I think it makes a lot more sense to read slowly, but read deeply. I’ve just re-read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 45 years after first reading it. Four ways I found to truly savour and enjoy the book:
1. Reading it “aloud” to myself in my head - that forced me to read each sentence and really appreciate the writing
2. Asked Claude to set me 10 questions as “homework” after reading the first two thirds - and instructing it to test me on understanding of what had happened - writing the answers revealed how much I had retained (or not) and helped me uncover some deeper truths about the story.
3. Just immerse myself in the story itself, the action and the characters as though I was reading this as it was first released back in 1862 - not as special “classic” text I had fight my way through.
And actually it didn’t take much longer to read than normal in terms of elapsed days - I just happened to be choosing to read more frequently and for longer each day
It is so hard not to fall prey to the 'requirement to consume'...Life is full of ebb and flows, but I have also discovered that taking the time to immerse yourself in the text and truly think about what you're reading is how we really all should be reading. It's about quality and not quantity. Books are meant to feed us and provide joy...thank you for this post ❤
Totally agree as someone who has been more of a consumer of books in past years. Slowing down is strange at first but the experience is better when certain books are read slowly
I think it makes a lot more sense to read slowly, but read deeply. I’ve just re-read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 45 years after first reading it. Four ways I found to truly savour and enjoy the book:
1. Reading it “aloud” to myself in my head - that forced me to read each sentence and really appreciate the writing
2. Asked Claude to set me 10 questions as “homework” after reading the first two thirds - and instructing it to test me on understanding of what had happened - writing the answers revealed how much I had retained (or not) and helped me uncover some deeper truths about the story.
3. Just immerse myself in the story itself, the action and the characters as though I was reading this as it was first released back in 1862 - not as special “classic” text I had fight my way through.
And actually it didn’t take much longer to read than normal in terms of elapsed days - I just happened to be choosing to read more frequently and for longer each day
Great example Matthew! I am excited to slow down and immerse myself in more future books and your tips are helpful.
It is so hard not to fall prey to the 'requirement to consume'...Life is full of ebb and flows, but I have also discovered that taking the time to immerse yourself in the text and truly think about what you're reading is how we really all should be reading. It's about quality and not quantity. Books are meant to feed us and provide joy...thank you for this post ❤
Totally agree as someone who has been more of a consumer of books in past years. Slowing down is strange at first but the experience is better when certain books are read slowly