This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I've had to take notes for a few books because I had specific posts planned for them, and doing so just made me realize the significant difference taking notes makes in my reading experience. And I don't like the difference one bit.
Firstly, taking notes kind of prevents me from completely immersing myself in the story. Like, I have to stop reading to write a comment, tear off the sticky note, then stick it on the page. No, I just want to fall into the action of the story, be swept away. I noticed in the books I'd taken notes in, there were almost no sticky tabs at the climax and resolution of the story because I was too absorbed to break away from it.
Also (and this one is more major) when I take notes while reading, I turn into a much more critical reader. I start picking the novel apart as I read it, paying more attention to the pieces than the work as a whole. I find all the flaws.
If you prefer to read this way, I'm not trying to criticize you! I think it is very important to have that perspective in this community, and I think critical reading is an extremely valuable skill to have. I'm an English major, so obviously I have to use and develop this skill all the time, but for me personally, there is a time and place for such intensive reading. And I don't want that time or place to be in my YA books.
If I'm reading outside of the academic sphere, it means I'm looking to escape into someone else's mind, world, & life. It means I'm looking to be entertained, to get out of my own head for a bit. When I'm reading, I like to sit back and enjoy the ride, not analyze the crap out of it. I want to respond without working too hard, and then when I'm finished, I might analyze why I responded that way.
For example, I was reading Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls last night, and it got me ALL UP IN MY FEELINGS, but I just let it happen. I allowed myself to succumb to the tidal wave of emotions without question. When I finished reading, I realized it affected me so much because it provoked some of my deepest fears to come out of hiding. I allowed myself to simply react first, and then I let myself think about what the book was doing to make me react that way.
That's just not something I can do when I am taking notes and being a critical reader. It's like I analyze first and understand what my reaction is supposed to be, rather than just letting myself feel.
Was this post a bit all over the place? It feels that way to me, but I guess the main idea I'm trying to relay here is that when I take notes, I end up looking at a novel in terms of syntax and word choice and individual lines of dialogues, rather than an entire work to enjoy in its entirety.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read what I have to say and give your opinion on it. It really means a lot to me. And of course, I will do my best to return the favor. However, as easily distracted and scatter-brained as I am, please don't be offended if I forget to comment on your blog.