Sometimes, life just seems to be one race to the next; consequently, consumption and pace are high. We always seem to be doing everything at a fast clip. However, this can be troublesome when it comes to reading. Specifically, when we read books too fast, we absorb less information overall. As a result, only large, impactful plot points get remembered, while, unfortunately, smaller details can often be missed. Therefore, it’s important to find a balance and slow down to truly enjoy the richness of the text.
That leads into my advice for this month:
- Do a slow read
Slow reading is, indeed, the practice of reducing the speed at which you read a book. By doing so, you allow yourself to be more mindful, which in turn enhances comprehension and enables you to get more out of your reading experience. Furthermore, it’s about reducing distractions; for example, you might find yourself rereading beautiful paragraphs or passages. As a result, you become more engaged with the author and their work.
The benefits of slow reading are not just getting more out of a book, but also activating deep thinking, rebuilding focus and memory, and encouraging critical thought.
While starting a slow read can be daunting, there are some tricks to get you started. First, you can pick a book you loved before. Second, you can buddy read with a friend so that the discussion will slow down your consumption. Third, find slow-read projects on the internet and follow along with those.
Three Great Books For Slow Reads
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
Emma is a young woman who has returned from the country to her inherited home in the quirky neighbourhood of St. Crispin, only to discover her ridiculous uncle has squandered away her money. Through journal entries, we listen as Emma tries to find work to improve her financial standing and how the eccentric community around her slowly draws her in. Through friendship with three very different men who see more in her than societal norms, she slowly begins to build a life of her own.
This epistolary series of journal entries is a great way to absorb a book in tiny, bite-sized amounts. Starting on March 5th, you can read each journal entry on the actual day, giving you a chance to annotate and absorb the finer details.
A pandemic has hit the world, with only 1% of the world’s population surviving it. A small group of survivors must navigate this new, unlawful world in the ultimate fight of good versus evil.
Slow Read: The Stand Podcast is perfect to help you get through this massive classic. With chapter assignments only 100 pages long, you can read each segment and then listen to the hosts discuss further. They also add additional content that makes the book more of a production.
Dracula Daily will send you Dracula in small bits at a time from May 3 to November 7. This is the same timeline of letters, diaries, telegrams, and newspaper clippings that Stoker told the story of Dracula through.
New Release For April
If you are interested in knowing more about the above books, check out my latest post over on Substack and subscribe.
Then don’t forget to check out my previous lessons to help your reading life below.
- It’s okay to give up on a book if you just aren’t into it.
- Try a new genre.
- Audiobooks are still books.
- Do a buddy read.
- Have a book handy everywhere and anywhere.
- Track Your Reading.
- Join a Book Club.
- Join a reading challenge.
- Listen to Book Podcasts
- Try shorter books, novellas, or books of short stories.
- Read multiple books at once
- Browse Bookstores and Libraries
- Browse Reading Lists