84: Richard Orodenker uses commonplace books

It’s been a few weeks now that I’ve been keeping a commonplace book. A few hours after discovering the concept and chasing some internet rabbit holes, I found Richard Orodenker, a former Temple University faculty member, who uses a commonplace book, has studied historical examples of them, and used them as projects in some of “Intellectual Heritage” classes with college students.

I immediately contacted him and asked if he’d be interviewed on the books, their use, and his practice and study with him.

He agreed. And, thus, another episode of What People Do was borne ... tada!

Orodenker employs a commonplace book with quotations and things from books he’s read on the right-hand side of a journal spread, and his own journaling thoughts and reflections on the left-hand side. Commonplace books are sometimes nothing but scrawled notes, and other times gorgeous, intricate, and artistically wondrous works from artists and scientists.

I have found the commonplace book helpful as a way to note, reflect on, and re-read things that jumped out at me in all the things I try (new psychology exercises, new spiritual exercises, journaling) and all the things I read (nonfiction, prayers, poems, websites, articles). I keep my commonplace book and journal separate for now, but maybe someday I’ll swing the Orodenker way and throw them together!

If you love smart professors, old things made new again, and journaling, reading and self-reflection, this episode is a must-listen.

 

For further exploration:

• Orodenker’s The Common Place Book Project appears here.
• If you’re into baseball and the Philaldephia Phillies (they’re my arbitrarily chosen MLB team), enjoy this. Orodenker has written about sports writing for some more scholarly works as well, including this and this.