldn't want to always be making my own spreads. I love have pretty monthly/weekly pages already done for me. LOL
Deleteaww...this one looks so beautiful and I love all the little details to it. I have struggled with planners too, and I hope that this layout works out better for you. Happy planning 2021!
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee! I'm not a planner at all so I don't use it for typical planner purposes. But I make it work for me with tracking my daily reading, jotting down notes of what occurred each day, etc.
DeleteI read this post and a part of me screamed "WANTS IT!!" What an awesome planner! I may have to keep a look out for 2022's print run! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL That's how I felt when I first came across it, Nicci! :)
DeleteI haven't tried using a physical planner. I use excel to track my reads and have been playing around with an app called Notion but your planner is much prettier!
ReplyDeleteI've kept a spreadsheet of what I read for many years, and still do, but I love the physical aspect of seeing it in front of me in the planner. :)
DeleteI have received a reading planner in Owlcrate for the past two years. I used it a lot last year until I was overwhelmed by everything. I am determined to use it this year though and so far so good.
ReplyDeleteI don’t really use mine as a typical planner (like I mentioned, I am definitely not a planner girl LOL) but I love using it for all the bookish stuff. Makes me happy. :)
DeleteI'm terrible about using my planner but I could see myself getting into using one like this. It's so pretty!
ReplyDeleteUsing a "regular" planner just hold no interest for me, but the bookish nature of this one makes all the difference. :)
DeleteI am not a planner either, Tanya! I just try to post my review close to the books release date and call it good, lol. I also don't do reading challenges other than Kimba's audio one (which reminds me I need to work up a post for that! Ack!) and the Goodreads one. That being said, this planner looks wonderful! I love it! It's probably sold out? Bummer.
ReplyDeleteChallenges just don't appeal to me. I want to read what I want to read, when I want to read it. The thought of having to read a certain book to fulfill some "slot" in a challenge... ugh, it makes me feel prickly and annoyed. LOL
DeleteYes, this planner sells out pretty quickly but she has a smaller, similar book called The Novel Companion on her site which looks really great!
Oh wow that looks so cool and so useful for readers/bloggers. I typically just use Goodreads and a spreadsheet to track and those do work for me. I did give bujo a try and that didn't work for me because I wasted so much time trying to figure out layouts and designs but this planner seems better!
ReplyDeleteSame here, Nick, with Goodreads and a spreadsheet. I *love* my spreadsheet and have been keeping it for years and years. There is so much reading history there and it totally makes me happy. :)
DeleteOh, and bullet journaling always sounds/looks like way too much work! LOL
I'm definitely a planner!! And I looove the look of this one. I have a planner for my blog, one for my personal life, one for our family and a digital one. LOL!! Yes, it's definitely a little much but I love it.
ReplyDeleteAnd this one really makes my bookish heart beat faster!! :D
Wow, that's a lot of different planners! I am so impressed that you can keep them all going. That's awesome that you have a system that works for you.
DeleteI love this planner as well. It is my 3rd year using it.
ReplyDeleteThat's so great that you have one, too, Samantha! It actually became a calming sort of hobby for me.
DeleteI'm drooling over this, I love booknotes and pens. I first used Excel to track my reading habits but I recently moved back to booknotes. It was a bit complicated at first but I think I'm finally finding a way to track it all. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so important to find a method that work for you and fits your needs/preferences. I'm glad you're finding a way that works for you! :)
DeleteThat totally stresses me out lol but it's adorable!!
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
LOL No stress! No stress! Look away from the planner if it stresses you out. :)
DeleteYour planner looks so fun! I use a mix of a desk calendar and Google calendar.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer! It's great that you've found a mix that works for you. :)
DeleteOmg that is beautiful and I love the templates! Do you have a lifestyle planner and a bookish planner?
ReplyDeleteNope, just this bookish planner. And if I didn't use this one I wouldn't use one at all. I'm just not a planner. LOL But tracking what I read, tracking book hauls and tbr's, etc... right up my alley. :)
DeleteThis planner is so pretty! I love all of the different aspects it incorporates into it. I use to use the app to-do to keep track of books releasing and favorite author books I still need to read. The latter I now track on Goodreads but I'd love a better way to track new releases coming out, this looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteJen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog
Thanks Jen! I've never heard of the to-do app. That's a new one on me. I still track everything I read on the Excel spreadsheet I've kept for years, but it's fun to also have it physically in front of me to see. I have fun with it. :)
DeleteI don't have this planner but I actually just joined the Always Fully Booked FB group where people share their planners and other inspo! I'm not so great at all with planners even though I love them 🤣 I've received reading planners from Owlcrate for the past 2 years and I always start filling it in but then never actually finish it. I'm determined to do that this year though 😃 Maybe next year, if I successfully complete this planner, I'll cave and buy the AFB one! It's looks so colourful and fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm so you mentioned the Always Fully Booked FB group because I didn't know about it! I joined it yesterday and I love seeing everyone's spreads. So many creative people (which I am not!). I hope you find the Owlcrate planner is one you can stick with this year!
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