Cornus Creative

Free Printable Reading Journal Pages!!!

You can get a colorful yearly review page, an A-Z reading challenge page, and a monthly overview page for free! These are printables, so you can print them as many times as you'd like or use them as a digital journal.

Two dimensions are provided: A5 and 8.5 inch x 11 inch, so you can print the size that's convenient.

Check my website below to download these reading trackers. Happy reading!

WENDY, DARLING by A. C. Wise

This is a sequel to the classic Peter Pan story and a darker one. A few years ago, I watched The Lost Girls, a Peter Pan story which also explores a darker theme, but the only thing I liked about that movie was Louis Partridge, so I wasn't very hopeful for this book. I read it anyway out of curiosity and actually enjoyed it! In summary, this isn't the fairy tale we remember; it is a bleak, shadow-drenched exploration of trauma, institutionalization, and the power of motherhood.

Neverland is a strange place. How did it come into existence? Who, or what, exactly is Peter? Though Peter never grows up, Wendy did, and in this novel, the boy returns to kidnap Wendy's daughter, Jane. This forces the adult Wendy, who has survived a lifetime of being doubted and locked away in psych wards, to confront the monsters of her past.

The storytelling uses a dual-timeline approach, shifting between Wendy's and Jane's perspectives. I feel like something is missing from the writing. It's acceptable and perhaps good, but still somewhat bland. Nevertheless, the plot is interesting and not very predictable!

THE 48 LAWS OF POWER by Robert Greene

If you’ve ever looked at a social situation and thought, "There has to be a source code for this chaos," then this book is likely what you’ve been looking for.

This book may sound immoral, as some people perceive it. But honestly? Reality is rarely black and white; it’s mostly shades of gray. The author isn't necessarily telling readers to go out and be deceitful. Instead, from my perspective, he’s laying out the raw reality of how power has functioned for thousands of years. Whether you agree with them ethically or not, these tactics do exist. Ignoring them won't make them go away, but it makes you a much easier target. You don't have to use these laws to attack others, but you definitely need to be aware of them for defense.

The author backs up every law with fascinating historical anecdotes. You get these in-depth glimpses into the lives of those who followed the laws and others who naively transgressed them.

Is the book a bit "sad-but-true"? Sure. Does it uncover the seedy underbelly of how powerful people interact? Absolutely. But I believe facing the world as it is, rather than how we wish it would be, is the first step toward actually making it better.

After reading the book, don't forget to touch grass. There are people with sincerity, goodness, and genuine care out there!

If you need reading journals to record every book you've ever read, you can check them out here:

HOW TO JUSTIFY TORTURE by Alex Adams

"those who choose the lesser evil forget quickly that they chose evil." ― Hannah Arendt

Alex Adams's How to Justify Torture is a valuable intellectual exercise, deconstructing one of society's moral dilemmas, the Ticking Bomb scenario. We all know torture is immoral under normal conditions. But what if torturing a terrorist who planted bombs would make him/her reveal their locations and thus save innocent lives? This seems "obvious" that torture is a responsibility and has greater "utility". On the other hand, will that terrorist actually give the real information? If time is limited and the criminal has to be tortured, isn't it already too late?

The book also discusses other problems like the Dirty Harry problem and the Trolley problem. The analysis addresses three propaganda mechanisms: depicting torture as an unquestionably useful intelligence tool; portraying it as a heroic act; and associating it with a patriarchal obligation.

THE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER by A. A. Milne

I feel like the first book is childlike, while this second collection of stories about the Hundred Acre Wood is more directed at adults and explores things that truly matter. The wood's inhabitants are as lovable and varied as ever; Pooh still maintains his wisdom despite his "small brain", the brave and tiny Piglet is as nervous as usual, and Eeyore is still lovingly "depressed." Plus, this book brings us the bouncy Tigger, whose arrival creates the most delightful chaos. All the friends are so different, but their love for one another is equally profound, showing us that even the most pessimistic creature (like Eeyore) deserves a house built just for him.

Beyond the sweet adventures, this book provides a timeless map of early emotional life, dealing with worries, small acts of bravery, and the immense joy of simple companionship. The final chapter, where Christopher Robin is quietly readying himself for school, is perfect and heartbreaking. It acknowledges that some beautiful things must end, but the beauty of friendship never truly goes away. It might make you cry, but the final sentence will reassure you,

"But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."

DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama

I've always had a genuine interest in all cultures, communities, languages, and individuals of the world, so it's no surprise to me that memoirs and autobiographies are so appealing. I enjoy learning people's stories in their own words; it makes me like them, dislike them, root for them, and sympathize with them. I also believe it gives me more perspective as I navigate the world as an adult. But, of course, I remind myself to take anything authors say about themselves with a grain of salt.

This book didn't disappoint me at all! It is a profoundly compelling memoir that transcends political autobiography. I'm even more glad that it was written before his ascent to national prominence, written long before he ran for the presidential office. This book is a story rooted not in policy platforms, but in the intimate, sometimes messy, architecture of a young life built across continents and cultures.

WHAT I WISH I KNEW WHEN I WAS 2O by Tina Seelig

As someone in their early 20s, I got attracted by the title of the book. I'm scared to read self-help books since most of such books are not really my cup of tea. But this book didn't disappoint me.

In the chapter titled "Turn Lemonade into Helicopters," the author talks about how she helped a random person and then it brought unexpected benefits. She also advises to send handwritten thank-you notes to whoever lends a hand to you. I will always keep these suggestions for social interactions in mind.

The chapter about her friend's son thinking engineering was only for girls since he was solely surrounded by women in such fields gave me a smile, too.

Beware, though, because chapters in this book like "The Secret Sauce of Silicon Valley" and some philosophies she promotes are, well, "Silicon-Valley like". She writes, "There's no such thing as luck. It's all hard work." Hard work matters, but luck does play a HUGE role in success, from my point of view.

WINNIE-THE-POOH by A. A. Milne

A boy named Christopher Robin has a teddy bear called Winnie-the-Pooh. Despite his name starting with "Winnie", the bear is a boy, and it is "Winnie-the-Pooh", not "Winnie", after all. Pooh, who has an intense love for eating, lives with his other friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. Its inhabitants include, of course, Pooh with a small brain but an enormous heart, Piglet, whose courage is measured not by his size but by his devotion to his friends, the delightfully pessimistic Eeyore, the bouncy Tigger, and many more! Each member of the friend group has a different personality, but their love for one another is equally profound.

Before reading the book, I watched the movie many, many times as a kid and fell in love with every single character. I even wanted to go live in the Hundred Acre Wood! The friendship I saw on the TV screen warmed my little heart and made my already optimistic worldview even more optimistic and hopeful. Sadly, as I grew older, I started to notice in a really shocking way all the tragedies of life and the whole world, and it left me hopeless and miserable. And then, I picked up the children's books again, and Pooh and his friends, along with Alice, filled me with hope and joy, keeping my heart safe. I believe they will accompany me throughout my life and remind me again and again that there are still beautiful things in the world.

Also, stories like this provide a timeless map of early emotional life, dealing with worries, small acts of bravery, and the joy of simple companionship. Milne and the illustrator E. H. Shepard created a world where the greatest adventures are found in a stream, a muddy track, or a simple miscommunication. It reminds us that the most profound wisdom might be found in the most unassuming moments.

MRS. DALLOWAY by Virginia Woolf

"Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself." And so the novel begins...

This isn't just a novel; it's a masterful exploration of consciousness done with remarkable delicacy. For anyone who obsesses over the inner workings of the human psyche, this book is nothing short of a literary masterclass. Framed around a single day in June 1923, the plot is wonderfully thin. A high-society woman, Clarissa Dalloway, is merely preparing to host a party. However, the actual action takes place solely in the characters' minds.

Throughout the book, I fell in love again and again with Virginia's masterful use of stream of consciousness. She doesn't just describe thoughts; she draws the reader into the fluid, associative process of thinking itself.

The genius of Mrs. Dalloway lies in its parallel narrative structure. The story of Septimus Smith, a WWI veteran suffering from severe post-traumatic stress, is like Clarissa’s shadow. His descent into madness serves as a powerful critique of society's inability to address psychological damage. He represents the fear that Clarissa is desperately trying to conceal through her social performance and careful self-control. Despite never having met, their connection serves as the literary mirror, capturing the conflict between internal chaos and external composure.

"But he could not taste, he could not feel. In the teashop among the tables and the chattering waiters the appalling fear came over him- he could not feel. He could reason; he could read, Dante for example, quite easily…he could add up his bill; his brain was perfect; it must be the fault of the world then- that he could not feel."

THE PUMA YEARS by Laura Coleman

A really beautiful and lovely story! It's far more than a memoir about volunteering; it's a love poem for nature and Wayra, the puma. This book takes you deep into the untamed, harsh world of a Bolivian wildlife refuge and tells the story of how the author transformed from being lost in her twenties to finding deep meaning in the jungle. It’s a beautifully written, emotional account that earns its high rating through sheer compassion and honesty.

Coleman is a great writer, and her book is full of sensory, emotional, and psychological overload that makes you feel like you're right in the jungle. She doesn't shy away from the practical problems, such as the mosquitoes, snakes, and constant fight against illegal animal trafficking, as well as the constant destruction of the ecosystem. But there is a strong thread of hope running through this sorrow, carried by people who won't accept the idea that the forces of destruction can win. The book manages to maintain this balance with humor and deep compassion, providing vivid descriptions of life alongside bra-stealing monkeys, all while focusing on the courage of those battling for a better future.

The Puma Years is a moving, essential read that proves that the path to saving the world often begins with the simplest act of care.

THE METAMORPHOSIS by Franz Kafka

This is more of a terrifying, dark allegory about what happens when a person stops being a useful contributor to society than it is a tale of a man changing into a huge insect. The novella starts with the line, "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect." You're hooked from the start!

It is incredible to witness how the perception of other people, including his own family, about him changes as he descends into his insect form. At the same time, it is realistic and reflects how people treat each other based on their perceived worth.

Gregor's initial reaction isn't fear at how he has changed; it's panic about missing work and not being able to meet his financial responsibilities. He feels suffocated by the guilt of not fulfilling his obligation to his family, a failure compounded by the fact that society only values him for his labor. His change, whether seen as a sudden illness or a complete emotional breakdown, makes him an unproductive burden right away, thus, worthless. The tragedy even deepens as we witness the family’s reaction, the shift from care to resentment. The ending shows that the family is not sad about his inevitable death, but rather relieved, which is a scary lesson about how selfish people can be when faced with trouble.

The Metamorphosis is an essential existentialist reading, forcing us to look into our own abyss and question what fundamental qualities, beyond a steady paycheck, it takes to be considered human.

1984 by George Orwell

Truly thought-provoking and a warning to all of us. I like this book for the same reason as others. But there are also other things I want to say about the book. First of all, I like how, in the world-building, Orwell didn't present who Big Brother was; there's no Big Brother as an actual person, and it eliminates the potential collective revolution against an individual, for example, right? In addition, I love the ending; it wasn't something I had expected, as I hoped the regime would be taken down (how naive I was!!). I feel that George Orwell ended it this way so the world would take the threat more seriously. I really love the book, and I'm frightened, too.

From my point of view, the world we're living in is not very far from the Orwellian world. I think a lot about the telescreen that is used to monitor people in that world, and the idea of always being watched and listened to is extremely disturbing. But, in the real world today, aren't we voluntarily carrying one with us everywhere? And there are lots and lots of CCTVs everywhere!! It's like we're constantly being recorded. Winston Smith (the protagonist) panics over his private diary, and he isn't different from those of us with our anxiety about our digital footprint. The sheer impossibility of truly disappearing from the network!!

For Gen Z, including me, who have inherited a world characterized by economic instability, climate crisis, and a collapse of democratic norms, 1984 validates the depressing sense that systemic forces are designed to keep us powerless. But I'm still hopeful, and I don't know why. I won't read this book again coz I remember every single thing, and I've also witnessed practical implementations of "Orwellian" aspects.

New (and cute!) cover for my paperback reading journal!

I really love this shade of green and whimsical elements, so this cover is absolutely perfect for me.

Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics by bell hooks

A famous book on the subject. The approach is clear, concise, and profoundly accessible. hooks deconstructs feminism not as an academic theory or a movement for a select few, but as a practical, everyday practice that benefits everyone. When I read this book years ago, I was unfamiliar with diverse topics in feminism, so I was so happy to read about various topics, and the book gave me lots of thoughts to occupy my teenage days with. hooks systematically dismantles common misconceptions and fears about feminism, showing how its principles of equality and justice are a direct response to the oppressive structures of patriarchy. True liberation is a collective effort, and no one is truly free until all are free.

The section that stands out the most for me is the discussion of patriarchal violence. hooks makes it clear that this violence isn't just physical; it's a systemic force that harms everyone, regardless of gender.

However, the book falls short of its stated goals. Even though it's grouped by themes like "working women" and "reproductive rights," hooks is more interested in her own opinion and often goes on what seem like personal rants instead of giving a survey of research or facts. She writes in quite an assertive tone.

Nonetheless, I consider this book worth reading. I absolutely recommend it, but please read with a critical lens. Here are some parts of the book:

“If any female feels she need anything beyond herself to legitimate and validate her existence, she is already giving away her power to be self-defining, her agency.”

“Feminist thinking teaches us all, especially, how to love justice and freedom in ways that foster and affirm life.”

FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell

The story follows Cath, a socially anxious fanfiction writer, as she navigates her first year of college. The brilliant, no-nonsense roommate Reagan and the charming Levi provide some of the book's most memorable moments. The dialogue is modern and teenage in tone, and the pacing is quick. But the portrayal of college life feels a bit flimsy.

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PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND CONFESSION

This book holds a special place in my journey as a reader, but not in a good way. Let me explain...I started reading this book without learning what it was about. Ironically, the book's title, "Fangirl," caught my attention and made me imagine scenarios in which a girl has a super interest in a brilliant and good-at-everything classmate, realizes later that he, too, has flaws, starts to see him as another human, and becomes good friends with him, with the whole story being funny, exciting, and deeply philosophical (Looking back, that crush can be a girl, too, and the story could been even more colorful!!). My bad, indeed!! How can I enjoy the actual novel with expectations like these! As you may have noticed, I had the soul of a 19th-century philosopher trapped in a 20-year-old's body.

Throughout the book, I felt like I wasn't reading anything. The protagonist writes fanfiction of "Simon Snow," which completely felt like Harry Potter. I was a huge Potterhead, but I had no interest in fanfiction, and I had no negative views about it, either; I just didn't care. So, her obsession with the fanfiction world and her frustration over her professor not recognizing her work sparked no emotions in me. Honestly, I didn't enjoy the book at all and was so bored the entire time.

I have nothing against the book, however; it just isn't for me. But it can resonate deeply with anyone who has ever found a home in a fictional world.

(I'm sorry if I've made this too much about myself.)

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee

Fun Fact: Published in 1960, before the Civil Rights Act, the author, Nelle Harper Lee, chose to use a gender-neutral version of her name, "Harper Lee," to avoid drawing attention to herself and her controversial subject matter. She took the brave step of publishing a book that was ahead of its time, demonstrating the same kind of bravery and empathy that she wove into the fabric of her fictional characters.

Alright, here's the review:

A powerful and superb American classic. The novel is a strong coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of racial oppression in the Deep South. It is told through the eyes of the young and curious Scout Finch. The writing is both direct and elegant, making readers feel familiar with Maycomb. Atticus Finch's strong moral compass embodies the book's main themes of empathy, fairness, and courage. He teaches his kids and the reader how important it is to see things from someone else's point of view. The narrative is timeless and relevant because it shows how the innocence of childhood contrasts with the harsh reality of adulthood.