Aug
04
2009
Why I Write in My Books
Posted by Tony Reinke.
I know some will object, but I write in all my books. I make marginal notations, highlight sentences, and sometimes “x” through an entire page. I cannot imagine I am the only reader of this blog who has no reservations about this practice.
Mortimer Adler, in his classic How to Read a Book (Simon & Schuster 1972), devotes only a few pages to art of writing in a book (pp. 48—52). Adler encouraged it for three reasons. (1) The act keeps you awake and active while reading. (2) If your mind is engaged, it will be naturally spinning off thoughts, which should be captured. (3) By writing thoughts down, you are more likely to remember what you read. Adler encourages readers to note important passages, make cross-references to connect passages to other pages in the book, circle key words and phrases, and write down general thoughts. Adler mentions structural and conceptual notetaking, but only briefly.
My goal in this post is to hear from readers with experience writing in books. You may be one of them, and likely if you’ve read this far in the post you are who I want to hear from. So I figured the best way to do this would be to explain my simple practice and then ask you to explain how and why you write in your books. Here it goes.
Basically, I mark in my books (1) to highlight what I appreciate, (2) to trace progression, and (3) to critique what I don’t appreciate.
Let me explain briefly.
1. Highlighting Highlights. From short phrases to full pages, I identify sections that I find helpful and persuasive. With a highlighter or pen, I mark those sections and will return to copy the quote into a topical database for later reference. I use vertical markings in the margin to highlight these noted excerpts, which comprise about 5-percent of a really good book. Later I will enter these quotes into a simple Excel database.
2. Trace the Progression. My problem with highlighting (#1) is that I too frequently scrape my nose on the tree bark. I’m a detail guy myself and this practice of notating as I read has helped me to pause and consider the author’s big picture development.
For these notations, I fill the white spaces of a book. At the top of the first page of a chapter there is usually 1/3 of a blank page where I jot notes after I read every few pages. Here I can connect the small details of a chapter together into a visual linear progression as I watch the author develop an argument.
My practice is simple: As I progress through the chapter, I jot little summary phrases and connect them with arrows on the opening page. This helps me track how the chapter develops. This is especially helpful when I’m unable to complete a chapter in a single setting.
Naturally, section headings are helpful for following the progression of a chapter. But a number of books—especially Puritans—are long paragraphs of prose smashed tighter than the stones of Solomon’s Temple. In that case it’s necessary to crowbar the text apart with my own section headings written in the margin. It improves readability and comprehension.
And I use those blank pages in the front and back of a book as a personal notebook for all types of notes, questions, and things to remember. The front pages are especially useful when reading a book for review, a good place to collect random general thoughts about the book’s themes and value. I also consider what type of audience will most benefit from the book, and any questions that come to mind that I may ask the author if the opportunity arises.
The back pages I use for topical references. Whenever I read a book on Christian living, I make a note in the back for every reference made to the gospel. I’ll scribble the page number in the back. So in the back of my books you will likely find something like this:
“Gospel: p. 12, 56, 120, 187, 220.”
This little discipline also helps me track reoccurring themes throughout the book.
Like looking through a telescope with one eye and a microscope with the other, writing in a book helps focus my attention on the large-scale development (#2) while I mark helpful stand-alone sentences (#1).
3. Critiquing Lowlights. Reading with pen-in-hand is also important because good readers are critics. And reading with a pen reminds me that I am a critic. Open to new discoveries, yes. But always a critic. Identifying the lowlights in a book is my means of drawing attention to sections or arguments that:
• Appear to be wrong.
• Contradict God’s Word.
• Lack collaborative evidence and substance.
• Lack biblical support.
• Lack elements of persuasion.
• Have been recycled and developed in the book already (business books are infamous for this).
• Lack vigor and consistency (for novels especially).
When I read sections that appear to be wrong I simply make a “?” in the margin or at the top of the page. When I read sections that I disagree with and can prove to be incorrect, I unsheathe the pen and start x-ing pages. At times I cross out an entire page when I disagree.
So that’s a brief description of why and how I mark in my books.
How do you do it? Why do you do it?
Please explain your process in the comments.
23 Comments
The musician in me shrieks in terror that you would so mark a book with pen! On sheet music you always write in pencil. You may come back later and find that your previous comment or interpretation of a "passage" was rather off-base and it is good to have the option to erase.
Amen! When I buy a book that is worth reading and engaging the mind, it all becomes a kind of dialogue with my pen, highlighter or pencil. Reading books with a pen is a conversation with ink. I even did that with Lord of the Rings as there were great quotes there.
People write books to present a (mature) stage in thinking, hopefully, more then a finished product. Therefore, it deserves an interactive approach that appreciates where they have left a topic. I do not read in order to save the book for posterity, or for a future a library somewhere, though may happen. I read it in order to grwo from it, remember it and reference it later as need be. They become like friends or colleagues (or enemies) that you return to if worth their salt. To 'retinize' a chapter, rather than peruse it, yields nothing. It's like going to a mirror and then forgetting what you just looked at once you leave. The only thing I do not like is ink running through the page and marring the other side.
But the implement for marking is really an extension of my voice and mind congealing to present an agreement, or disagreement or improvement or some evaluation. Underlining, circling, drawing lines of logic from one word in one paragraph to another down below, is what really helps one to ingest a person's written word. I will have to admit also, that there have been times where more has been underlined than not on a page. I then resort to different colors for emphasis! (i.e., Of course, I do not do this on sheet music, lest it be with a light leaded pencil. There the dynamic is different since much of it is rented or borrowed).
In "important" books I make a topical index in the front of the book around the title page or dedication page and continue to add passage references to it throughout the book.
More frequently than anything I underline (with pen and ruler) important ideas or quotable passages. If something particularly thought provoking or controversial comes up I may respond with comments in the margin but I typically don't index those in a meaningful way. The act of writing the notes is generally enough to keep that idea or thought in my head long enough to work through it.
Great post. Two additional thoughts:
1. Agree with Gary. I'm a pencil guy (for the very reasons he states).
2. Reference works are exempt. I do not write in commentaries, exegetical/scholarly dictionaries or other 'standard' reference works.
Everything else gets marked up. I should note I only started doing this about a year ago–and have seen a marked improvement in my ability to retain information. I also sense I am interacting with the author more deeply.
I just started doing this (with pencil) in a book I'm reading on Calvin. I'll read it with a computer handy to look up historical names I don't recognize and write a note as to who they are, when they lived, what they were about. It has been helpful for me to illustrate, in some cases, the logical flow of arguments or structure of government that's described. Its been a good one so far. I have found that this has slowed my reading dramatically.
I write in all my books. Rapidograph pens are the very best to use. And for color marking, the best (and cheapest) are the thin Crayola Markers. They come in a box of eight. When I do my morning reading, I have a plastic cup (mine is a Batman 7-11 cup from years ago) filled with pastel Crayola markers and fine-line Rapidographs next to my cup of hot coffee!
You're in good company. Great theologians and scholars throughout history have written in their books.
I have the privilege of working as the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Recently, we put on exhibition a number of works previously owned by some of our best known professors — men like James P. Boyce, John A. Broadus, Basil Manly, Jr., E. Y. Mullins, and A. T. Robertson. These works all include significant marginalia (that's the fancy term for writing notes in books).
The fascinating thing about the exhibit, in my opinion, is that the professors had so many different reasons for writing in their books — reasons that often had little to do with the argument of the book itself. Some made notes for class preparation, some made notes about momentous life events that were tied in some way to the books, and others made notes what lecturers on the book's topic had to say.
If you're interested in learning more about marginalia, there's a really good book entitled Marginalia by H. J. Jackson. It's fascinating reading, especially when Jackson discusses Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Coleridge's marginalia was so well known and useful that friends would loan him copies of their books just so that he would write in them! Whole collections of his marginalia have been published.
I prefer writing in a notebook I keep a moleskin always on hand for that purpose. I am able to do essentially the same thing (other than highlighting) without ruining the book for others to use. I despise buying a great used book only to find the previous reader's thoughts penned throughout.
I prefer to come at each book afresh, even if I've read it before. Then, once I re-read it, I can compare my notebook notes and see how my own thinking/philosophy/etc. has matured over the years.
We are a not-for-profit educational organization, founded by Mortimer Adler and we have recently made an exciting discovery–three years after writing the wonderfully expanded third edition of How to Read a Book, Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren made a series of thirteen 14-minute videos, lively discussing the art of reading. The videos were produced by Encyclopaedia Britannica. For reasons unknown, sometime after their original publication, these videos were lost.
Three hours with Mortimer Adler on one DVD. A must for libraries and classroom teaching the art of reading.
I cannot over exaggerate how instructive these programs are–we are so sure that you will agree, if you are not completely satisfied, we will refund your donation.
Please go here to see a clip and learn more:
http://www.thegreatideas.org/HowToReadABook.htm
I find that participating in "marginalia" is helpful for me when reading books that I am studying, i.e., the Bible, textbooks, critiques, etc. Being able to connect ideas from different parts of a book really helps me understand the big picture of an author's work. In short, I am a fan of writing in books!
Thanks for all the helpful insights into your personal marginalia. And neoarch, thank you for the very specific recommendations. Much appreciated! Tony
I write in my books to do numbers one and three and I would substitute your number two with "to refer or compare/contrast with other authors that come to mind".
I guess I'm a marginalian, too. My wife used to tell me that we needed to buy stock in highlighters.
I follow many of the same practices that you outlined in your post, but I'm still trying to find an effective way to organize a "quote database."
Since I read all the time and read many different genres, I have some personal rules as to which books I write in and which ones I don't.
1. I don't write in my Bible. I want to be able to focus on the text and not my own commentary. I don't want to be drawn to the same highlighted verses every time I read through a book.
2. I don't generally write in fiction. I read fiction mostly for entertainment and pleasure – instead of watching tv. I'm not here to analyze (although, at times, I can't help it).
3. I have a number of books that are relatively old. Anything over 100 years old is automatically off limits to the writing utensils.
4. Just about everything else is fair game. As I said, my practice doesn't differ much from yours (Rob Bell has a lot of pen on him).
This is still something I feel I am working out. I think the main battle I have is in not thinking the object is to read as many books as I possibly can. What I currently do is highlight points and interesting quotes. Sections or really good quotes I want to put in a database I dog-ear the page so I can come back. I use pencil and pen, although my pens are .38 so very, very thin.
Piper's remarks at the Carl Henry talks with Carson was an encouragement. Piper discussed how he likes to "feel" books and that he is admittedly a slow reader. I feel sometimes in the reformed, book loving culture a peer pressure to read a lot, almost like Carson who is the exact opposite of Piper, Carson reads 500 books a year. What that can do for me at least is make it about getting through books, instead of getting into the book, big difference.
Thanks for the post it was really helpful in my processing of how I read!
From the other side.
A book should remain in the same condition as when it came off of the bookstore shelf. I could never make a mark in a book. I sometimes have trouble filling the crossword puzzle in the daily paper. Something from elementary school?
For an interesting history of marginalia (with particular emphasis on the practice in the Renaissance and what it tells us about readers), check out William Sherman's _Used Books: Marking Readers in Renaissance England_ (available at Amazon). See also other works by Sherman and check out his bibliography and footnotes for more. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
I love my wide margin bible. Great for editorial comments ;)
Underlining key passages, writing my questions, clarifying what I think it means…It's all been so useful, especially when returning to a passage. It lets you frame your thoughts instead of gliding through a passage thoughtlessly. I also copy sections of commentaries next to the passage which help me understand it better.
I don't like to write in fictional work, even if it's rubbish. I can't help but think it is a little too aggressive, or maybe supercilious to do this. Sometimes creative works are offered up for what they are, weaknesses and all. It's important to judge whether something is intended by the author to do something more than entertain. If a writer is firmly trying to educate us or convince us of some philosophical position, it might merit some kind of reader response. But to comment on entertainment literature is like talking during a film: it can end up being a bit pompous be a critical nitpicker *all* of the time.
But I'm sure you're not suggesting that you do that all the time. I'm just nitpicking your post :)
I can tell you one thing: They really don't like it when you write in the books you're reading at Barnes and Noble.
I loved this post along with its comments! I too am one who writes in books. I only write in books that I think I'll really like and plan to keep on my bookshelf. Otherwise I lose the pen and resell the book. Normally I don't mark up fiction, however, I broke that standard last year when reading a book that several friends recommended. I needed to be able to easily find the parts that caused me great concern.
Typically I mark books with a pen or thin marker. My purpose for marking in a book is usually so that I can easily find a quote or idea that I want to come back to at some point. Frequently I use quotes from books I've read when leading my ladies Bible study. Often in the hopes that they'll want to pick up and read the book that I've benefitted from. I've never cataloged my notes or quotes although I'd love to at some time.
Anyone could pick up a book from my bookshelf and find out what my thoughts were simply by scanning the notes. Lots of stars and underlining and I've loved the book. Lots of question marks and "huh?" and people would know that I didn't agree with much of what the author had to say. So far I haven't taken to xing out pages. I've had to apologize to friends who borrow my books and warn them to do their best to ignore my notes.
Glad to see that others enjoy the art of marginalia!
I happen to buy books to resell, so I'm biased against marking books up. I also might point out that the book is already published. Even the author probably has a slew of changes they wanted to make, but that's just not likely to happen in your copy.
I recommend using index cards or a notebook to make notes if you find that helpful. You aren't limited to narrow margins or hampered by thin pages or lousy paper.
Keep in mind too that it's what they say, not you–or someone else would be marking up your book!
Whenever I read a book, I have three pens on hand. One is black, one blue, and one red.
Anything important to remember, that has to do with summarizing the flow of the argument, or something else noteworthy is underlined in black. I also all of my marginal notes in black, except as described below. I like to be able to pick up a book, read just what I underlined in a chapter, and then have a good feel for the argument again.
Blue is seldom used and I reserve it for things that are extremely important, definitely worth remembering, and otherwise just plain amazing.
Red shows up first and foremost whenever the author contradicts Scripture. I also use it when I strongly disagree with the author. I additionally underline in red when something is phrased poorly, so as to make it ambiguous or imply a wrong connotation. I make notes in the margin in red that explain why I underlined what I did, as well as a better alternative.
I find this system quite simple and very user-friendly.
As a pastor, I am constantly writing in all the books I’m reading. I believe what really helps me best is your second point of following the progress of each chapter by writing those main thoughts at the beginning or end of each chapter page. I believe we should dialogue as much as possible and highlight significant points that will help to enhance our personal lives in Christ as well as our ministry.
As a father, I hope to one day be able to pass along my library to my children. But even now, as they grow older in my home, I love the thought that they have the opportunity to pick up any one of my books and read how I have wrestled and thought through many of the theological and contemporary issues of my life. This seems to me to be one of the sweet benefits of writing in all of our books we read. We can forever continue to train and disciple our children in the ways of God!
The comment about Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a fascinating tidbit. Thanks.
I mark in books about which I have to give presentations, write papers, or understand for the purpose of debate.
I do not mark in fiction, unless it's so heretical that I have to read it for the purpose of debate. Otherwise I make mental notes (I tend, and would suppose the same of most, to remember fiction more vividly as the imagination is more easily engaged).
I don't make notes in my Bible, as I most often read my iTouch, Kindle, ESV edition. In my parallel hard copy version (KVJ, amp, NASB, NIV), I also do not mark.
I mark most all other books, though I was adamantly against doing such three years ago. I now consider my understanding more important that the mint-ness of the book. If it's that good, I'll buy another copy at some point. But that Coleridge fact reminded me of something.
Writing in books is about determining the value of the published information. If you don't understand it, you cannot appreciate/value it much. But if writing in the book helps you understand the material better, you have increased its value for yourself, OR you have demonstrably decreased its value (perhaps it's wrong or heretical). Both are important reasons for writing in a book. And such understanding and wisdom is more precious than rubies, let alone a perishable book.
God bless,