Writers Unbound

“The purpose of reading books like these [nonfiction] is to gain information. Here, finding out what happens — as quickly and easily as possible — is your main goal. So unless you’re stuck in prison with nothing else to do, NEVER read a non-fiction book from beginning to end. Instead, when you’re reading for information, you should ALWAYS jump ahead, skip around, and use every available strategy to discover, then to understand, and finally to remember what the writer has to say. This is how you’ll get the most out of a book in the smallest amount of time.” - from Paul N. Edwards. (Read the whole article here.)

Edwards echoes Mortimer J. Adler’s advice from “How to Read a Book” - look it over, then get to the important stuff.

Here’s what seems common to every recommendation about reading, however:

• Get an overview of the book before you dive into it. (Read through index, take time on preface, introduction, summaries.)
• Read quickly first, skimming, highlighting headings, and noting important spots.
• Mark in your text (but don’t overdo it).
• Take notes on what you read.
• Ask questions as you read and read to find the answers (be interactive).
• Don’t bog down on the details. Get the main point and keep moving.
• Review after you finish reading so the information sinks in.

The most important thing to remember about reading is that you’re not obligated to finish any book, whether its fiction for pleasure, nonfiction for research, or some other combination. Sometimes the smartest thing to do is to pinpoint the exact information you need and leave the rest alone. Sometimes there’s nothing new. If you’re falling asleep reading a novel (not because it’s late at night) then maybe you should put it down and find a better book. The fact that it is written does not make it important to you. It just makes it written.
Take advantage of your ability to figure out what merits your attention and what doesn’t. Some classics will speak to you; some won’t. Maybe it’s about the timing, the season of your life, or the needed time to focus. If a book isn’t appealing but you know it’s worthwhile, just put it aside for a time. Come back to it later. It will still be written.