Books are one of life's simple pleasures. Whether you're reading fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or a heavy school text, this guide will help you learn to make the best of that experience.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Basic Steps
Step 1. Choose a book
If you are going to read fiction or non-fiction (which is found in most bookstores), you will do it for your personal taste, so choose the topics that interest you or that entertain you. Once you have some ideas, there are other sources that can help you choose one that you like. If you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction stories, you can easily search online to find stories that fall into those categories. There are many places to look on the Internet so finding a good story will not be difficult.
- Visit a library. Your neighborhood or city library is a good place to look for books, because if you see one that interests you, you won't have to pay anything to read it. Tell the librarian what interests you and ask him to recommend one or two areas of the library where you can find books that are to your liking.
- Ask the people around you. Good friends and relatives may recommend books based on what they have read and enjoyed and think you will like too. But be careful because some people like long stories and others don't. For example, if you like science, just look for science books.
- Look on the Internet. The Internet is full of book lovers who will be happy to give their opinion on their readings. Find a community that discusses books and finds the topics you like, or head over to an online book store and check out readers' opinions on that book you're thinking of reading. In both ways you will have a quick idea of what is the most sought after in terms of books of different genres.
- Join a group event. Book clubs are a great way to get in touch with new books.
- Many book clubs are focused on particular genres of books, such as science fiction or romance, but some are more general.
- Fiction book readings are common in independent book stores.
- Sometimes you can find nonfiction writers giving presentations or lectures at large book stores. Come and listen to them to decide if their book sounds attractive to you and if you would like to read it, and learn a little more about a topic that interests you. Some books start with short explanations, so try not to get bored after reading the first few pages. Remember that every story has something to teach.
Step 2. Get the book you want to read
There are a few ways to do this:
- Borrow it from the library. The great thing about this decision is that it is free and simple. If you are not a member of any library, please stop by to find out how to become a member.
- Many libraries allow you to electronically reserve a copy of the book you want, and then notify you when the book is available so you can stop by and take it with you.
- Keep in mind that if you are trying to find a book that is too popular, you may have to wait a long time before getting a copy.
- Buy it. Go to a book store or magazine stand and buy the book that you like. The advantage of this method is that with a little work you can find even the most searched book and read it right away. The downside of this is that you have to pay to have it.
Since you're paying, be sure to pick up the book and read a few pages before you buy it to decide if you like the author's style when coming across the first few paragraphs
- Borrow it. Friends and family who recommended the book will generally be able to lend you a copy of the recommended book, and you can keep it until you finish reading it.
Make sure you take care of the books you borrow and read them in a timely manner so you don't forget about them and leave them gathering dust on a shelf for a year
- Buy it online. With smartphones and e-readers in recent years, electronically published editions of previously printed books are becoming more and more common.
- The cost of buying a virtual book is usually less than buying the printed copy, so if you have an e-book reader, you can save a little money. Don't buy large books if you know you won't finish them. (It is recommended to buy them one at a time).
- Like an ink and paper book, you will be able to keep the e-book once you have purchased it.
- Remember that electronic editions are more difficult to take with you if you are going on a trip or camping.
Step 3. Start reading your book
Find a comfortable place to sit, make sure you have enough light, and open it. Start at the beginning, which are usually the first chapters, unless there are some parts that are not always present at the beginning, and read each page until you finish the book. If there is any material at the end, wait until you finish reading the book to read it.
- Decide whether or not you will read what is there before the novel begins. These optional parts of the book are usually four. You can decide whether or not you want to read it. These four parts are:
- Acknowledgments: a short section that mentions people who helped the author during the writing process. You can read the acknowledgments if you want, but most people omit them. You may find them at the end of the book.
- Preliminary words: Preliminary words are usually written by other people than the author of the book and are generally found in later editions of books that have had some impact in the past, because they have won an award or because of the topic covered in it. In this brief introduction, highlights of the book and the reasons for reading it are mentioned.
- Preface: The preface is written by the author of the book. It is usually shorter than the opening words and is basically a text in which the author explains how and why he wrote that book. If you are interested in the author's personal life or the creative process, the preface can provide valuable information.
- Introduction: the introduction is the place where the author speaks directly to the reader and presents the book, reviewing what is in it and begins to predispose the reader to want to read it. Introductions generally appear in nonfiction books and less frequently in fiction books.
- Decide whether or not you will read the material at the end of the book. This material is usually texts by different authors that appear at the end of the book.
- Usually this material at the end of the book is a compendium of essays or editorials based on the book, and is often not found in non-study editions.
- As with the material in front of the book, whether or not to read the back is entirely optional.
- If you enjoyed the book, the material at the end of it may give you the chance to go back over some parts; If you did not understand the importance of the book, it can give you an important cultural and historical context. Otherwise, most people will ignore it.
Step 4. Take your time
Reading a good book is a demanding task that makes your time fly. Have a bookmark handy and make sure you don't spend too much time reading it in one sitting. Put a dialer on your phone and see if you beat the time. This way you will enjoy the book for longer, avoid running against time and forgetting other responsibilities because of the book.
Method 2 of 3: Read a Book of Poems or an Essay
Step 1. Review the table of contents or index
Most of these books are made up of smaller pieces and have an index that makes it easy to find the content. Some have the index at the end and there may also be an alphabetical index to find the word you need in the corresponding sheets.
An effective way to start a book of poetry or an essay is to take a chapter that you find interesting and turn the pages until you get to it. Read it to see what you think about it; Following the same method, then keep searching this way to find more of what you like and save the least interesting for last
Step 2. Go back and forth
Aside from poems as long as the book, most collections of shorter writings can be read in the order you prefer. Search the index and go straight there, stopping whenever something catches your eye.
- Make your own way. Approach the book according to your personal tastes rather than trying to read through it. You will be surprised and enjoy doing it this way, instead of feeling like you have to make an effort to move forward with things that don't interest you while you wait for the good to come.
- Keep your eyes open. As you get used to the tone of the book, things that seemed unimportant will start to seem interesting to you, and you will always have something else to read.
Step 3. Read interactively
Get in the habit of writing in the margins of your book to highlight your favorite parts. You will enjoy it much more so if you do it in the ordinary and traditional way.
- Bring a list of what you read. Write down page numbers or author names that you enjoyed so that you can come back to them in the future when you get the chance again.
- Use a pencil. If the book is yours, think about marking it with a pencil where you see a phrase or word that catches your attention.
Method 3 of 3: Read a Textbook
Step 1. Take notes
It is possible to read a textbook for fun, but it is not the most common. Most people read textbooks because they search for information, and textbooks are often sources of information concentrated in a single volume, conveniently organized. To get the most out of your textbook, have a notepad nearby before you start reading.
- Set a rhythm. Read one paragraph at a time, then stop and make a few notes about what you just read. Try to summarize it in one or two phrases or sentences.
- Check your results. At the end of the session, you will have a personal copy of all the information you need. Read it again to make sure it still makes sense.
Step 2. Read by chapters
In most cases, it is not necessary to read a textbook from cover to cover in full, but it is not very convenient to skip sections. Instead, every time you have a chapter to read, make it a point to read it all.
- Understand more than what you read. Reading the entire chapter in order once will give you the context you need for the information and make it easier for you to understand and remember.
- Take a reconnaissance lap, like cars in races. There will be no need to read everything back after the first read. Then you can search where you found the most important thing.
Step 3. Stay up to date
If you are reading a textbook, it is probably because you are taking a subject that requires it. Textbooks are dense and slow to read, so the best technique is to start early and try to keep pace with the class.
Respect the moment of study. Define a time of day during which you will read the textbook and it will be much easier than trying to read everything together near the test
Advice
- If it is a book that you have enjoyed a lot, such as mystery, suspense, magic and fantasy, trilogy or realistic fiction, relax, close your eyes and transport yourself to that place.
- If you read a textbook, be vigilant to identify concepts, principles, laws, and things like that.
- If you find yourself reading a book that you're not sure you're enjoying, but want to give it a try, read the first chapter or the first 20 pages, whichever comes first. If it doesn't get your attention, it probably never will.
- Although it is more like being read than what happens in your brain when you read, audiobooks can be a good option for certain situations. Audiobooks are recorded book readings used in audio players. They can be a decent alternative if you must read a book on your way home, to work, or on a long trip.
Warnings
- Read when you're in the right mood. If you are distracted, angry, or too preoccupied to focus, you won't keep much of what you read, and you probably won't remember any of this the next day.
- Don't forget to keep track of the library's expiration dates. Pay back or renew loans on time so you don't have to pay fees. (Find your favorite author and always try to take his books with you first!)