How to Use ClickUp Book Journal Templates

ClickUp makes it simple to build a flexible digital book journal where you can track reading progress, organize notes, and plan what to read next in one workspace.

This how-to guide walks you through setting up a complete reading system using the book journal templates available in ClickUp, based on the workflows highlighted in the original ClickUp book journal article.

Why Use ClickUp for Your Book Journal?

Instead of scattered notebooks, spreadsheets, or apps, you can centralize everything about your reading life inside ClickUp.

With a dedicated book journal Space or Folder, you can quickly:

Capture books you want to read
Log books you are currently reading
Record finished titles with ratings and notes
Store quotes and ideas for later reference
Share recommendations with friends or your team

The ClickUp templates for book journals give you a ready-made structure so you can start tracking your reading without building everything from scratch.

Step 1: Add the ClickUp Book Journal Template

The first step is to bring a book journal template into your Workspace so you can customize it to your needs.

Open ClickUp and navigate to the Workspace where you want to manage your reading.
Create or select a Space for personal productivity, learning, or hobbies.
Inside the Space, add a new Folder or List dedicated to your book journal.
Open the template library and search for a book journal or reading tracker template inspired by the ClickUp blog examples.
Apply the template to your new List so all recommended views, Custom Fields, and sample tasks are created for you.

Once the template is in place, you can begin customizing the structure to match your reading style.

Step 2: Customize ClickUp Custom Fields for Books

Book tracking works best when each task includes specific details about the book. ClickUp Custom Fields turn simple tasks into rich book records.

In your new List, edit or add Custom Fields such as:

Author (Text)
Genre (Dropdown or Labels)
Format (eBook, print, audiobook)
Start Date and Finish Date (Date fields)
Rating (Number or Dropdown)
Page Count (Number)
Reading Goal (e.g., yearly target)

Use the Custom Field configuration shown in the ClickUp blog as a reference, and remove any fields that are not relevant for your personal reading workflow.

Step 3: Build ClickUp Views for Your Reading Workflow

A powerful feature of ClickUp is the ability to display the same book data in different views for planning, execution, and review.

From the book journal template, you can configure views like:

ClickUp List View for All Books

Use List view as your master library. Each task represents a book and each Custom Field represents a key detail.

Group by reading status (To Read, Reading, Finished)
Sort by start date or rating
Filter by genre or format

ClickUp Board View for Reading Status

Board view gives you a visual reading pipeline that mirrors common templates from the ClickUp blog.

Create columns for To Read, Reading, Paused, and Finished
Drag books across columns as your status changes
Quickly see which books are still in progress

ClickUp Calendar View for Reading Schedule

If you like planning your reading, Calendar view in ClickUp helps you align books with your schedule.

Map start and finish dates on a calendar
Plan when to start major books or series
Track whether you are keeping pace with reading goals

Combining these ClickUp views gives you both high-level and detailed visibility into your reading activity.

Step 4: Capture Books and Notes in ClickUp

Once the framework is in place, start filling your ClickUp book journal with real titles and ideas.

Add New Books as Tasks

Create a new task for each book you want to track.
Fill in the title as the task name.
Complete the Custom Fields: author, genre, format, and page count.
Assign a status such as To Read, Reading, or Finished.

Use the ClickUp Description for Notes

The task description in ClickUp works as your long-form reading journal.

Summarize the book in your own words
Capture key takeaways and arguments
List characters, plot points, or concepts to remember
Add reflections, interpretations, and action items

Store Quotes and Ideas

Within the task, you can also use checklists, sub-tasks, or comments for quick snippets.

Create a checklist called “Favorite Quotes”
Use comments to log ideas as you read
Mention other tasks or goals connected to the book

This approach follows the deep-reading workflows illustrated in the ClickUp blog, turning each book into a rich, searchable record.

Step 5: Track Reading Progress in ClickUp

To keep your reading habit consistent, use ClickUp features to monitor progress and keep yourself accountable.

Create Reading Goals

Using Custom Fields or Goals, you can set targets and measure results.

Set a yearly goal for number of books
Create a field for “Percent Complete” if you like granular tracking
Use a formula field to calculate pages read

Use ClickUp Dashboards for Oversight

Dashboards in ClickUp help you visualize your reading stats across Lists and Spaces.

Add a chart for books read per month
Display average rating across finished books
Show progress toward your yearly reading goal

This type of dashboard mirrors the analytical mindset promoted in the official ClickUp reading templates.

Step 6: Review and Refine Your ClickUp Book Journal

A book journal is most valuable when you return to it regularly. Use ClickUp features to conduct structured reviews.

Filter your List view to show only high-rated books when recommending titles
Search by keyword to recall ideas linked to work or personal projects
Tag books by theme so you can compare perspectives across titles

Over time, refine your ClickUp setup by adjusting views, statuses, and Custom Fields to match the way you actually read and learn.

Advanced Tips: Extend ClickUp Beyond a Simple Journal

Once your basic ClickUp book journal is running smoothly, you can extend it into other areas of your life and work.

Link book tasks to learning projects or skill-building tasks
Create automations that move a book to Finished when the end date passes
Use templates for recurring book review formats

If you want help designing a more advanced workspace that integrates reading, projects, and documentation, you can consult productivity experts such as Consultevo to optimize your overall ClickUp setup.

Start Your Reading System in ClickUp Today

By combining templates, Custom Fields, and flexible views, ClickUp becomes a powerful hub for your reading life. Use the book journal patterns from the official blog as a starting point, then adapt them until your ClickUp workspace feels like a personalized library, notebook, and planning system in one place.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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