7 steps - How to read a book: #1 Motive and mindset

There is a right way and a wrong way to read a book! If you approach books the way you approach watching a movie or listening to the radio, it is no surprise that you struggle with reading. It is like swapping the rules in volleyball and basketball – it will not work! So how can we enjoy and benefit from reading books?

Recently I started reading “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren. It reminded me that good reading is actually a skill that can be developed. Some people are too quick to surrender and say “reading is not for me” when the skill can be learned. Some of his insights are worth sharing!

The author talks about two attitudes to reading, (1) active and, (2) passive. The active reader makes an effort to digest what he reads. Compared to a sport, in basketball the one who throws the ball and his teammate who catches it are both active. Likewise, the writer was active in writing and the reader must be skilful in “catching” what he is saying. The active reader, who develops his skill, will be successful in his reading. Active reading means you are a player in the game, not a spectator. Effective reading needs an active mind.

The writer also distinguishes between reading for more information (of the same kind we already have, more or less) and reading for deeper understanding. If we only read material at the same level, our understanding will never grow. But if we challenge ourselves by reading material which has more than we presently understand, we can potentially experience personal growth. Choice of reading material is as important as our attitude to reading.

A lot of modern books and magazines try to make material that is not challenging, in order to indulge the readers who are avoiding critical thinking. You can’t blame them. The average reader wants to make a little effort as they do when watching a cartoon over the weekend. There is little challenge, but there is also little personal development. Others have mastered the art of memorising books for exams, without really understanding them, and therefore they can barely apply that data to their work. Our goal should be reading for personal development as well as enjoyment.

The first step to enjoying and benefiting from books is “counting the cost”. Do a cost benefit analysis and tell yourself, “The time and effort needed to read books properly is worth it. For personal growth and greater critical analysis, I will gladly make the effort to read the right stuff, and to read it properly.

For more, wait for the second part in this series!