Journaling Ideas: What Books Have Changed You?

Every now and then, you are lucky enough to discover an exceptional book, one that affects you deeply and changes the way you see the world or even how you see yourself. A great novel can inspire you to travel to faraway places or to treat others with empathy; a great piece of non-fiction can spark an interest in a new career path or encourage you to explore questions about spirituality and religion.

What books have had the biggest influence on your life? Use these journaling ideas to express why certain books are so important to you.

Journal Writing Your Literary Favorites

Timing has a lot to do with which books resonate with you at different points in your life. Think back to the books you read when you were growing up; which book made the strongest impression on you during your childhood or adolescence? Write it at the top of a page in your personal journal and use these questions to jog your memory:

1. What is the book about? Is it fiction or non-fiction? Is it funny, thrilling, sad, mysterious?

2. What did you like most about it? What characters, themes or topics did you relate to when you read it?

3. Have you read the book multiple times? Have you read it as an adult? How do you think your perception of it has changed over the years? Is it an outdated story now, or does it still ring true today?

4. What emotions do you remember experiencing when you read it for the first time? Did it change your perceptions or perspective in any way?

5. What long-term influence did the book have on you?

Switch gears and consider the books you’ve read as an adult that have had a lasting effect on you. Which one would you choose as your favorite? Write the name on a new page in your personal journal and answer questions 1 and 2, plus:

1. How old were you when you read this book? What was happening in your life at the time, and did that affect the way it resonated with you?

2. What thoughts or feelings did it inspire? Did it cause you to change your beliefs or philosophy in any way?

3. Has it had an effect on decisions you’ve made?

What books did you write about? Share them in the comments.

Need some more personal journal ideas? Download our free journal writing prompts e-book!