College Prep - How to Read a Book for Success

Probably the most important skill that you will ever acquire is reading. It doesn't matter if you read fast or slow you need to read and read often. Many would argue that reading is no longer necessary for success but that just isn't true. Although some have made it without reading, studies show that the number one common habit among successful people is reading.

But just because you know how to read doesn't mean you are reading as well as you could. You also need to know how to correctly read a book. You need to be able to make the book yours which is an intimate process involving action. You cannot master a book being passive. You must think, envision and imagine what is being conveyed to you by the author.

Like any relationship reading a book is work and what you get out of the relationship is directly related to what you put into it. If you don't get from a book what you expected examine your own actions before you condemn the book or the author.

Were you true to the book reading process? Did you take time to build a relationship between you, the author and the book? Or did you hurry the process, skip the four-play and rush to the climax? Leaving all involved dissatisfied and wanting.

If you truly desire to make a book your own and gleam from it all its treasure. You must develop a habit of reading and a system to enhance that habit. Here are some suggestions to help you get started on in a habit of intelligent reading.

Read the front cover, the back cover and the dust jacket.

First, you must take time to examine the front cover; then read the title and the subtitle. Begin thinking about what the title or subtitle is trying to tell you about the book. Now examine the back cover and read the summary if one is provided, if not read the testimonials. What are they trying to tell you about the author, the book or the content? If there is a dust jacket read what the publisher included here.

Don't rush this process take your time and get to know your book.

Read the table of contents.

Next, turn to the table of contents and read each chapter title. Study the chapter explanations and get a feel for the book's structure. Many authors spend a great deal of time on the table of contents but most readers ignore the table of contents. Start a new habit and spend some time with the table of contents.

Note: If the book has an index take time to go through the index as well.

Read the preface, forward and introduction.

Now, read the preface, the forward and the introduction; read them carefully and thoughtfully. Here you will get your first glimpse of the author's intent. Don't hurry let the message come to you.

Choose a few passages to read.

Open the book and begin to turn the pages, stop occasionally and read a few sentences. Thumb through the book and read a few pages in a row but never more than that. Begin to get a feel for the main theme of the book.

Categorize your books.

By now you should have a pretty good idea of what the book is about and be able to categorize it. This is important because you don't want to read a science book the same way you read a poetry book. There are different types of books and different rules for reading them. Your possible categories are:

• practical
• theoretical
• imaginative
• stories
• history
• science
• mathematics
• canonical
• philosophy
• social science

Knowing where each book belongs determines how you continue the process to make each book your own. So, begin taking your time with your new book or re-kindle the flame with a book from your past. You won't regret it.