Turn What You Read Into Something You Use

Turn What You Read Into Something You Use

Aug 29 , 2025


Leon Cook

Reading is one of life’s great pleasures. Whether it’s a novel that sweeps you away, or a non-fiction book that sparks new ideas, there’s no denying the joy of getting lost in words. But have you ever finished a book only to realise that the details have already slipped away? Sometimes it feels like we’re skimming past pages of gold without truly holding onto the treasure.

 

This is a common problem, especially when we spend hours devouring chapters without pausing to reflect. In our rush to finish the next book, we forget to savour the moment and capture the insights that could enrich our lives.

 

The solution? Write it down.

Taking notes while you read helps transform fleeting ideas into lasting knowledge. It could be a quote that resonates, an emotion you felt during a pivotal scene, or an insight that sparks a new way of thinking. When you commit those moments to paper, you create a personal archive - something you can revisit, build upon, and actually use in the future.

 

Some quick ways to start:

 

  • Keep a dedicated reading journal to jot highlights at the end of each session.
  • Write a short summary of what you’ve read each week, not for anyone else, but for you.
  • Use your notes to connect books together and spot recurring themes in your own learning journey.

 

In doing so, you’ll find that reading becomes more than a pastime. It becomes a source of growth, reflection, and creativity.

 

Ready to start your own reading journal?

 

Explore our range of notebooks, the perfect companions for turning your reading into something you can carry with you, long after you’ve turned the final page.