It is not important how many books and articles you have read. Important thing is, what you have read and how well you have read it.

Quit Books

The best way to like reading and to read more is to quit books quickly. It doesn’t mean fast reading or leaving the book halfway. It means choosing appropriate books. Choose books that have some values and/or books that interest you. To do that:

1. Start books quickly and give them up easily.
2. Skim a lot of books. Read a few. Immediately re-read the best ones twice. You will never read a great book if your time is consumed with poor books.

Levels of Reading

How you read is as important as what you read. There should be a specific reason to read.

1. Reading to Entertain — The level of reading you do during your school or for relaxation or entertainment.
2. Reading to Inform — You skim to explore some new subject, or topic or just to get the gist of some book or article.
3. Reading to Understand — Read thoroughly each and every point, reference and even footnote to get or understand what the author wants you to know.
4. Reading to Master — If you just read one book on a topic, odds are you have a lot of blind spots in your knowledge. Synoptical reading is reading a variety of books and articles on the same topic, finding and evaluating the contradictions, and forming an opinion.

Do not fall for Speed Reading.

Apart from just the feeling of “I have read it”, it won’t do any good. You won’t remember anything and you won't learn anything. Speed reading helps when you want to skim broadly to find something worth reading. Then dive in slowly and deeply.

Choose Great Books

Reading classics is always the best option over new sex-appealing titles. New books seem amazing because of marketing and interviews but give it time. If it is a good book it will find its way to you.

Read the best ones twice.

Creator Resources

Original Source: Farnam Street Blog
Original Source Link: Reading Better: Retaining and Applying What You Read