How I Remember What I Read

[@pamelajarvis7728]

Remember an English Literature Professor saying one reads a book once to get the feel, story and gist of the book. Read it a second time though to really get inside and engage with the writing knowing what is to come but experiencing it in a deep way. An ideal but it works! Super video.

[@SampsfaN]

Thanks a lot for this! I was under the notion that I'm from the minority who reads a book once and can't remember anything except the gist as you say. Surely you need to read a second time to grasp it better.

[@prodomango712]

As someone who also predominantly reads classics I’m not sure I agree, just because you don’t recall details doesn’t mean that it hasn’t left any impression and that you might as well have read sparknotes instead. Also reading fiction like this is so disruptive to the reading process that you’re never actually letting the book wash over you (non in a pejorative sense). These works are first and foremost just good books, no need to get bogged down in recall by stopping and starting especially when it’s something “noteworthy,” because in an ironic sense you never experience the magic of that noteworthy moment because you’re preoccupied with recording it, or worse, you’re always assessing the value and debating if it’s worthy of stopping for - which is why the ‘solution’ of only taking notes in moderation isn’t really a solution at all. It’s like being on vacation and always taking a photo, at what point are you just living life through the viewfinder? and at that point were you ever really truly there? even just having your camera out and ready all the time, you’re just stuck being a tourist, just put the camera away and immerse yourself. Non-fiction, absolutely do this. Fiction, not for me. But of I enjoy the novel enough, I’ll go much more into it & its analysis on a reread.

[@giuseppecosta7157]

Do you ever have the feeling you actually want to forget something you’ve just read? I’m not talking about forgetting something because you found it so boring or bad that you don’t even want to remember it, on the contrary, sometimes I have the feeling I’m reading something so magical I’d actually like to forget it all so that I can reread it years later and enjoy it as if I was reading it for the first time (this actually only applies for fiction, or at least in my case).

[@josephbroseph]

"Don't glaze over things that are lost on you." Yes!!! I can't stress enough how helpful it's been to me as a reader taking my time with the text and going out of my way to comprehend what I'm reading. I think there's a time and place for this, of course, but too often people are prone to reading passively rather than intentionally. Reading passively has its place for certain types of books but taking your time with what you're reading--actually engaging with the text in a meaningful way--is not only essential in improving your media literacy, but so enriching and a lot of fun!

[@michmash2530]

something that's been helping me remember is writing letters to friends while reading the book. I'm reading the Iliad with someone, and we send reading logs to each other, facts about the book that interested us, and our favorite lines. I always take scans of my letters, so I can look back at them and see what I thought as I went through it. I really recommend it!

[@douloureux.]

That is a great idea!

[@gigibeah524]

This is so cute! I would love to do this with someone 🥰

[@jojosjojoba]

@@gigibeah524 I'd love to do this with someone too!! want to be pen pals?? 😁

[@lost_dreamers1783]

anyone wanna do this with me?

[@fredcarrillo9771]

I need a pen pal friend/group let’s start 1

[@thomasgarman6353]

i know i should slow down a-little when I read, but it would stop me from building a massive collection of dense books to display my intellectual prowess

[@454MI]

I found your channel because i was looking up "War and Peace" on KZbin and im so glad I landed here.

[@rourounnie]

Even though my "I'm supposed to be a teacher" annotations serve to dissect whatever I am underlining/marking down, I feel like my "I'm just vibing" annotations are much more memorable to me. Even if my annotations are simply like "WHAT" or "Holy shit", I always find myself thinking back on those moments like "Holy shit, that line was such a cool detail" or "Yo that was DARK." Very fun!

[@troytradup]

For novels, I started keeping a log of first sentences (or sometimes first paragraphs) over and above my other notes, and I find that brings back a lot of specifics about where I was when I read the story, how I felt about it, how I felt about my life in that moment -- a sort of gestalt burst.

[@factcheckingyourmum]

This is lovely

[@najaraclaudino]

I definitely need a journal to write down what I think about the books I am reading 🙆🏻‍♀️🙎🏻‍♀️

[@youngphysicist9930]

From now, you are one of my most fav booktuber❤️

[@christaylor5454]

One thing that I’ve heard about but haven’t implemented in my own reading as of yet (but I will), is making an index in the back of a book showing where quotes are located. Usually I would put it at the back of the book if there’s a couple of blank pages or even the back inside cover, this seems like a better method than the sticky note tabs. Hope this helps some of you! 😊

[@edsahara]

I've been reading mostly classics for about 15 years. I have trouble remembering what I've read and find that I mostly don't retain much if I didn't enjoy the book. You probably won't remember that much of it in a couple years (months) no matter what you do, so don't worry about it. Just slow down and enjoy it. It's not a memory test. If you set that standard for yourself you'll fail. You can always Google the book and read a quick summary. I keep my favorite books on my bookshelves and when I look at the book, the story comes back to me.

[@patrickking9600]

Your method of writing the day, time, and what inspired you to take note of a quote in the first place is very meta, and I love it. I will definitely try that!

[@XxCarleeBxX]

I've only recently gotten over my fear of writing in books, and OH MAN has it really improved my reading experience. Especially when it comes to nonfiction!

[@hre2044]

I highlight my books but the lighlighter bleeds through on many books. It's a shame because it pops out much better with highlighter

[@bottt5302]

use a different highlighter or just line with colored pens@@hre2044

[@TheChocolateChiken]

The secret to reading fast is to read slowly. If you read slowly, you'll naturally become invested and interested in the finer points made in a book. You'll get sucked into the book and it'll be easy to spend hours at a time with it.

[@kingadz14]

I love that note on the top of page 194 : 'holy shit'.

[@kingy002]

Comedic.

[@gpeaches]

I think your method is valuable with certain kinds of books. I like to highlight first, and then when I've finished the book, return to the quotes I've highlighted and write some notes at that stage. The "start-stop" method of reading then immediately taking notes makes books way less enjoyable, and I go off on my own tangents of why a quote resonates/is salient, and I lose my immersion in the story. For me, I prefer to read a book quickly (not to rush, but read it over several days rather than over weeks). Takes notes and reflect after it's finished (also because the quote might be read differently in the context of the entire book!). I find that reading a book in a shorter period of time is more impactful and enjoyable for me. I stay more immersed. I also think it's normal to forget precise details like character names, specific plot points, every single argument etc. but recall the impression or message the book had for you. An additional benefit of forgetting some details is that re-reading is more enjoyable!

[@ziadirayene9879]

My main 3 tricks are 1 interacting with the text like you said, by writing and underlying it, 2 i make myself write a review after i finish, even if i don't post it on goodreads but just to gather up my thoughts on the book; and most importantly 3 to read it with someone else if i can and discuss it as we go

[@leot7]

Will you continue posting videos? I really enjoy them! Hope you're doing well!

[@jesict3763]

Your nonfiction mark-ups took me straight back to grad school. I still go back sometimes and look at my notes from then.

[@zenbookreview1501]

This was very helpful for me to begin my own BookTube journey where I to want to emphasise more on the literature than on myself (which seems to have become the norm). Can’t wait to get started!

[@anelguerrerorodriguez5928]

You’re absolutely right! I started to writing down quotes and my thoughts about the books I read since the beginning of this year and I have seen a change in the quality of my readings. Also, a good way to remember what you read is talking with someone about it, describe the plot, the prose, whatever you want, it is helpful not only for you, maybe you can encourage someone to read it too.

[@ralphjenkins1507]

Good tips!

[@RikimaruNobunaga]

your energy is so great brother you make me forget about difficult things, thanks

[@Naomi-vf2rg]

Yooo Drunzo where is your next video please, we've been waiting for more than a month I can't really stand it any longer please come backkkk ♥

[@slenderpup2666]

I recently read Rebecca for the first time and there were a lot of plants and words talked about that I didn't know the meaning of. So I wrote down in the book the definitions of words and descriptions of plants and I had so much fun doing it! I'm someone who has never been afraid to mark up my books. I underline everything that I like. I don't like the post it method because when I go back I typically don't remember how much of the text I wanted to remember. I tried a reading diary once but it didn't work for me. I prefer to just write in the book, either in the columns or in the extra paper provided in the back. I have books from when I was a teenager (I'm now in my 30's) and it's so thrilling to go back to those and see all the things I highlighted or wrote about back then. Brings me right back!

[@joyceli1205]

This video has come at the right moment for me. I've become anxious about my reading speed lately after watching other book-tubers saying they read over 100 books a year. I wish I could read as much as them but I guess I was a bit harsh on myself, for English is not my first language and I intentionally choose long classics to read this year. You video really reminded me of the joy of reading. I will definitely try your techniques, especially the reading journal. Thanks :D

[@Laocoon283]

They are full of shit dude. They consider skimming reading.

[@battybibliophile-Clare]

I annotate both novels, mainly classics, and the non-fiction too, which tends to be author biographies, literary history, and history. I'm a big fan of Harold Bloom and a British Shakespeare scholar, Jonathan Bate. I love your channel.

[@morningdewacademic]

I totally agree with you, I annotate and make notes on my books from both fiction and non-fiction all of the time, I use different colored pens, and highlighters to mean different things so when I go back through it my eyes are really cued in. I also agree that reading fast is not worth it, now fiction I can go through pretty quickly but the classics and non-fiction I take my time and I really chew the words and digest their meaning. Enjoy the books and savor every single one!

[@brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

I just found your channel through Steve Donoghue, and so glad I did. Belatedly: Welcome to booktube!

[@liamfrederic5203]

recently I’ve started taking photos of pages and highlighting things on my phone. I might categorize them somehow in the future. I also try to write a review for every book I read. but whenever I can I also annotate with a pen(cil) because I really like flipping through the book and seeing what I thought about it. And yeah, buddy reading helps as well!

[@filmsyoushouldbewatching]

Reading pace and annotations are excellent topics of discussion and the experience you had with Sapiens I also had. Other than the rough outline, the only section I remember vividly was the Aztecs (a particular interest of mine - Gladwell's discussion of it in his non-fiction book 'Talking to Strangers' is particularly striking. It stays with me today, and I encourage you to read it, if only for that chapter!). Anyway, you're entirely correct in saying that when you come across a book that seems like reading it will be a worthwhile experience, slowing down is the way to go! I remember reading Anna Karenina over lockdown, and it taking months upon months to read - but it was my slow pace that made it such a phenomenal read. And, to be honest, I think everyone has to read Tolstoy slowly. I see his epics more as television programmes than as films: they are an investment, you tune in each week, it isn't something you consume in one sitting! And, the only way you will remember those names is by taking your sweet time! In terms of annotation, I do the same as you for non-fiction. But for fiction, I'm definitely going to start journaling, and, as you said, *actively* start asking: Why, at this moment, do I feel the need to write down this quote? Too often do I find myself returning to thoroughly highlighted yet in annotated works of fiction! Also, pausing through the parts you showed in Bloom's book, I was particularly drawn to something you underlined about what Kenneth Burke taught Bloom - I assume in regards to reading/annotating - so, something especially relevant! Here's the quote: "The late Kenneth Burke taught me to ask, always. What is the writer trying to do for himself or herself by writing this work? Burke primarily meant for oneself as a person, but he genially tolerated my revision of his question." Another great question to ask whilst actively reading. Anyway, another effective and thorough video, and I've now added Harold Bloom's Shakespeare to my never-ending list of books to read. Keep up the great work. 👍🏻

[@TheJudgeandtheJury]

I remember some poems here and there like the opening Canto to Divine Comedy or ‘I, a stranger and afraid in a world I never made’ by A. E. Houseman and a Milton quote “Long is the way and hard, that out of all hell leads to the light.” I found your video interesting and I am looking forward to more content. I related to a lot of your experiences and what I do to remember books is write a note in a flash card and put it where the quote is in the book. May not work for everyone, sometimes I write notes on regular paper.

[@victoriamartins6218]

I have the same problem! What I started to do is: -Take notes when I can (I use Notion or my phone note taking app). -Mark the sgnificant parts with post-it's. I use two colors, one for parts that I like and another for parts that I think are really good (in the narrative, grammaticaly or in the topic). -If the book has many characters or something that I want to remember (while I'm reading) I write it down in the book as a short summary. -And when I finish a book I write down what I liked or disliked, a little critic for the future me. Hope this is usefull to someone🖤 (And sorry if my grammar is not the best. This is not my first languaje) Love your channel!🥰

[@vickyengler21]

oh wow, your video really opened my eyes and encourages me to read slower and more thoughtfully! i‘m currently reading count of monte christo and do mark up some passages, but since it is such a gargantuan novel, i‘ve been rushing through it to „finish it“. don‘t get me wrong, it‘s one of the best things i‘ve read so far, but i‘m just eager to find out how the plot progresses, and that‘s why i‘m rushing through… i will try and slow down my pace, so i can really savor the whole thing and remember it in a few months. or maybe iˋll first read it quickly, and then my second go at it will be dedicated to note-taking.

[@leticia8588]

best video on this topic I have seen on KZbin!

[@geisl1459]

Thanks so much for sharing, Drunzo! I use a black pen with slight pressure to create light but perceptible lines, and I underline anything that's profoundly put, wonderfully written, or otherwise personally moving. Now because I read paper books I can't always immediately return to old quotes (ofc over Kindle I can and even color-code but don't prefer the medium), but if I search a bit I'll be able to find that passage again. As for notes, in fic I'll infrequently write notes (more to identify the passage) but in non-fic I'll more frequently, which tend to be a "?" for an idea striking me odd/put poorly/disagreeable or DP or DA for "disagree with proposition" or "disagree with author" as well as AP and AA (because sometimes author will quote another person's argument with which I disagree, etc.) Likewise I'll do "!" as a way to express a strong reaction. I should note that I'm a slow and absorbing reader anyway, tending to really plumb everything that seems to be in a text. I don't read more than 20 pages a day out of any one volume usually so my slower more indulgent method lends itself to greater retention anyway. With this method, I don't have any way of, while flipping back over, knowing which were underlines for profound ideas or profound prose, but these tend to more or less blend into one another so that it works decently. As for your idea of little tabs I've thought a lot about this and might go for it, but I find myself underlining so much in the books I read this might not be as helpful, and while I'm careful never to rush myself I still am mindful of the time I take to pause for anything from looking something up to noting.

[@geisl1459]

Edited in afterward: I should note that I'm a slow and absorbing reader anyway, tending to really plumb everything that seems to be in a text. I don't read more than 20 pages a day out of any one volume usually so my slower more indulgent method lends itself to greater retention anyway.

[@Durufle68]

You may be a mechanical engineering student, but I'd love to be in a situation to dialogue with you about books etc. You seem to have a much deeper understanding of literature than many lit majors.

[@ashzm7949]

You are a little bit sus Kevin

[@MJ-bo9xp]

Thanks I like your spirit and notes :)

[@nemutai3596]

i keep a note on my iphone of significant page numbers of books just to jog my memory of my fav parts ! idk if that would help anyone but sometimes u have that one key moment that u love and it’s much easier to find like that

[@waryaballan9077]

Great video overall! Keep it coming.

[@noeditbookreviews]

This very thing is one of the big reasons I started recording book review videos. It really helps me to absorb the material better AS I read, and improves recall after. Plus, I've got my archive of videos for reference. I highly recommend doing this. Join booktube today!

[@Ameerah_1134]

Ohh thank you. I will try to practise one idea that u mentioned which is writing a passage u liked and talk about, that really looks benefit.

[@TheNoaCohen]

Do you have plans to create any more videos on this channel? You're so insightful and I would love to see more content!

[@kingy002]

I understand why he doesn't make many videos. I've made videos in the past and to do something even half decent is very time consuming with all the editing required. As a bibliophile it will never be his priority. A shame really he is a fine young man with much to offer.

[@renee_angelica]

This was so encouraging! Thank you

[@Claraa2298]

The exact same thing happened to me with Sapiens, thanks for the suggestions 👍🏻

[@MrRexzhen]

very inspiration one.

[@Naomi-vf2rg]

Woooow it's been 2 months please post again we're waiting for you, I loved your content so much, please pleaseeee !

[@bekytg9393]

This video came at the best time. I am just about to embark on reading my first Tolstoy book - 'Childhood, Boyhood, Youth'. Penguin Classic Ed. I made sure I read the introduction and notes from the translator. I must admit I usually skip this part. Now I have learn't not to do so. I learn't so much. Anyway thank you for providing these helpful hints.

[@delfinamoyanopicca]

Instead of writing on a diary I write the page number where I marked something on the blank pages at the beginning and the end of the book and there I write whatever my thoughts are on that. I got the idea from reading my dad’s books and seeing how he annotates! By the way do you still organize your books chronologically? They look so pretty

[@Rekickit]

Just subscribed. Hoping you can do a book tour! It also bothers me that I forget most of what I read. Need to try these things

[@nachowpowzer5979]

oh mannnn I'm going through the exact same existential crisis with all these amazing books I've read and can only recall so little of the content

[@sarrahannalejaga]

I'm currently in a moment where I'm trying to convince myself to read slowly. For this month I finished 4 books I enjoyed them all while reading but I feel like I missed something. Then realized I'm reading too fast that I'm not able to ponder about the passages and dialogues or such in the book. I still don't feel good with writing on the pages of my books with a pen except when highlighting and underlining quotes. Thank you for this, I'll try some of your methods.🌻

[@sharongraves6272]

Miss you!

[@bradlaycock3915]

I remember when I was at school, I didn't use to take comprehension seriously. Now I know what the teacher was trying to say.

[@robynfindley7623]

I ordered the copy of war and peace from Amazon and I off work today going to start reading it right now

[@andrewdaniel459]

hey dude i love your content just letting you know

[@olgaotherstories8355]

Absolutely!!

[@podrissimo9814]

Hey dude! You've been quiet. Hope you're ok. We need more content 😋

[@haruki5401]

Great content!

[@katy_4971]

My fear is not being able to read all my books before I die!!! So I heavily related to your intro! I underline anything I love or find interesting then I use sticky tabs for the most important pages that I want to go back to. I tend not to annotate unless it is for my course. But journaling sounds really intriguing so I might give it a go and I also loved your point about arguing with the author. I think that is a great way to really take something from a nonfiction book.

[@nikkivenable3700]

Where did you go? Your channel started off with a bang....I hope you are ok. I keep checking back for a new upload.

[@drunzo363]

Hi Nikki - I shall be returning very soon! I've had a busy month finishing up a rigorous semester, but I am back to the books now. Hopefully I will have my next video out sometime this week. I really appreciate the concern! I hope you are doing well!

[@nikkivenable3700]

@@drunzo363 omg...duh...finals for you. I didn’t even think about that. I knew you were in college! I’m sorry to have bugged you. How did finals go for you?

[@bekytg9393]

Hi, have you don't anymore videos lately?

[@soroorfarahnak4055]

Thanks for great contents. Can you give us a list of your favorite writers?

[@t0dd000]

Reading as fast as possible is not really reading. Even if you technically read every word. That's skimming. At least mentally. I have a niece who prides herself in reading in bulk. But she misses everything. She gets the gist and if a novel, the generalized plot, but she loses the book. And the best works of literature require focus. I don't get the drive to read in bulk. And nonfiction (other than creative nonfiction or memoir and the like), I definitely recommend summarizing as you go in a notebook or some such. Otherwise, why bother?

[@giacomofilosofia]

Thanks a lot

[@douloureux.]

I had the same with Sapiens and also his other 2 books (homo deus and 21 lessons for the 21st century). I flew through them in i think 2 weeks but now i barely remember anything

[@folksurvival]

Sapiens is a propaganda piece anyway so don't worry.

[@stanbrown32]

I like to jot down notes in the back of the book, if it's a book I'm okay writing in.

[@manasaacharyulu3905]

I think I’m gonna start war and peace. Was thinking from a long time, but there was no good guidance. But I’ll do it now

[@mimimayhem]

Come back to KZbin @drunzo! We need more of this content.

[@hre2044]

What are your favourite book publishers?

[@ryanmccormick4907]

I absolutely love your insight. Are you on Instagram or Twitter? Blog?

[@bustercrabbe8447]

Coerced rote memorization without application is not education. The Freemasons use 'mind mapping' to rote memorize pages of information. The Roman Room method of memory training works for me. The Chinese write ✍ their lessons or what they read to help them in retention. Chunking and pneumatics are taught in grade school.

[@sharongraves6272]

Still miss you. I hope all is well.

[@hre2044]

Do you sugest highlighter, pen, or pencil for note taking?

[@mattsbookshelf4084]

When are we getting a literary analysis of Rise of Skywalker?

[@bekytg9393]

LOL

[@stephandlulu]

Hmmm...Food for thought :-)

[@dundema]

👋 which books of Albert camus should one start? The stranger? The outsider? The fall?

[@rashmigawade2011]

You look very handsome in this video 😊❤ from India and I love the way u talk .😉

[@endgamefond]

Also goodreads is good

[@starboy.99]

GOAT

[@Laocoon283]

Like sand in a sieve

[@deepanshugarg1497]

You said don't proposting yourself to read fast but do you really think that it is possible to complete a 1000 page book without reading at least at 350 wpm

[@jeronimodeltoro9572]

hey i love reading also, not many people like it, hit me up in youtube and lets talk about books, I have loads of friends, I just don't have anyone to talk about books with

[@eshafatima4300]

Hi! Do you have a Goodreads account?

[@dustinmccarty6515]

Man, did you die?

[@mikailamfcochranbitch6005]

The caller I'd reads dead cast of course🍥🐷🎹📺📄📈📉🎭