About my book notes
At sive.rs/book I have a collection of my notes from the 420+ books I’ve read since 2007.
This page answers questions about it.
My notes are not a summary of the book!
When I’m reading and come across a surprising or inspiring idea, I save it.
That’s all my notes are. I’m not summarizing the book. I’m just saving ideas for myself, for later reflection. It helps me remember what I learned from it.
If I’m reading a book about a subject I already know well, I’ll have very few notes, because not much surprised me.
I kept these notes private for years, but decided to share them on my site.
Notes don’t replace the book
It’s sad when people say my notes saved them time from reading the book.
My notes are just some tiny tidbits with no context. It’s like reading a punchline without the joke. If you hear a joke, then the punchline is all you need to remember the full joke. But if you just hear the punchline, without the joke, it makes no sense. I just save the punchlines to remind myself what I’ve read.
Again: these notes are really just for me but I’m sharing them on my site.
If you look through a book’s notes and like the ideas, please go read the whole book. It gives so much more context and meaning.
“Which one should I read?”
Whichever one seems to apply to your current situation. Books are most useful when they solve a problem (or curiosity) you’re having now.
By default I have the list sorted with my top recommendations up top. But really the best one for you is the one that speaks to your current situation.
“How do you choose the rating?”
I give every book a 0-10 ranking on the website, for your sake, so the list is sorted with my top recommendations up top.
That 0-10 rating is how strongly I would recommend this book to anyone. (Out of any random 10 people, how many of them should read this book?) It’s not always how much I liked it, or a judgement of how good it is. For example, I would give a little lower rating to a book I liked about an obscure subject that most people aren’t as into.
Also, if the ideas in a book really linger, and I find myself thinking of it often years later, I’ll go back and raise its rating.
“How do you use these notes?”
I go back to subjects that have a new need in my life. Like if I’m about to attend a conference or meet lots of people, I’ll re-read my book notes on people skills.
I search across books for certain ideas. For example, discipline: I’ll go search all notes for any mention of discipline, and re-read the thoughts on that subject. I like that it finds ideas about discipline as applied to investing, or fitness, or meditation, or whatever.
“Why don’t I see __(some book)___?”
I only read books that apply to my life or current interests right now. I say no to all requests, and publishers asking me to do reviews.
I do read fiction, but I don’t take notes on it. For fiction, I prefer films or audiobook.
I also read hundreds of books before 2007, but didn’t start taking notes until I realized I was forgetting what I had read.
“Don’t the authors get mad?”
No, but this was my biggest surprise!
The main reason I didn’t post these for years is because I assumed it was against copyright law. But I quietly tried it, without announcing it.
Then as the site got more popular, I was scared I’d get in trouble, but instead I got emails of thanks from the authors of those books. Maybe especially since I really am trying to get people to go buy the books whose notes they like.
“Exactly how do you take these notes?”
When reading a paper book, I just underline or circle the bits I find surprising or useful. Then when I’m done reading the book, I type those bits into a text file.
On an ebook, I just highlight the bits I find surprising or useful. Then when I’m done reading the book, I connect the ebook device by USB, copy the text file of notes, and edit from there.
Either way, I edit a lot, and re-shape the sentences into something that works for me.
“Hey you might like this other book summary site!”
No. I don’t want to read summaries of books. I like reading the whole book!
I aim to read even harder books, like “How to Read a Book” describes well.
“Why are there not more women authors?”
It’s a good question, and it bothers me too.
I’m kind of a feminist. Most of my friends are women. Most of my favorite musicians are women. When hiring, I try to hire only women. But yet the authors of the books I read are mostly men. Why?
It seems the publishing industry is biased that way. A female author sent her manuscript to twenty publishers, and all twenty rejected it. She sent it again to all twenty publishers using a male pen name, and half of them accepted it. I suspect that many men will only read books by men, whereas women will read books by men and women. So publishers are just meeting the market, expecting male authors to sell better, which then feeds the problem.
When I seek a book to solve a current problem or curiosity, I look for a book that seems to be the most highly recommended by the most people, or people I already admire. So whether it’s their bias or the publishing industry, these books are too-often by men.
But please also read my short article, “The mirror: It’s about you, not them.”, because ultimately I don’t care who the author is. When I read a book, it’s about me.
Go to sive.rs/book to browse the notes.
I can see clearly now!
This art work is priceless!
Thank you.
Thanks Derek,
If this info also on your facebook, i will share on facebook timeline
J.P. van den Wittenboer or that from IFUD of Human Rights.
Best regards
Jan
Hey Derek, I recently came across KindleMate (kmate.me) and it has saved me so much time. I came to it for the ability to extract words I looked up to put in my vocabulary trainer, but it is also very useful for highlights: for example, it has a function to export the highlights into separate files by book. Depending on how much you have got going on on your Kindle at any one time, this may help save you some editing time too!
Thankyou Derek!
"One picture ..."
This drawing is the most compelling argument for reading that I have experienced.
Thanks, Coach!
Thanks for answering, I always wondered how you took these notes! I'm surprised "Hey, you should read _____!" isn't on this list.
With that in mind, you should read Alan Jacobs' How to Think! It's a strong alternative to the lists of fallacies provided by Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow, and Bevelin's Seeking Wisdom. It focuses on the social and emotional aspects of thinking, and I like that Jacobs provides a 12-point checklist that summarizes his suggestions - much like your book notes!
The primary values I experience from reading your book notes are:
1. To help me understand if I resonate with much of the content to assist my choices, and,
2. As a wonderful pre-read to help me get more understanding when I read the book.
Your notes on "A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy" - by William Irvine triggered quite an emotional response.
I just ordered the book.
Thanks for the referral, Coach!
Great post! I would love to hear more about your cross-referencing database once you have it set up and running. I’m interested in doing a similar thing myself but don’t know where to start.
I get it.
A book summary would give you more than you need,
similarly, you keep your website plain.
Derek, I've begun to learn from the notes already. I believe they will be a valuable tool. The 'book notes' concept is brilliant. Once again you undertook a tremendous task and are generously sharing the fruits of your labor. After 15 years of soaking up your wisdom, and resources I'd like to contribute more than lip service. Will you point me to a paypal link? Sincerely, Tina
Derek, you say you do underlinings and circles.
I am in awe and admiration James Clive's thick book, "Cultural Amnesia." This great work came from Clive's lifetime of underlining countless books until he could integrate everything into one volume.
You two make me wonder if I have been wasting my life by not taking notes on books I read. ... Tonight I will phone a fellow reader long distance, then snap open a beer to drink in mourning.
Yeah, I really loved your "punchline" analogy. Helped to really understand what you are doing with these. And also, reminds me too of all the countless books I've read, spent soooo much time reading; and really, how much of any of it I can actually remember - I am not even sure! Wish I had done more of this kind of this. But I have sometimes for some things.
Derek, thank you so much for all this great job and sharing the "secret" of how your process is. I am reading quite a lot, most of it in paper as I like touching my books and taking notes. And I have realized recently about my problems: 1)sometimes i do not know in which book something was said. I tell the story and then I do not remember the book to tell others.
2)I do not know the exact book where that clear example, or quote, or reference, or idea appeared in the book
I have used a voice-to-text converter - google and speechnotes - but not being a English-mother tongue speaker i have to spend a lot of time in reviews
So I am in the search of the perfect tool to register and access my notes and tidbits. I would be interested in what Myles is building
Thank you for making your notes public, Derek. I have notes 'everywhere': in the books themselves, on scraps of paper, legal pads, even notebooks that I intended to keep organized for that purpose - and didn't! Yet, I can't read a book without a pen in hand...
Your example of at least organizing the notes into a Word or journal computer file is very timely (for me). Again, thank you!! ☺
I wish my mind was as organized as yours, Derek. Thanks for waking me up.
Well something you said in your notes is true but I never realised it that way before "Married couples are God because they can create life" a splendid realisation a simple truth right before your eyes that were walking blind.
The demographic representation of this list is so abysmal I honestly can't take these recommendations seriously. I started reading aloud the first names of all these authors, and thought I was reading a list of the most popular male baby names of the 21th century. Just move Pema closer to the top or something. You can do better!
Tell the publishers. — Derek
your notes helps to select the best books to read by giving their short description. Thanks for it.
I love the pic :)
Hi Derek,
Awesome website, always find myself coming back here.
Do you use some plugins for sorting your book recommendations by date/title and have it show your top recommendations on top?
Very insightful :) You inspired me to start a similar process recently.
As well as now, having a process where I write “arg”, next to key points. Then argue both ways to open my mind !
Thanks for showing your process! I am in a similar situation and am now building my own site of book notes from my kindle highlights for later reference. As per your suggestion, I may incorporate some sort of tagging/database system also. Maybe, I should write some software to make my process easier. So many good ideas...
Cheers!
Peter Vergenz
Very inspiring!Very helpful!
I was feeling uninspired lately. I heard you on a podcast while cleaning and looked you up. So glad I did. This list has something for everyone. Great notes and recommendations - thanks for the inspiration!
Hi
Where can I see the “directives “ you spoke about on the Tim
Ferriss podcast
Thanks
sive.rs/d1">sive.rs/d1">sive.rs/d1 — Derek
I am so thankful you did the interview with Tim Ferriss. I have the biggest problem with saying "no" but now I have a two year old and I need to prioritize my time. Thank you for simplifying it to a "fuck ya" or "hell no"
For about the past 4 or 5 years, I've been diligently underlining, circling, taking notes, etc. in the non-fiction books I read. About a year ago, I decided I wanted to get these notes digitized in some way. So, I've typed up about 10% of the book notes I've read during that period. Since I use Excel for my day-job, I have been putting my notes for each book on a separate tab in a single Excel file, which I know is not a great methodology. I was a curious if you had an update on how your database is proceeding? I would love at some point to implement a better system.
Hey Derek,
just wanted to say thank you for sharing your notes on the book you read.
All the best, Patrick
Derek,
Thanks so much for doing all this and for so generously making it available to us.
I seem to always find something in your work that catalyzes something in my life or my own work as an educator. Looking forward to your new books.
Thanks again,
Ray Hernandez
You are doing what I start to do, I would like to share one tip with you that how to step forward from notes to thoughts. I started to use Quizlet.com for my reading notes, besides books. Since Quizlet is simply a set of learning tool, based on Q&A.
For instance, Question is one of note, Answer is corresponding the thoughts. For me, notes like you said are what're surprising or helping me, thoughts usually are key words of why it's a surprise or favor. Actually I also want to setup a link across the thoughts by using a set of tags... I am doing with the tags, those're supposed to be categorized by four things, knowledge, insight, courage, sensibility.
I strongly confirm you are working on an extremely great self-improvement practice, daily.We around the world are learning from you,and are being influenced. Thank you.
One thing, I feel, only as programmer like me what you are practicing is more fit and more easily understandable. Why are you so cool?
Oh my goodness - you’re like me! I do exactly the same with all nonfiction (although I also read a ton of fiction). Never thought about putting it on a website, and I probably won’t since my notes are private. Oddly enough, your profile in “Tools of Titans” by Tim Ferriss was the last thing I read tonight and, because I love books, just had to come see what you recommend! (And yes, I took notes while reading your profile but now I’m probably going to have to listen to the whole podcast). Anyway, interesting to find someone else who reads books this way. (I’m not a “Titan” like you, just a regular person intrigued by a list of books.) Thank you for this resource, and don’t worry, I will read the full books! Happy reading to you!
Regarding the formidable book you link to, How To Read A Book, if I might wear my citizen hat, amidst the "war on terror":
A man who has been studying folks who commit terror (or at least the cross-border terrorists) says that, for post-secondary study, they always major in things like technology or medicine, never in the liberal arts.
Wearing my personal growth-liberation hat: It's sad to imagine such people reading for mere information, not for understanding and questioning.
I suppose when I stretch my mind, I am "reading for peace."
Hello Derek,
I heard your podcast with Tim, I think atleast 4 times and then tribe of mentors podcast 8 times, so, thought of checking about you more on google.
You are simple, brilliant and compassionate. I'm going to share a lot of stuff from your website with my students.
With tons of optimism from India. Take care and stay safe.
Amit Sharma
Is there a "download all" (ideally in a PDF format) for all notes? I'd pay a small fee for this.
Great site.
No way. — Derek
I just read "40 Tales from the Afterlives" - the first book on your list. WOW -- this is possibly the most CREATIVE book I have ever read (and I am a voracious reader). I'm glad you shared your list as I never would have found this hidden gem without it.
Cool! I agree. My next book, “How to Live”, is based on Sum. — Derek
Ha ha
For best sellers that everyone is talking about, sometimes, by accident or laziness, I don't get around to reading them until all the buzz and hype has died down. I think this makes me more objective.
Sometimes, six months after I read a book that is good, I read it again, which helps me learn more, or else to make sure that I've learned a lot. If a book isn't good enough to read again after six months (but it is) then maybe it wasn't good the first time.
If reading helps make me open minded then, whenever I read, I am reading for peace.
In certain countries where some people are illiterate, and without democracy, all you (if male) have to do is raise your voice or make a fist and their thinking shuts down, their mind becoming less open. I thank God, and our grandparents, that we have freedom of speech without violence and freedom of thought.
Derek, thanks so much for your list! If you haven’t read it, please thumb through “a path with heart” by jack kornfield. It’s one of the few books that I have read multiple times throughout my life.
Also, double thumbs up on “How building learn”. It’s a real treat and opened my eyes to architecture’s inevitable changes. Wow.
Agree to disagree.
I don't agree with some of your evaluations, but respect and appreciate your willingness to express your evaluations. Here is a thought? Can our understanding of a particular book, idea, thought, be the combination of all of our experiences (life) up to that point? Have your reread a book and changed your summary?
Thanks for your work.
James
I see and i have just learnt something about taking notes and using them to my benefit as to what i want to know and to write about.this is of a great benefit.
A few people commented about the 'how' of taking notes and I'd like to offer suggestions to address that. For about 10 years I have been using Scrivener, a commercial program from Literature & Latte. It's amazingly versatile and doesn't shoehorn you into linear note-taking like standard word processors do. I've yet to find any type of writing it is unsuitable for. Love it!
If paid for software is a leap too far,check out Manuskipt, CherryTree and MyNotex.
Scrivener - www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview
Manuskript - http://www.theologeek.ch/manuskript/#
CherryTree - www.giuspen.net/cherrytree/
MyNotex - sites.google.com/site/mynotex/home
I'm sure there are others but it's a start.
I use ReadWise for managing my Kindle highlights. It's been a game changer for me; It sends me daily emails of my highlights and has many other features to get the best out of Kindle Highlights. Use my link for a free 1 month readwise.io/i/himal
Thank you so much for this list. It is VERY generous.
Gratefully,
Cary Pierce
jackopierce
Hi Derek, you are at the top of my list of most generous people I know. Thank you for keeping me on your email list too.
Hi Derek,
I store my highlights in a simmilar way you do, recently I started to organise them differently using Obsidian (Open source) text editor which has community plugin which exports all your highlights from Kindle per book and stores them as separate .md file for each.
I highly recommend giving a look. You can edit, link your notes, and have VSC (git) over all of you booknotes.
This is great
admire
THANK YOU for sharing !!
I have thought about doing something like this. This gives me inspiration.
Derek, you have Notes for 420 books and I’m wondering whether you still have all those books. I think I have about 420 books too and I love them dearly but they’re beginning to feel like a burden and I don’t want to carry them around. I think I’m going to have a hard time letting them go. Do you have any suggestions for me?
One of the reasons why I take notes is so I don’t have to keep the physical book - and so I never have to re-read it to remember what I learned from it. My only suggestion for you is to give it away knowing if you REALLY miss it you can always get it again, but you won’t know that unless you get rid of it. — Derek