Recalling a scene that I consider to be pivotal. I had just finished high school and my searches were intense. One evening, I went for a walk with a very good friend, who was then a second-year Law student. We discussed quite a lot. Until then, I didn't have much of a good relationship with books. Returning to his house, he encouraged me to change my attitude by listing the numerous benefits of studying. When he saw I was convinced, he lent me a book from his library. I read it eagerly because it was very interesting. That was the beginning. I saw how right he was, and I realized that even a good book can open up paths for you.
I noticed that my friend had many underlined passages and notes, all in pencil. At our next meeting, he explained to me that a pencil can be erased, unlike ink which remains indelible. And the book gets damaged. He also emphasized that “when you read, the pencil should be beside you. Later, when you want to refresh your memory and don’t have time to read it again, your notes will be very helpful.”
This good friend's advice was very valuable. Since then, many books have passed through my hands. And they all have notes. Some of these notes I thought of sharing with my brothers, who don’t have time to read lengthy books. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people around us are divorced from books. Especially young people don’t read at all. Books have been replaced by screens. Considering how much time young people waste—unfortunately also adults on their phones, tablets, computers, and television—it can be quite depressing.
All the texts in the "Notes" series are thoughts, advice, or sayings of old and contemporary sainted figures. They come from personal recordings of those old men we knew, as well as from various books published over the years.
This anthology is accompanied by suitable sketches, images, or photographic material, so that reading becomes more enjoyable. Our wish is for the "Notes" to fulfill their constructive purpose and, why not, to spark some interest in studying and help discover the beauty of a good book.
