Wooden bookshelf with row of colorful books at different angles, an pothos plant, turtle, and the RBF logo.

Favorite Reading Accessories

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by

RBF
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Half of reading as a hobby is collecting books, book and reading accessories, and other things that make reading more enjoyable. We’d also consider whatever makes reading more organized as enjoyable because we’re Type A and love charts, lists, spreadsheets, etc… We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite book accessories. Not surprising that we both love the StoryGraph app. They’ve been doing so many fun updates to the graphics and user interface lately. Oh and we ❤️ stickers.

What book or reading accessories are your favorite?

Alyssa

I only read digital books at this point, using an iPad Air with the Kindle, Nook, and Libby apps. I tried to read a physical copy of Bride that Meagan loaned me in July and gave up three pages in. Considering it’s an Ali Hazelwood book that is saying something! I just can’t do it anymore. Which means most of my favorite accessories are also digital.

Reading Journal

Before Meagan introduced me to StoryGraph, I was already using a digital reading journal. I love a fun, creative challenge, and learned how to make my own. It was pretty time-consuming, and I’m sure there are versions you can buy online, but I love how mine turned out and have so much fun logging my books read, monthly stats, and more.

Apps
  • The free Keynote app lets you create presentations, that can be exported as a PDF. I did all of the design work creating the pages of my journal using this app.
  • The PDF is then imported into the Goodnotes 6 app. This app allows me to scroll through the journal pages, write in it, import book cover images, and so. Much. More. I love this app.
  • I use the Procreate app and the Apple Pencil to design my own digital stickers and draw the background designs for pages.
  • The StoryGraph app has the most amazing charts and stats that I make sure to add into my book journal. Yes, I log books into both places. I don’t even care because it’s worth it.
Alyssa's Book Journal Index Page
Alyssa's Book Journal Annual Stats Page
Alyssa's Book Journal Bookshelf Page
Alyssa's Book Journal Monthly Stats Page
Alyssa's Book Journal Reading Brackets Page
Alyssa's Book Journal Favorite Quotes Page
Journal Pages
  • Index Page – Includes yearly stats and hyperlinks to the sections for each year.
  • Annual Stats Page – Starts off the section for each year with the wrap up stats thanks to StoryGraph.
  • Bookshelf Page(s) – Where I log each book onto my bookshelf design. It generally takes three pages to get them all in. Oops.
  • Monthly Stats Page – Self-explanatory…Have I thanked StoryGraph yet???
  • Reading Bracket Page(s) – Meagan introduced me to book brackets (She is seriously the best!) and I include one for my favorite book each year, plus any challenges I set in January. (Get a free downloadable 2024 bracket!)
  • Favorite Quotes Page(s) – Finally, the journal has a section for quotes, organized by year, of course.

Decorative Accessories

I’m a sucker for stickers and buttons, especially when they are book related. I usually find mine online on Etsy, occasionally on Amazon, and my favorite new find… Mariana Zapata’s website. The queen of slow burn has the cutest slow burn designs. It’s so rare for me to find stickers or buttons in stores, that it is super exciting when I do.

  • Alyssa's book-related buttons: Booked All Weekend
  • Alyssa's book-related stickers. Favorite reading accessories
  • Alyssa's book-related buttons: Slow Burn Reader

Meagan

Let me start this with a slow clap for the beauty of those digital journal pages, Alyssa. Your creativity is inspiring.

Apps

  • StoryGraph is my favorite book tracking app. I love that I can mark books as owned and use the filters to figure out which books I want to read next based on if I own it along with all the other filters. Plus, charts and graphs are so so fun.
  • goodreads is the first reading app I used. I think I mostly just use that one still for the friends aspect of it. I have a couple friends and like seeing what they’re rating the books they’re reading.
  • Even if you don’t read physical books, get a library card so you can get Libby. It is awesome for kindle and audiobook loans. I use it a lot for the memoirs I listen to.
  • Apple Notes TBR list – I attempt to track my goals, books I’ve read, and the format they are in with my notes app and it’s much simpler than using the other apps to track. Plus, there’s something satisfying about tracking and checking things off on a simple list.

Kindle Accessories

I typically read physical books, but I love my kindle, too. Mostly, I love how cute it is with its accessories. (insert photo).

  • I love stickers in general and the clear kindle case makes it so fun because I can swap them out. I don’t actually stick them on, so I can change it up!
  • The popsocket is super helpful for holding the kindle comfortably. I also have a stand and remote, but I haven’t had great success with either, the concept is such a good one for lazy reading.
  • I typically buy stickers from Etsy or if I find them in a physical store.

Book Accessories

  • Anything that fits between two pages can be used as a bookmark, but I love cute ones. I enjoyed sewing my own with scrap fabric from other sewing projects. These are cute to gift, too! (tutorial)
  • I keep track of my favorite quotes or other parts of a book that stand out with post it tabs.
  • I have it on my list to get a book stand, for function and cuteness.
  • Having a library card has saved me from buying a lot of books (ignore all my haul posts, please) and I enjoy going and picking books I’ve never heard of.