A good book is one of the greatest but simplest pleasures in life. Read this article to make the most of imaginary worlds, poetry and school or college textbooks.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose a Book
Step 1. Choose a book if you feel like reading for personal pleasure
Here are some resources to help you find the perfect one for you:
- Go to the bookstore or library so you don't have to pay anything and you can ask the librarian for advice. Tell him about your interests so he can point you to the right areas for you.
- Ask your friends and relatives, who might recommend some interesting books.
- Browse online: you will find reviews after reviews. Join a literature community, write down a few titles, and then read the various opinions online. You will also be able to find out which books are the most popular and loved.
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Attend a book club event or reading.
- Many clubs focus on a particular genre, such as science fiction or romance, while some have more general tastes.
- Readings are held regularly, especially in more alternative book stores, but bookstores such as Feltrinelli also organize them often.
- Also inquire about the readings given by the authors in the university of your city.
Read a Book Step 2 Step 2. Get the book you want to read
There are several ways to do this:
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Check its availability in the library, so you can have it easily and for free. First, however, you will need to apply for the card.
- Many systems allow you to electronically reserve a copy of the book you want to read and send you a notice when it is available.
- You may have to wait weeks or months for the most popular titles.
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Buy it to get it now, own it and re-read it whenever you want.
Before buying a book, read a few pages, so you will understand if it is right for you
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Borrow it from a friend or relative.
Take care of the books they lend to you and return them within a reasonable amount of time
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Buy an ebook, even if you don't have a Kindle: on Amazon, for example, you will find software that will allow you to read books in electronic format even on your computer or tablet.
- Ebooks are very advantageous because they allow you to own the book but also to pay less than the paper format. On Amazon you will find so many titles and, in addition, you will have the opportunity to read a part before buying.
- Electronic editions will allow you to carry more books with you if you are traveling, especially if you have a Kindle. However, if you love the smell of paper and flipping through pages, you may have some problems with this format.
Read a Book Step 3 Step 3. Read the book
Get comfortable in a bright place and open it.
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The introduction can be read immediately or after you finish the book (it often pays to do it this way to understand it better). There are four types of introductions:
- Acknowledgments, a short section listing the people who helped the writer through the writing process. This part can also be found at the end of the book. Most readers skip it.
- Preface, written by someone other than the author. It is usually found in books with greater literary or scientific impact and tells you what to expect from the text and why it is worth reading.
- The introduction written by the author of the book is usually (but not always) shorter than the preface and is an essay that explains how and why the text was written. If you care about the writer's personal life and the creative process, don't skip it.
- Sometimes the author can speak directly to the reader to introduce him to the book and explain his intent. This type of introduction is most frequently found in books dealing with scientific or current topics.
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Decide whether to read the conclusion, usually written by several authors.
- The conclusion consists of various essays concerning the book itself. It is generally included in academic study editions. John Steinbeck's “Furore” is an example.
- Reading this section is totally optional.
- If you enjoyed the book, the conclusion will allow you to revisit it. If you have not understood its importance, you can discover its historical and cultural context, often ignored if you do not know the time in which it was written.
Read a Book Step 4 Step 4. Determine how much time to spend on the book
Reading is an experience that absorbs you and makes time fly. Set the alarm on your mobile to determine the time spent reading and use a bookmark. That way, you'll really enjoy the text but won't get distracted from your busy schedule.
Method 2 of 3: Read a Collection of Essays or Poems
Read a Book Step 5 Step 1. The collections are divided into various sections and the index helps you to quickly find the excerpt you want to read
Some even have a final index, which contains a list of keywords and other important terms flanked by the numbers of the pages they are on.
An effective way to read a collection is to start with the pieces that interest you and then move towards others based on your emotions, leaving the more boring ones at the end
Read a Book Step 6 Step 2. Aside from poems as long as a book (such as William Carlos Williams' "Paterson", Dante's "Divine Comedy" or Homer's "Iliad"), the collections can be read in any order you like
- Create a personal reading experience instead of following the collection from start to finish. It will surprise you and you will like the opportunity to reserve the most beautiful pieces for yourself at the beginning and not get bored along the way to finally be able to read them.
- Keep your eyes open. As you get used to the tone of the book, the parts that seemed boring at first may become more interesting.
Read a Book Step 7 Step 3. Read interactively
Write your impressions on the book to highlight your favorite parts: the reading experience will be much more enjoyable and less an end in itself.
- Take notes of what you read. Mark the page numbers and the names of the authors of the excerpts that catch your attention, so you can review them in the future.
- Write on the book with a pencil, but only if it is yours, otherwise dedicate a journal to reading. Do this even when you read a novel or any other book: this exercise will enrich you.
Method 3 of 3: Read a Textbook
Read a Book Step 8 Step 1. Take notes
Textbooks are hardly ever read for pleasure. Generally, they are used to obtain information and to study, therefore they require concentration and organization to identify the main themes. Keep a notebook handy as you read.
- Organize your reading. Read one paragraph at a time, stop and write a summary of a few sentences.
- Review the results at the end of the session: you will get a personal copy of all the necessary information. Make sure the sentences make sense.
Read a Book Step 9 Step 2. Read the chapters that interest you:
it is not always necessary to read from start to finish. However, don't jump from side to side, otherwise you may not understand much about it. If you only need to read one section, take some time to get an idea of what the entire chapter is about.
- Understand what you read better. Reading a chapter sequentially will give you solid context, and it will be easier to learn and remember.
- Once you've made your summary and extrapolated the important parts of a chapter, there's no need to reread it.
Read a Book Step 10 Step 3. Be consistent
Typically, textbooks are used to prepare for an exam. These texts are full of information and flow slowly, so start reading them early and taking notes.
During the week, set aside days to dedicate to your textbook. Write a study plan months before the exam
Advice
- Reading is enjoyable and useful, but sometimes audio books are a better choice; for example, they can accompany you on a trip, especially if you can't read about transportation.
- Do you have a book but aren't sure if it's worth reading? Scroll through the first chapter or the first 20 pages: they don't involve you? Then you will hardly like it.
- If you borrow books from the library, mark the return dates to avoid paying a fine and not to disrespect other users.
- Read when you're in the mood. If you are distracted, angry, or too worried to concentrate, you won't be left with much of this experience.
- If you like foreign literature and speak more than one language, take the opportunity to read the original versions of the books.
