# 📚 Book Summarizer — Reading Retention System

A structured system for summarizing books chapter by chapter, powered by AI agents that act as expert summarizers and teachers.

---

## How to Use

### Step 1 — Start a New Book
Tell your AI agent:
```
new book: Atomic Habits by James Clear
```
The agent will set up a folder under `books/` for you. If you provide a PDF, EPUB, TXT, or Markdown file, the original file is moved into that book's folder so the source stays with its notes.

### Step 2 — Share a Chapter
Paste the chapter text, or upload a PDF/EPUB/text file and tell the agent which chapter to process:
```
chapter 1: [paste text here]
```
or simply upload the file and say `process chapter 3`.

### Step 3 — Get Your Summary Package
The agent produces:
- 📖 **Narrative summary** — 2–4 paragraphs of flowing prose
- 🔑 **Key points** — 5–10 bullet-point takeaways
- 💬 **Memorable quotes** — direct quotes from the author
- 🔗 **Connections** — how this chapter links to earlier ones
- ❓ **Review questions** — test your understanding
- 🃏 **Flashcards** — spaced-repetition Q&A pairs

### Step 4 — Review Anytime
| Command | Result |
|---|---|
| `story so far` | See your growing master summary |
| `quiz me on chapter 3` | Interactive quiz on a chapter |
| `flashcards for chapter 2` | Drill your flashcards |
| `connections` | Themes across all chapters |

---

## Folder Structure

```
book-summarizer/
├── CLAUDE.md                    # Agent instructions (do not delete)
├── README.md                    # This file
├── templates/
│   ├── chapter-summary.md       # Template for chapter files
│   ├── master-summary.md        # Template for the master summary
│   └── flashcards.md            # Standalone flashcard template
├── prompts/
│   ├── start-new-book.md        # Prompt to kick off a new book
│   ├── process-chapter.md       # Prompt to process a chapter
│   └── review-session.md        # Prompt for review/quiz sessions
└── books/
    └── [book-title-slug]/
        ├── 00-book-overview.md
        ├── master-summary.md
        ├── [original-book-file].pdf
        ├── chapter-01-[slug].md
        ├── chapter-02-[slug].md
        └── ...
```

---

## Tips for Best Results

- **Paste the full chapter text** for the richest summary. If the chapter is long, the agent handles it.
- **React and comment** — if something surprises you, say so. The agent will engage with your thoughts.
- **Review before reading the next chapter** — glance at the flashcards and try the review questions.
- **Use `story so far` before each new session** — it re-orients you to where the book's argument has reached.