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Do you passively read books, or do you take some form of notes? This is more relevant for nonfiction obviously. I'm in the process of writing a post about how I organize I remember information and part of that is taking notes. I'm curious what your methods are though. - Cameron Plommer
1. Use colored pens
Mike Bruny: i use a colored pen so I can underline and take notes in the margin.
Carmille: I underline in both fiction and nonfiction. There are some memorable quotes, theories, and in fiction--scenarios. I'm a big fan of the business-pen (you know, the one with different colors in the barrel?). So I use different colors for main points/arguments, and other colors on things favorite quotes I want to add to my Tumblr, or ideas I want to elaborate on via blog. Like to write on the margins too.
2. Underline
Sarah Fowler: I'm a big underliner. I can flip through later and see what was important.
3. Google Docs
Scott Rafferty: First off, I have set up a Google Site that is the central command for my life. It's my single source of truth with Gmail, Google Calendar, To Do, Document Storage, Projects or Ideas. Within my Google Site I have a "Reading" section that I take book notes and save them there. I usually write down the page number, the quote or thought, and my thoughts about it. It's amazing how much of a book comes back to me when I just review my book notes on my Google Site.
4. Arrow flags
Gustavo Lemus: I use post it arrow flags, then i take some notes in my lap top. That way i keep a digital track of ideas, and i can read the book again and notice some "new" ideas.
5. Word document
Danver Chandler: I actually open up a word document and type page numbers and a brief synopsis of the page/quote. I prefer my Word document with notes and quotes - I just open a second window or keep the lap-top nearby. If not possible it goes on paper then the computer very shortly.
6. Post-It Notes
Tai Goodwin: I use post it notes - jot down the page# and idea and sometimes a quote.
Regina Twine: When I was in school, I would highlight my textbooks but now that I'm out I tend to write notes on post-its and stick them on the page I'm referring to.
Christina: Personally, My first time through is just for pure enjoyment...If it is a book however that I feel I will need to reference later I use the small sticky notes and pen to mark pages and take notes
7. Sheet of paper
Percival J. Meris: I hate to be distracted with taking notes while reading. I read the entire material first, and if I should decide to take notes, I do it in the second reading. I do it on a separate piece of paper, because I do not want to write on my book.
Christopher How: I'm big on mindmapping if there's the need. A single page of mindmap allows me to make all the notes I need from a single book. When I'm done with the mindmap, I simply keep it in the first page of the book for future references.
9. Highlighter
paulmacp: My first read is always fast and deliberate, then I re-read with a highlighter and my note book
Emily D. Vere Nicoll: I tend to highlight or make comments right along the book margins. That keeps me engaged while reading and helps me remember what I was thinking when looking back over the book.
10. Evernote
Cameron Plommer: The method I use is an adaptation from calnewport.com, Study Hacks. When I read something that I want to remember or is a main point or is just a good quote, I use a pen to make a small dot on the sentence. I do not stop to write it down because this slows down momentum. Instead I go back after I'm done reading and write down the dotted sentences in Evernote.
11. Facebook Notes
Melanie McGrath: I underline and write notes in the margins! Sometimes I write notes on my facebook notes for some reason.
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