Long time listener, first time caller. I enjoyed reading about your reading habits and note-taking, in particular. I was surprised how similar we are in this regard.
My habit is as follows:
1. Slow read with pencil in hand (never, ever a pen)
2. Only marginalia. I use vertical lines on the sides of paragraphs to mark horizontal rows of texts. I used to be an underliner but found upon re-reading a book, my eyes were always drawn to previous conclusions and I was missing out on new nuggets. Vertical lines on the edges are somehow a little less intrusive on the body of text. If a certain few lines have really stood out then I’ll put a little exclamation point next to the line.
3. Other marginalia will include questions, authors or others works that would be good to cross-reference, and short phrases from the text that have stood out and in that case they will be added to my own index at the back with a simple page number and one or two word phrase to jog my memory as to what stood out.
4. As I am an addict for used bookstores from whatever city or continent I happen to be on I will also write my name, the city in which I acquired the book, and the date. Typically, all of this will be on the first page of the book in the upper right hand corner and always in pencil! I will also write the name of the store or person I got the book from too. In addition to all of that, I will indicate the date and location I started to read the book along with date and location of when I finished it. I don’t really know why I do this, but I have really enjoyed looking back on where books have traveled and how long it has taken me to start and finish.
5. When I’m done with a book, I will log the author and title along with date started and completed in my journal. I will also record any lines from the text that have really floored me (and this is usually only three or so) and record those in a second, smaller journal that only contains other phrases I’ve come across over the past 20 years.
I have never written all of that out before and now I realize that I’ve outed myself as rather neurotic when it comes to the printed word. Thank you for this odd catharsis, Paul.
This is fantastic, Lee. Makes me happy on levels I thought only my children could provide. I love the way you gather, organize, track, etc. And #4 is so good on the relationship of books. This is exactly why I prefer a physical book. You reminded me that I write my initials and the season of year on the front page...and I tip my hat to you and will be adding the name of the store and/or person to that process. thank you, Lee
Hey Paul, I just want to say that it is with baited breath I wait for the Nonrequired Reading List.
I am one of those armchair readers until I'm pulled in out of my habit and into a new place. Andrew Krivak had has a hold of me so recently. The Bear was first and then Signal Flame and then Sojourn and then withdrawal.
Your latest post on how you read again gave me a sense of freedom, the same sense when I first encountered, the NRL. I am not a scholar nor a formal student and have never been and yet feel compelled that my life has a syllabus that must be completed. Your hardwork here has opened widows and doors.
I too glean from, take pleasure in and graze on books although I've never thought of it this way.
Thanks Jon, grateful for your words on how the NRL is landing for you. That was more than I could have hoped. Sounds like you have found your syllabus, be sure to keep us posted on how it continues to unfold.
Feb 28, 2022·edited Feb 28, 2022Liked by Paul Swanson
Hey Paul. Relatively new here, but listening more to you and Brie speaking with Richard Rohr. I would like to dive in more here and see invitations to Basecamp. (Just checking--is this a metaphorical basecamp or the tool Basecamp?) Wondering how one joins as no links seem to appear for me (I may not be signed in optimally for these or . . .). Peace & good, Pat Lynch ( padraig@well.com)
Patrick, glad you pulled up a stool to these contemplative shenanigans. You are set and signed up for these monthly missives. If you want to check out the Contemplify podcast, musings on practice, and ramblings on contemplative life. Check out contemplify.com.
and it is indeed a metaphorical basecamp, but I do in fact find the founders of Basecamp to be highly instructive to my approach to work. The book ReWork by Jason Fried (can't remember the cofounder's name) is a must read for anyone with some sort of office work life. And oddly enough, Lee, another commentor here is the one who tipped me off to ReWork. I digress. Steady on in all good things, Patrick
Hi Paul,
Long time listener, first time caller. I enjoyed reading about your reading habits and note-taking, in particular. I was surprised how similar we are in this regard.
My habit is as follows:
1. Slow read with pencil in hand (never, ever a pen)
2. Only marginalia. I use vertical lines on the sides of paragraphs to mark horizontal rows of texts. I used to be an underliner but found upon re-reading a book, my eyes were always drawn to previous conclusions and I was missing out on new nuggets. Vertical lines on the edges are somehow a little less intrusive on the body of text. If a certain few lines have really stood out then I’ll put a little exclamation point next to the line.
3. Other marginalia will include questions, authors or others works that would be good to cross-reference, and short phrases from the text that have stood out and in that case they will be added to my own index at the back with a simple page number and one or two word phrase to jog my memory as to what stood out.
4. As I am an addict for used bookstores from whatever city or continent I happen to be on I will also write my name, the city in which I acquired the book, and the date. Typically, all of this will be on the first page of the book in the upper right hand corner and always in pencil! I will also write the name of the store or person I got the book from too. In addition to all of that, I will indicate the date and location I started to read the book along with date and location of when I finished it. I don’t really know why I do this, but I have really enjoyed looking back on where books have traveled and how long it has taken me to start and finish.
5. When I’m done with a book, I will log the author and title along with date started and completed in my journal. I will also record any lines from the text that have really floored me (and this is usually only three or so) and record those in a second, smaller journal that only contains other phrases I’ve come across over the past 20 years.
I have never written all of that out before and now I realize that I’ve outed myself as rather neurotic when it comes to the printed word. Thank you for this odd catharsis, Paul.
Lee
This is fantastic, Lee. Makes me happy on levels I thought only my children could provide. I love the way you gather, organize, track, etc. And #4 is so good on the relationship of books. This is exactly why I prefer a physical book. You reminded me that I write my initials and the season of year on the front page...and I tip my hat to you and will be adding the name of the store and/or person to that process. thank you, Lee
Hey Paul, I just want to say that it is with baited breath I wait for the Nonrequired Reading List.
I am one of those armchair readers until I'm pulled in out of my habit and into a new place. Andrew Krivak had has a hold of me so recently. The Bear was first and then Signal Flame and then Sojourn and then withdrawal.
Your latest post on how you read again gave me a sense of freedom, the same sense when I first encountered, the NRL. I am not a scholar nor a formal student and have never been and yet feel compelled that my life has a syllabus that must be completed. Your hardwork here has opened widows and doors.
I too glean from, take pleasure in and graze on books although I've never thought of it this way.
Thanks
Thanks Jon, grateful for your words on how the NRL is landing for you. That was more than I could have hoped. Sounds like you have found your syllabus, be sure to keep us posted on how it continues to unfold.
Hey Paul. Relatively new here, but listening more to you and Brie speaking with Richard Rohr. I would like to dive in more here and see invitations to Basecamp. (Just checking--is this a metaphorical basecamp or the tool Basecamp?) Wondering how one joins as no links seem to appear for me (I may not be signed in optimally for these or . . .). Peace & good, Pat Lynch ( padraig@well.com)
Patrick, glad you pulled up a stool to these contemplative shenanigans. You are set and signed up for these monthly missives. If you want to check out the Contemplify podcast, musings on practice, and ramblings on contemplative life. Check out contemplify.com.
and it is indeed a metaphorical basecamp, but I do in fact find the founders of Basecamp to be highly instructive to my approach to work. The book ReWork by Jason Fried (can't remember the cofounder's name) is a must read for anyone with some sort of office work life. And oddly enough, Lee, another commentor here is the one who tipped me off to ReWork. I digress. Steady on in all good things, Patrick