If you’re a fan of bullet journaling, of the feeling of pen on paper, then chances are high you’re also an avid book lover. Even if you’ve got a large to be read list, you’ll want to make more room for the books in this roundup.
Bullet journaling, in general, can involve so many different things: from a basic to-do list to introspection and journaling, to creativity and art.
Why not open up a new book that will help you to understand your bullet journal more, allow you to unleash your creativity, or increase your productivity?
These are the reads we think you should absolutely check out: our pick of 15 essential books for any bullet journal fan.
- The Bullet Journal Method
- The Artist’s Way
- The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up
- The Untethered Soul
- Big Magic
- Digital Minimalism
- The 5 AM Club
- Adventures for Your Soul
- Year of Yes
- The Power of Now
- Bored And Brilliant
- Messy
- The Little Book of Mindfulness
- Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
- Atomic Habits
1. The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll
This book has to be number one on the list, as it was written by the creator of the Bullet Journal himself: Ryder Carroll. I strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes bullet journaling: whether you have years of using one under your belt or have yet to crack open your first journal.
This book first walks you through the why behind bullet journaling and then dives into how to bullet journal and use the system. From collections to rapid logging to daily pages, Ryder covers all the basics (and then some)!
Do yourself a favour and pick up The Bullet Journal Method if you haven’t yet read it.
2. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Even if you don’t think of yourself as a quote on quote ‘artist’, I truly recommend reading this book to anyone who has benefited from their bullet journal.
If you’ve been in the bujo community for long you’ll have heard the term morning pages floating around. That is one of the concepts that Cameron introduces in her book, which involves a stream of consciousness journaling first thing every morning.
Shelby of Little Coffee Fox has some information on how she does her morning pages if you want to get started right away, and I strongly recommend reading Cameron’s book for other tools to help unleash your creativity.
3. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
While this book doesn’t have anything to do with bullet journaling or creativity directly, I do think it is an important read.
You’ve likely heard of Kondo’s method of tidying up which involves getting rid of everything that doesn’t “spark joy”. While she dives deeper into the concepts in the book, I believe this book can be very beneficial when it comes to using your bullet journal.
Not only could you create a ‘tidying up’ spread in your journal, but by going through this method and decluttering your life you would be allowing yourself more clarity in your home environment. I believe this would then transfer over to how you use your bullet journal, and allow for more focus on your to-do list (instead of the clutter and visual noise that used to be all around you)!
4. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
Mindfulness is often a word that goes hand in hand with journaling, or when people are talking about their bullet journals. In this book, Michael A. Singer talks about digging deep inside oneself and trying to put an end to bad thoughts and habits that may be limiting your growth.
While walking through this experience with Singer, your bullet journal would be the perfect place to jot down your thoughts, feelings, and what you’ve learned.
5. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
In this book, Gilbert, the author of “Eat Pray Love” writes about how everyone has Big Magic inside themselves - which is the ability to create and be creative.
Big Magic opens up many journaling opportunities on the path to discovering what really makes you happy. What will you create?
6. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
If you’ve decided to use a bullet journal, then chances are you are aware of how utterly distracting technology can be. While a digital calendar system can be tempting at times, by using your bullet journal you are riding yourself of distractions and invoking more focus.
In his book, Newport dives into the reasons for choosing ‘Digital Minimalism’, as well as a 30 Day ‘Digital Declutter’ process to help you feel less overwhelmed and distracted, and more in touch with the moment.
7. The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma
A reoccurring theme for those who use a bullet journal is developing a morning routine to make the most of the day.
While some schedules don’t dictate being able to wake up at 5 am precisely, I’m positive that some of the practices Sharma teaches will stick when crafting that perfect productive morning routine.
Spoiler: staying off of your electronics is a theme in lots of these books!
8. Adventures for Your Soul: 21 Ways to Transform Your Habits and Reach Your Full Potential by Shannon Kaiser
Tracking habits are something that many people who use a bullet journal do. If you’re struggling with internal habits and achieving your goals, pick up this book by Shannon Kaiser.
Kaiser talks about getting rid of negative habits, and how you can change your mindset to increase positivity and happiness in your life, and reach your full potential.
9. The Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
I believe that a bullet journal could be a very positive tool in dissecting this book! It can be so easy to say no to things that arise, especially when we have a to-do list a mile long that seems like it will never be done.
With Rhimes’ experience and advice, turn your to-do list into a tool that helps you say yes to more things in your life, and open up to more experiences!
10. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
This book has sold over 2 million copies in the quest to teach others how to live in the moment instead of the past. Whether you’re a chronic over-thinker of what you could have done differently, or you just want more advice on how to be more present, this is a must-read.
The Power of Now is an essential book for any bullet journal fan because, at its roots, your bullet journal is supposed to help you in the moment.
You aren’t supposed to dwell or focus on the past with your bullet journal (that would be a scrapbook or memory journal). You also don’t want to go too far into the future either (that’s why you just have a future log, and you typically don’t pre-plan the whole year like a typical paper planner).
A bullet journal revolves around the daily log, and if you’re struggling with focusing on the now, this book is highly recommended.
11. Bored And Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self by Manoush Zomorodi
As a bullet journal fan you know the importance and benefits that come from unplugging from the plethora of devices we’ve acquired.
In Bored And Brilliant, Zomorodi shows (through science) how we can reevaluate our electronic use to find creativity, by doing nothing at all. You’ll definitely want to make notes in your bullet journal from this book!
12. Messy: The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives by Tim Harford
This book is for all the so-called ‘messy’ bullet journalers out there. Maybe you beat yourself up because your weekly spread isn’t an artistic masterpiece, like the ones you see all of Instagram.
In Messy, Harford connects chaos and disorganisation with creativity and success. Sometimes we all need a bit of mess to be at the top of our game, and that can certainly reflect in your bullet journal!
13. The Little Book of Mindfulness: 10 minutes a day to less stress, more peace by Patricia Collard
A handy reference guide, this book on Mindfulness is the perfect introduction to those new to the concept, or to those who need a refresher.
With quick daily practices, this book can help you find calm in the chaos and slow down in a world of technology.
14. Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon
This book is currently available for pre-order, and it looks like it will be very beneficial to those struggling with creativity and focus.
With 10 pieces of advice, Kleon teaches how to stay true to who you are in a world of things vying for your attention.
15. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
This is another book I recommend for those that are struggling with making habits that have a positive influence on your life. In this book Clear talks about making time for positive habits, how to be successful when you just don’t feel like it, and ways you can arrange your environment to increase your success.
Atomic Habits may just have you revamping your habit tracker in your bullet journal.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found some new books to read from our 15 essential books for any bullet journal fan. From journaling prompts to mindfulness, the books on this list will help you to discover your true self, to live in the moment, and to increase your happiness and productivity.
**With your bullet journal by your side, which book are you going to open up next? **