Now I m in two minds having been against writing in the margins as I read a book ,and prefer taking notes in my note-book .But sometimes forget my notebook or don’t note down a thought straight away I wonder if a pencil and notes in margins as I go is best .As I think back on a book for review I sometimes have thought I need more notes ,so do I take this step and change habit of lifetime not writing in a book ?
What do you do ?
How do you keep track of thoughts as you read ?
Note don Quixote post tomorrow as I didn’t finish reading it til 2 in the morning this morning
I never really took notes, instead relying on my thoughts and feelings and the impact the book made on me after I finished it. But I must admit I find it a struggle to write reviews sometimes after I waited a bit too long. Perhaps I should get a notebook..
This what I found a couple of days and my thoughts drift away ,all the best stu
I never never ever write in a book, not even with a pencil, not even do I mark passages with a fine line.
A book, an may it only be a pb, is sacrosanct, no markings and no Eselsohren, of course! 🙂
But a little scribbling pad beside the book, on the desk or the bedside table is great…
Nice post topic, Stu!
Love, Tati
oh tati ,bit like I was for a long time still not wrote on a book yet but considering it ,all the best stu
Marginalia rules Stu. It took me ages to get around to doing it physically in my own books – as you may well remember – but once I took that difficult first step I haven’t looked back since. If nothing else it lets you get engage with the text more fully.
Of course I will add that pencil is the only way to go when it comes to ‘marking up’ your books. but you already know that. If you’re still a bit hesitant Stu then you can always use Post-it Notes of Sticky tabs instead. It doesn’t offer you the same level of intamicy but it will ensure your books stay pristine.
Personaly though I’d go for it. Good luck!
Rob
thanks rob ,may start with post it notes as a first off ,need get better at recording thoughts ,all the best stu
I never write in my books. Then again, I’m so lazy that I don’t even take notes on other paper when I’m reading. I’ve been thinking that I should start taking notes so I don’t forget how I felt about the book as I was reading it as opposed to letting the ending sometimes dictate my impressions. So perhaps I will take Rob’s idea and use Post It Notes. My fear is that my reading will become an academic exercise if I start taking notes!
that what has happen to me ,especially when I ve been off and read a few books in a week ,so need some more note taking ,all the best stu
I’ve been known to write in books from time to time. I normally write on a piece of paper though, or dog-ear the pages. Shock of shocks right? Write in a book AND dog-ear pages!
oh I have little arrow book marks use sometimes to mark pages to quote from ,all the best stu
Annotate, annotate, annotate!
Books are living tools to be used!
The pencil is stronger than memory!
thanks Kevin ,all the best stu
I don’t write in books…I keep a special reading notebook. I don’t always have it with me though, so sometimes I end up with notes on scrap paper which I keep in the book itself. Not ideal, but I can’t bring myself to write in books anymore…I used to do it and felt racked with guilt every time.
oh thats is what i feel I may still not sure ,all the best stu
I think post it notes are the way to go, since you can leave them in the pages that they relate to. They never go missing, and your books remain scribble free 🙂
many thanks for your first comment I am drawn towards post it note ,all the best stu
I am past the stage when books have to be revered because they are books. I scribble all over them and make notes in the inside covers. Not my problem what future owners think of it! – life is too short.
oh you and rob both scribble in your books ,need get better at note taking ,all the best stu
What a great question!
I can never bring myself to write in fiction books – when I’m reading a borrowed book, I find other people’s annotations rather grating. I suppose I view books a little like a Stradivarius, I don’t own the text it is merely in my care for a time (phew, that sounds pretentious! moi?)
With non-fiction it is the opposite. Particularly if I am studying I feel the need to scribble, annotate and doodle my way through the text.
Grace
i have in past grace just need a better system lol ,all the best stu
notebook & pen go everywhere I go, which when full I keep for future reference. thought about writing in books, but having bought 2nd hand books only to find them scribbled all over & not liking it, also a lot of my books come from the library. So for me its a notebook & I have quite a collection.
I don’t take notes either but have been seriously thinking about getting a reading notebook as it’s difficult for me to recall my favourite quotes when writing reviews. I’m uncomfortable writing in books, just can’t do it, but it doesn’t bother me if others do it, as long as it’s their own books they’re writing in!
I going with post it and notebook to start off and occasional marginella