Thank you, Rana, for this useful piece. You know what, you remind me of my dad's advice, he also advises me to read a book twice and never chase the trend of reading a fancy number of books without having a deep understanding of them! Your advice is valuable and applicable!
Glad you love it! I think the best way to truly understand a book is to read it more than once. Sometimes we miss key information the first time but catch it the second or third. Try it out and let me know what you think
Excellent ideas. One reading that I’m thinking of trying is to listen to a book in audio format before attempting to read a hard copy. In this case, the book is Iran: A Modern History.
I’ve read some 20th century Iranian history during COVID. But this book begins in the 1500s. I found myself glazing over a bit when attempting the hard copy version. But the fog started to lift when hearing long portions of the audio version.
Thank you! Is that by Abbas Amanat? I’ve tried reading that as well and it was a behemoth! I think doing a mix of audiobooks and maybe watching some videos on YouTube explaining the history will make reading the book at a later date much easier (since it primes your brain and the knowledge isn’t so new anymore)
your post truly came at the right time — i feel so inspired to tackle challenging books. i really struggle to push myself to engage in the content because i put myself down a lot for feeling stupid.
thanks so much this post — please don’t stop providing your insights 🫶🏻
Yay 🤍 of course. And trust me, I’ve had my fair share of moments feeling “stupid” while I read. Just remind yourself that you might not understand it now but you will eventually, because the learning curve is actually making you smarter! The only way to grow intellectually is to challenge yourself
Hi, Rana. Read this post a while ago. And ever since, while reading, i keep in mind, that I will read it again, that i don't have to understand it in the first go. Reading has been so much easir amd fun since.
I love this post! I am in law school so the points you mentioned can help me there A LOT. Also this post can at such a good time, I am currently waiting to delve into Political books this summer and now I have the perfect guide to follow 🤭
This was perfectly timed for me because I am currently reading Thinking Fast and Slow😂😂. This has encouraged me to continue because it has been a difficult read. Thank you.
Thank you! I’m currently reading a book from the 60’s in English (my first language is Danish). I dropped it 60 pages in because it took forever to read, because it was so difficult. But you inspired me to pick it up again :-)
I really like the idea of "reading seasons", I admit.
There are some books that I have intentionally left for another stage of my life, but the advice about research is really something I will pay attention to and think about!
I would like everything I read to be as simple and enjoyable as what I just read, thank you for the tips, I will put them into practice right now. And I subscribe, of course!
Thank you, Rana, for this useful piece. You know what, you remind me of my dad's advice, he also advises me to read a book twice and never chase the trend of reading a fancy number of books without having a deep understanding of them! Your advice is valuable and applicable!
Thank you 🤍 your dad has great advice!
Absolutely love it Rana! Especially breaking down the different roles each (re-)read has. That never occurred to me.
Glad you love it! I think the best way to truly understand a book is to read it more than once. Sometimes we miss key information the first time but catch it the second or third. Try it out and let me know what you think
Someone told me that we don’t read a book, we read the level of our consciousness which actually makes sense
Wild timing of your post. Just put bunch books on hold at the library. On Behavioral Economics, psychology, and one business biography.
I love behavioural economics! If you get a chance, read Misbehaving by Thaler. It’s my personal favourite.
I like Mental Accounting by Thaler, but probably because it was my first introduction to the concept.
Adding it now!
Excellent ideas. One reading that I’m thinking of trying is to listen to a book in audio format before attempting to read a hard copy. In this case, the book is Iran: A Modern History.
I’ve read some 20th century Iranian history during COVID. But this book begins in the 1500s. I found myself glazing over a bit when attempting the hard copy version. But the fog started to lift when hearing long portions of the audio version.
Thank you! Is that by Abbas Amanat? I’ve tried reading that as well and it was a behemoth! I think doing a mix of audiobooks and maybe watching some videos on YouTube explaining the history will make reading the book at a later date much easier (since it primes your brain and the knowledge isn’t so new anymore)
Yes, that’s the one. I’ve listened it to it some on long car rides. It’s definitely a challenge. But I want to understand the history better.
Currently, I’m read Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament. It’s a readable (and short) Old Testament background study.
I don't know why I struggle to focus on audio books. I'm listening, focused, and three days later I can't remember anything.
That's why using it as a test and buying the book if it is interesting is a really great way to use audio books.
Thank you 🤍 This is what I really needed as a person trying to expand my reading scope
🤍🤍
Converse with the author. Write your questions. Note the things you want to search deeper. Question the arguments. It really is a conversation.
your post truly came at the right time — i feel so inspired to tackle challenging books. i really struggle to push myself to engage in the content because i put myself down a lot for feeling stupid.
thanks so much this post — please don’t stop providing your insights 🫶🏻
Yay 🤍 of course. And trust me, I’ve had my fair share of moments feeling “stupid” while I read. Just remind yourself that you might not understand it now but you will eventually, because the learning curve is actually making you smarter! The only way to grow intellectually is to challenge yourself
Hi, Rana. Read this post a while ago. And ever since, while reading, i keep in mind, that I will read it again, that i don't have to understand it in the first go. Reading has been so much easir amd fun since.
Aw this makes me so happy to hear 🤍
P.S. just shared your post with another writer who talked about how difficult it was for her to read books in uni
I love this post! I am in law school so the points you mentioned can help me there A LOT. Also this post can at such a good time, I am currently waiting to delve into Political books this summer and now I have the perfect guide to follow 🤭
This was perfectly timed for me because I am currently reading Thinking Fast and Slow😂😂. This has encouraged me to continue because it has been a difficult read. Thank you.
Thank you! I’m currently reading a book from the 60’s in English (my first language is Danish). I dropped it 60 pages in because it took forever to read, because it was so difficult. But you inspired me to pick it up again :-)
This is amazing! Also, I really think self-help books are stupid AF
I really like the idea of "reading seasons", I admit.
There are some books that I have intentionally left for another stage of my life, but the advice about research is really something I will pay attention to and think about!
I would like everything I read to be as simple and enjoyable as what I just read, thank you for the tips, I will put them into practice right now. And I subscribe, of course!