Sunday, November 05, 2006

Have I Read This Book Before?

I'm the kind of person who likes to go back and read books again and again. Which books I read really just depends on my mood. The thing that frustrates me is when I get all excited about reading a book for the second or third time and I think I've forgotten most of the plot. I pick up the book and realize I went through the same excitement five months earlier, read it, and I now remember the entire plot. I try hard to keep a book log going, but I read a lot and don't always update. Besides my own method I know people who use several others that seem effective. If you haven't tried keeping a book log before you may want to try it out. If you're an avid reader it can definitely come in handy!
  • Database - This is the method I use. I have a database set up in which I imput the book's title, author, publication date, genre and a brief description. Every time I read it I imput the year and month during which I read it. The database is useful because I can look up books by title, author, or genre, which helps if I can't remember exactly what I'm looking for.
  • Index Cards - This is a long-hand version of the database. All the information goes on index cards (to be stored in a box or binder) instead of the computer. Index cards can be handy because you can take them with you. One idea for new books is to use a blank index card as a bookmark and fill it out as soon as you finish reading.
  • Quick and Easy - This is the fastest method by far. Just use the inside front or back cover of each of your books to write down the month and year each time you read it. I don't use this method because I don't want to write in my books, but I suppose it could also work with post-its or something.
Any other book tracking methods? Please share!

2 comments:

colleen said...

Love your quick and easy idea. I dream about rereading books, but there is always a never read one getting my attention! I think Pride and Prejudice is the only book I have read twice.

Thanks for the comment. Glad to know someone could relate : )

Anna said...

Hmmm...I've only read Pride and Prejudice once, and not recently. Now you're making me want to add it to my list of books waiting to be read!