Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#1

Post by vilvadot » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:08 PM UTC

Hi HN. Recently I have been wondering how other people read. I recently realized that once I finish a book I immediately replace it for the next one on my to-read list. As soon as I swap titles it kinda feels like the value of the previous book slowly starts to fade and gets lost. Obviously not all of it, and especially on novels I'm in for the ride and getting into the story. But in more informative/instructive stuff I feel like there must be a "better" way to read and get the most out of each book.

For example, recently, I started taking notes into the margins and I find I feel more "engaged" to the reading experience and the content. So I wonder what is other people's take on reading?

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#2

Post by caryd » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:26 PM UTC

I type notes in a program that allows searching. I dislike digging through 300 pages to find that one quote I liked.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#3

Post by shishy » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:42 PM UTC

I try not to read as many books as possible but instead limit it to 2-3 per week. I could probably do one a day if I Really wanted to, but I find spacing it out helps me spend time in between reflecting on the book I just read, what it means to me, and I generally make note of that somewhere if I really want to remember it.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#4

Post by madmaze » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:49 PM UTC

caryd wrote: post #2

I type notes in a program that allows searching. I dislike digging through 300 pages to find that one quote I liked.

How do you structure your notes? I do the same, but I am often conflicted whether to take notes by chapter/section or by topic.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#5

Post by _liww » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:49 PM UTC

shishy wrote: post #3

I try not to read as many books as possible but instead limit it to 2-3 per week. I could probably do one a day if I Really wanted to, but I find spacing it out helps me spend time in between reflecting on the book I just read, what it means to me, and I generally make note of that somewhere if I really want to remember it.

Is that 2-3 fiction books per week? Where do you find time to read 2-3 books per week? Do you speed read?

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#6

Post by rammy1234 » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:57 PM UTC

if that is technical read, probably notes alongside is how I do. If a non-fiction or fiction, slow read and savor what you read is something.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#7

Post by 693471 » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:59 PM UTC

_liww wrote: post #5

shishy wrote: post #3

I try not to read as many books as possible but instead limit it to 2-3 per week. I could probably do one a day if I Really wanted to, but I find spacing it out helps me spend time in between reflecting on the book I just read, what it means to me, and I generally make note of that somewhere if I really want to remember it.

Is that 2-3 fiction books per week? Where do you find time to read 2-3 books per week? Do you speed read?

Speed reading doesn't really exist; it's just skimming. Even the fastest reader in the world will admit they lose details and don't enjoy it as much. You might be interested in checking this video out.

https://vimeo.com/331908835

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#8

Post by johnisgood » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 5:59 PM UTC

madmaze wrote: post #4

caryd wrote: post #2

I type notes in a program that allows searching. I dislike digging through 300 pages to find that one quote I liked.

How do you structure your notes? I do the same, but I am often conflicted whether to take notes by chapter/section or by topic.

Hmm, would putting labels work? That could include the chapter number, section number, and keywords. I usually go with topic and include the page number.

This is a great question though. What features could one add to a hypothetical PDF viewer that could help us? Sometimes I feel like having a separate text file is not sufficient, or not convenient enough. Most of the books I read do have a summary per section, perhaps I could take a screenshot of them. Additionally I could use the PDF viewer to highlight sentences, and add a feature to this PDF viewer that would allow me to cycle through them. Thoughts and/or ideas?

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#9

Post by stingraycharles » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 6:00 PM UTC

I feel like I’m an outlier here on HN, but I read very slowly. My mind constantly switches back and forth between other stuff, and frequently have to repeat (sections of) a page just because I wasn’t paying enough attention.

Needless to say, I don’t read a lot. Once in a while I find a book that interests me, and usually it takes me around a week or two to complete (when reading around 30 - 60 minutes a day).

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Read?

#10

Post by aytekin » Sat, Aug 31, 2019, 6:04 PM UTC

stingraycharles wrote: post #9

I feel like I’m an outlier here on HN, but I read very slowly. My mind constantly switches back and forth between other stuff, and frequently have to repeat (sections of) a page just because I wasn’t paying enough attention. Needless to say, I don’t read a lot. Once in a while I find a book that interests me, and usually it takes me around a week or two to complete (when reading around 30 - 60 minutes a day).

I second the slow reading. Reading is thinking. Let your mind wander.