{"id":4957,"date":"2010-02-01T04:00:56","date_gmt":"2010-02-01T10:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelhyatt.com\/2010\/02\/how-to-read-a-non-fiction-book.html"},"modified":"2010-02-01T04:00:56","modified_gmt":"2010-02-01T10:00:56","slug":"how-to-read-a-non-fiction-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullfocus.co\/how-to-read-a-non-fiction-book\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Read a Non-Fiction Book"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently, my wife, Gail, and I had dinner with some close, neighborhood friends. As we always do with this group, we soon began discussing the books we were reading. A few minutes into the discussion, Gail asked, \u201cSo, how do each of you read a book? What is your practice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of \u00a9iStockphoto.com\/svanhorn<\/div>\n

We then spent the next hour going around the table. Each person shared how they approached reading a book. I was fascinated by the variety and depth of the answers. I picked up several great tips.<\/p>\n

When it came time for me to share, I ticked off three or four things I have found helpful. However, now that I have had a few days to think about it, I have come up with several additional items.<\/p>\n

When I read a non-fiction book, I typically observe these ten practices:<\/p>\n

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  1. Don\u2019t feel that you need to finish.<\/strong> Not to be cynical, but most books aren\u2019t worth finishing. I read until I lose interest. Then I move onto the next book. This is the secret to reading more. I also listen carefully to what my friends recommend. If they suggest a book, I am more likely to like it\u2014and finish it.<\/li>\n
  2. Start with the author bio.<\/strong> Every book flows out of an author\u2019s heart and mind. I want to know something about the person I am going to be spending the next several hours with. Usually, the bio in the book is enough, but often I will Google the author before I start reading.<\/li>\n
  3. Read the table of contents.<\/strong> I learn best when I understand the context. I look at the contents just like I look at a map before I begin a journey. I want to know where we are starting, where we are going, and how we are going to get there. Note to authors: I especially like annotated tables of contents that give me more than just the chapter titles.<\/li>\n
  4. Quickly scan the whole book.<\/strong> I like to do a quick \u201cfly over\u201d to sample the author\u2019s writing. I notice how long the chapters are and how they are structured. I might read a few \u201cpull quotes\u201d or subheads. I note his use of lists, diagrams, and block quotes. I am trying to set my expectations for what is ahead.<\/li>\n
  5. Highlight important passages.<\/strong> I cannot read a non-fiction book without a highlighter. (On the Kindle, I use the built-in highlighter function). I prefer yellow, though I have been known to use pink in a pinch. I highlight anything that resonates with me in some way. The better the book, the more I highlight. I keep lots of highlighters handy in my desk drawer and briefcase.<\/li>\n
  6. Take notes in the front or the margins.<\/strong> I often take notes in the front of the book, so I have a convenient summary of what I have read. I also like to write in the margins. (My wife, Gail, has a written conversation with the author and fills the margins almost completely!) Interestingly, I rarely go back and re-read these notes. They simply help me think while<\/em> I am reading.<\/li>\n
  7. Use a set of note-taking symbols.<\/strong> I use the same set of symbols<\/a> I use when taking notes:\n