My simple Annotation System : How I Annotate Books
Hello readers! I’ve developed a super simple, no-fuss Annotation System that works like a charm for both physical and digital books—and today, I’m finally sharing it with you in this How I Annotate Books post.
Whether you’re brand new to annotating or just tired of complicated methods that look more like art projects than reading tools, this post is for you. This is my Annotation System, and it’s all about making annotations easy, functional, and actually fun.
My Simple No Fuss Annotation System : How I Annotate Books
Why I Annotate?
Let’s be real—annotation can sound intimidating. Highlighters, tabs, notes in the margins… and for those who treat their books like sacred untouched relics, even the idea of writing in them can be a bit horrifying.
But here’s the thing: I love annotating.
It helps me connect more deeply with the story, remember characters and quotes I adore, and makes writing reviews (or emotionally charged rants) so much easier. Most importantly—it makes the book mine. I leave pieces of myself behind in the form of notes, reactions, doodles, and emotions scribbled in the margins. It’s my way of having a quiet conversation with the story. It’s low-key therapy.
It’s not about making the book look pretty (though it sometimes does). It’s about capturing the experience of reading in the most personal way.
My Physical Book Annotation Setup
I use a simple tab and scribble method that doesn’t interrupt my reading flow.
Colours of the tabs changes depending on the book. I’m not that stringent about matching the tab with the book covers (though, yes, that does look great on Pinterest), I just choose whichever is there on the current tab sheet but this is how I used them-
Tab Color 1 – Plot
Tab Color 2 – Characters
Tab Color 3 – Quotes/ Important scenes
For fantasy or more layered reads, I sometimes add an extra tab color. I’ll switch up tab choices depending on genre or mood, like I’ve done in some of the photos I’ve shared.
My Scribble System
I’m a margin-scribbler. If a character makes me roll my eyes, if a scene makes me feel something deeply, if I spot foreshadowing—I scribble it down. Nothing fancy, just raw thoughts.
Quick thoughts go in the margins.
Longer reflections go on sticky notes or at the end/beginning of chapters
As for quotes—I always underline them while reading, then go back later to highlight them. (Because I never have my highlighter nearby and I’m honestly too lazy to get up.)
Symbol Key
◯ Oval = New character introduced
⬛ Square = New or unfamiliar word
~~~ Squiggly line = Romantic gesture or heartwarming moment (because swoons deserve flair)
That’s it. No rainbow chaos. Just a system that works. (If I could draw, maybe I’d add some cute icons—but let’s be honest, my doodles look like my 7-year-old did them, and she’s better at it.)
My Digital Annotation System
When I’m reading on Kindle or any digital platform, annotation becomes a tap-and-highlight process. And yes, I have a color code for that too because ever since my kindle died, I didn’t buy another kindle instead I bought iPad and ‘m using kindle app in both iPad and phone so that makes it easy for me to color code.
🟡 Yellow – Plot
🔵 Blue – Characters
🟠 Orange – Important, Romantic, or Fantasy World Scenes
💗 Pink – Quotes
I don’t write notes on every highlight, but when a scene hits hard or a quote sparks a thought, I’ll either type a short note or highlight the whole section for future reference.
If you’re using kindle device, the convenient option would be taking notes.
So this is it! I find this system easy to remember, low effort, and helps me write better reviews.
Final Thoughts
It doesn’t have to be pretty, aesthetic, Instagram-worthy, or even consistent. It just has to make sense to you.
My system is part memory keeper, part emotional vent, and part chaotic post-it art project. And I love it for that.
Some of the posts on Annotation I enjoyed for your reference-
How to Annotate Books When You’re Reading For Fun
Annotating My Books: Why and How I Take Notes While Reading
So tell me—do you annotate your books?
Are you a margin-scribbler, a sticky note queen, a color-coded digital highlighter fiend? Or do you still gasp at the thought of writing in your books?
Let’s chat in the comments! I’m always up for nerding out over annotation styles.
Just in case you missed,,,
- A Charming Touch of Tarot (The Gin & Tarot Club, #2) by Melissa Holtz
- What Could It Be? by Bharti Singh – children’s fiction with a perfect blend of humor and heart
- An Enchanting Case Of Spirits (The Gin & Tarot Club #1) by Melissa Holtz – engaging paranormal mystery
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Books Teacup and Reviews
Hi, I'm Yesha, an Indian book blogger. Avid and eclectic reader who loves to read with a cup of tea. Not born reader but I don't think I’m going to stop reading books in this life. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
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Carla
I was a student all my life, first formal schooling, than reading for work, workshops etc. and I annotated my books all the time. Now I read for pleasure and don’t annotate at all. I’m glad this system works for you.
Melike Erkan
I love your system, I do not annotate, but after reading your post I am more tempted to try it with some of my physical books.
Books Teacup and Reviews
thanks. I hope you try annotating and it works for you.
thecritiquesofafangirl
This is such a great post and I love how simplistic your system is! I follow a pretty simile system myself, I use just one colour for contemporaries but I have a bit of longer system for fantasy novels ranging anywhere from 5 to 7 colours 😊
I adore the way you incorporate symbols in your books! I really wanna try that for the next book I annotate
Digital as I use a standard kindle paper white I don’t have a system, I tried using letters like “Q for quotes, C for character arcs” but it didn’t last unfortunately, I am hoping to one day get a kindle coloursoft but that’s far ahead in the future!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you! There are some Pinterest pics I came across that had elaborate symbol system but unfortunately it would require remembering them or referring them more than once while reading and that would inconvenient so I took 2-3 easiest to follow.
I have a feeling coloursoft will be too expensive. But as I have ipad or used mobile app, it’s easier for me to follow.
Sumedha
Loved reading this! I highlight and note on Kindle but I haven’t noticed colours on Kindle? I’ve seen them on the phone app of course, I use colours there, but have I missed colours on the kindle device itself? 🤔 I highly considered getting the Kobo Libra Colour when my previous Kindle broke down but it doesn’t allow KU books which are really affordable and accessible so I went with the Kindle itself. One day, I’d love to colour code and skribble in the margins of ebooks too!
Thanks for linking my post 🙂
Books Teacup and Reviews
I totally forgot to mention this. I had a kindle a few years back but I honestly don’t remember the colour option in that. After it broke down I bought ipad and I’ve been using the kindle app ever since so there are colour option for me.
Oasis and other newer ones have those features, i guess.
Honestly if you have ipad no need to get a reading device, unless you just want to have paper feel and long lasting battery and a bit rough use.
I have seen many ipad and procreate users to take pic of the page they want to annotate and use procreate to draw and write in margin and then post the pic on social media. They do the same with screen shot of ebook page.
Rebecca
I love this! I keep seeing all these incredible annotation styles/examples online and I’m like “…. how do you do that AND read the book?” I’ve always been a fan of underlining things that make my heart smile/feel significant or worth remembering, but it’s not something I do all the time. Your approach is a really nice expansion of that, and something more like what I’d do if I ever decided to truly annotate 🙂
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Rebecca. this is easy and something everyone can adapt and if someone is really scared to ruin the book, they can always use a pencil.