Getting Ready to Read

So, we’re ready to read. But don’t read the book yet. There are a few steps to take first.

FIRST: ELIMINATE ALL DISTRACTIONS: Get rid of ANYthing
your mind could think about besides the reading material. Is there
conversation? Activity? TV? An uncomfortable seat? Music in the
background? (OK OK, I know many of my readers are college students who
claim they “study better” with music in the background. Go ahead and
claim it — but you are wrong. You might “like it” better, but you do
not study better. ANYthing which might occupy your mind waters down
your concentration — even occupying your “mind-in-background.” Fool
yourself if you wish — but if you really are serious about reading
faster, eliminate distractions.

SECOND: Ask: What is my purpose? Why are you reading
this? And what kind of literature is it? Is it a classic or fiction
work you are reading for fun? Then, why hurry through it at all? Like a
leisurely meal, sit back and taste each bite — turn over the delicious
phrases in your mind. Or is collateral reading for a course where you
are must be familiar with the central notions? Then finding the notions
is why you are reading, right? Or maybe you are reading collateral
where you will be tested on the content? Or maybe collateral reading
where you will be required to say, “I read every single word?” Or is
this a book where you will be tested on the terms and dates therein?
Or, maybe you are just reading the book searching for some new ideas
for your own situation. Or you have to write a review. Or maybe you
plan to teach it to others. See how different your purpose might be for
each? Before you open the book, take a minute to state your purpose to
yourself. It will largely determine how you read the book from then on.

THIRD: Do a 10 minute PRE-READ. Take ten minutes or
less and pre-read the entire book. Go ahead and try this if you’ve
never done it before. Treat a book like a jigsaw puzzle. Dump it out,
then organize all the pieces first before putting it together. Read the
dust cover and any cover reviews. Then look through the author blurb.
Move to the Table of Contents and see if you can figure out the whole
book from this page. Page through the entire book, page by page and
glance through all summaries, tables, pull-out quotes,
diagrams(especially), and scan through all the section titles and you
go.

Chances are you’ll find the KEY CHAPTER while you are doing this. Some publishers say (off the record, of course) “A book is simply one great chapter with a dozen other filler chapters.” If this is so, find that chapter. 

FOURTH: Read the KEY CHAPTER. Start using the rapid
reading techniques mentioned later to read this KEY CHAPTER through.
You are not obligated to wait until you have read all the chapters
before this one, as if you must eat your green beans before the ice
cream. The book is yours — go ahead and get the central idea before
you start!

Once you’ve read the key chapter you are ready to read the rest. In
order from the front to the back, or in some other order which better
suits your purpose. Now for some actual reading tips tips.