Resources for Readers
Essential tools for books
These are resources and tools I use or trust to support a thoughtful reading life.
I keep this list intentionally small. Everything here earns its place by being useful over time, not trendy.
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Reading & buying books
Barnes & Noble
I like to shop at local independent bookstores. If I can’t find what I’m looking for, I’ll visit Barnes & Noble. If I don’t want to wait for a delivery, I’ll go to the local store or B. Dalton instead.
AbeBooks
A great source of out-of-print books, vintage manuals, first editions, and collectibles. This is my go-to site for vintage Army maintenance manuals.
Amazon
I buy Kindle and Audible books because they’re convenient. I can read them or listen to them when I’m traveling. Sometimes I buy hardcover and paperbacks on Amazon.
Bookshop.org
I try to buy books through Bookshop to support independent bookstores. When possible, I link to editions I’ve read or would recommend rereading.
Reading journals & notes
Leuchtturm1917
Durable notebooks that work well for reading notes, marginalia copied out later, and long-term reflection. I pick these up regularly and use them to draft essays, keep notes, and jot down ideas.
Moleskine
A familiar choice for readers who prefer something simple and portable. Moleskine journals and notebooks are some of my favorites.
Day One
For readers who keep a private digital record of what they read and how it changes over time.
Personal reading archives
Notion
Some readers prefer to build a personal reading archive rather than track goals. Notion works well for long-term thinking and rereading.
BookBuddy Pro: Book Tracker
An app that stores the books in your personal library. Scan the ISBN codes, and the rest is done for you. I use this app to keep track of the books I own so I don’t buy duplicates. I’ve done this more times than I can count.
Writing & long-form thinking
Scrivener
Helpful for longer essays, research notes, and projects that unfold slowly. I draft essays using this tool.
Ulysses
A clean writing environment for readers who also write and value focus over features.
Grammarly
Useful for catching errors before publishing.
Quiet & focus
Bose
Noise-canceling headphones can make sustained reading possible in less-than-quiet spaces.
Sony
Another reliable choice for readers who prefer quiet over stimulation.
Preservation & memory
Gaylord Archival
Readers who preserve journals, letters, or marginalia hope to keep them for the long term. I have several nineteenth and twentieth-century pre-World War documents and vintage manuals and documents preserved using these materials.
University Products
Archival folders and storage materials suitable for personal collections and family papers. I use these to preserve old family records, vintage documents, and family relics.
If you’re looking for where to begin, the Start Here page offers a gentle orientation.