There’s something irresistibly intimate about reading a story told through diary entries. They can be written in multiple genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, and even down to middle grade and teen readers. Whether it’s the charm of the narrator, the suspense of piecing together entries, or the heartbreak of reading events unfold in real time, this style of writing offers a unique personal reading experience. If you want to dive into stories that feel like they were written just for you, here are 11 of the best books written as diary entries.
Fiction
These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
Written in the form of diary entries by Sarah Agnes Prine, this historical fiction book follows the journey of a young woman living in Arizona between 1881 and 1901. Inspired by the author’s great-grandmother, the book follows Sarah as she journeys from being a teenager on a wagon train to a woman facing hardship, love, and loss.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
This coming-of-age novel — written through witty diary entries — tells the story of Cassandra Mortiman, a 17-year-old girl living in an English castle in the 1930s. Cassandra uses her journal as a means to capture life around her and to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer. Cassandra records her family’s hardships with poverty, ambition, and love as she grows from teenage innocence into a mature woman who experiences the complexity of human relationships and the bittersweet nature of first love.
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Single, 30-something Bridget Jones is determined to take control of her life. Her diary quickly becomes a candid record of her mishaps, insecurities, and chaotic adventures. With sharp, witty honesty, Bridget’s entries capture the essence of modern womanhood — from dating disasters, career struggles, family pressures, and the search for happiness.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
This science fiction novel is told through the diary-like progress reports of Charlie Gordon, a 32-year-old man with an intellectual disability who undergoes an experimental surgery. The same procedure was performed first on a lab rat named Algernon. The novel is heartbreaking as it explores themes of human dignity, isolation, love, and the ethical limits of scientific progress. It forces readers to confront what it actually means to be intelligent and what it means to be human.
Nonfiction
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
This real-life journal follows Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager who went into hiding with her family during World War II. The diary shows us life during wartime and the anxiety-ridden experience of being in hiding as Anne records her daily life, sharing her fears, frustrations, hopes, and reflections.
The Diary of Samuel Pepys by Samuel Pepys
Written in shorthand and not originally intended for publication, this diary chronicles almost a decade of Samuel Pepys’ life, writer and Tory politician. The diary offers a remarkable record of major historical events such as the Great Plague of 1665, the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the Second Dutch War. It’s a vivid painting of Restoration England, and full of unfiltered self-reflection of someone who lived through one of England’s most turbulent eras.
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
The Diary of a Bookseller is a sarcastic chronicle of life running The Bookshop, Scotland’s largest second-hand bookstore, located in a small town. It’s told through daily diary entries as Shaun captures the personalities and quirks of customers, the pros and cons of online book sales, and the battle with unruly staff, eccentric locals, and technology that’s unreliable. It’s a laugh-out-loud and heartwarming glimpse into running a bookstore that book lovers will find irresistible.
Middle Grade/Teen
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
This read follows the hilarious diary entries of teenager Mia Thermopolis, whose life is turned upside down when she finds out that she’s the heir to the throne of Genovia. Through her diary entries, Mia records the chaos of being a normal teenager with algebra homework and high school drama while being trained for her royal role by her grandmother. Mia’s voice captures the rollercoaster of adolescence with a royal twist, making it a modern classic.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Told through illustrations, this book follows the life of middle schooler Greg Heffley, who’s trying to survive the awkward ups and downs of adolescence. Greg records his daily life with a mixture of doodles and snarky commentary that covers just about everything from embarrassing school moments to sibling rivalries. The series perfectly captures the chaos of growing up, being packed with relatable cartoon humor.
Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renée Russell
Written as the illustrated diary of Nikki Maxwell, a middle schooler navigating adolescence as she struggles with fitting in at her new school. She records how she clashes with popular girl Mackenzie, the everyday disaster of friendship, and embarrassing moments. Nikki’s diary captures the awkward, dramatic, and relatable reality of middle school life, making it a favorite everywhere.
Diary entry novels can capture the rawness of thought, emotion, and the feeling of living right alongside the narrator, which is something no other format can achieve. Whether filled with humor, heartbreak, or secrets, these stories can prove that a diary isn’t just a record — it’s something that allows others to experience it.
Interested in reading more nonfiction reads that may not be in a diary entry format? Check out our non-fiction titles bookshelf on Bookshop.
Check out our recommendations on the best journals for readers here.
