July's Annotation Blog Featuring: charly__reads
Where every tab tells a story-welcome back, annotation lovers!
There’s something deeply satisfying about marking that swoon-worthy line or the moment he finally says, “I love you,” and colored tabs are our secret weapon. If you’ve ever found yourself flipping back through your favorite romance just to relive that scene, you've found yourself in the right place!
In this month's blog post, we’re sitting down with Charly, the creator behind the gorgeous Bookstagram account @charly__reads, known for her beautifully tabbed books and heartfelt reactions. Whether you’re a seasoned annotator or just curious how to start, you’ll love hearing how she brings stories to life one tab at a time!
For many of us, annotating a novel is a love language of its own. But for Charly, it’s a full-blown experience, complete with color-coded tabs, emotional scribbles in the margins, and the kind of passion that jumps off every page.
Meet Charly!
Charly is 29, a wife, and a mother to three boys. She started reading three years ago while searching for a hobby that felt like it was just for her, and it’s turned into her entire personality! (Relatable, right?) As she puts it:
“Reading really helped me find myself again, and for that I am forever grateful.”
She has been on Bookstagram for three years, and you’ll find her even more often over on BookTok, where her annotated reads and real-time reactions have connected her with thousands of fellow book lovers!
How Her Annotation Journey Began!
Two years ago, while reading A Little Life, Charly had SO much to say but no one to share it with, so she started writing little notes and sticking tabs on pages!
“At that point, I didn’t even have tabs; I just used sticky notes!”
From there, a whole world of annotating opened up.
When I asked her what inspired her to share her annotations online, she said:
“It’s just something I’m so passionate about and love doing! Sharing it came naturally!”
Her System: Tabbing with Intention
Many readers wonder where to even begin when it comes to tabbing. Should I follow a system? Tab emotionally? Chaos tab and hope for the best? Charly has found her rhythm by using a legend, a color-coded key that helps her keep track of different moments in the story.
Her basic annotation key usually includes:
- Sad moments
- Funny moments
- Romantic/Sweet moments
- Spice/Tension
- Quotes/Favorite parts
But, if it’s a book in a series that she’s already started or has specific themes, for example, grief, her system gets a lot more specific!
Like many of us, Charly loves to match her tabs to the book’s cover. She takes her time to pick out each color to match perfectly, and she listens to an audiobook during the process, so it’s fun and relaxing!
She doesn’t just tab her books, though; she highlights, underlines, and even doodles!
Her Most Meaningful Annotations
Charly’s favorite book to annotate so far?
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
She shared how much the book changed her as a person, which is something every reader can relate to: the quiet power of an unexpected emotional story.
She loved “the way her doodles and highlights turned out” and was surprised by “how much wisdom” she found in what she thought would be “just a cute summertime read.”
*adds to TBR*
And yes, she does go back and re-read her annotations.
“If I’m obsessed with a book, I’ll spend days after finishing it just going through my annotations and listening to music.”
Her Reading Life: Tropes & Tissues
Charly’s go-to genres are romance, romantasy, and dystopian fiction. Her favorite tropes include:
- Friends to lovers
- Second chance romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Friends with benefits
(Honestly? Some of the best tropes, if you ask me!)
As for the books that made her feel the most, here are her top emotionally charged reads:
- Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh
- My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
- The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
- The Magnolia Parks series by Jessa Hastings
- A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner
*also adds to TBR… and grabs tissues*
Her most annotated book of all time is Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh. She even made a reel explaining her tabbing system, which is definitely worth checking out on Instagram!
Inspiring a Community
For Charly, sharing her annotations has been one of the most rewarding parts of her reading journey.
“I love how much love I get from other readers for the way I tab my books; it makes me feel good!” (As it should, girl!)
Not only does she love posting quotes that move her, but she’s also inspired countless others to start their own annotation journey, and that is something that brings her much joy!
Final Thoughts from Charly
Before we wrapped up, I asked Charly: What is one thing you wish more people knew about annotating/tabbing?
Her answer?
“That there are NO rules! You can tab as much or as little as you like, for WHATEVER you want, and in any way that makes you happy!”
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
If Charly’s story inspired you to pick up your tabs, highlighters, or even just a fresh paperback, tag us in your next annotation post; we’d love to see how you bring books to life!
If you’re looking for annotation tabs, check out what we’ve got here at The Tabery for all your tabbing needs!
And don’t forget to follow Charly on Instagram @charly__reads and BookTok for more annotation inspo, emotional reads, and aesthetic bookish content!