The Art of Book Journaling

Journaling is a big deal in today's world. There's longhand for the ambitious and the all-new bullet journaling for the creative. Today I'm going to talk about the new sort I've explored, and why I think you should give it a shot.

I am not a journaler. I've tried for so many years to journal my life and it just . . . never happens.

I was first compelled to journal a book when I participated in a book club this summer. It was part of the assignment: to find something new and creative to do as you read.

So I tabbed pages and quotes as I read the first book, Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan. I found it amazing how much more themes and quotes stood out to me, when subconsciously looking for them! Since the book is middle-grade and set in Africa it was an easy read, but had lots of wildlife. Thus the extra thing I added was pictures of the birds Rachel mentioned and characteristics of them.

The second book I journaled (also for book club) was An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott. I could not wait to do this one since it is one of my favorite books! As you can tell, I used plenty of tabs.

This time I even color coded them: green for a quote or observation, purple for something I could formulate a question off of for book club. (I am going to lead this session and will post a PDF with the questions for you guys to answer!) With some fine point pens my friend gave me for graduation, I was able to make the journaling I did match the tabs. I love it when colors have a purpose :)

The purpose of tabbing is so that I don't have to stop reading; I can just flag something I like and journal it later. So that was awesome.

Another book I journaled was If I Run by Terri Blackstock. This one I picked up from the library after becoming curious. I had no intention of journaling it until I realized what a good subject it would be a few pages in! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of this one before I had to rip out all of my beautiful blue tabs and return the book to the library :(

I was so thrilled that this book included discussion questions, that not only did I journal this book, I typed up all of my journal notes on it and decided to share them with you! I figure it is the best way to show you exactly how I do it. (Probably best not to read it if you haven't read the book, or intend to. Some mild spoilers are contained.) You can click here or check it out on my Reviews page.

I haven't decided what book I'm going to journal next, but it shall be glorious! It really does help me get more out of a book. Since writing things down helps me remember them anyway, I've found this a very good way to retain more of what I read.

I highly recommend that all of you try journaling a book at some point. If you're going to do it, some tips:

• you cannot journal too much your first time!
• pick a low-key book to begin with
•  use a journal that can lay flat
• make it your own (pictures, doodles, quotes, song lyrics, research)
• share pictures with me! :)

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I'm so excited about everything I've discovered while journaling! Have you read any of the books I mentioned? I highly recommend all three of them, especially for journaling. How do you book journal? What kind of journaling do you most enjoy?

A Time to Die ~ Blog Tour/Review

This book, you guys. No promises that this review will be more than rambling about its awesomeness. Also, prepare for links. Lots and lots of links. Yes, of course I expect you to click them all!

~Back Cover~

How would you live if you knew the day you'd die? Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.

~Characters~

Parvin ~ I related to her. Unlike the "typical" YA heroine, she pulled off the misfit really well. She's only different on the inside; she fits in otherwise. All she wants is to be stand out enough to be remembered, but not in a showy, stuck-up way. Viewing herself as weak, she's a bit of a self-downer, but always moves on and moves forward.

Jude ~ Oh my word. I get the impression not everyone likes this character, but I did!! He wasn't a complete dream or nightmare; he wasn't very good, but he wasn't bad at all! I appreciated that he could be kind, funny, hateful, apologetic, stuck up, and sullen. It made him 100x more real than lots of characters I've read.

Willow ~ The tiny albino girl. I loved her spunk, maturity, adorableness, and compassion. She was able to respect her village's rules and still remain loyal to her friends. I want to be her.

Skelley Chase ~ *shudder* With just a few blatant descriptors, I had a vibrant dislike any time this fellow was mentioned. And I also happened to cast Ben Kingsley in my mind. Don't ask about that one.

Do you know how hard it was to refrain from including Solomon Hawke, Mrs. Newton, and Reid? You gotta read the book(s)!

~Setting~

Being dystopian, it's futuristic America. Except now it's the West and the USE (United States of East). A great Wall separates the two, and no one from either side has a clear idea of what would await them if they (for some insane reason) wanted to make it over. The East is developed, under government control, and "civilized." The West is a wasteland, with presumed primitive culture, if there are any survivors at all.

~Plot/Theme~

Time. I really loved this element, not only as a good storytelling device, but as an ingrained part of society. Parvin finds strength and fear in her Clock and it's all very beautiful. 

Purpose. This is something else Parvin struggles with. She wants to do be remembered, make a difference, and do what she's supposed to. But how is she to know? Her Clock is ticking. God had better stop being cryptic and hurry up if He cares about her at all.

~Overall~

10/10 shrooms. Yep, that's equivalent to 5 stars! Despite what you may think, I do not hand these out like candy, so take me seriously here. ;) Everything was original, well-told, fresh, descriptive, riveting, and completely in touch with me. I loved how Nadine approached weaving Parvin's struggling faith. The book made me cry twice in a three-hour time span, so that alone earns it bonus points. Don't get me started on the cover. It was a mere convenience that the photo size resulted in such glorious formatting ;)

~The Exciting Part~

Why all the hype? Well, besides the fact that it's an awesome book, there are two more in the series. The final book, A Time to Rise, comes out October 14! Needless to say, much of the world is jumping for joy. It's not too late to help spread the word! *insert Nadine wants YOU sign*

• Pre-order!! You can get some awesome swag, I'm told (Just. Do. It.)
• You can include this nifty countdown:

• Review any of the books you've read on Amazon, Goodreads, etc
• Twitter users, join Nadine's Thunderclap event
• Facebook users can attend Nadine's party
• Pinterest users can drool over the boards! (header photo cred)

~About the Author~

Who is this insanely awesome Nadine person, you ask? Here's what she calls her long, boring bio. Check out her website and blog for her fun and quirky personality!

I am an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. I never received my Hogwarts letter, but rest assured I’m no Muggle (and would have been in Ravenclaw House, thank you very much.) This Harry Potter super-nerd has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family-size) by herself, and watches Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. I write about brave living, finding purpose, and other worlds soaked in imagination. My dystopian trilogy (The Out of Time Series) challenged me to pursue shalom, which is now my favorite word (followed closely bybumbershoot.) When I’m not taste-testing a new chai or editing fantasy novels, me and my knight-in-shining armor (nickname: “hubby”) are out pursuing adventures.

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Have you read this awesome book? (I cannot wait for #2 and #3.) Please no spoilers from any of the books, so those who have yet to discover this series can relish in the full potential! What are you waiting for? Order the entire series! If not for you, then for someone else (not a hint) :)