One of the questions I often get as a book blogger is: “How do you keep track of all your reading and blog activities?” The truth is, while there are dozens of sleek digital tools out there, I’ve found that nothing works better for me than a good, old-fashioned calendar.

I like to keep my process simple, intentional, and flexible—because as much as I love blogging, life doesn’t always run on a perfect schedule (especially with little ones at home). Here’s a peek into how I track my reading and manage blog content behind the scenes.

Planning with a Calendar

Every Sunday, I sit down with my calendar and map out the week ahead. This includes all things blog-related, such as:

• Archiving older reviews from my previous website
• Drafting and publishing new reviews
• Writing fresh blog posts
• Scheduling giveaways, spotlights, or other bookish features

By mapping out my week in advance, I can see exactly what’s on my plate and adjust depending on how much time I’ll realistically have. For example, if I know a particular weekday will be busy, I’ll schedule lighter tasks—or pre-schedule a post in advance—so that my blog stays consistent without creating unnecessary stress.

Managing Deadlines and Reviews

Review deadlines are non-negotiable, so I always make sure those are clearly noted on my calendar. If a review is due on a certain date, I’ll schedule the post in advance so it goes live right on time.

Meanwhile, my backlog items (archived reviews, unfinished drafts, or features I haven’t gotten around to yet) remain on the calendar but unchecked. Instead of letting them overwhelm me, I treat them as placeholders—reminders that I can circle back to whenever I find an open slot. This helps me move forward without losing track of what still needs attention.

Staying Flexible

The best part about using a calendar is that it allows me to see both the big picture and the daily details. I can shift things around if needed, reprioritize on the fly, and still keep my blog moving forward.

For example, last month was full of firsts for my family—our son started preschool, and we were all adjusting to new work routines, different sleep schedules, and a completely new daily rhythm. All of that left me with very little time to post consistently. But because I had my calendar in place, I could see what needed to be postponed, what could be shifted, and how to keep moving forward without letting it all slip through the cracks.

And looking ahead, I’d also like to start adding something new to my calendar—something I’ve been dreaming about for years. I’ve always wanted to be an author, but I’ve never really carved out the time to sit down, do the research, and start writing. That’s about to change! I’m starting small with short stories based on writing prompts, with the hope that I can slowly work my way up toward larger projects. It’s a little nerve-wracking, but I’m excited to share this part of the journey with you all.

Final Thoughts

Tracking my reading and blog activities this way gives me structure while still leaving space for flexibility. Some weeks are more productive than others, but as long as I keep updating my calendar and checking things off little by little, I know I’m making progress.

And above all—having readers who continually come back to my website and enjoy the content I share means so much to me. I do this for the love of reading, but knowing there are like-minded readers out there who appreciate what I create—even when life throws curveballs—makes the journey all the more rewarding.

Do you track your reading and blogging digitally, on paper, or a mix of both? And for my fellow aspiring writers—how do you make time for your own writing goals? I’d love to hear your thoughts!