How can I make it easier to record notes when reading books?
I read a lot of books. I am looking for a software which will allow me to download the book's chapter names...this will allow me to record my notes to my smart phone and then upload to the software for keeping track of my notes. I am assuming that the ISBN would be used. However, I am not sure what data is contained on the ISBN code.
Expert Answers
Sort by Date
Sort by Votes
Dec 23, 2020
You have advised a lot of applications and techniques for doing notes. And I am sure that it will come in handy for me, because soon I will write my dissertation, and now I am engaged in the selection and picking literature. So I think that the notes will be useful to me, I have also asked for help from https://uk.edubirdie.com/write-my-dissertation as this is my first dissertation and I want to know all the nuances. I hope that everything will work out for me because there is a lot of time and my interest is huge. Thanks for the advice!
Mar 2, 2016
I do a lot of nonfiction and business reading and usually take notes in a Moleskin notebook but it ends up getting mixed in with other notes and topics. Recently I've downloaded books on my Kindle app on the iPad and it makes huge difference. You can't take notes but you can highlight passages and bookmark pages. The best part of the highlights and bookmarks is that is creates a notebook with all the marked passages to review and it can create flashcards.
After re-reading your post, I seem to think you are doing voice recording, but Kindle has made it easier to note important info for me.
Feb 24, 2016
I do quite a bit of research for my teaching and I have found the application Evernote to be indispensable. I have Evernote on all my computers and devices so it is always with me. For the most part I do my research at my desk with my keyboard in front of me and I jot down notes, thoughts, and quotes all the time. I cut and paste from both iBooks and Kindle as well as from the web, and I use voice to text frequently. Then, if I'm on my laptop, iPad or iPhone all my notes are there for me. It is not exactly the same scenario as what you are asking about, but I think it comes pretty close. Since Evernote syncs across all of your devices you don't need to do things such as sending email messages to yourself. You just create a new note, use voice to text or even take a picture and then auto-magically it's everywhere you need it.
Since you mentioned Macs, here is a great trick: When you want to dictate simply double tap the function key and start talking. That is how I am creating this response right now. You may have to configure it first, if so, go here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203085
Feb 23, 2016
The best way to record notes is not to involve a computer. Keep a diary on your computer with day to day updates on your books. Use keywords like hashtags so you can search n cross search your whole diary about what u read.
Feb 23, 2016
you may want to look into something like this
http://www.amazon.com/IRISPen-Express-6-Pen-Scanner/dp/B000SQNVTI
Feb 24, 2016
About 10 years ago I bought a scannable pen, but had a lot of trouble trying to Scan in technical material. I was only successful about 50% of the time. I shall go research opinion mentioned and see what the reviews are. Thanks for the tip
Feb 23, 2016
iBooks - I had not heard of that. I am using Kindle. I shall go check out that software. Makes sense to go with mac since I have switched my one of my businesses over (about 75%) to the Macs over a year ago. I am not too familiar with everything Macs offer.
Feb 23, 2016
iBook will not work because I borrow a lot of books from the library. Thanks for the thought, though.
Feb 23, 2016
Well first, the ISBN is a pretty random number that simply matches against a specific edition of a specific book. That won't help.
I'm an author and I am not aware of any database of book chapters... aside from the Kindle system. On a Kindle, you can write notes against a sentence and store them in the cloud on Amazon's systems. I don't know much more about it than that, though, because I', a paper book sort of guy.
I am also a compulsive note taker. I combine three methods:
1. for small simple notes, I write in the margins of all but the nicest quality books. A book is a utility and is made precious by its use and its marginalia.
2. For longer notes and really nice books, I use post-it notes. In a good book (like 'Thinking: Fast and Slow'), you'll find a whole pad or more of notes.
3. When I want to learn about the topic (as opposed to add to my current knowledge), nothing beats a notebook. Pen, paper, words and images.
It is the act of making the notes that matters for memory, but the convenience of finding them that matters for long-term utility. A lot of people I know are finding and loving iPad note-taking apps. Everyone has a different favourite.
I am not aware that the app you describe exists... yet. Maybe there wold be a market.
Feb 23, 2016
I shall go find and read that book, Thinking: Fast and Slow. Its sounds like a winner!
Unfortunately, I am a terrible note writer - when I can locate my notes, I cannot read my handwriting. Plus, until I am committed to a book, I first borrow from the library to determine if I will then buy it. They do frown on note writers...
I am in the process of doing research for a book I am writing. The book will be a compendium of alternative healing methods.
I have an iPad that I just use as a sales register. I shall check out book apps to see if they will work for me.
I did buy 20+ notebooks to use for every chapter, though.
Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.
Feb 25, 2016
Maybe a penny just dropped for me or maybe you gave me new information.
If you are writing a book and want to collate notes and web clippings as part of your research and want to organise it by book chapter or any other way...
If that's your goal and if you are serious about writing, do check out a piece of software called Scrivener (their site is at: https://www.literatureandlatte.com - Windows and Mac). No iPad/smartphone app yet (the whole community is waiting with baited breath) but this is a serious app for people serious about writing.
It is a lot to get used to (some decent courses on Udemy - hold out for a discount) but when you work it out, you may well find it is the best tool you never new about!
Feb 23, 2016
By far, the easiest way is with the dictation software built into the iPhone. I use it A LOT. Here's what you do. You compose an email to yourself and then start reading. When you want to "take a note" you tap on the microphone icon and dictate your note. At the end you can say "new paragraph" and it will insert a carriage return. When you are done with that session, you just send the email to yourself. The software transcribes your audio note into a written email that you can then put anywhere you want. I use OneNote and cut and paste my transcribed notes. I can then organize and search for them.
I am an iPhone user, I am sure other phones have similar features but I don't know about them.
Feb 23, 2016
I had not thought of that. I have an iPhone and have used the speaker function to REPLY to emails and texts. However, I have never sent an email to myself. Gosh, my mind of going over all the many things I can do. I am reading about 8 to 10 books, currently. The email approach will allow me to keep all the notes (per book) separate. Maybe, I should open a new email account to mail my book notes to. That would facilitate the transcription process - Thanks again for your suggestion. I shall look in to that, right away. I use the kindle reader and often there is a Table of Contents included. Do you know how to email the Table of Contents to yourself so I would not have to re-input the chapter titles?
Feb 23, 2016
Yup, it's one of those things that is not intuitive. I figured it out when I was leaving a client's office with three pages of notes and I wanted to get them on paper in an orderly fashion so I could send them to the client. I sat in the car and in less than five minutes I had all my stuff dictated and transmitted so when I got back to the office all I had to do was edit it and send it off.
The transcribing is not perfect, but it learns your voice and you will learn to articulate a bit better.
Good idea on the separate email account, but I'd suggest you just set a "Rule" or filter and begin each note with a tag. For example if "Book report" was in the subject line it would put it directly in the right folder.
I can't believe that I actually recorded this response to you. I got the recorder to work. I'm curious to see what will happen when I am actually reading A book. If I am reading or researching 10 books a time, in Evernote do I create a folder for each book? Will I be able to tell Evernote which folder to put the notes in? In Evernote did you buy the premier package? I was going to sign up for Evernote but thought I would also check out one note. However I got kind of turned off because in one note I cannot save Mac books.
Thanks a lot for your input and help.
Marsha