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How To Read A Book

#+Author: Paul N Edwards #+Read: 2020-12 #+Status: Processed #+CATEGORY: essay #+Tags: reading #+Rating: 5

• Reading for /information/ is very different vs reading for /pleasure/: never read these books from cover to cover.

• Strategies

  • Make sure to understand the overall big picture of the book without getting bogged down in details
  • Budget time up front and be realistic about it
  • Have an explicit purpose for reading and a strategy to apply
  • Engage with content with pencil in hand
  • Read a book three times
    • Overview/discovery: 5-10%; mark up the book without reading carefully
    • Detail: 70-80%: Read again, carefully focusing on marked up points within time constraints
    • Notes: 10-20%: Translate it into my own words, keep them organized
  • Focus on dense information: eg. ToC, headings, charts, etc.
  • Minimal markings
  • Read with context of author and surroundings
  • Process unconsciously
  • Rehearse and talk, visualize or write it out to actually remember it

• Practice for several months.

— Kunal