How to keep book notes
A note that summarizes the book is replaceable. A note that records what you thought about it is not, which is why the reaction belongs first.
What matters here
- Note why you read it in the first place
- Write three takeaways, not thirty
- Record what you disagreed with
- Keep quotes short and page-referenced
- Link the note to whatever you do next
The three takeaway rule
A note with thirty points is a copy of the book's structure and cannot be used. Three points force a judgement about what mattered to you, and that judgement is the value.
Disagreement as a signal
The parts you resisted are usually the parts connected to your own work. Write them down with a sentence of why, and they become the most reusable material in the note.
Link to action
If the book changes how you do something, link the note from the relevant task or project. Otherwise the note joins the shelf of unread summaries.
Frequently asked questions
Keep reading
- How to track subscriptionsSubscriptions are small individually and significant together. The way to see them is one list with amount, renewal date and what it is for.
- What is task management?Task management is the practice of recording work, deciding when it happens, and adjusting the plan as reality changes.
- What is a deadline?A deadline is a date by which something must be finished, usually because something else depends on it.
Turn talk into a plan
Capture a thought in plain language and let Prysm Note shape it into tasks and a timeline.
Disclaimer
This page is general information, not professional, legal, financial or medical advice. It describes common ways of working and how Prysm Note approaches them. Software changes over time, so details may differ from what you see in the product. Any product, company or brand names that appear are the property of their respective owners and are used only for identification. We do not claim any endorsement or affiliation. Where we compare approaches, we aim to describe each one honestly, including where a different approach may suit you better. Try the tools that matter to you and judge for yourself.