Do you take notes as you read? If so, do you highlight or make notes in the book itself, or write comments down on paper? What do you generally note?
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For me, it depends on the purpose for which I’m reading. Most of the books these days are for review or for the book discussion, so I do take notes extensively on what I’d like to say about it in a review or potential quotes I can use to illustrate style, or what would make a good discussion question. When I just read for fun, though, I don’t make notes at all (and that includes my audiobook listening, which are my “fun books”).
That’s one of the reasons I love my Kindle. I don’t think my notes would be anywhere near as comprehensive if I had to rely on paper, plus on the Kindle, my notes are searchable.
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Not any more. I will; however be interested to research a person, note, setting, historical event, etc. mentioned in the book.
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… and that’s another thing I like about my Kindle. I see something in a book that I want to know more about and I can get to Wikipedia with just a tap!
I take notes for books I read for BookBrowse discussion and for my book club meetings. Otherwise, no except I write down quotes that strike me. I try to enter a quote from each book I read in my book/life journal.
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When I’m reading with intention to review, I 
take notes as I read, and for that reason I prefer digital copies of books. That way, I have search capability within the text as well as an easily searched and organized record of my highlights and notes. After a long spate of review copy books, I truly savor holding an IRL book in my hands.
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I tend to highlight and make notes in nonfiction books read for work. But not fiction books. After teaching English for 20 years, and modeling annotation for my students, I think I just wanna read unencumbered. Plus I’ve switched to library books.
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Only for the reviews that I write. If I have a genuine reaction to something, I write it down to make sure that my thoughts are original and not based on a preview.
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I lead several book clubs so I definitely take notes. I find I comprehend and retain better with a physical book rather than on an ereader but if I’m just reading for pleasure ereaders are fine. I hilight, use post its and jot thoughts or questions in a notebook.
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I make notes for the books I read for bookclubs. I use Notes on my iPad. I also sometimes use sticky notes for the books. I read a lot and I read fast so when the book club comes around notes are very helpful! I do not underline or mark up my books.
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When the chapters are dealing with one person and then subsequently start another or the time is not linear, I will use notes to keep the persons or time line. It is hard to have to store who or what is going on when this happens. Generally, I can jot down info and refer to it until I have the facts in an order.
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Yes I take notes especially if I am going to do a review. That is why I love my kindle too.
I also do notes on paper for hardcover books that I have read. I find my memory isn’t what it used to be.
Like other bookclub members, I always take notes and/or use stickies to mark something I want to refer to during book club discussion. I’ll make some notes when reading historical nonfiction if that book is a topic that I’ll be doing reading about later on.
I never deface my books, but I do write notes on paper as I read, especially if they’re for a book club. Otherwise I’ll just scrible a few important points as I go along or summarize it once I’m done. I also keep a list of any inspirational passages on a separate list.
I wish I were more dedicated to capturing quotes. I admire your respectful goal, Lana.
I typically take notes for book discussion reads. I have a table in my Apple notes app to record character names and features.
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I use post-it notes for books I am reviewing. The only time I actually write in a book is in one of my cookbooks to capture how I tweaked a recipe.
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Me, too, Lana. I only highlight or notes when I need to do it for some other purpose. Otherwise, I just keep a list of quotes. Tell us one of your favorite quotes, please.
Kim, my kids gave me a Kindle when they first came out. I finished a book when I didn’t know I was near the end! I gave up on that and gave the Kindle away. My faculty gave me one as a gift 10 years later; I tried it again and I still didn’t like it. Give me a real book anytime!
Absolute favorite quote since I first read the book 50 years ago is the last line of the The Great Gatsby: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
The meaning, the lyricism, the purity of language; it is the most perfect line and book I’ve ever read. I reread it every 3-4 years and always pick up on something new.
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