I admit it – I’m addicted to journaling, but I might be even more addicted to reading books about journaling. While browsing my mini-library of journaling books (yes, I have that many), I thought it might be nice to put together a list of my favorites. While there are plenty of amazing books about journaling, these stood out to me as books that really had an impact on my own practices. Let’s get into 5 of the best books on journaling (in my opinion). This list should work for anyone from beginners to lifelong journalers!
1) The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Great for anyone who wants to live a creative life.
From Goodreads: “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path To Higher Creativity is a self-help book by American author Julia Cameron. The book was written to help people with artistic creative recovery, which teaches techniques and exercises to assist people in gaining self-confidence in harnessing their creative talents and skills.”
2) Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Great for those using journaling to find inner peace.
From Goodreads: For more than twenty years Natalie Goldberg has been challenging and cheering on writers with her books and workshops. In her groundbreaking first book, she brings together Zen meditation and writing in a new way. Writing practice, as she calls it, is no different from other forms of Zen practice—”it is backed by two thousand years of studying the mind.”
3) The New Diary by Tristine Rainer
Great for anyone looking for a new perspective on journaling.
From Goodreads: The New Diary is about a completely modern concept of journal writing. It has little to do with the rigid daily calendar diary you may have kept as a child or the factual travelogue you wrote to recall the Grand Canyon. Instead, it is a tool for tapping the full power of your inner resources.
The New Diary is as much for those who already keep a journal as it is for those who have never kept one. It does not tell you the “right” way to keep a diary; rather, it offers numerous possibilities for using the diary to achieve your own purposes. It is a place for you to clarify goals, visualize the future, and focus your engergies; a means of freeing your intuition and imagination; a workbook for exploring your dreams, your past, and your present life.
It is for everyone seeking concrete methods for dealing with personal problems. It is for women and men interested in achieving self-reliance and inner liberation, for artists and writers seeking new techniques for overcoming blocks to creativity.
4) Keeping a Journal You Like by Sheila Bender
Great for anyone in a journaling rut. Also, great for anyone who is nosey like me (it has real entries from real people!).
From Goodreads: Keeping a Journal You Love mixes practical instruction from beloved author Sheila Bender with advice and sample journal entries from respected writers such as Ron Carlson, Patricia Hampl, Jim Harrison, Robin Hemley, Philip Lopate and others. Readers will find dozens of writing prompts and inspiring instruction that will teach them how to get more use and enjoyment from their journals. Beginning journalers, as well as more experienced ones, will learn to write about travel, hobbies, personal thoughts, insights, emotions and theories. A final chapter explains how to move from journal entry to publishable piece. * Dozens of insightful writing prompts help readers get more use and enjoyment from their journals
* Includes sample entries from respected professional writers
5) The Decorated Page by Gwen Diehn
Great for anyone interested in trying their hand at art journaling.
From Goodreads: “Diehn opens up a new dimension—the artist’s vision of visual memories. Consider this a superscript above all other entries.”— Booklist . “Encourages those who hesitate to start in on the pristine pages of a nicely bound blank book…. Lively and interesting illustrations make this a good selection for public library collections.”— Library Journal.
Getting to read the written insights of others on the subject of journaling is truly fascinating. In a landscape full of remarkable books on the topic, these 5 recommendations stand out. Happy reading!
