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Ever since I read Steve Leveen’s Little Guide To Your Well-Read Life, I have become a fan of writing notes to myself in the margins of my non-fiction books. I have found that it helps me to remember what I have read, and leaves a “tag” if I need to go back and refer to something later. I also use a 3″x5″ card as my bookmark for writing longer notes, marking interesting quotes, or capturing questions that occur to me while reading.

If I am planning to do a review of the book after reading it, I also use that notecard to track all of the page numbers where I have highlighted something for quoting or special mention. The Innovation Tools Weblog has a post on how Don Snyder uses his index card bookmark:

“The front of the card is horizontal and contains spaces for book title and author’s name to allow for easy filing. The card opens like a book and the inside is ruled to allow for journal-like entry of important points in the book. I list the page number and then the concept I wish to note. The back of the card includes additional ruled lines for final points. I also included a spot on the front of the card to list the most valuable lesson I learned from the book, as well as a favorite quote… Once a book is read, I can replace it on my bookshelf and file the card/bookmark in my office for future referral. I can file books on subject, author, or title - and information is always on-hand.”

Snyder uses an 8″x6″ ruled card of his own design for these notes, there is a more complete description at Snyder’s BrainBlog. (Which, by the way, also has an interesting post about “old” books being made into “new” journals. I have a feeling that at least a couple of my friends that are into notebooks and DIY stuff will appreciate what hobo arona is doing here.)

This has given me an idea for a formatted notecard to use while reading, specifically designed for taking notes.

Here ( note-card-template.pdf ) are two free downloads, a super-simple note card and “pocket” template (and a more detailed one here [ note-card-template2.pdf ]) that you can glue into the front of your book, like Library books had, back in the day. I may do something more elaborate, and offer it in the store with the GTD Calendar and the Review Workbook.

If you found this post useful, please share it with your friends on Twitter using the tinylink http://tinyurl.com/33pzsk. Thanks, I appreciate it! Feel free to comment below, I enjoy discussing these ideas. ~@Stephen