Annotating books can be so much fun. Especially when reading a classic. There's so much to discover and learn, that it's really helpful if you can look back at your reading experience in a guided manner. To help you get started: here are 5 tips for annotating classics.
1. Think about why you’re reading the book: for pleasure, for a book club or maybe for academic purposes? You don’t need to annotate everything, only the things that serve your purpose.
2. It’s okay to write in your book. I said it and i meant it. Classics are usually the type of books we collect and keep, so it’s okay to make the book permanently yours.
3. Colour code your tabs. This is what i often use for book club books:
- plot
- characters
- quotes
- feminism/politics
- look up later
- discussion points
4. Note your colour coding on one of the first pages.
5. Use a separate tab for words or expressions you don’t know. You can look this up after you’ve finished a chapter, so you don’t loose the flow of the book.
SHOP ANNOTATING SUPPLIES
Milena’s Bookshop is a modern new and second-hand book store for classic works. Inclusivity, feminism, and curiosity are at our core. A combination of famous authors and forgotten names makes up the collection. Whether you’re looking for books second hand or new releases, we offer a range of literature. Both inside and outside the canon, classic literature gives a unique insight into the past. If you're wondering what books you should read, explore our curated collection, including a must-read book list called 'Milena's Favourites'. For those in the Netherlands, we are your New English bookstore and your go-to for 2e hands boek finds. Our love for authors is celebrated with cheerful bookmarks, cards, and more. All books and gifts are shipped from The Netherlands by a woman-owned independent bookshop. Plus, all packaging is plastic-free.