Recently, I began rereading Atomic Habits by James Clear. This time around, I decided to approach my reading in a way that’s quite different from my usual habits. Instead of simply reading through the book, I now read with a pen and highlighter in hand, actively engaging with the text. My intention is to capture key concepts and ideas as I go, making the experience more interactive and meaningful for myself.
Letting Go of Old Ideals About Books
Although taking notes while reading isn’t a new phenomenon, it’s a departure from my own traditions. I grew up in a household where books were cherished and never thrown away, with my mother emphasizing their importance. For me, this reverence went even further; I was committed to preserving the physical integrity of my books, treating them almost as sacred objects. However, I have come to realize that this mindset was overly idealistic. A good book deserves to be reread, and some wear and tear is inevitable. I now recognize that my previous emphasis on keeping books pristine was rooted in vanity or idealism, and I am questioning what purpose this served.
Rethinking My Reading Habits
I often find myself caught in the trap of trying to read as many books as possible, treating each one as a fleeting experience—exciting in the moment but rarely revisited. My typical routine involved reading a book once, jotting down a few notes or a summary, and then either returning it to the library or adding it to my collection before moving on to the next. Whether I enjoyed or disliked the book, that first read was usually the last, and sometimes all I had to remember it by was a brief summary on my phone. The most inspiring books might prompt me to write something, but I never did so consistently.
Rediscovering the Joy of Reading
Through this process, I realized I was depriving myself of the true joy of reading, which includes revisiting passages or lines that moved me and documenting how they made me feel or what they made me think. I also noticed that Ryan Holiday, one of my favorite authors, advocates for thoroughly engaging with books—annotating them and making notes—as a sign of genuine appreciation for the work. Inspired by this perspective, I intend to continue reading with a highlighter and pen, revisiting my favorite books often, and being deliberate about which books remain in my library. From now on, the books I keep will be those that have been marked up and revisited, while those that remain untouched will be removed.
Building My Personal Collection
Of course, I cannot mark up library books, but if I truly enjoy a book, I believe it is worth purchasing and adding to my personal collection. This allows me to engage deeply with the text and ensures that the books I own are those that have genuinely impacted me.
Words: me. Visuals & polish: my robot intern
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