De-Automating My Reading Notes: A New and Better Way For Capturing My Reading Notes in Obsidian

De-Automating My Reading Notes: A New and Better Way For Capturing My Reading Notes in Obsidian

Reading is a powerful tool for personal growth and learning. It allows us to delve into different worlds, gain new perspectives, and expand our knowledge. However, simply reading a book is not enough. To truly benefit from our reading, we must take notes and capture the key insights and ideas that resonate with us. In this article, we will explore a new and better way of capturing reading notes using Obsidian, a note-taking app.

Automation is often praised for its efficiency in streamlining processes and saving time. However, when it comes to capturing reading notes, automation may not be the most effective approach. While it may be convenient to automatically generate notes based on highlighted passages, this method often results in detached and remote notes. We may never even review these automated notes, as they lack the personal touch and connection that comes with manually capturing our thoughts.

Instead of relying on automation, a more effective approach is to take notes manually while reading. This allows us to truly understand and filter what matters to us. By marking up the book as we go along, we can highlight passages and jot down our immediate thoughts and reflections. This process helps us engage with the material and grasp the concepts on a deeper level.

After reading the book, it is important to review the notes we have taken. This step helps us identify the key insights and decide which notes are worth capturing separately. One strategy that works well is creating a source note for the book. This source note acts as a map of content, providing an overview of the book's main ideas and themes. It serves as a reference point for our future exploration and understanding.

During the review process, some of the passages we initially marked may not be worth capturing. It is important to be selective and only capture the notes that truly resonate with us. By waiting until we finish reading, we can better assess the value and relevance of each note. This ensures that our captured notes are meaningful and contribute to our knowledge base.

To facilitate the organization of our reading notes, it is helpful to have a dedicated folder in Obsidian. This folder can be divided into two sub-folders: Sources and Commonplace. Source notes, which provide a comprehensive overview of each book, can be stored in the Sources folder. These source notes should follow a consistent formatting and content structure to maintain clarity and ease of reference.

Once we have our source note and have selected the notes we want to capture, we can begin adding them to Obsidian. This process should be done manually, typing the notes from the highlighted passages into separate notes in Obsidian. This manual approach allows us to absorb and internalize the notes, making them more meaningful and impactful. It is through this culling, curating, and typing process that our notes truly come alive and resonate with us.

In terms of capturing notes from audiobooks, it can be challenging due to the lack of physical text to highlight. However, there are alternative methods that can be employed. Instead of using physical flags or bookmarks, Kindle bookmarks can be utilized to mark the notes we want to keep. This method has proven to be more effective in capturing and retaining important insights from audio books.

In addition to our personal reading notes, there are other valuable resources that can enhance our understanding and appreciation of books. Goodreads, a popular online community for book lovers, offers a wealth of information and insights. Elizabeth Khuri Chandler, the co-founder of Goodreads, shares the origin story of the platform and highlights its unique features.

Goodreads was created with the intention of connecting readers and facilitating meaningful discussions about books. One of the key features of Goodreads is the prioritization of reviews from friends. This approach allows us to see the opinions and perspectives of people we trust before diving into the larger community reviews. It creates a more personal and tailored experience, allowing us to discover books that align with our interests and preferences.

In addition to reviews, Goodreads also offers author interviews and book recommendations. These features provide valuable insights into the minds of authors and allow us to explore new genres and authors that we may not have naturally gravitated towards. By reading someone else's favorite book, we can gain a deeper understanding of their interests and experiences, fostering empathy and connection.

Chandler herself is a compulsive tracker of her reading. This habit of tracking the books we read can be a valuable practice. It allows us to reflect on our reading habits, set goals, and keep a record of our literary journey. By looking back at the books we have read, we can gain insights into our personal growth and intellectual development.

To summarize, capturing reading notes manually using a note-taking app like Obsidian can greatly enhance our reading experience. By actively engaging with the material and selecting the most meaningful insights, our notes become more valuable and impactful. Additionally, utilizing platforms like Goodreads can provide a broader perspective and facilitate meaningful discussions about books. To optimize our reading and note-taking process, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Take notes manually while reading: By actively marking up the book and jotting down immediate thoughts, we engage with the material on a deeper level.

2. Review and curate your notes: After finishing the book, review your notes and select the most valuable insights to capture separately. This process ensures that your captured notes are meaningful and relevant.

3. Utilize platforms like Goodreads: Explore online communities for book lovers, such as Goodreads, to gain insights, recommendations, and engage in meaningful discussions about books.

In conclusion, capturing reading notes is a powerful tool for enhancing our understanding and retention of information. By adopting a manual approach and utilizing platforms like Obsidian and Goodreads, we can elevate our reading experience and deepen our connection with books. So, let's de-automate our reading notes and embrace a new and better way of capturing and engaging with our reading materials.