The Best Way To Read A Book

There are three formats to consider when reading books: physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks. All three formats can be viable for reading, depending on the individual's preferences and the purpose of reading. It is important to examine the purpose for which we read, as there are four main reasons why we pick up a book. The first is for relaxation and escapism, simply to enjoy reading. Another reason is to expand our knowledge and learn about various topics. Additionally, we may read to understand a specific subject deeply. Lastly, reading for reference and research is done when we need to extract information from a book to apply it to our own endeavors. The best format for reading depends on personal preference. The advantages of each format are slight. The format that you enjoy and will stick to is the best overall routine. For reading for escapism and fun, physical books are generally considered the best format. Research suggests that people who read physical books are better able to remember the order of events in a story. The tactile sensations of turning pages and remembering where you were in the book may contribute to better memory. Ebooks, especially when read on tablets, can be distracting with access to additional information and activities. Audiobooks can also be enjoyable for fun reading. When I'm doing things like riding my bike walking to work or doing chores around the house, I typically listen to audiobooks. During these activities, I am somewhat distracted and may not pay full attention to the entire story. For example, I might have to navigate a road crossing and miss some parts of the story. Regarding escapism-style reading, paper books are better because they allow for complete immersion. Now, let's consider widening your knowledge base. Being a T-shaped person means having deep expertise in one area and also reading to expand knowledge across various topics. Audiobooks have a slight advantage over other forms of media for expanding knowledge. The need for complete immersion is less important in this context. I, personally, prefer audiobooks because they allow me to multitask. Throughout the day, I can listen to podcasts or music, but I can also choose to listen to an audiobook and gain shallow yet interesting knowledge on a topic. For instance, during my lunch break at work, I listened to Bill Bryson's book on the human body. I don't require an in-depth understanding; I simply want to learn for the sake of learning. Audiobooks are perfect for this purpose. However, when it comes to learning in general, there isn't a significant advantage of ebooks or physical books. Ebooks have certain advantages over physical books. One advantage is the ease of obtaining them on a whim, especially through library programs. Ebooks are particularly useful for research and reference purposes, as they allow for easy searchability. Highlighting and taking notes is also simpler with ebooks, as they can be easily accessed and collected in a centralized location. Some apps, like Readwise, even allow for exporting highlights to other platforms for further organization. Personally, I use Readwise to transfer my Kindle book highlights to my Notion database. I can add notes and use synced blocks to bring highlights and passages into my research area. There is a Readwise app for mobile devices that allows you to take a picture of a printed page and create a highlight. However, this process is slower and more cumbersome compared to creating a quick highlight in the Kindle app. Lastly, reading for deep understanding involves building a vertical bar of knowledge on a specific topic, as opposed to a horizontal breadth of understanding. Paper books have an advantage over ebooks when it comes to maintaining focus and avoiding distractions. This is especially true when reading for deep understanding rather than conducting research. Recently, a friend gave me the ebook version of Alex Hormozi's "$100M Offers." In the first chapter, Hormozi mentions a trick he uses where he listens to the audiobook while following along in the print or ebook version. He claims that this helps him read faster and pay attention to the ebook for longer periods of time. However, it's important to note that this method may not actually increase reading speed objectively. Ebooks are typically narrated at an average speed of 150 words per minute. Skilled readers, on the other hand, can read silently at a speed of 200 to 400 words per minute without losing comprehension. Reading an ebook at a faster speed, like 2x, may not be pleasant. Therefore, reading an ebook may actually be slower compared to silent reading. However, ebooks have an advantage over print books in terms of accessibility. They allow for easy adjustments to font size and dark mode. Ultimately, the best format for reading is the one that is most accessible and enjoyable for the reader. The format of the books is not the most important factor in developing a reading habit. Building a reading habit can be challenging but achievable. One effective tactic is a 90-day reading challenge, where progress is tracked and accountability is established. There are other tricks and strategies for building long-term habits, such as taking a habit-building class. If you have a habit you want to build or have been trying to build without success, and you want effective strategies to make it stick, this class will be beneficial. I have personally taken this class and believe it would be enjoyable for other readers as well.