4 Tips and for Taking Notes via Post-It Notes as You Read

Today, I want to talk specifically about post-it notes. Taking notes on post-it notes as you read, which you then stick in your book, is similar to marginalia. It's a good note-taking method to use if you don't like having writing directly in your book but you still want to do something similar to marginalia.

As the title of today's post says, I'll be discussing 4 tips for note taking as you read via post-it notes.

As with any post including tips that I post here to my blog, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to take notes as you read. Additionally, you can use a combination of 2+ note taking methods. Be consistent.

If you're inconsistent in your note taking - i.e. how you take notes, when you take notes - it can be difficult to remember what your thoughts were on a specific part or chapter. If you want to take notes on your reading, do so through the entire book. You don't have to take notes on every book you read, but when you do decide to take notes on a book, do so until you finish it.

Tip 1: Color code.

It can be as simple as using one color for parts/quotes you liked, and using a second color for parts/quotes you didn't like. But color coding like this can help you specify what you did and didn't like in the book. You can also get specific, like using one color for what you liked, a second color for what you didn't like, a third color for confusing parts, and a final color for important scenes.

Tip 2: Make sure you have an ample supply of post-it notes.

It can be hard to take notes via post-it notes if you don't have enough to get through the entire book. Even if you have to switch the color of the post-it notes part-way through. As long as you can get through the book with enough post-it notes, you should be good.

Tip 3: Go for the smaller post-it notes rather than the larger ones.

Yes, you may need to use more small post-its depending on how much you're writing on the post-it notes. However, using big ones takes up a lot of page space and hide a lot of text, which can be a bit awkward. It's also easier to color code (Tip 1) if you use the smaller post-it notes.

Tip 4: Have a writing utensil and post-it notes handy wherever you have your book.

Whether you're at home or at a place where you'll have a chance to read, have the book, utensil and post-it notes handy. This way, you can continue taking notes throughout the book you're reading instead of only having notes in certain parts of the book.