Personal Reading Inventory
A tool I use in my adult reading groups to help readers identify their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and goals. Information from the inventory is also useful in helping me structure the group and make selections.   Feel free to copy it and amend it to suit your needs!                   

Why a Personal Reading Inventory?

  1. It can help you (or your students) identify strengths and weaknesses in reading, as well as identify interests and goals.
  2. It is a useful tool for you (or your students) to use when asking for help in selecting books.
  3. The inventory can help teachers, librarians, and booksellers help readers find books that match their interests and goals.
  4. It serves as a personal record of books you’ve read, books you’d like to read, and your interests at this point in time.
  5. Like many surveys, it can serve as a valuable tool for reflection and self-analysis. For students, it can help them think about issues related to reading they hadn’t considered before.
  6. Data collected from such surveys can help teachers and librarians make selections and purchases for their school collections.

Questions: Personal Reading History

  1. List a few books that you enjoyed as a child and/or the first book you can think of that really piqued your interest in reading.

 

 

  1. List a few books you’ve enjoyed as an adult or list some of your favorite authors.

 

 

 

 

  1. List any books you’ve read more than once.

 

 

 

 

  1. List any magazines you read regularly.

 

 

 

 

  1. List your favorite movies or TV shows (if applicable).

 

 

 

 

 

  1. On the list below, check off the categories of books that you prefer reading (you can number them in order of preferences or use a check, plus or minus).

_____historical fiction                          _____romance

_____classic literature                          _____sad stories

_____humor (fiction or non-fiction)              _____books about sports/athletics

_____non-fiction (specify type if there is one):_____________________________

_____science fiction                             _____memoir/biography

_____fantasy                                       _____ “how-to” books

_____mystery/suspense                            _____religious materials

_____horror                                       _____young adult literature

_____courtroom drama                                 _____children’s literature

_____fictional diaries                           _____other (specify):

                       

Questions: Personal Reading Habits

  1. When and where do you usually read for pleasure?

 

 

 

  1. Why do you read during your leisure time?  (Number reasons 1-5, with 1 being the most common reason).

_____to escape daily pressures

_____to learn something new

_____to pass time while waiting/because of boredom

_____to engage my mind in something not work or family related

_____other (list and explain as many things you want)

 

 

  1. How frequently do you read for pleasure (for at least 15 minutes at a time)?

_____1-2 times a week                _____every day

_____3-4 times a week                _____only on weekends/vacations

 

  1. What distractions or obligations interfere with or prevent you from reading?

_____not enough time                              _____can’t find good books

_____family obligations                   _____can’t find books at my reading level

_____inability to concentrate                  _____I fall asleep when reading

 

4.  Do you maintain a record or log of the books you read?  _____Yes            _____No

            If yes, what is your method of recording the books?

            _____index cards                                _____casual written list

            _____scrapbook                                 _____write titles on calendar

            _____computerized list             _____other (specify):

 

Questions:  Selecting Reading Material

  1. How do you usually find out about books to read? (These can be numbered in order).

_____friends’ recommendations            _____students’ recommendations

_____displays at stores/browsing            _____book review magazines/journals

_____library displays/browsing            _____regular magazines_______________

_____online (name source: _______________)                 

_____TV (name source:__________________)

 

 

  1. Which of the following book review sources do you read?

_____Booklist                                               _____Book magazine

_____Publisher’s Weekly                        _____New York Times Book Review

_____Kirkus Reviews                                   _____Other:____________________

 

  1. Where do you usually get books?

_____borrow from friends                          _____chain bookstores

_____used or locally owned bookstores            _____order online

_____library                                                    _____other:____________________

 

  1. When browsing for books, which of the following is your main method of selection:

_____read the blurb inside or on back            ______read first page/chapter

_____look at the cover                            ______other:__________________

 

Goal Setting

Which of the following would like to achieve (if any):

_____read more classic literature

_____read more young adult literature

_____reread some favorite books

_____read more from a genre I don’t usually read (specify:_________________)

_____read a particular book I’ve been meaning to

_____read more often/make time for reading everyday

_____find new ways to promote books with students

_____find more good books to share with my own children

_____start a reading log

_____explore some new sources of book reviews

_____other: