Guide to Annotating, Note-Taking, and Deep Reading
Book Coven is a free virtual book club dedicated to empowering members through literature as a tool for both personal and collective liberation. learn more
Engaging deeply with a book—especially one as layered as Inflamed—requires an active reading approach. Annotation, note-taking, and structured reflection can help you absorb complex ideas, make meaningful connections, and prepare for discussions. This guide will walk you through different strategies so you can find what works best for you.
1. Annotating the Text
Annotation is the practice of marking up a book with notes, highlights, and symbols to engage with its ideas actively.
Basic Annotation Strategies:
• Underline or Highlight Key Ideas – Focus on passages that introduce major themes, arguments, or surprising insights.
• Write in the Margins – Add questions, reflections, or connections to your own experiences.
• Use Symbols to Track Themes
What to Look For While Annotating:
• Definitions of key concepts (e.g., “deep medicine,” “inflammation”)
• Arguments that challenge or expand your understanding
• Historical connections or case studies that illustrate broader themes
• Passages that evoke an emotional response or feel particularly powerful
• Moments where you feel resistance, disagreement, or a need to investigate further
Tip: If you don’t want to mark up the book, use sticky notes, a separate notebook, or digital tools (highlights or annotation apps).
2. Taking Notes While Reading
If you prefer keeping a reading journal or digital notes, consider using one of these methods:
The Cornell Method (For Structured Notes)
Divide your page into three sections:
1. Main Notes (Right Side): Write down key ideas, arguments, and quotes.
2. Questions (Left Side): Jot down anything you want to research or discuss later.
3. Summary (Bottom): After each reading session, summarize the main takeaways in a few sentences.
Mind Mapping (For Visual Learners)
Create a web of ideas by placing the book’s main themes in the center and branching out with related concepts, quotes, and reflections.
Reflection Journal (For Personal Engagement)
After each chapter, write:
• What stood out the most?
• How does this connect to my life or community?
• What questions or critiques do I have?
• What action or change does this inspire in me?
3. Preparing for Discussion or Review
As you read, keep a running list of:
• Discussion-worthy quotes (with page numbers for easy reference)
• Big ideas you want to remember
• Questions you’d like to ask the group
• Personal reflections and possible actions inspired by the book
Final Review Before Discussion:
• Skim through annotations and notes.
• Highlight 3-5 key takeaways.
• Prepare 1-2 discussion points or personal insights to share.
4. Deepening Your Engagement
• Cross-Reference with Other Texts – Find connections to other books, articles, or experiences.
• Look Up Context – Research historical events, scientific studies, or Indigenous perspectives mentioned in the book.
• Discuss & Debate – Share your thoughts with others to refine and challenge your understanding.
• Apply What You Learn – Take action by integrating insights into your daily life, activism, or community work.
Annotation and note-taking aren’t about perfection; they’re about engagement. Whether you scribble in the margins, use digital notes, or keep a reading journal, the goal is to make the book your own—to have a conversation with it, to challenge it, and to let it transform the way you see the world.
BOOK COVEN
Welcome to Book Coven— Book Coven is a free virtual book club dedicated to empowering members through literature as a tool for both personal and collective liberation.
I’m so grateful you’re here. This is more than just a book club; it’s a Coven for those who believe in the power of literature to create change, heal, challenge, and transform. Whether you’re here to deepen your personal journey or to connect with a community dedicated to collective liberation, you are in the right place.
Rooted in Literary Activism At its core, Book Coven is about more than books—it’s about action. We believe literature has the power to spark change, and we are committed to using this space to amplify urgent causes, share calls to action, and keep each other informed. Together, we engage with stories that challenge systems, honor voices too often silenced, and imagine new possibilities for ourselves and our communities.
Join us
What You Can Expect
As part of the Book Coven community, you’ll receive:
• Monthly Reads – One book each month (with extended time for longer reads when needed).
• Curated Book Guides – Reflection prompts, discussion questions, reading schedules, and deeper resources to enrich your experience.
• A Private Chat Space – Ongoing conversations, insights, and support.
• Monthly Virtual Gatherings – Discussions where we come together to share thoughts, questions, and reflections.
• Guest Author Visits – Whenever possible, we invite the authors of our chosen books to join us for conversations.
• Polls to Help Shape Our Selections – You’ll get a say in what we read next.
• Event Announcements – Be the first to hear about upcoming virtual and in-person gatherings.
Note: You’ll receive the registration link for each virtual meeting directly in your monthly book guide.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to read, reflect, and grow alongside you.
With appreciation and solidarity,
Juliet Diaz (Founder of Book Coven)
By Juliet Diaz:
Juliet Diaz is an Indigenous Taino and first-generation Cuban American, as well as an award-winning and internationally bestselling author and literary activist. Her writing is rooted in liberatory and decolonial themes, empowering others to reclaim their voices, align with their truth, and embrace their innate magic and humanity.
As the founder of the Literary Craft Society, she leads a revolutionary writing community dedicated to fostering change, healing, and liberation through the transformative power of words.
Her works, including Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within, Plant Witchery, The Altar Within, the Seasons of the Witch Oracle Deck series, and the Earthcraft Oracle Deck, have inspired thousands across the world to create meaningful change within themselves and their communities.
I have my own newsletter:
A monthly community newsletter: The Altar Within—notes on life, magic, and liberation.
“Writing is a way of making sense of the world, of uncovering what’s hidden and reclaiming what’s ours. Here, I share reflections on life, the unseen forces that shape us, and the ongoing work of liberation—personal and collective. No fluff, no pretenses—just honest writing as a tool for deeper understanding and transformation.”
Thank you! Great accessible resource.
What a wonderful idea. I keep notes on books that impact me, but the suggestions of different ways of notation are useful and will clarify my haphazard approach. I'm going to try the Cornell method. Thank you!