We get this question all the time:
How can I engage more deeply in my reading beyond asking basic questions and interpreting the text/author? I want to think deeply about the text in front of me, remember more than just the main themes and ideas, and be able to fully formulate my thoughts on books, authors, genres, or eras.
some of our Famous Tips: :
- Make your comments the beginning of an in-depth read, not the end. When you finish a book, go back to your notes, underlines, and marginalia and synthesize them into a more cohesive reflection on the work. This could be in the form of a reading journal, a review (even if you don’t post it anywhere), or a voice note to a bookish friend.
- Don’t just read a book, read About this Book. Look for editions that include introductions from experts. When an annotated or expanded edition is not available, look for reputable reviews, essays by literary critics and scholars, and other supporting materials to help contextualize the work.
- Pay attention to the questions you have after finishing the book. What are you still thinking about? What new thoughts does it spark for you? How does it connect or differ from other books you’ve read?
Becoming well-read is a journey, not a destination, and like most adventures, it’s better with friends. come join us Zero to well-readWhere I sat down with Rebecca and Jeff for our summer mailbag episode to answer our listeners’ burning questions. From reading habits and reading alike to episode feedback and family cameos, a good and informative, and sometimes silly, time was had.
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