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How to Read a Book
The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren
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In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.
Ever finish a book and realize you barely remember what you read?
Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to read not just more, but smarter. Adler argues that reading is an active, skillful art, and he lays out a roadmap for turning every book into a genuine learning experience.
This book was recommended by our friend Alex & Books. He reads 2+ books a week, and summarizes his favorites in his weekly newsletter. Our smartest takeaways below are an excerpt from his summary. For more, read Alex’s full summary of this book.
SMARTEST TAKEAWAYS
Alex’s Actionable Advice from Adler
1️⃣ Speedreading isn’t the secret hack everyone thinks it is. The faster you read, the lower your comprehension and satisfaction will be.
2️⃣ If you aren’t sure if a book is for you, skim the book. Here’s Adler’s framework:
Read the title and subtitle.
Read the table of contents.
Skim the index.
Read the publisher’s blurb.
Read the last few pages of a key chapter.
3️⃣ Reading books can feel productive, but it’s only when you apply what you’ve learned that your life will actually change. Set a goal to apply at least 1 lesson from a book before you start a new one.
Mortimer Jerome Adler was an American philosopher, educator, encyclopedist, popular author and lay theologian (1902-2001)
INSIGHTFUL EXAMPLE
Turning a Book Into a Conversation
Imagine you’re reading a classic like The Republic by Plato. Instead of just nodding along, Adler would have you:
Skim the structure to grasp the big picture.
Dive deep and underline key arguments.
Jot questions and disagreements in the margins.
Compare Plato’s ideas with those in other philosophy books. Suddenly, you’re not just reading—you’re in a dialogue with some of history’s greatest minds.
BOOK FACTS
How to Read a Book
First Published: 1940
Print length: 426 pages
Listening length: 7:57
Ratings: 4.5 Amazon, 4.0 Goodreads
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ALEX & BOOKS
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