Comments on: Review: How to Read a Book

By: Ekaterin

Ekaterin — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:00:06 +0000

This sounds interesting. But you have also recommended ‘The Well Educated Mind’ which also focuses on reading books. How much does ‘How to read a book’ add to that one?

By: david sellers

david sellers — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:33:00 +0000

I loved the article and have read the book twice before but have to disagree about your conclusion to buy “If you enjoy reading purely for fun, or don’t enjoy reading at all, this book is a waste of your time. Instead, this book is really intended for those who read to be enlightened and to grow in the mind. If that describes you, How to Read a Book is worth reading, even if it’s just a bit on the dry side.”

I would say, “If you don’t enjoy reading at all, this book is a waste of your time, but if you love to read for fun this is definitely for you.” My first passion is reading and have read many books but sometimes I have had difficulty retaining, applying or analyzing what I’ve read until I discovered this book, which has greatly heightened my experience of reading for fun and even helped me to appreciate those boring business and finance books.

By: Bjorn

Bjorn — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:04:22 +0000

I bought this book for my wife a while back. This is a good motivator to actually read it now. Thanks

By: rebolyte

rebolyte — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:46:12 +0000

Wow, that book looks fantastic. I’ll definitely be checking that one out.

Thanks for the great article!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:51:05 +0000

I just couldn’t get through this book. I like to read all kinds of different material and thought it would be helpful to increase my understanding, but it was just too dry. Even reading just a few pages a night didn’t work for me.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:50:10 +0000

Another book (which is out of print) but that is very, very good on this subject is How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster. Basically, it covers all that stuff about symbolism that you were too busy to pay attention to in high school and too sleepy to pay attention to college. A fun, insightful read.

By: Argonautica

Argonautica — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:32:23 +0000

It was not until a couple years into college that I really learned many of the things discussed in this book and I wished I had learned them earlier. I find I go back and read things now with a whole different understanding, although I suppose much of that is just experience and a broader worldview.

I do try to work in discussions with my daughter about the books she reads to hopefully lead her to think about the bigger themes behind what she is reading.

By: Randy Peterman

Randy Peterman — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 04:57:45 +0000

This one was recommended on several occasions while I was in seminary. It should definitely be on people’s ‘to read’ list.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 04:40:21 +0000

I read this nearly 20 years ago now, and just recently picked it up again. I’m looking forward to re-reading and applying what the book has to say.

Thanks for sharing this review!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 03:04:41 +0000

Good stuff here. I once studied for the LSAT. Didn’t end up going to law school, but the quick structure diagrams of written pieces required for doing the Reading Comprehension test has served me well.

Just a hint for Googling definitions like Trent suggests: type “define pontificate” (or whatever word you need). The search results will all be for definitions of your word.