What to do with book notes?

Submitted by The_Idea3 t3_yz37l3 in books

I really enjoy reading nonfiction books like biographies and self-help. I also have started listening to more thought-provoking podcasts. Throughout both of these activities, I take notes on what I find interesting, inspiring, or I feel is good advice. However, I rarely come back to my notes. Advice on what to do with my notes?

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the_mental_itch_guy t1_iwxurn2 wrote

Consider building a Zettlekasten or a 'second brain'. It might help you to build connection between seemingly unconnected information.

You can then use them to write or explore concepts you enjoy or want to know about.

https://zettelkasten.de/posts/overview/

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ennaangel t1_iwz1b5m wrote

Jup, zettelkasten is also in my opinion the way to go. You can also start by looking into "evergreen notes" Personally I like to use obsidian.md software as second brain.

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The_Idea3 OP t1_ixamgjs wrote

Great, thank you both! I’ll have to get em out

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cmcbrooks312 t1_iwxw8ns wrote

I scribble my notes in the book margins. Which means they’re my books for life since no one else wants them. As fir brief podcast notes I just type them in my phone, kind of ethereal.

I did the Bible in a Year podcast last year and saved those notebooks, just cause.

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All_Rise2019 t1_ixdnrhd wrote

I’ve started doing this as well and find it very useful to go back to a book and skim through my notes to see the important points during my reading. In my mind I tell myself one day my kids will open these books and can see what my thoughts were on these topics

I’ve tried the notes on a word document or other digital platform and it’s just not the same to me.

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IndigoTrailsToo t1_iwy2g8d wrote

There are a couple of programs and websites where you can write down what books you have read and the notes that you have taken on the books. Unfortunately I can't remember what the names of any of these websites are but they are out there.

There is any number of systems to take notes on the books that you have read. Whatever works for you really.

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ThisIsSoroush t1_iwyggyv wrote

I use a flashcard app and make question and answer cards for different things I found interesting. I mostly use it for new vocabulary though. You can use Anki which is free, or Readwise which is paid and not as good of a tool for power reviewers.

I also have been starting to post my book notes on my blog because well, because one of the books I read called “Show Your Work!” By Austin Kleon kind of encouraged me to do this type of thing. The other guy in the comments said second brain and Zettelkasten, but to keep it simple for you, that type of system is basically a precursor step to help you to posting your own notes, articles, and books, or YouTube video.

So at the end of the day you can do two things:

  1. Make a question set on your notes and review them regularly.
  2. Show your notes on the internet in some form. Maybe someone else will find your notes useful.

Edit: sorry for any typos. I was typing in a rush.

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chuckalicious3000 t1_iwyjy2c wrote

I annotate in my books instead of just taking notes

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minimalist_coach t1_iwzel5r wrote

It depends on why you made the notes and what purpose you want them to serve. The act of writing notes doesn't require you to do anything with them.

My dominant learning style is Kinesthetic, the act of writing notes helps me retain the information. The only time I ever refer back to my notes is if I'll be tested on the material. I usually keep a notebook with my notes from reading nonfiction and when it's full I throw it away.

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elessar2358 t1_ix72shq wrote

Depends on why you made the notes. If you don't feel the need to come back to them at all, then you probably need to think of a strong purpose as to why you're taking them. You don't necessarily have to do it.

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The_Idea3 OP t1_ixamn6z wrote

I like noting what I find interesting. I haven’t decided what I want to do with them. I’d like to see what underlying themes I find interesting

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All_Rise2019 t1_ixdoe6t wrote

I do the same, I’ve started writing my notes on the margin of the pages. I use this to go back after a period of time and easily refresh myself on what I seen as important points of the reading

I also feel that one day my kids will open those pages and can see what my perspectives were of those points in the book, as they begin to read more

I’ve tried various other methods and I just never go back to them like you’ve pointed out. Something to me about picking up the book skimming through and looking at my notes, I think it also helps give more context to the note in case you jot something short that later you don’t fully remember what your note was referencing

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puckgolf t1_iwzgrnh wrote

Throw them in the trash.

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GoldenPenman t1_ixk5njj wrote

In a lot of respects I agree. I rarely refer to my notes (except for work purposes). It's more like I'm writing the notes as as some sort of kinesthetic way of memorizing or plugging it in my head or a therapy. I also rarely refer to my writers journal for the same reason.

Personally I'm loathe to toss out my personal notes. Thay said, it may be many years down the line that refer to them... but I may wonder "who the hell was that idiot who wrote these notes?" :)

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