[Ktoyou]

'Old days' can be like a new ride, when you are old enough.

[sky.]

I only read non fiction. I use the table of contents to get an idea of the overall content of the book. When I can't seem to recall what I have read I go back to the name of the chapter and sometimes that can help me to refocus on the main idea.

[Ktoyou]

I have a bunch of like new, new wave conservative books I read once fast and would give to anyone you pays shipping. They are not the big foundation books, more like pop politics, fun if you read fast, nice slip-cover too.

[zippy2006]

Originally Posted by kmoney

Yes, yes, I'm sure I'll get some jokes for that thread title. And it will probably explain many things to others.

But I'm serious. Specifically non-fiction. I read mostly non-fiction and I find myself frustrated by how little I seem to retain. I am currently reading Mortimer Adler's "How to Read a Book" link

I'm about 100 pages in and it has been interesting so far. I plan to try to put some of the methods in to practice.


If you read non-fiction, do you have any particular method?
Do you do any "pre-reading"? Do you take notes? Make an outline?
Do you initially do a superficial reading to get the main ideas and then go over certain parts more carefully?
Do you read things twice?

Non-fiction wise, I try to take a lot of Adler's advice (read the table of contents, the jacket, the introduction, and random excerpts before starting). Then I try to engage the text as I read and decide where I agree and disagree. One thing I am bad at is marking up books; it bothers me for some reason.

Retention is a funny thing. Oftentimes it must be triggered rather than willed. Like if someone asks me what book X is about, I might have a hard time recalling it in detail. But if someone brings up a topic that book X treats, much of the book is somehow re-opened to your mind and you remember much more. Another thing I never do but want to do is write a little personal conclusion about books I've completed that I can review if I am trying to remember the book.

Adler's points on "terms" in the philosophy section are especially good. If you are reading philosophy or other works with abstract terms that have lots of baggage, it is good to spend some time trying to understand the terms. This is especially true with translations.

[99lamb]

Post it Notes. they are better than marking up the whole book.

[steko]

I read only non-fiction.
I read the flap and the back, then the index.
Sometimes if I'm really anxious to get on with the subject, I'll skim the introduction and come back to it later for a more careful reading.
Sometimes there's a particular subject that I'm looking for somewhere within the book and I'll hunt for it and read it first.
Many of the books that I read, I have obtained for the very purpose of retaining so that I can use the facts or information in discussions or teaching.
Many of these types of books which I have are underlined carefully. My underlining becomes my own personal road map to the book, to which I can return later, for review or memorization.
Some books, I read straight through, then start over and read more carefully, underlining the parts which I want to stand out, to return to later.
I have many books which I've had for years, which I read and reread.
Retention comes from review, then use in teaching and conversation. When I find myself forgetting during these times, I go back and review, so that I'll be better equiped the next time.

[annabenedetti]

Serpentdove, delete your post to me.

[Tambora]

Originally Posted by annabenedetti

Serpentdove, delete your post to me.

Yes, Seprentdove. That was inappropriate.

[Arthur Brain]

Originally Posted by serpentdove

Usual mind numbing SD crap

You really should just change your name to 'post error'....

In regards to the subject at hand I'm way more of a fiction reader than non fiction and there's no set way I approach it. I like a book to grab my attention/interest/imagination in some way. If it does one or more of the above then I can usually retain it. Some books are still enjoyable to read even if I know what's coming....

[Ktoyou]

I like to watch

[chrysostom]

How do you read a book?

I like this question
and
I now only read non-fiction, history

my advice to all is to focus on a topic that interests you the most
focus is now my favorite word
you can become an expert in your field
if
you concentrate on it
and
confine or limit it

[serpentdove]

Originally Posted by Arthur Brain

You really should just change your name to 'post error'...

A few housekeeping items:

I often post from an iPhone and Siri is not too accurate when I talk into it. Unfortunately, I usually do not catch the error until I've already posted it. When I state "post error", this will typically refer to minor typos or misspellings, spaces needed, etc.

[Arthur Brain]

Originally Posted by serpentdove

A few housekeeping items:

I often post from an iPhone and Siri is not too accurate when I talk into it. Unfortunately, I usually do not catch the error until I've already posted it. When I state "post error", this will typically refer to minor typos or misspellings, spaces needed, etc.

Does your iPhone cause you to post totally inappropriate garbage as well? At least that heap of crap you posted has now been deleted....

A housekeeping item in return. You should change your name to 'post error' because of the content, not because of typos/grammatical errors etc...

[serpentdove]

Originally Posted by Arthur Brain

Does your iPhone cause you to post totally inappropriate garbage as well?

A few housekeeping items:

I type pretty fast but not accurately, unfortunately. Also, sometimes I like to change the mood of a smilie time to time.

[serpentdove]

Originally Posted by annabenedetti

That was a mistake...

annabenedetti, you sent me a PM. I cannot reply due to your settings.