It seems like I’ve seen several different websites post articles about how to read a book in the last few weeks. Many of them had some helpful suggestions; others didn’t make much sense to me. So I thought it might be nice to think through just how I read a book.

In the process of examining my method, I decided that others might benefit from my discoveries, and as a result, this article was written.

Some of the material I read had some interesting suggestions. One site instructed me to read the book through very quickly, scanning more than reading, looking for significant ideas. The next step was to follow that up with an in-depth read of the book. To finish, a third time through the book was necessary, reading only the sections I highlighted, underlined, or otherwise took notes about.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to read every book three times. That is simply not practical for my life. I understand the point that article was making, that this would help me to grasp a much larger portion of the material being read. But it just doesn’t seem workable for me.

Another blog suggested that I simply read the book, making no notes or highlights at all, allowing the material to sink into my mind on its own. This might work when I read fiction, but I won’t learn anything at all using this process. So that isn’t a practical way to read, either.

Here’s a brief look at how I read a book, the notes and symbols I use, and how it works for me. If this helps you, great. But just because I’ve found it to be useful, doesn’t mean that you will benefit from it just the same as I do.

To start off, I use a Zebra mechanical pencil or an archival quality pen. When using a pencil, I use 5mm lead. Most of the time, I use an archival quality pen, the Pigma Micron 01, in both black and red. This is a vibrant ink that doesn’t bleed through the page. I use the two colors for different applications, which I’ll share in a moment.

I underline (or highlight using an Avery Hi-Liter) any relevant thoughts and passages. For most of these, I identify a key thought or idea, which I jot down in the margin.

I will also make short notes in the margins surrounding significant parts of the book.

For most of these instances, I will then list the key word or phrase on the blank pages found at the very end of most books, along with the page number and any further clarification I feel is needed. This provides me with an index of my thoughts and notes which is easily searchable after the book is finished.

For example, I’ll write “p17 – subject/key word, notes and thoughts”. This helps me to see at a glance where the most meaningful parts of the book were, and my thoughts on them. I’ve found this to be extremely helpful as I go back looking for material for use in a sermon or lesson.

As I read, I also use a system of symbols to help me identify key ideas at a a glance later. Here are the symbols that I use, along with their meaning.

* (asteric) – Important or insightful information

! (exclamation point) – Very important information

red – Critical information

? (question mark) – requires further research or clarification

box – Indicates a quote or illustration which I add to Evernote

circle – Indicates that a follow-up action is required

arrow – Lists or bullet points worth remembering

{ } (brackets) – Good thoughts for use in sermons or lessons

I decided to create this information in the form of a book mark that I had printed and keep handy as I read. This helps me to remember my symbols and use them quickly and efficiently as I read. Below is an image of the bookmark. On the reverse is another system of note taking I use when reading the Bible. I’ll share that system in a future post.

I had these printed as bookmarks by GR Print, and I keep a stack located in strategic locations where I frequently read, such as the shelf next to my chair at home, on my nightstand, my desk, and in my car and computer bag. That way they are within easy grasp all the time.

This system isn’t flawless, and I tweak it frequently. But it works pretty well for me. I’m able to retain much of what I read, and put my hands on the information quickly when I need to refer to it.

Do you take notes while reading? What do you do to retain what you read? You can share your thoughts in the comment section below.