How to Read
with Michael Bevel
practical advice for the careful reader
Compassionate Reading
A way of reading that's slow, attentive, and generous — to the book, and to yourself. Five small habits:
- 1 Read it twice. Any book worth reading is worth reading twice — at least. The first time the plot carries you; the second, you see how it was built.
- 2 Mark up your book. Use the margins you paid for. Track the characters, the things to look up, and the moments that matter.
- 3 Highlight with a system. A little colour, used consistently, turns a book into a map you can find your way back through.
- 4 Introductions can wait. Read them if you like — but they often give the ending away. Come to the book fresh when you can.
- 5 You are not too dumb for this. You can understand any novel. Compassionate reading begins with being kind to yourself as a reader.
