remarkable marks

To be comfortable reading non fiction books I need a pencil. I can therefore highlight interesting words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs by drawing a line in the margin. If there are some very interesting parts I put two or three lines in the margin. And, for exceptionally interesting parts, there can be a wiggly line. If a highlight is quotable I put a 'Q' beside the line. If there is a definition I put 'Def' beside the line.

If I want to refer to a highlighted part in the future I write its page number on one of the blank pages near the front of the book - and sometimes write a word or two to indicate the topic.

I very seldom write notes in the margins but I do sometimes write a jargon word or phrase from another discipline.

When I re-read a book I use a different pencil or pen. Some parts might therefore get re-marked – possibly several times.

NOTES:

There is the option of using highlighter pens with an elaborate colour coding system. I find them too gaudy for my taste.

There is also the option of noting the date of reading and of re-reading. You can use the blank page where you give the page number of interesting parts. I have not been systematic in doing this.

When using a Kindle it is easy to highlight parts and to skim through them afterwards – but I prefer skimming real books