A few months ago I began keeping a commonplace book, and I wish I’d started sooner. It’s a great way to truly engage what you’re reading by jotting down notes, questions, quotes and summaries.
What Is a Commonplace Book?
A commonplace book is a notebook where you record notes and quotes from your reading. Here are some things I’ve jotted down in my commonplace book:
- Quotes
- Notes for Further Reading
- Chapter Summaries
- Outlines of an Argument
How Is A Commonplace Book Organized?
If there are any hard and fast rules, I’m unaware. Here’s how I’ve organized mine…
Use Both Sides of the Notebook
If you like to read several books at once, use both sides of your notebook to take notes. Begin like this: start an entry at the front of your notebook for one book, and begin another entry at the back of your notebook for the second book. Work toward the center of the notebook as you read and take notes.
What If I Read More Than Two Books at Once?
This requires some guesswork. I allot the front of my notebook for long reads. I use the back for shorter reads. If I begin a third book, I leave a few blank pages between its beginning entry and the last book–I just make a guess about how much space I’ll need. If I end up with extra space I use it for really short reads or stand alone quotes.
How Do I Locate My Notes Later?
Make a table of contents! Buy a notebook that has space for a table of contents, or reserve the first 5 or so pages of the notebook to make your own. Also, begin each entry with the title of the book, the author, and the date published.
How Does a Commonplace Book Impact My Reading?
A commonplace book gives you a physical space upon which you can interact with ideas you come across as you read. Its purpose varies according to the book you’re reading. Here are some ways to use your commonplace book to deepen your reading:
Record Chapter Summaries
This is handy if you’re reading a really long book, a book with a complicated plot, or a book that presents complicated or technical ideas.
The above picture shows plot summaries over each chapter of Don Quixote, a book I plan to read over the course of several months. I’ve found this practice helpful with this book, because I don’t intend to finish it any time soon and the plot summaries help me pick up where I left off.
I also recorded chapter summaries (and lots of quotes) while reading Reader, Come Home. I found that my mind wandered as I read this book, and writing a summary after each chapter grounded my understanding before turning to the next chapter.
Collect Quotes
Some books really don’t require close tracking. For these books, you can just list some quotes you’d like to hang on to.
Notes to Self
Having your commonplace book nearby as you read means you can easily scribble down some clarifying notes for your current reading or future reading. You can jot down snippets of information, sketch out a an author’s argument, or write down titles or topics you want to look into later. You can even keep a growing “To Read/Research” list in the back cover of the notebook.
Do you have a commonplace book? Do you have other suggestions for organization?
If you’re looking to read some more about reading, here are some posts for you:
- Intentional Reading in a Distracted World
- Reading as Contemplation
- Digital Media and Our Reading Brains
