There are 5 “main” Methods on how to read a book or put in another way, getting the information from the book into your brain.
Keep in mind its not how fast we read a book, its how fast can we read a book, yet still have good comprehension and retention. On the other end if your reading so slowly that your brain falls asleep, your brain is saying, I’m bored. Bring it up a notch and get engaged!
If you find yourself not able to read a book its probably a hormone issue, eye issues, ADHD (usually caused by what your eating) or simply a dis-interest in reading books or having to read boring books.
Whether your reading slowly or speed reading it all comes back to FOCUS and your concentration in reading the book, not letting your mind wander.
Why Are Your Reading…
Reading For Pleasure – a Fiction Novel
Reading for Implementing Something – health, wealth, self development, lifestyle related, Non-Fiction.
Reading for A Test or School – text book, manual, course work…
Depending on the type of book your going to be reading will determine your strategy for reading that book. If your reading a really good FICTION book, you’ll want to read it word for word.
Most of the Non-Fiction books I read are on health, wealth, self-development, books that deal with implementing. I’ve also started reading the best selling Fiction books of all time so I can learn to be a better story teller. So most of the Non-Fiction books I read are going to be red beginning to end, in combination of word for word and speed reading.
If your reading a Non-Fiction textbook or manual on something related to school you should definitely jump around and use speed reading methods or perhaps Photo Reading because you main goal usually is not for implementing its just for test taking and then your done. So definitely don’t read books like this word for word.
Methods on How To Read A Book
1. 123 Method 
I recently did this method for the book Crush It. I read it first by underlining key concepts and circling certain pages. Then went through the book again by using certain speed reading techniques and only slowing down to read what I underlined and speeding back up taking mental snapshots of text that weren’t underlined.
Heres a short PDF resource on how to read a book using this method. Which is coincidentally based on the information found in the book, How To Read A Book.
1 – Discover - start by getting a framework of how the book is set up and key concepts its trying to convey. You can get a good grasp just by looking at the table of contents. Then speed read each chapter circling and underling what’s important.
2- Understand – go back go the pages that you thought were important and read them for comprehension and retention, no speed reading. Sometimes the author may have a synopsis at the end of each chapter, a time saver.
3- Remember - if the book is really important use multiple modalities to help you remember. Read out loud what you underlined in each chapter. You can also record yourself so you can replay your own voice or listen to an audio book version. Also, write down your notes in your own words on paper the important stuff you’ve read. Do a search for “cone of learning” to help more with Retention.
A good reading tip is to never read for more than 1 hour. Take a break and do something else. Its like running a series of sprints.
2. Photo Reading
Phil Scheele of Learning Strategies made this method popular. This method has been around for about 30 years or so… Some people discount this method and some praise it. I haven’t went through the Photo Reading course yet so I can’t say if I recommend it or not.
Go to LearningStrategies.com and check out the 12 page PDF on Photo Reading and a video if you want to learn more.
Also look for Photo Reading Reviews.
If you try out the course let me know. I’d be interested in knowing how it worked for you and specifically what you liked about the program.
3. Speed Reading (a.k.a Scanning or Skimming)
Tim Ferriss at FourHourWorkWeek.com has an excellent blog post on scientific speed reading. I believe its similar to the Evelyn Wood style of speed reading from the 70s and 80’s.
Check out Howard Bergs speed reading blog – he’s dubbed the worlds fastest speed reader.
I think the key to speed reading is to practice by going fast like Tim says. At first you may only recall one word from each sentence but if you practice you may or may not slowly start to see more words. Its just like anything else, you have to slowly make progress with it.
After reading through the scientific speed reading article I found that I already read around 450 words per minute without any speed reading. I thought though that I may be reading a bit fast because I’m trying to increase my WPM just because I’m testing it. So I tested multiple times and was about the same at 450 wpm. Lets say that’s not accurate and I’m starting at 350-400 wpm.
Of the 3 main methods Tim talks about I was already using 1 of the 3. Occasionally when the author seems to ramble on I will scan more and jump a couple lines and get a “snapshot” and see if the author is still rambling. If it seems like more rambling I continue to jump lines and focus in on only a few words.
I usually was reading in straight lines when the author seems on point and when something important is being said. I don’t think I will change this up. However I will jump around if the author is rambling.
The 2nd thing Tim talks about is regression or backing up and re-reading and to use a tracker like a pen. This method is more to keep you on focus advancing from line to line and keep your mind from wandering.
The third method is on using more of your peripheral vision and to only focus on less words and don’t focus on the end margins, focus only on the 2nd or 3rd word from the end.
You have to be committed to speed reading using all the main methods if you want to go above 1,000 wpm.
I am going to use my current methods of reading line for line when necessary and jump when needed and utilize more of the 2nd tip Tim talks about. By doing this I should be around the 600-700 wpm range while staying at a good comprehension level.
I’d also like to point out that even if you develop as a fast speed reader or read books more slowly, both still have very low retention rates after two weeks. If you search for the “cone of learning” it explains this more. While its very interesting I don’t think its entirely accurate as I believe I can remember way more than 10% after two weeks.
4. Audio Books 
Not all audio books are created equal. My mom purchased an audio book on Eckhart Tolle and and his voice was so bad she could hardly understand him. Plus his voice was also really irritating the longer you listen. If your interested in purchasing an audio book double check the narrator and listen to their voice to see if you can withstand a couple hours of it.
If you want the condensed version get the abridged version. These are usually 2 hours long depending on the book size. You can save tons of time but may miss a key point here or there that author didn’t decide to put in.
If you want the full book version, get the unabridged version. These are usually 4-7 hours long and contain the whole book.
I always check on iTunes or Audible to listen to a sample of the authors voice. I also check out reviews of the audio book. In some cases it may be smarter to purchase the book if the audio book got bad reviews for one reason or another. Authors voice, didn’t hit the main points, etc…
The really good part about audio books is that you get increased retention.
Check out our review of audio book websites.
5. Vook.com 
If you don’t mind having an electronic version of the book, this is a better option than buying a Kindle. If you go to Vook.com and decide to download a Vook you can read it right on your computer or on your iPod Touch or iPhone.
Another cool thing about Vooks are that you don’t get just a digital book you get videos from the author of the book. They can share their story with you more and you could potentially learn more this way and get a more in depth look from the authors point of view.
The only downside to a Vook is that they just launched as of late 2008 and have limited Vooks.
I think Vooks are really cool! With the added videos in addition to the book this will increase your retention rate and overall comprehension of the book. They might be on to something here …
6. Book Summaries
Now, if your real lazy and don’t want to read the book at all and skip the speed reading, photo reading or any other method, just get a book summary.
The 2 things I don’t like about book summaries is that you may miss an important point of the book that doesn’t make the summary. And 2nd is that book summaries cost more than any other option.
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