Reading Essentials
Welcome back to Sentimental Creatures! Today, I'm excited to share my top five must-have items for enhancing your reading and annotation experience. These essentials make every reading session more enjoyable and productive. Let's dive in!
1. Book Darts
Book Darts are my number-one essential when it comes to annotating books. I know many people use sticky notes, but discovering Book Darts was a game-changer for me. Sticky notes tend to fall off or lose their stickiness over time. I wanted something that would stay in place, not damage my books, and be easy to remove if I decided to pass the book along. Book Darts are small, metal bookmarks that point precisely to the sentences or passages that resonate with you. While they only come in three colors, which might not suit those who use color-coded annotations, they've been perfect for my needs. Every time I've gifted Book Darts to fellow book lovers, they've become instant fans!
Get your Book Darts here: https://www.bookdarts.com/
2. Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are a classic annotation tool and are perfect for organizing thoughts while reading. The best part? You can use different colors to represent various themes or reactions. For example, pink sticky notes might mark quotes you love, while blue notes might signal areas for reflection. If you're using color-coded sticky notes, I recommend keeping a "key" on the inside cover of your book to remind you what each color represents. While I haven't fully embraced sticky notes myself, they're a favorite among serious readers and writers. My top pick for sticky notes is MochiThings, which offers a wide variety of options I can't wait to try!
Explore sticky notes on MochiThings: https://shop.mochithings.com/stationery/sticky-notes
3. Highlighting 2.0
Highlighting is the original annotation tool for many readers, and I used to highlight so much that my friends joked I should highlight entire books! However, I've transitioned to a more subtle approach using Tombow Dual-Tip Markers. These water-based markers are perfect for highlighting without overwhelming the page. They come in a variety of colors, allowing you to mix and match shades to suit your style. Personally, I gravitate toward neutral tones, but Tombow offers over a hundred different palettes to choose from.
Check out Tombow markers here: https://www.tombowusa.com/markers/dual-brush-pens.html
4. Writing Pens
Everyone has their favorite pens, but I'm confident my picks are among the best! My go-to is the Pilot Precise V5 pen. It glides smoothly, dries quickly (a must for left-handed writers like me), and feels great in the hand. If the Pilot V5 isn't your style, I also recommend UBrand pens, which I discovered at Target. They're surprisingly smooth and perfect for note-taking and journaling.
Shop Pilot Pens on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IEBI
Try UBrand Pens here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYM3WTP
5. Everyday Stationery Pouch
To keep all these essentials organized, you'll need a sturdy and stylish pouch. I like to switch between different pouches to keep things interesting. Whether you prefer something minimalist or book-themed, there are plenty of great options out there. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Fawn Design Cosmetic Bag: https://fawndesign.com/collections/accessories/products/the-cosmetic-bag-large-brown
- Storiarts Book Pouches: https://storiarts.com/collections/book-pouches
- Out of Print Pouches: https://outofprint.com/collections/pouches
Bonus: Book Apps
While not a daily essential, book apps can be incredibly helpful for tracking your reading goals, discovering new books, and organizing your personal library. Here are a few I recommend:
- Storygraph: Track your reading and get personalized recommendations.
- Bookshelf: Organize your personal library and reading habits.
- Goodreads: Connect with other readers and share reviews.
- BookBuddy: A personal library manager.
- LibraryThing: A tool for cataloging and tracking books.
These are my top five everyday essentials for reading and annotating. I hope this post inspires you
to try something new! Let me know in the comments: What are your must-have reading tools?