I used to ask: “What’s the best way to read a book?”
Wrong question.
That’s paralysis disguised as preparation. Analysis paralysis before I even start reading.
There’s no right way to read.
This is not school. Read however you want. Skim if it’s boring. Deep-dive if it’s fascinating. Dog-ear pages. Highlight nothing. Whatever.
But if I want to actually retain what I read, I ask two questions:
-
“What is this really saying?”
- Force myself to summarize the author’s point in my own words
- Cut through their fluff to find the core message
-
“What does this remind me of?”
- Connect new ideas to things I already know
- Linking concepts makes both more memorable
That’s it. No complex system. No productivity porn.
Read. Question. Connect.
The magic is in engagement, not technique.