Well not exactly, but you'll see.
George R.R. Martin has said
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies"
You are supposed to live for 80 years at the minimum. though you are highly likely to live more. (Assume Corona doesn't exist for the time being). But what if you lived a thousand lives in those eighty years?
Well, I guess I'm going off-track. He's said- to live a thousand lives, not a thousand times. Anyways, let's get going
But to do that you need to read. You can't just read but you also need to read it effectively so that it actually adds value to your life.
That's what today's post is all about. Today we are gonna discuss the right way to read a book so that you make the most out of it.
Mortimer J. Adler has written a book called "How to read a book''. Now what I am gonna discuss is not from that book. Though if you want a summary of that book, Arthur has covered it in detail here.
How To Read A Book by Mortimer J. Adler - Book Summary
What I am gonna discuss is what I feel is the right way. I read many things about this and the following post is what I compiled and will be most useful to you.
So here are a few tips on that.
1} CLOTHES OF A BOOK
Now, now, don't go searching for a book wardrobe. The most important thing is the cover pages. Both the cover pages include important and useful information about the book. So always read both the covers first.
Then move onto the table of contents. Here you'll find which chapters are worth it and which of them aren't. This will help you decide how much time it will take to read the book.
Now sit down and reflect on what you just saw. Is it worth your time to invest in that book?? If yes then move forward and start reading. If no then forget about the book.
Also, read a few pages first just to get a taste of the writing style. This way you'll know if you like the writing style. Or else you may get bored after reading a dozen pages and may give up. We don't want that to happen.
Remember, in order to have fun, you gotta start with the clothes... Soooo, I guess you're mature enough...
2} MAINTAINING A JOURNAL
Now that you know it's worth reading, here's what to do next.
Start reading.
Yes, that's what you'll do right?
NO. First, get a good journal/diary and a pen. Now you can start reading.
While reading, you can mark any points that seem worth remembering to you. Marking helps you better remember it.
You can revisit the book later to check out these points.
The best way is to keep a journal with you wherever you go and note down the important points. This way you'll make a fantastic summary.
Another plus point is you won't have to revisit every book. Just look up your journal and you'll find a lot of books summarised.
If you are not in a comfortable place to write, just mark it with a highlighter and make sure you write it down whenever you can.
Reading a book is like living the author's life. And sometimes memories are more interesting than the moment itself.
ADVANTAGES OF A JOURNAL:
You have all the knowledge at your fingertips anytime anywhere.
You can read numerous books in one book.
An organized way of putting notes. You can do that in the book itself but then you don't have all books in one book.
Marking a book is literally an experience of your differences or agreements with the author. It is the highest respect you can pay him.”
Edgar Allen Poe
This sentence clearly highlights why you should mark a book.
Another major advantage of marking a book is that you remain more focused on reading if you are marking it and writing it down.
Studies have shown that you remember things better if you write it down while consuming it. This makes our brain more active and involved and as a result, we take in more.
3} REVISITING IT
The next important thing is that you should review what you've written after a certain amount of time. I would suggest that you review your book notes every Sunday so you are in touch with whatever you read.
Also, you don't need to do this forever. Just do it for 4 to 5 Sundays and then you can let it go. By that time your brain absorbs it nicely. Thereafter, if you need it, you always have your journal.
4} SELECTING THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
This is an important factor you need to check out for. ENVIRONMENT.
What environment you are sitting in also matters. Like if you are reading in a very busy environment then you might need to consider putting on your headphones.
The environment highly affects how much you absorb. A busy environment won't give you shit.
5} EXPOSURE
Sit in proper light. In this age of electronics, you might say that, who reads a traditional book. Everyone uses their mobile phone to read e-books. Well if you think that way then you are wrong...
More people prefer physical books over e-books. So the point is - you need light. You need light to read them.
So sit in a properly exposed place so that you don't strain your eyes. After all, you are gonna live for 80000 yrs. Better keep them in a good state.
6} POSTURE
Posture is another important thing you need to consider.
Whenever you are reading make it a habit to check your posture every 20 - 25 minutes. That way you won't break down your body just for the sake of reading. Again remember 80000 yrs.
CONCLUSION
So guys that's it. Remember.
1} Clothes of a book
Skim through the cover and table of contents and decide whether it's worth reading
2} Maintaining a journal
Write down whatever seems useful. Maintain a journal for this.
3} Revisiting it.
Revisit the journal from time to time to retain the information
4} Right environment
Choosing the right environment plays a vital role
5} Exposure
Choose a well-lit location
6} Posture
Maintain your posture. Or it gets tiresome to read.
So guys I think that's it for now. If I come across something new, I'll share it with you.
Comment down below how do you read and how many of these do you follow??
Share it. (If you liked it. Also, that will help your friends live for 80k years so that you won't lose company.)
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