How to read effectively
I am blessed with the ability to read fast. I’ve read a lot of books, and I can get through most books quickly. But like most gifts, there’s a downside. It’s a blessing if I’m reading for pleasure, but a curse if I’m reading something serious for content. Because I retain very little.
The strategy for that, if I want to retain information, is to stop at the bottom of every page and ask myself ,”What did I just read?” and then again at the end of each chapter, “What were the main points?”
I know that, but that strategy requires discipline and patience. Have I mentioned that I have ADD ADHD? I am so eager to turn the page and discover what’s next.
A Surprise
I just bought a used book that looked interesting and so far, it’s very good. It’s Reaching for the Invisible God, by Philip Yancey. It looked new, so shortly after I started, I was surprised to find that someone had marked in it. A little further on, I discovered that the someone was me. I’ve read it before, but I don’t recognize anything in it, except my handwriting, so called, in the margin notes.
So is that a blessing? Because I’m enjoying it as though I had never seen it before. But this time, I’m reviewing a little as I go, though certainly not as much as with the strategy I’m recommending.
Maybe it’ll stick this time, in spite of ADD ADHD?
doug
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@dougmkpdp @addstrategies #add #ADHD
ADDadultstrategies 
I’m a mixed bag when it comes to reading. I’ve always been a voracious reader but I don’t remember details. I don’t usually remember the title of the book or the author. I don’t remember the characters’ names or the location. I can generally recall the story line, though.
When it comes to non-fiction, I struggle. I highlight a lot and that helps. I can’t always remember the details but I can remember that it said something I liked and approximately where it was in the book and where on the page. That’s where highlighting comes in handy. But it has to be really good for me to be able to read a lot at a time.
If I’m having a difficult time paying attention, I like to read out loud. It’s a pain – but I retain it a lot better.
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homey
sounds very much like me, except dont think id have the patience to read out loud.
sounds like a good strategy tho.
thanks for your contributions
doug
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homey – ps. and i dont think you are a bag!
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that’s crazy what are the chances that you would pick up the exact same book that you once sold?
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hold – the good Lord moves in mysterious ways —-. on the other hand, I bought it from our church used book shelf, where apparently I had previously donated it. on the other hand, —.
thank you for commenting.
doug
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