The Art of Reading: Crafting Habits, Conquering Challenges and Embracing Joy
Professor Manure’s words were a mirror held up to my complacency. The truth reflected was stark: my academic life had become a game of shortcuts and hollow victories. Choosing English as my medium of instruction in a Marathi-speaking college presented the perfect excuse for skipping lectures. I built fortresses of self-justification: the language barrier, the "boring" lectures, the sheer volume of material. But beneath these excuses lay a more profound truth – I'd become allergic to the hard work of learning. Textbooks felt like foreign landscapes, their words dense jungles I wasn't willing to navigate. Passive consumption – Wikipedia entries, and YouTube summaries – had become my preferred mode of engagement. But what was I consuming? Bits and pieces, stripped of context and nuance, leaving me with a hollow, superficial understanding. Professor Manure's challenge was a wake-up call, an invitation to abandon the comfort of my self-built walls and venture into the uncharted territory of true learning.
The Research Began: Phase 1
Level 1: Answering “Why to Read?”
My initial quest for answers led me to YouTube, drawn by the siren song of "Lazy to Read" content. How to Read Effectively Like a CEO is a video That boosted my research speed. I stumbled upon a recurring argument: why spend hours immersed in a book when you can grasp its essence in a video snippet? But a seed of doubt sprouted as I considered the author's journey. Each book represents countless hours of meticulous crafting – painstaking research, revisions guided by experienced advisors, and an outpouring of the author's own life experiences. Think of the year's authors sink into their work, traversing treacherous research paths, consulting experts, and weathering countless drafts. Imagine the financial costs involved – data gathering, travel, collaboration, and the sheer effort of bringing an idea to life. Consider the book, then, as a treasure chest brimming with these investments. And yet, a reader unlocks this wealth with minimal effort, absorbing years of work within a fleeting week or two.
The revelation was a damask to my eyes. Suddenly, the dusty spines on my bookshelf beckoned like sirens. They held promises of wisdom not just gleaned but earned. No longer content with snippets, I craved the tapestry of experience woven into each page. This wasn't just about grades; it was about honouring the author's investment, unlocking the treasure they had crafted. But now, a new question gnawed at me: how does one truly engage with such a treasure? Was reading simply deciphering words, or a dance with ideas, a dialogue with the author's soul? My quest for answers wasn't over; it had only just begun. I devoured guides on active reading, The "how" became a thrilling challenge, another layer to peel back as I ventured deeper into the world of books.
Level 2: Answering the “How to Read?”
I got myself a book called How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler. The 4 types of reading help me understand how I should start reading a book. The four types of reading Mortimer Adler outlines in "How to Read a Book" are:
1. Elementary Reading: This is the most basic level, focused on understanding the literal meaning of words and sentences. It's the level we use when reading for entertainment or basic information.
2. Inspectional Reading: Here, you go beyond surface comprehension to grasp the main ideas and arguments presented in the text. You skim and scan, looking for key points and evidence to support them.
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3. Analytical Reading: This level involves diving deeper into the author's intent and the structure of the text. You analyze arguments, identify biases, and evaluate the author's reasoning. You also pay attention to literary devices and stylistic choices.
4. Syntopical Reading: This is the most advanced level, where you compare and contrast multiple books on the same subject. You look for overarching themes, connections, and discrepancies between different perspectives.
Level 3: Answering “What to Read?”
Fueled by a desire to learn and forge a lasting reading habit, I set my sights on specific niche books. Non-fiction resonated with me, its factual landscapes promising not just entertainment but a deeper understanding of the world. Armed with a curated list of six titles, I embarked on my reading odyssey.
Level 4: The Habit Forming
Starting small felt prudent. Two pages a day, a manageable bite to whet my reading appetite. As I devoured these morsels, my confidence blossomed, and soon, I hungered for more. Ten pages became my daily feast, a challenge initially, but one I met head-on with unwavering resolve.
For a week, the journey felt arduous, my focus wavering like a candle flame in a draft. But then, the absence of books resonated like a deafening silence, the void of knowledge echoing within me. It was a stark reminder of the intellectual riches I had discovered through reading, and with renewed vigour, I plunged back into the world of words.
This time, I dared to dream bigger. Twenty pages in an hour, a seemingly insurmountable Everest. Yet, armed with a newfound determination, I scaled its slopes, experimenting with different reading styles to find my perfect ascent. Reading aloud became a melodic echo of the author's voice while scanning with my eyes felt like a swift exploration of the text's topography. And then, there was reading with the mind, a deep immersion into the author's thoughts, a silent dialogue between my soul and the words on the page.
The journey wasn't always smooth. There were detours, moments of pause, where the book slipped from my grasp. But each time, I returned, my resolve strengthened, my reading muscles toned. By November 2023, I stood at the summit, conquering my most ambitious challenge yet: forty pages in forty-five minutes, a testament to my unwavering commitment.
This wasn't just about speed, but about the depth of my engagement. Forty pages devoured, not skimmed, meant a book a week, a new world unveiled every seven days. My journey from hesitant reader to bookworm was complete, a testament to the transformative power of reading and the unwavering spirit of a curious mind
Level 5: Phase 2
Standing at the summit of my first reading challenge, the view is exhilarating. Not only did I conquer the initial "two pages a day" hurdle, but I discovered something even more profound: the sheer joy of building a habit. Each page turned was a victory, each book finished a testament to the quiet strength of consistency. This newfound joy isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about the feeling of growth, the thrill of unlocking new worlds within the pages of a book.
And now, fueled by this newfound love for the process, I'm ready to embark on the next phase of my journey. But before I dive into the "Why Am I Writing?" challenge, I want to hear from you! What questions do you have about my reading transformation? Did you face similar struggles building habits? Share your thoughts and let's continue this exploration of learning and self-discovery together.