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Writer's pictureHarshal

How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading

Book Review: 2/5 Impact On Me (Book By Mortimer J. Adler)


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I was eagerly anticipating this book, hoping it would match the quality of "How We Learn" by Benedict Carey. However, it didn't prove as valuable to me. I appreciated its approach to book selection. The book emphasizes that when you look at a book, your main task is to decide if it's the right type for you. Once you read the title, you have the choice to open the book. If you do open it, you should start by exploring the table of contents to see if anything interests you. If you find something intriguing, then you move to the next steps. These might include reading the foreword or introduction, or perhaps the last page of the book, which often summarizes why you should read it. I liked this structured approach to reading and the idea that you don’t have to read every book you come across.


However, beyond this point, the book lost its appeal to me. It focused on thoroughly understanding a book by paying close attention to details, sentences, and explanations. This approach felt more suited for reading a textbook rather than for leisure reading. I didn't find much to apply to my reading habits, especially since I typically listen to audiobooks at 3x speed on Audible, so I might not be the intended audience. Despite this, I plan to pay more attention to the titles of chapters in the books I listen to or read, a takeaway inspired by this book.

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