Comments on: How do you read a book like a book?

By: Vidya

Vidya — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:45:05 +0000

Hi VJ, like your blog.
If you arenot into fiction your kinda reading works. I am a total bookworm, and since its usually fiction and biographies, its from start to finish. I am a compulsive reader, there has to be a book on my nightstand, and if its a good one I can forgo sleep and complete it, but the downturn of this habit is that i yawn away to glory the next day at work. Your kind of reading may work well for the self help books, and I stopped reading those long time back when I realised that self help books are no help at all, its just someone trying to make money from what we already know.

By: Santy

Santy — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:44:01 +0000

STOP IT GUYS!

I don’t read books so better change the topic! X-( It is so very painful to read this post and how you guys describe it! Reading books? yach!

Just kidding I am yet to start one and all are sleeping in my cupboard. I do not want to disturb them as they are in sound sleep! I myself do not know my style

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:43:11 +0000

I’m looking for workarounds now. Will resume soon.

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:42:50 +0000

Breaking news: My blogging has come to a temporary halt as my internet goes down again

By: Mind, Body & Soul

Mind, Body & Soul — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:39:57 +0000

True.

I agree with both . . .

By: VijayAnil

VijayAnil — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:39:21 +0000

Well I agree with ‘theflyingunicorn’. It all depends on the content of the article/book you opted and your interest while reading. I completed reading books/articles/magazines at a stretch as those are my kind & eagerness to learn & satisfaction is high upon completion.

By: Prithvi

Prithvi — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:38:50 +0000

Topic “How do you read a book like a book?”

Let me bifurcate this question . . .

a) How do you read a book?
b) How a book should be read?
(Hope I read your mind

Ans a) I read a book according to it logical sequence, my favourite/interesting section and most importantly the contents/beginning/epilogue.

Ans b) A book can be read in many ways. Most importantly, it should be read in a way, the reader prefers to do it. Only then the reader can be able to raed, understand and enjoy it.

Prithivi – 3/14 @ 2:04pm – book like a book
Why do you think, a book should only be read? Why are we equating/interpreting/limiting book only to reading?

Why can’t it be listened? I like the tapes available, where the author speaks and narrates the story. It can be for any genre. The experience was very nice. But the sad part here is, not all the great authors, prefer to do so.

Try watching the movie “The Reader” which gave Oscar to Kate Winslet (best actress in 2008). It doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading books. I luv reading, interpreting, learning etc. But my thought is, art/literature kind of important attributes, must not be limited

By: theflyingunicorn

theflyingunicorn — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:38:07 +0000

vj, that does prove you’ve got company, but i fail to see how you arrived at the second part of your conclusion well, style of reading depends on the type of book and objective behind reading it. I love stories with a plot and love to see how the story has been woven together and how much detail has been thought of . . . I have to read from start to finish . . . Not necessarily first word to the last, but i have to go through the sequence . . There are also books where I follow your method . . coffee table books on house designs, magazines and comics . . Most significant of such books are calvin and hobbes and Dilbert . . .

By: Venkateswaran

Venkateswaran — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:52:52 +0000

Hi Vijay,
I think I am diametrically opposite to your style. I cant read a book from the middle. Even this post, I read from the begining to the end.
For me, if I have to read a book, I have to start from the foreword. I have never ever tried other ways!

Who is this Mortimer Adler and his quote on reading. I have never heard his name!!

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:52:46 +0000

And the good news is, I have recovered them all. Would restore them soon

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:46:12 +0000

Sad sad thing people! I deleted some of your comments by mistake while clearing spam. Very sorry

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:32:44 +0000

Hey! I’ve got company! May be it’s not as cranky as originally thought!

By: Ravee!

Ravee! — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:24:20 +0000

Vjy… my style of reading the book is also similar to what yourself and Adler mentioned. The moment I pick up a book I just run through contents and well before that the comments and synopsis palce ont eh back side of the book.
Upon running thru the contents it gives me a basic idea of what authros likes to express/ shares, picking up a chapter / a page based upon my interest and will go thru the same.
Till date I have never read a Magazine completely, even when it comes to text books just picking up randomly a topic according to my mood and will just run thru it quickly and grasping the essence simultaneously.