If you are anything like me, you probably read many non-fiction books, and you probably don't remember much in a week. That bothered me for a while, but I think I could finally make some progress by making notes and following several rules.
Don't read if you're bored. It's ok to stop halfway through—even 80% through.
Take notes. Seriously, take notes.
Don't make notes about the book. Make notes about a topic.
Strive to be concise. Edit yourself, and eliminate redundancy. You'll thank yourself later.
Use your own words. ELI5 is sometimes even better.
Put notes in a numerable list like this one. Every point should be atomic = capture one thought.
Capture not only facts but also your thoughts and questions—something for your brain to stick to later when you come back to it.
Review notes regularly. Websites like Rekowl will help manage your review cycle.
When reviewing, strive to update the note with new knowledge [3] and answer your own questions [7].
Synoptical reading is the best kind. Read multiple books presenting different angles and make your conclusions.
#NoteTaking #Public