how i annotate my books 🖊️ | casual and beginner friendly tips

[@srivirao]

i used to have the same fear. Growing in Hindu culture books are considered Goddess Saraswati and its not good to do "damage" to them. Then i understood if its the way to assimilate the contents thats not real damage. I have writing in ALL my books now

[@cassandralynnreads]

I never even thought of the religious upbringing and opinions around books. Thank you for your insight!!

[@tejaswinisureshkrishnan4228]

As a Hindu I understand your point. But I didn't disrespecting Goddess Saraswati is more about not keeping your feet on it or just throw it down. Annotating is typically done to immerse yourself into the writing and assimilate knowledge, so it's really like respecting her better❤

[@diannekoval4773]

Great video! I have recently started annotating and am always looking for how others annotate. Thanks for the recommendation for tabs and also emphasizing that there are no rules which makes this hobby so personable and flexible!!!

[@cassandralynnreads]

glad I could help! ❤️

[@caspiansvensson]

I love the idea of having a second copy for annotating. I want to annotate The clan of the cave bear SO bad, but I don't want to do it to my hardbacks. So I am gonna keep my eye out for (hopefully) cheaper paperbacks and annotate those. I might end up with one whole bookshelf of extra copies of my favourite books. 😂 When I annotate library books (I read a lot of those) I use post its. If I end up annotating too much I write the page numbers on the notes before I return the book and keep the postits in a notebook until I can buy a copy - if I annotate a lot in a library book it usually means it invokes enough emotion in me that I am gonna need one and probably reread at some point. I mostly annotate quotes and funny lines/humour. And I also have a post it stuck on the last page where I put all the names, some books have sooo many characters I get lost if I don't write them down. 🖋

[@cassandralynnreads]

Funny lines & humor is what I usually annotate as well 😅

[@Zahrah.M]

I don't own many books but I tried it out with eraseable highlighters and pens, it made me more comfortable! Thank you for making this beginner friendly. also I laughed at the Eragon annotations, it's been so long that I read it so I forgot those things happened

[@cassandralynnreads]

I loved some of the moments in that book 😂 they're so funny. And I'm glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@Yesica1993]

How are those erasables? Do they fade after months/years? I've never tried them.

[@calisongbird]

@@Yesica1993 Frixion brand erasable ink does tend to disappear with warm temps or page friction. Popping the book in the freezer usually brings the ink back.

[@a.katherinesuetterlin3028]

Growing up and going through elementary school, it was kinda pounded into our heads to not write or mark in our textbooks. Me being me, I took that to heart sooo much that -- fast forward to my college years where I was buying used textbooks -- I saw all the previous notes and highlights that other students had made, and felt my gut drop to the floor. It was a mix of shock and relief. It was a shock because both my parents were college-educated, but never really marked in their books, either, even though they purchased them. But it was a relief at the same time, because these were never owned by the school (like they were in elementary) , but by the students, and someone had told me that it was expected to do self-annotations in college texts. So once I got used to the idea, and actually embraced annotations, let's just say I felt a "chain" in my brain be cut. It's the best way I can explain my feelings at the time. 😅 Now I'm seeing this annotation trend with fiction books, which feels like another form of journaling. And I'm thinking...okaaayyy...this is interesting indeed. So I may give this a go. 😅

[@cassandralynnreads]

It's such a fun way to spice up your reading experience haha

[@katieisreading]

your "what is happening bro" annotation in the fifth season is making me laugh so hard😭

[@cassandralynnreads]

I probably wrote that on every goddamn page it's ridiculous 🙄 😂

[@aniyamarie8370]

This is for sure helpful for someone like myself! When people mention needing a lot of the supplies, I become overwhelmed. So, thank you for uploading this!💕

[@cassandralynnreads]

Awesome, glad I could help!

[@v_loves_books]

I usually read books online so I can’t really annotate them but I would love to. When I get my own place I will 100% start buying used copies to annotate bc it looks so fun to do !

[@cassandralynnreads]

So happy to hear that!

[@LexieMoon321]

I was always so scared so if there was a book I wanted to annotate I would just read the book on the kindle! Now I am excited to annotate some books!

[@cassandralynnreads]

Ah yay I love to hear it 🥰

[@stephanies7158]

Good explanation, thanks. I have never annotated a book before but might consider it in the future

[@cassandralynnreads]

You should!

[@DonandBirdieHarms]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you for your organic approach. This is all new to me, so I enjoyed it very much. You have a sweet personality and you are very cute. I am homeschooling my 15 year old granddaughter and I think she will relate to you very well. She will love your braids and outfit. I love how you presented. You kept my attention as a grandmother, so I am sure she will enjoy you as well.

[@cassandralynnreads]

Awe you're too kind ❤️

[@hannahnova749]

I really enjoyed watching the way you annotate, you explained everything really well. I use a bookmark that is laminated whenever I read and use that to underline. That way it's straight as I want without taking me away from the book for a ruler. Thought maybe that's something you would want to try.

[@cassandralynnreads]

Oh that's a good idea!! thanks for sharing xx

[@tine203]

I was in a reading slump and recently, I'm having an interest in reading again. I've never annotated my books and was about to buy supplies but stopped because I don't know how to start and if I'm comfy with it. This is very helpful. Thanks! ♡♡♡

[@cassandralynnreads]

Good luck!!

[@Jess-dv6py]

I literally just bought some annotating supplies! This video came at the perfect time

[@cassandralynnreads]

Ah yay!!

[@itsmaryaam]

Couldn't stop looking at your hair. It looks gorgeous 😍

[@cassandralynnreads]

thank you!! ❤️❤️

[@OnceUponATimeL]

Hey-hey! It's so funny to watch this video now 😄I've just left a few notes in a book I'm reading for a friend of mine. And she's reading and annotating one for me✏️✨️

[@cassandralynnreads]

That's the best!! I've done that before and it's so fun 💕

[@dgoz97]

I've been wondering what you annotate in your books so this video was perfect! I definitely have the "don't write in books" mindset that I'm kind of wanting to change. Who knows if it will change though lol

[@cassandralynnreads]

I'm glad I was able to satisfy your curiosity!

[@cerisedaemon]

I started annotating recently using tabs and highlighter strips, because I'm scared of committing to the bit and using highlighters directly on paper. However, since it takes longer using these strips... I might just end up going for direct highlighting soon LMAO!

[@cassandralynnreads]

you should commit! haha

[@pickyprincessreads5755]

Thanks for the video! I have some new ideas for my annotating.

[@cassandralynnreads]

Yay so glad to hear that!

[@Angelsntreal]

yeah I really cannot annotate hardcover books (especially when they're special editions. Tho one time I bought one already damaged so I did annotate, but that doesn't count.)

[@cassandralynnreads]

I totally understand!

[@bookishtalksbyyashita]

I agree with 2:40 so much !! I started annoting 'It happened one summer" thinking it is a romance and would be good because of the hype but it has such vulgar language and i am just reading to not waste my early on annotations 😂and somehow hope it gets better😤🤞🏻

[@cassandralynnreads]

Sometimes we learn the lessons the hard way and it sucks 😭😭

[@paperbacksandponytails]

Micron pens are pretty nice for writing too. And I use tombow brush pens in the Pastel set for highlighting. I do art journaling in my Bible, but I'm hoping to annotate my first fiction book this Fall. I'll be doing The Princess Bride, since I've read it so many times I think it's time. 😄

[@cassandralynnreads]

Heck yeah! Annotating fiction is just so fun! Best of luck 🥰

[@johnc3403]

2:57 ..your dice read 1, 2, 3 and 4. I liked that.

[@cassandralynnreads]

😂❤️

[@shemiahwalker]

Thank you for this🎉🎉🎉❤

[@cassandralynnreads]

glad i could help! ❤️

[@shemiahwalker]

@cassandralynnreads I'm still learning I don't understand still.its ok.

[@libbysreadingcorner9564]

Thanks so much, this helped me out.. Maybe I can find a book to start annotating here soon, I read a lot of library books but I do need to get another notebook for those books.. Maybe I can start annotating soon.

[@cassandralynnreads]

So glad I could help!!

[@libbysreadingcorner9564]

@@cassandralynnreads thanks, hoping to try it out soon

[@lunastefanieroy]

I haven't been around for a while, but I remember talking to you about our mutual love of Kpop... so I got SO EXCITED when I spotted that MANIAC necklace, because it reminded me that you actually had amazing seats for the tour!! I hope you had a good time.

[@cassandralynnreads]

I remember talking about it with you!! And unfortunately I was supposed to see them in FT Worth and the concert was postponed 😭

[@lunastefanieroy]

@@cassandralynnreads NOOOO I'm so sorry. ;-; That is so unfortunate!

[@calisongbird]

Gel highlighters won’t bleed through - the ink sits on top of the page instead of absorbing into it. Any pens or highlighters made for Bible annotating usually work also.

[@cassandralynnreads]

Oh I didn't even think about that!

[@Aspen_Suxs]

my main problem is i use up specific tab colors really quickly and the don't want to start a new thing of tabs till i finish the one im already on just cause im out of one color even tho its important. i hope that makes sense T^T

[@cassandralynnreads]

I feel this in my soul. I recommend using tabs that you can stock up on for cheap, specifically post its!

[@sonarharin3906]

in my most sacred books when i want to annotate i use coloured pencils instead of highlighters or ink, and write in pencil, so there's no risk of bleed or weird "aging ink" stuff happening. :)

[@cassandralynnreads]

smart!

[@reemochaccino]

The earrings are so beautiful ❤️❤️

[@cassandralynnreads]

Awe thanks! They’re fun!

[@Yesica1993]

I used to annotate all the time, before I even knew what annotating even was. Now I usually don't. Various reasons for that, including ridiculous perfectionism and shrinking attention span. I get distracted and taken out of a story if I start marking things. Just my personal problem. I learned the hard way with the flags pulling up the ink! Ugh. I also learned the hard way with highlighting mass market paperbacks and how it fades. I had worked so hard to highlight all my favorite portions of Lord of the Rings. Imagine my surprise when I went back for a re-read and all of it was gone.

[@cassandralynnreads]

Yeah I've slowed down on annotating lately, it's been taking me out of the story. So usually if I remember I'll just tab the page with a quote I like. And your LotR story is so sad omg I'd be upset

[@MissMarisa7Beauty]

What counts as “world building”?

[@cassandralynnreads]

It could be descriptions of places, explanation of magic, or politics. Anything that expands the fictional the books is set in.

[@lightlyy6373]

Do you have a link for some cheap tabs for annotating?

[@cassandralynnreads]

the cheapest tabs are going to be post-it notes!

[@lightlyy6373]

@@cassandralynnreads thank you! Much appreciated

[@alwaysreading]

glad to see that jennifer lawrence is a booktuber!! :-))

[@cassandralynnreads]

OMG this isn't the first time I've been compared to her, I wish I could see it 🤣 🤣

[@alwaysreading]

@@cassandralynnreads i see her in your eyes, nose and lips, and even your cheekbones!

[@starredpages]

I LOVE your earrings

[@cassandralynnreads]

Thank you!

[@livingdollgyaru]

What is the point of annotating?

[@cassandralynnreads]

just for fun! i love being able to look back at my thoughts as i read

[@rachaelgudgel8074]

🖋

[@cassandralynnreads]

🥰

[@larissa8003]

I dont know why but I cant use pens to anotate, I prefer to use pencil instead

[@cassandralynnreads]

I'm such a pen girlie 😅

[@tsumihitsuki9538]

I'm currently reading (and annotating! For the first time! Holy sh!t!) a book on myths and legends. But the thing is, I'm annotating because it's a frustrating read. 😂 It's an Important, Classic, and Expensive book 🙄 but as a modern woman, I have so many comments on stuff like: 1.) The prize for accomplishing a herculean task is getting to marry the chief's daughter, 2.) One female character is totally bad, the other female character is totally good, and the bad one is always ugly and gets killed, 3.) A woman runs away from her husband because he tricks her into marrying him, but in the end the husband wins her back from her family through a series of challenges and now she has to go back to him, ...like WTF even?? Anyway, I got so mad while scanning the book while I was unhauling that I'm going out of my way to annotate it. 😂 I'm still going to unhaul it after, but I am not sending it away into the world without making my thoughts known. Who knows, my copy could end up in an impressionable young girl's hands, and she might think the book's views on women are normal and okay. So yeah. 😊🖋 But thank you for making this video! You weren't judgy or anything at all and made me feel even more at ease to go ahead and annotate books. 😊🙏

[@cassandralynnreads]

I'm so happy that you're annotating but the book you're annotating, YIKES. Big ick. I do like your reasoning for why you're doing it though. Hopefully the next book you annotate will be out of love and not hate 💀💀