How to Read a Book

This method is not suitable for novels; it is intended for nonfiction books.

1 Start with the author

Who wrote this book? Before you dive in, take a look at the author’s biography.

If you can find interviews or articles about the author online, even better—read them quickly. This will give you a deeper sense of the author’s stance and viewpoints.

2 Read the title, subtitle, summary, and table of contents

What is the book’s overall argument? How does it develop that argument step by step?

Going through this process may already enable you to introduce the book to someone else.

3 Read the introduction and conclusion

Usually the author foregrounds his or her main points at the beginning and end of the book, stating the perspective clearly.

Therefore, when you read these two sections, go line by line, but do so briskly—don’t get bogged down.

By step 2 you should already have a sense of the author’s overarching view. Building on that, the introduction tells you how the author will unpack that view throughout the book, and the conclusion explains what the author hopes you will take away.

4 Read or skim each chapter

Look at each chapter’s title, then read the first few paragraphs—or just the first few pages—to grasp what the chapter aims to explain and what point it makes. Importantly, consider how the chapter fits into the whole book.

Next, scan the headings and subheadings within the chapter to get a feel for the author’s logical flow and argumentative framework.

Also read the first and last sentences of each paragraph. If you understand what the author is saying, you can jump to the next paragraph; if not, read the entire paragraph. As soon as you feel you’ve grasped the chapter, you can skip the rest, because the author’s points tend to be reiterated.

5 Finally, revisit the table of contents

Once you’ve finished the book, go back to the contents and mentally inventory the material you’ve covered.

Spend a few minutes mapping out the book’s structure—the ideas that made you think, the stories you still recall, the mental journey you took alongside the author.

6 Take reading notes

While reading, I make notes; the process feels like a conversation with the author.

Which of the author’s points do I agree with? Which do I disagree with? What deeper, underlying issues remain? What topics do I want to discuss with others or explore further? For each of us, taking reading notes in this way is extremely beneficial.

Using this method is far more efficient than traditional reading. A book that normally takes 6–8 hours to finish can now be completed in 1–2 hours. Although the time spent is dramatically reduced, you’ll feel you’ve gained even more.

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Originally written by Estela Young and published in Chinese on 一只产品汪的自白. Translated and edited for DriftSeas with permission.