“The point of being a god is to have the joint running to your specifications.”
-Guy Vesten, The Hungry Gods by Adrian Tchaikovsky
This is just one of several quotes I got from the novella I listened to today, Tchaikovsky’s The Hungry Gods (THG). It wasn’t very long – only five hours – and I finished it in one day with a few breaks here and there.
Warning: Although I tried to avoid them, I may have included some spoilers about The Hungry Gods in the following.
I want to write a book review of THG, so I decided to take notes while I listened to an audiobook version of it. Traditionally, annotating a print book requires writing notes in the margins, but how do I take annotations of a book I listen to?
Really, annotating an audio book is not much different than a print book.
Well, one obvious choice is to use a notebook. I chose to use my new toy, a Kindle Scribe. The sticky note feature on a phone works. Or an old-fashioned spiral notebook. The choice is yours.
I ended up having a blast writing down my thoughts as I listened to THG, more so than I thought I would. Using bullet points, I jotted down whatever came to mind. It was easier than I thought it would be. Here is a list of the types of things I wrote as I listened to my audio book. Of course, these categories also work for print or ebooks as well.
- Names of characters
Every time a character is introduced, I like to write their names down with a first impression of who they are. This helps me keep track of who is who, especially if a novel has a large cast.
Example:
“Amri wanders a neighborhood of an apocalyptic world. She’s a Rabbit tribe member.” - Thoughts about characters
When an epiphany or feeling about a character hit me, I made a note. I had a few thoughts about Guy Vesten, the character who claims to be a god.
Example:
“Guy seems like an arrogant jerk.”
“Guy has good motives but is clueless.” - Quotes
Always be on the lookout for quotes either said by a character or that are part of the narrative.
Example:
“If you want to see tomorrow, you run.” - Theories
I jotted down theories about what might happen next, what a character’s motivations might be, or whatever else occurs in my thoughts. It’s fun to look back and see when I’m right – or wrong.
Example:
“I think there’s something Guy isn’t telling Amri about the return to Earth.” - Questions
In the same category as theories, questions about plot and character will arrive. I record them when they come to me.
Example:
“Is Guy really convinced he’s a god?” - Summaries
Maybe not always necessary, but one option is to write summaries of what just happened at the end of a scene or chapter.
Example:
“Amri captured by Seagull tribe and Beaker; a shooting star distracts Beaker and Amri runs.” - Descriptions
If there is a sentence I like, usually I find it is a description of something. For audiobooks, I write the quote in my notebook. For print or ebook, I highlight the text.
Example:
“… no matter that any crops grown under that poison rain would taste like metal and turn your insides into runny butter. Better sick than starve, though both killed.” - Symbolism
When I hear something that sounds like symbolism, foreshadowing, or metaphor, I make a note of it.
Example:
“Amri, being part of the Rabbit tribe, sees a dead rabbit in the deadly vegetation.” - Themes
Sometimes, sentences pop up that sound like possible themes of the story. These are hidden nuggets I like record. I also write down my thoughts of what a possible theme of the novel could be.
Example:
“‘That was the heart of godhood: knowledge and command.’ Amri’s thoughts, chapter 10.”
“This story reminds me of ‘white man as savior’ syndrome.” - Connections to my own life
Isn’t that the heart of reading fiction? Making a connection to one’s own life?
Example:
“Bruce refers to the ‘Dances With Wolves’ movie. I remember seeing that in the theatre years ago in Cincinnati.” - Annotating with a friend
One way to do this is to meet a friend at a coffee shop after reading or listening to the same book and compare notes. I’ve had discussions with friends about the same book while out to eat, which is fun. Now, this second method of annotating with a friend is something I haven’t done. But I’d like to. Make annotations in a print book, lend it to a friend, and they add their own notes beside yours. I was inspired to try this by YouTuber Sam Cote and his girlfriend:
Of course, there are many other types of annotations to make while reading (or listening to) a novel. Find your favorites. In my opinion, I don’t think it’s something to overthink; just write what comes to mind. Use colors for different types of annotations. Or symbols. The thing to remember is to have fun.
Andrew M. Friday 
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