I often hear people express shock when I tell them I write in my books.

I once had a coworker respond, aghast, "How can you do that? I could never write in my books!"

For me, writing in my books fundamentally changes the way I engage with the content and helps me retain the information. Annotating books allows me to interact with the material in a deeper, more meaningful way.

This practice transforms passive reading into an active, enriching experience.

The way I engage with the content

Writing in books enhances my engagement with the material.

One of my favorite books is "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. As I read it, I felt compelled to take notes, highlight, and note connections between the content and other ideas I had encountered. This made the book's content more memorable and meaningful.

This engagement transforms passive reading into an active conversation with the text.

The way I retain the information I read

Writing in books aids in retaining information.

The act of writing reinforces memory through physical engagement. Annotated notes serve as quick reference points for future reviews, and highlighting key points helps solidify important concepts.

This practice ensures that I remember and can easily revisit crucial information.

Fostering personal reflection and growth

Writing in books fosters personal reflection and growth.

It provides a space to reflect on how the content relates to my life and encourages the evolution of my thoughts over time as I revisit annotations.

This continuous reflection contributes significantly to my personal and intellectual development.

No idea is sacrosanct

Annotating books helps to challenge the notion that ideas in books are "untouchable."

This process encourages readers to question and engage with the content critically, fostering a mindset where ideas are seen as evolving rather than pious. This approach demystifies the content, making it more accessible and open to interpretation.

Annotating questions alongside the content you read can break down these barriers and promote critical thinking.

When not to write in a book

However, there are times when writing in books is not appropriate.

Shared books, such as those in public libraries, should be respected as communal property. Personal annotations can disrupt other readers' engagement with the material. I have also found that in books I want to re-read, previous annotations can influence my fresh perspective, preventing new, uninfluenced notes.

In these cases, consider using a separate notebook for annotations.

My choice to write in my books has changed how I engage with and retain information.

It encourages critical thinking and personal reflection, making the reading experience richer and more meaningful.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to start the habit of annotating in your books to see the benefits firsthand how it changes the way you retain the content you read and communicate your experiences.