On Marginalia

I used to be a purist. A few years ago I would shudder at the thought of marking up my books. I strived to keep all the books I read (which honestly wasn't that many) in the most pristine condition I could, calling people who folded pages, highlighted passages, or write in pencil or god-forbid pen on the margins of the pages heathens.

However, simply reading these books with no real purpose and without taking any notes was not productive in the slightest. The information went in one ear and then out the other with no way of remembering important facts.

Then I came across this video about Bill Gates about how he remembers what he reads:

When one of the smartest people in the world advocates something, then you know that it has its merits.

Gates is one of the many proponents of marginalia - making notes and comments in the margins of the book that you are getting through. As I started researching more about this process of marginalia, I discovered its rich history. Many famous writers and thinkers have used marginalia as a tool to enhance their reading experience from people like Gates to Issac Newton, to Sylvia Plath, to Mark Twain. There are many photos in particular of Mark Twain's hilarious marginalia in which he sometimes takes the writers he's reading to the cleaners. This being a particular favorite of mine:

Marginalia for me is a way to stay engaged when I'm reading. Sometimes I have the tendency to get distracted, I find myself reading the words but not actually comprehending them - usually if I have something else on my mind.

The days of me babysitting my books are over. Now highlighters, pencils, and pens alike are welcome in my reading. I use highlighting and underlining things so that they are more prominent and can be easily accessed on further readings and to help me craft book notes for easy access to the pertinent information.

Sure, sometimes taking these notes can feel like work and I hardly every note take if I'm reading fiction for enjoyment. Reading with a pencil in my hand however has absolutely changed the way I read for the better and the key is to find a balance between productivity and leisure.

I've found that certain books are so well written that it lends itself to marginalia. And the best-written books make it really easy: