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[–]DayGameChirality14 points15 points16 points 8 years ago* (3 children) | Copy Link
I strongly disagree on not reading fiction books. Check out some Dune by Frank Herbert, or Stanisław Lee's books, or even The Witcher. People disqualify fiction as if everything was Harry Potter class, but it isn't. The sci-fi/fantasy books that are truly worth reading are full of deep insights on life, social constructs, philosophy, even meta physics (think Dune especially).
And if you're like me, you get really bored with reading mostly theoretical books. If they're not well written it feels worse than a chore. I am happier reading some* good* fantasy
[–]GuruDev10004 points5 points6 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
+1 for Witcher series. They have some beautiful representation of human behaviour, unlike the regular popular works of fictions. And they are awesome to read too.
[–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I'm with you on Fantasy. That's the fiction genre I really read anymore.
[–]Maccabaei0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
But with selections. Go for classics and Nobel laureates in literature to the front of the line such as Camus, Marquez etc
[–]Attacker87910 points11 points12 points 8 years ago (11 children) | Copy Link
You got a general recommendation list? I'd like to see what types of books you read. I just finished The Selfish Gene by Dawkins so now looking for a general direction as to where to go next.
[–]Hypnot0ad10 points11 points12 points 8 years ago* (2 children) | Copy Link
I would also be interested.
Here are some that I've found to be excellent: * No More Mr. Nice Guy * Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion * Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It
I second the recommendation for No More Mr. Nice Guy. Easy to read, but you'll feel the reverberation of each and every sentence. It goes deep! :-)
Any thought on the Negotiating book?
[–]TunedtoPerfection5 points6 points7 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Models by Mark Manson. You will have to find a used copy or download the off from online, easy to find. The printer will do a print of demand if you really want a paperback
[–][deleted] 4 points5 points6 points 8 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
If you liked the selfish gene, the extended phenotype is a slightly more complicated but worthwhile read. If you want to branch out from there to evolutionary psychology (the evil scientific granddaddy of trp) I just started the mating mind, whose theory is that the brain is an expensive signal of mating fitness like a peacocks tail.
[–]Attacker8792 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
Hey nice! I was thinking about just starting The Moral Animal by Wright.
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Yeah I saw that one on a "top 5 evo psych list" I went with two from the middle, also the Evolution of Desire. Decided to skip Pinker.
[–]Psychocist0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Some great books that have had a dramatic effect on my life for the better:
[–]Shaman66242 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (3 children) | Copy Link
The average book has 300 pages. With your 3x20 method you read 60 pages a day. That is not 20 books a year. It's 73 books a year.
[–]Rares5555[S] 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Edited, thank you for your observation. I was in a hurry when I made the calculus.
[–]thatfatfuck-2 points-1 points0 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
What books are you reading that are only 300 pages?
[–]Rares5555[S] 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
That really is the average, my friend. I’d even say 250 is the average size of a book.
[–]stampadbag2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
I agree with everything except what you believe about audiobooks, but I grew up listening to them so I think my ears are trained now. I also am not afraid to go back a chapter and re listen if I believed to be passively listening. I think they are most effective for 30+minute car rides or activities (walking dog etc). I read as well though.
[–]Rares5555[S] 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
Might be that, yes. I grew up with paperback, never listened to an audio book, but have heard only bad things from my friends who are also into books in physical form.
As with e-readers, well, they might be good, but they just don’t do the trick.
I’m fortunate enough to live in a country where books really a bargain and a four-year membership to the biggest library in my city is basically free. (It’s around 1€ given my country’s currency). Plus, my dad told me that he won’t ever buy me a Ferrari (not that we could even afford that), but he’ll finance every book I want to buy, since he is a man that wants his son to cultivate himself.
So yeah, never needed to give up paperbacks.
[–]Raggos0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
What exactly about e-readers (like a Kindle) is not good? Find it very practical, because some very, very obscure books you simply can't just order and get them...
Then again, I also wish to have a library full of the books I'm reading one day...
[–]TRPTosser2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
Read paperback. E-books and audiobooks are shit to me. You’ll never tire/ruin your eyesight looking at paper, and I believe that all this audiobook listen-while-you-drive-to-work is a fucking gimmick. Get your hands on a real book.
Lulz.
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO DO THINGS AND IT'S MY WAY.
[–]Rares5555[S] 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
That’s usually how I go through life. 😂
[–]IRedEver7 points8 points9 points 8 years ago (6 children) | Copy Link
Way back when I started studying I spent ALOT of time reading and memorizing things I read. Reading would occupy maybe half of my days.
After a few years I developed new reading techniques which allowed me to read the same amount of pages in less than half of the time. When I studied for my master's degree at advanced level they required us to read, summerize and analyse books in every course I took. In the end I was able to summerize a 500 pages book in 3-4 days, studying only 2-4 hours a day.
Learning speed reading is an awesome way to boost your efficiency. There's various tools for this online today such as https://www.spreeder.com/
There are various other techniques to boost how much you remember from a book, such as reading it multiple times in the following fashion: 1. Read through the index 2. Skim through the book, reading only the headlines and the following 1-2 sentences 3. Speed read through the book (take a 2 min pause after each chapter) 4. Re-read and mark important sentences 5. Summerize the book in a document (Take a 1 min pause between each step)
When I teached at uni (Scientific theory and study techniques) some students claimed that these techniques did not work with them, and it is true that it might not work for you, the important thing is that you practice finding your own way of studying and this can be one way to start.
OP's advice to split up the reading and take notes is solid advice. This will help you create a good habit and refresh your memory more easily.
[–]jurguenklomiken2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
I didn't know that skimming through the book was good for retention. I do it all the time now, butI felt like cheating or that it was a result of not being able to focus.
Also, the more I read or learn by other means about a subject, the more I skim through. It's like I already know what it's going to say or happen. Problem is I might be missing some nuanced content.
[–]IRedEver2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
If you are worried that you will miss out important parts I can recommend re-reading. You can also read reviews others wrote about the book to get some perspective.
Another, but more advanced technique, is "getting to know" the author. Most people have their own distinct way of writing, this is true even for academic litterature. It usually takes me 100 pages or so to understand how someone structures the pages, after that the reading usually goes faster.
Try looking for things like:
Where does the author make his key points? Perhaps in the beginning or the end of the chapter?
Are stories and quotations being used to make a point or are they analyzed continiously in the text? If the latter is true, you can usually skip reading the quotes since they will be explained fully anyway.
After each chapter, ask yourself "What was the point of this chapter?" The brain has an amazing ability to piece together information.
How does the author summerize the findings? Most refer to previous chapters in some fashion. Look for these passages.
Another really good thing to do is to read books together with someone else and then discuss them. Or maybe check out some related forum / subreddit?
[–]DayGameChirality0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
I have a problem in that I read very very slow, I keep having to go back to re-read the sentence or paragraph or page before
[–]IRedEver0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
There are many ways to overcome this. I had the same problem when I was younger. Given that you do not have dyslexia (which can be mitigated by simply reading alot) I would suggest the following:
The way I improved my studies was to read up on neurology and cognitive science. I found that sometimes when the brain is bored you will loose focus. The reason I had to re-read sentences all the time wasn't that I was reading too fast, I was reading too slow.
One core concept of speed reading is that most people have learned to read the wrong way. We learn to vocalize everything we read, out aloud or in our minds. Usually this is not needed. Our brain is masterful when it comes to putting patterns together.
In psychology research there are several papers that demonstrates that reading is a larger psychological process than simply saying out words aloud. There's an internet meme about this in the form of a quote:
"it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae..."
Although simplified, it can demonstrate how powerful our brains are. I would suggest you tried speed reading which relies on not reading the words out aloud, but instead practice on pattern recognition. (IE. You know that a STOP sign says STOP without you reading it out aloud, this effect can be increased and practiced to improve your reading)
If this does not help try to find the root cause. Are you bored? Do you lack reading experience? Is it the medium? (print vs screen)
[–]ObjectiveBuffoon6 points7 points8 points 8 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
Personally in the beginning of Fountainhead (Ayn Rand), I'd suggest any of her books, especially Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. She's a libertarian and fantastic fiction writer.
[–][deleted] 3 points4 points5 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
She's a shit writer (she really, really needed a great editor) but A.S. and/or T.F.H. should be required reading for everyone.
[–]ObjectiveBuffoon-1 points0 points1 point 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Agreed she sure needs a great editor, but there is an art to her writing.
[–]CrazySpaceships 1 points1 points1 points 8 years ago [recovered] | Copy Link
Good advice. I read somewhere that if you read 3 books about a subject, you are considered an "expert" cause you know more than 90/95%(?) of the population about it (I think it was from Tim Ferris).
I can only recommend eBooks because:
From time to time I buy some paperback books because the feeling is something completely different.
But in the end, you have to decide for yourself.
Indeed. And if you're only reading for 30 minutes at a time, it's not like your eyes will get strained from that
The Harry Potter thing was more of an irony. As for “Dunes”, I have the books in my house, my dad just devoured them.
I’m not saying “do not read science fiction”. I’m saying there’s much more to learn from theory books, which in the end is more helpful.
[–]Sensei_Hensei0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
Peope listen to music while reading?
[–]Rares5555[S] 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
They do. However most of them can’t understand a thing of what they’re reading.
Some of my friends would listen to rainforest sounds while on public transport to minimize the talking.
And I used to listen to classical music while reading. I don’t do that anymore, however.
I listen to classical music while reading. But agree with you to some points about the distraction.
[–]jcollazos930 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
brown noise is useful in situations where you need to concentrate but music is distracting or youre in a loud place.
[–]bananabankr 1 points1 points1 points 8 years ago [recovered] | Copy Link
I disagree with one point, don't buy paperbacks and read ebooks instead.
It makes it easier to look up words you don't the meaning of in a dictionary (ctrl c, ctrl v etc). Especially as a non native speaker this useful.
You can easily mark important parts in an ebook. Very handy for when you reread the book and/or if you want to write a summary later on
It saves trees
And it saves money. You either pirate or buy the ebook, both of which are cheaper than paperback.
And here is a must read book, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this yet:
David Buss - The evolution of desire
Thanks for the recommendation, I will give it a try. And to your point, I’ll say you’re right, however:
1) Most of us have smartphones that have built-in dictionary apps, which is essentially the same thing.
2) There are markers and pencils for underlining paragraphs in a book. Plus, look up “kinetic memory” (aka you remember more if you underline and write down)
3) Yes, it does. However, you cannot deny that looking at an entire 100 book bookshelf and going “fuck I read this all this year” is not cool.
4) I have no problem with this. Fair point.
[–]AGameofTrolls0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Thanks for the recommendation. I will start with it today.
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
I would argue with your claim against ebooks. I had a library full of hundreds of books. I now have a kindle. Yes I have a few books still but I have an entire library that will fit in my back pocket.
I don't think anyone can argue that reading a real book feels better. If I had the money to shell out $20-30 a book and room to store them I would. But I'd rather pay $5 a book a save a lot of room.
I get you all, and now that I see a lot of you are against my statement about ebooks. However, I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again:
Reading paperbacks improves comprehension, hence you can physically underline, note down ideas, etc.
The price on books in my area is very low. Yes, we have 20-30$ books, but the rest are between 10-15$. Also, we have like street vendors who sell used books for stupidly cheap prices. No joke, I’ve literally bought a 30$ theoretical book which was in great shape for 3$.
Any Ayn Rand books are highly recommended. My favorite is the Fountainhead but most people recommend Atlas Shrugged.
[–]DrownRanger47-1 points0 points1 point 8 years ago* (1 child) | Copy Link
Nice post OP. Another good tip is to take everything you read with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to non-fantasy books. If you are interested more about the subject, here is a yt video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k7jeQQdqPA&t=3s
Also, if you are interested in reading a book and getting the most out of it, you should check this link too: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/06/17/how-to-read-a-book/
[–]Yankee_Fever-3 points-2 points-1 points 8 years ago (4 children) | Copy Link
Just another trash post pretending that humans are capable of things we're not. Have fun reading your 75 books a year
[–]Rares5555[S] 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (3 children) | Copy Link
Can you explain what you wanted to say with this?
I agree that 75 can be overwhelmed for me. However, instead of digging into mistakes, why not focus on the gyst - what the OP (author ) is trying to tell us? Isn't that what make great minds different? ;-)
[–]Yankee_Fever0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
This is some Gary Vaynerchuk guru shit. I'm telling you right now you it is impossible to optimize your time like that unless you grew up in the Hamptons and have lived every second of your life according to schedule since birth.
What’s so hard about prioritizing HALF AN HOUR for reading three times a day?
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