Comments on: On Disciplined Reading (Pt. 3): How Should I Read? Tips on Getting the Most from Your Reading

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:56:29 +0000

LOL @

“Ashford is the biggest dork I have ever met. I cannot imagine how many times he got beat up in school.” But I’d like to give you advance notice: we haven’t even arrived at the nerdiest parts of this post.

By: Richelle

Richelle — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:04:04 +0000

Like Jason, I don’t really like marking up my books either. But I have a solution and an exception to this preference. First of all the solution: I keep a stack of 3×5 cards, or several sheets of note paper stapled together as a bookmark. Then I can note questions, interesting quotes, or things to delve into later. If I feel the book is worthy, I might re-copy them into a moleskin and keep it with the book, or make a file in my computer (I love the program Notebook by Circus Ponies), or even just scan them digitally if copying or re-typing seem impossible/scary.

My exception to the no-writing rule is that when I am reading particularly scholarly, challenging, or “read once in a lifetime” books, I often write in the margin at the top of the right hand page what the two open pages are roughly about. This creates a kind of index, like the guide words in a dictionary, that help me find ideas I want to reference again, or just scan those headings if I want a refresher course on what the book said.

Thanks for the great reading guide!

By: On Reading… « Simply Sparks…

On Reading… « Simply Sparks… — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:41:52 +0000

[...] Reading On Disciplined Reading (Pt. 2): What should I read? Choosing from a Vast Array of Options On Disciplined Reading (Pt. 3): How Should I Read? Tips on Getting the Most from Your Reading On Disciplined Reading (Pt. 4): Why Should I Read? Other Advantages of Reading On Disciplined [...]

By: » Random Acts of Linkage #117 ::: Subversive Influence

» Random Acts of Linkage #117 ::: Subversive Influence — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:39:03 +0000

[...] been known to send my kids back into the house if they haven’t got one along. These are just good reading habits. [...]

By: Bruce Ashford

Bruce Ashford — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Cory, I will keep your advice in mind. And poor Henry Scougal… He suffers b/c of your mistake…

Jason, thank you for reading and taking time to comment. I can say that I leave classic hardback texts and antique books free of marking! But other books… not so much.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:03:06 +0000

This is a great post! I, however, do not share your enthusiasm for marking in books. I marked in my intro Hebrew grammar for class (almost 8 years ago now!) and still wish I hadn’t! Perhaps I have an unhealthy desire for my books to remain as pristine as possible. I, too, brought books for the births of all four of my children–they are a welcome time-passer in between visits from family and friends, feedings, etc.

By: In the Blogosphere « Kingdom People

In the Blogosphere « Kingdom People — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:57:25 +0000

[...] In the Blogosphere Filed under: In the Blogosphere — Trevin Wax @ 3:55 am Getting the most from your reading [...]

By: Cory Wilson

Cory Wilson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:42:03 +0000

It may be fine to bring a book to the hospital for delivery but be careful when you read. For the birth of our second child I was reading “The Life of God in the Soul of Man” by Henry Scougal in the room while Jasmine was having contractions without an epidural. Needless to say having my head stuck in a book while she is screaming in pain did not gain me any brownie points. Oblivious to my ignorance she kindly reminded me in the middle of my reading that my wife was in labor about to delivery our child and if I valued my life I should put the book aside. Over two years later I have yet to read another page out of that book.

By the way, congrad to you and Lauren. Didn’t know a little one was on the way.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:09:58 +0000

Well, after having spent over 200 pages of Donald’s Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life realizing what a lazy being I am, I figured that I had no excuse- thus the desire to finish the last 100 pages during labor.
Besides, the epidurals at Wakemed work wonders (pre-epidural, all I was doing was crying and thinking I was going to die, but don’t share that with your sweet wife!)

By: Bruce Ashford

Bruce Ashford — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:37:15 +0000

Jessica, your comment qualifies as the funniest of the year! You tried to put off labor for 30 minutes so that you could finish your book. I stand in awe.

Jason, your comments are relegated to the second and third funniest of the year. (Imagine if all of us “Horatio Cane-d” our way through life…)