Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Reading fast

One of my bad habits is that I read very fast. I find myself skipping blocks of text, and I have to force myself to slow down when I read something with the intent of "studying it" or I have to re-read the passage.

MR had a brilliant article on reading fast.
The best way to read quickly is to read lots. And lots. And to have started a long time ago.
Tyler has another reading tip:
Here is another reading tip: do less of other activities.
I can't stress how important this is. I don't have cable, and I watch practically no TV during the week save for The Newshour with Jim Lehrer on PBS and Prime Minister's question time from the web, which has freed up a lot of my time. I don't think I'll ever go back to watching as much TV as I used to. I remember a speaker in school likening TV to "brain candy" i.e. it sure tastes good, but it rots your brains.

Here's an idea that I must put to use:
Another way to read quickly is to cut bait on the losers. I start ten or so books for every one I finish. I don't mind disliking a book, and I never regret having picked it up and started it. I am ruthless in my discards.
I need to be more ruthless in my discards. So readers, do you read fast? Do you have any suggestions on how I can change my reading habits so that I savour what I read?

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