Review Strategies and Taking Notes

[Yssimnar]

While reading books, are there any note-taking strategies that work well for you? I want my content to be engaging and wonder if the secret resides in the notes.

What ways can we use the reading process to prepare a foundation for the review? How do you all approach this?

[DATo]

I don't think this is what you are talking about but maybe you will find it useful.

I've mentioned in these forums before with regard to making notations in books that I just put a small period (very tiny / almost invisible) in the margin of a line that I want to go back to review later. I make the mark with a pencil and then put the page number(s) on one of the back flyleaves of the book. This saves marking up (thus defacing) a book. Also, it keeps a record of all the points of interest I've come across in the book with the book. For instance: I might read a beautiful passage and want to remember it as an inspiration to something I might write in the future. So I put a penciled (very small and light) period next to the beginning of that sentence and record the page number on the back flyleaf perhaps with a small notation beside the page number which says "beautiful phrasing". Anyone who later reads the book and comes to that page will not even recognize the period mark as intentional and would most probably think that it is a flaw in the paper or print. Only YOU will recognize it because you will be looking for it.

I can't tell you how many times I've been on the verge of screaming out loud when I come across used books covered in text which has been underscored in ink or gone over with highliters or writing. No reason for that at all if this system is used.

[Beth KG]

I take notes while I'm reading the book but find it to be an onerous process. I note errors and whatever thoughts strike me for possible inclusion in a review. I start out with the date I began reading the book and the title and author, of course. Additional thoughts from someone who has been writing reviews for a while would be very much appreciated!

[Asisha Joseph]

I just jot down quick notes on character, plot, structure etc. Otherwise, if it takes more than a day to finish a book, what I read at the start would be muddled up.

[jgraney8]

When I read an ebook on my Kindle Paperwhite, I can take notes when I highlight something. When I finish the book, I send the notes to my email address. That way the notes are available for writing a review, and if I export the document as a csv file, I can copy information for pasting in the review process where I need to record the errors in the book.

[Harley-Panda]

If the book is through Kindle I will usually highlight any errors or discussion points. I also keep either a notebook or a notepad file on my phone in which I jot down ideas for my review, and I write page numbers for each note so I can easily find it again. I try to make notes on characters/plotlines etc. whilst reading to draw back on for my review, and I note down anything like adult themes where necessary so that I don't forget anything in the review.

[jjmainor]

I see popular phrases other people have highlighted, and I always wonder why or what notes they wrote about those phrases...

[Karen Crumley]

I've created a template in word, that helps me list my likes and dislikes about the book; plus any other notes I chose to add.

I highlight errors in blue, and passages I like in pink. I also highlight important plot points in yellow. I add notes to most of these highlights.

I don't write the summary until I've read the entire book.

After finishing the book, I wait one day to start the first draft and let things settle in my mind a bit.

[Sunday diamond]

Because of this issue of note taking, that's why I prefer reading books with my lithium eBook reader. I can takenote of useful points I felt important to use in my review, also to mark out errors.

Generally I do take note of: summary of each chapters or each themes, errors in the book and the overall idea of the book.

[Sunday diamond]

If you are using this lithium eBook reader or any other eBook reader that can enable the reader to markout text, you can easily mark out some points there straightaway.

[dreamthewilderness]

When I take notes, I color-code into a few different categories for ease later when writing the review. Right now, my categories are one color for errors/dislikes, one for things I like, one on theme, and one on contra-theme (because I'm interested in how it will resolve, if at all, as the story continues). I'll also include specific details about what's occuring for me as I read. For example, I'll highlight something I like in blue, and note "imagery" next to it.

[Alice Thokchom]

I take notes while reading. I write down the feelings I get while reading, the errors and the characters.

[Riptide]

I see popular phrases other people have highlighted, and I always wonder why or what notes they wrote about those phrases...

I've always been puzzled by this too. It always makes me wonder, "Do other people think this is deep?"

[Khrysalis]

Yes, I take careful notes. Not obsessively, but when a certain passage or line evokes a response from me. I also make a note of characters as they are introduced, particularly if the book as a large cast. Going through these notes before I review helps me remember and keep track of the things I might like to mention in the review.

[Zora C Penter]

It took me a long time to really start using any of the ereaders, but the inline highlights and notes I can take on my kindle finally sold me.