Reading shouldn't be a passive experience. If you allow yourself to be absorbed in the interaction of the author's thoughts and your reactions it's like a great conversation. I know lots of people think it's a sin to mark up a book; I think it's a waste to leave it untouched.
I reread complex, clever and profound passages several times, I underline them, make notes in the margin, fold back pages, do whatever I can to highlight the parts I found useful or inspirational so I can find them again.
When a passage stimulates thoughts, I immediately write them in the margins or on the blank pages in the front or back of the book. A really good book has me thinking as much as reading and I never read abook in one sitting. When I restart the book I revisit my notes like they were old friends.
Both during and after the book I try to communicate what I've learned or the new ideas generated in conversations, letters and even these commentaries. New insights are a great gift and I think we should share them. I liked Kushner's book so much I bought 30 copies and gave them as gifts.
While writing this piece I realized that the way I approach books also is a decent way to approach life: Live it fully and completely at the time, live it by remembering it and sharing it.
Our character is revealed by how we deal with pressures and temptations. But it's also disclosed by everyday actions, including what we say and do when we think no one is looking and we won't get caught. The way we treat people we think can't help or hurt us, like housekeepers, waiters and secretaries, tells more about our character than how we treat people we think are important. People who are honest, kind and fair only when there is something to gain shouldn't be confused with people of real character who demonstrate these qualities habitually, under all circumstances.
Character is not a fancy coat we put on for show; it's who we really are.
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