What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Read a Book a Day: The Ultimate Guide to Quickly Absorb and Retain Information
The worlds most successful people have always been known to be avid readers and learners which many will claim to be one of the largest contributions to their success in business, love, and life. Take these for "The best advice I ever got was that knowledge was power and to keep reading." -David Bailey "The greatest gift is a passion for reading." -Elizabeth Hardwick "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." -Richard Steele If you love reading books but never have enough time or it takes you too long to finish a book you started then this book is for you! With the techniques laid out in this book you don't have to stay with a book for months before you can apply the principles in the book. Instead you'll be able to absorb the most important content and begin applying it immediately! Lessons -How to find they key elements of a book instantly in order to discover the vital takeaways intended by the author. - Why you only need to understand 20% of a book in order to master the knowledge within. - Comprehension tips to retain information at a higher rate than you would reading word for word. - And much more Get started today and you can be learning how to read a book a day in as little as 2 hours!
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2015
447 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
October 24, 2016
How to Read a Book a Day is a short book that takes less than an hour to read. Surprisingly, it has useful information. It's not new advice; I've heard this technique before, but I like his presentation. Unlike other books and websites on this subject, he explains why and how this technique works. If you're familiar with Pareto's 80/20 principle, then you might know where this book is heading.
I love that he suggests creating mind maps after you've read the book to help you with your review. What's also helpful is that he explains the difference between memorizing and learning. If you can't teach the information in your own words, then you didn't learn it. He recommends that you first practice the technique daily with informational books and to use a different book each day, but you can also use it for fiction. He has a nice list of tips at the end to summarize what you've read which helps to reinforce the information.
He mentions presidents who were well-known for being avid readers and some reading a book a day. A book a day doesn't have to be seven books a week. It can be four or five if you have a busy schedule. I'd love to read and comprehend four or five books a week because I'm currently struggling to read two a week when I have other things going on such as a full-time job, exercise, writing a novel, keeping up with my house, getting together with friends, etc. Time can easily get away from you. If I can read more books in less time, I would be ecstatic.
As a book reviewer, I'm always looking for ways to read more books, but still maintain my comprehension. It's tough when you see other book reviewers reading over 200 books a year and I'm struggling to reach 100. I'm hoping this method works. I haven't actually tried it yet, but that's my project for the week. Ideally, I should wait to review this after I've tried his technique, but I'm feeling confident.
The Kindle book is currently $4.99, but if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free. It's still worth the $4.99, so give it a try.
I love that he suggests creating mind maps after you've read the book to help you with your review. What's also helpful is that he explains the difference between memorizing and learning. If you can't teach the information in your own words, then you didn't learn it. He recommends that you first practice the technique daily with informational books and to use a different book each day, but you can also use it for fiction. He has a nice list of tips at the end to summarize what you've read which helps to reinforce the information.
He mentions presidents who were well-known for being avid readers and some reading a book a day. A book a day doesn't have to be seven books a week. It can be four or five if you have a busy schedule. I'd love to read and comprehend four or five books a week because I'm currently struggling to read two a week when I have other things going on such as a full-time job, exercise, writing a novel, keeping up with my house, getting together with friends, etc. Time can easily get away from you. If I can read more books in less time, I would be ecstatic.
As a book reviewer, I'm always looking for ways to read more books, but still maintain my comprehension. It's tough when you see other book reviewers reading over 200 books a year and I'm struggling to reach 100. I'm hoping this method works. I haven't actually tried it yet, but that's my project for the week. Ideally, I should wait to review this after I've tried his technique, but I'm feeling confident.
The Kindle book is currently $4.99, but if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free. It's still worth the $4.99, so give it a try.
April 29, 2017
Superficial Advice
This was high school 'skim and then read' advice for reading all books. It is unsuitable for novels or most other books that require thought and reflection. What it did point out of value was that, no matter how fast we read, we will read a limited amount of books in our lifetime and we should choose wisely! If someone wants to find out how to read pick up Mortimer Adler's classic 'How to Read a Book'.
This was high school 'skim and then read' advice for reading all books. It is unsuitable for novels or most other books that require thought and reflection. What it did point out of value was that, no matter how fast we read, we will read a limited amount of books in our lifetime and we should choose wisely! If someone wants to find out how to read pick up Mortimer Adler's classic 'How to Read a Book'.
February 11, 2023
Good advice on how to consume books/non-fiction more quickly and effectively! Will try them out as I attempt to read more non-fiction/self-improvement books this year. This book is on KU, but the formatting is so weird that the mind maps and graphics did not show up well despite making the font smaller/larger. And lots of weird, random spaces throughout the text... (read on a Kindle Paperwhite)
February 2, 2024
I don’t like this book all that much. I don’t think books should be skimmed through to pick out a couple key points. It defeats the whole point of reading for me. Speed reading is fine, but he suggests reading the first and last paragraphs of chapters rather than the whole book searching for key points. Why not just speed read the book if that’s the only reason you’re reading it?
I don’t think good books should be read in a week, much less a day. Some books are extremely thorough and take time to digest, question, reflect on and sit with for a few days. Some need to be re-read. To rush through a book like that defeats the purpose of reading. This approach might work for some self help books, but I can’t see myself applying any ideas a of the MRP model to a book written by Robert Greene, Mark Manson or Jordan Peterson.
Booooo
I don’t think good books should be read in a week, much less a day. Some books are extremely thorough and take time to digest, question, reflect on and sit with for a few days. Some need to be re-read. To rush through a book like that defeats the purpose of reading. This approach might work for some self help books, but I can’t see myself applying any ideas a of the MRP model to a book written by Robert Greene, Mark Manson or Jordan Peterson.
Booooo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
Simple easy & to the point
Loved this. Seems silly to read a book about how to read a book a day... I'm so glad I did. Great concepts & ideas. Separates technical books from every day books. This would be great to teach our kids in school!
Loved this. Seems silly to read a book about how to read a book a day... I'm so glad I did. Great concepts & ideas. Separates technical books from every day books. This would be great to teach our kids in school!
November 30, 2023
This is definitely not the ultimate guide to reading. This is a cobbled together high school assignment advertised as a book. For actual useful guides to (speed) reading please refer to these excellent alternatives:
Speed Read Anything: How to Read a Book a Day With Better Retention Than Ever
Speed Reading: A Little-Known Time-Saving Superpower
Reading in the Brain: The Science and Evolution of a Human Invention
Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story
Speed Read Anything: How to Read a Book a Day With Better Retention Than Ever
Speed Reading: A Little-Known Time-Saving Superpower
Reading in the Brain: The Science and Evolution of a Human Invention
Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story
February 25, 2020
Put this book down now
This was terrible! Full of typos, misused words, bad grammar... No great insights either. Don’t waste your time! Put it down!
This was terrible! Full of typos, misused words, bad grammar... No great insights either. Don’t waste your time! Put it down!
November 2, 2024
The book is fine, though I do believe it needed a proofreader. The tips and techniques are something anyone can use to read more often. The only problem now is following the advice. I don't know why I bought this book since I am on track to read a book per day this year.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
June 11, 2024
good read
A practical, concise read. I would recommend. Would have been rated higher if not for the multitude of editing errors and improper wording.
A practical, concise read. I would recommend. Would have been rated higher if not for the multitude of editing errors and improper wording.
July 29, 2024
one star is probably too generous… first of all, the lack of sources in this book is astounding. if you’re going to say “studies show” or “science suggests” consider citing where that information came from, because most of this seems like the author just putting his personal feelings on the page. especially the bit about music making people not retain information, in fact it’s literally the opposite. (https://www.nu.edu/blog/can-music-hel...) see. that’s how you cite a source.
secondly, this book contradicts itself constantly. it will talk about how re-reading is bad, but also lays out a strategy to essentially read a book 3 times. like what?
the “MRP” strategy isn’t… awful, per se, for things like textbooks or very word dense articles and academic journals. but the author claims it can be used for fiction reading, which is just laughable.
it also could have used more editing. “Am saying” among other grammar mistakes. I’m still laughing about “it balls down to” instead of BOILS down to. absolutely insane and really took me out of the reading.
it astounds me how many good reviews this book has. another review said it reads like it was AI generated, and i honestly agree. it comes off to me as some vague pseudoscience that one guy claims is “backed by studies” but those studies are nowhere to be found at the end, just a random picture of dogs. felt more like i was reading a blog post than a book. yikes!
secondly, this book contradicts itself constantly. it will talk about how re-reading is bad, but also lays out a strategy to essentially read a book 3 times. like what?
the “MRP” strategy isn’t… awful, per se, for things like textbooks or very word dense articles and academic journals. but the author claims it can be used for fiction reading, which is just laughable.
it also could have used more editing. “Am saying” among other grammar mistakes. I’m still laughing about “it balls down to” instead of BOILS down to. absolutely insane and really took me out of the reading.
it astounds me how many good reviews this book has. another review said it reads like it was AI generated, and i honestly agree. it comes off to me as some vague pseudoscience that one guy claims is “backed by studies” but those studies are nowhere to be found at the end, just a random picture of dogs. felt more like i was reading a blog post than a book. yikes!
October 9, 2023
I picked up this book from the Kindle Unlimited collection because I have a keen interest in reading. I have read several books on speed reading and thought this would be another of that genre. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was rather about what other authors have termed "pre-reading." Essentially the author takes his readers thru the process of being familiar with the structure and big idea of the book. One of his key insights is that we tend to let the details obscure the main ideas. I came away from reading this book with a renewed enthusiasm to read more and to do it more strategically.
March 17, 2024
The book suggests some good techniques for reading a book quickly, but I have to admit that I have my doubts about the effectiveness of the techniques suggested.
I have the impression that I'm being asked to read the book 3 times: skim, read the highlights, then read quickly.
I mainly read e-books on Kindle. The technique suggested for e-books works if several people have already read the book and have highlighted passages. But if you're one of the first readers, it has its limits.
In addition, the proposed technique assumes that the sections and chapters follow the introduction, development, and conclusion structure and that reading the introduction and conclusion is enough to understand the 80%. But what if the author deviates from the introduction, development, and conclusion writing convention?
I have the impression that I'm being asked to read the book 3 times: skim, read the highlights, then read quickly.
I mainly read e-books on Kindle. The technique suggested for e-books works if several people have already read the book and have highlighted passages. But if you're one of the first readers, it has its limits.
In addition, the proposed technique assumes that the sections and chapters follow the introduction, development, and conclusion structure and that reading the introduction and conclusion is enough to understand the 80%. But what if the author deviates from the introduction, development, and conclusion writing convention?
March 29, 2023
A very Short Read - Only 24 pages !!
I saw this book on someone else page & by the title & the reviews ,I thought of reading this book.
This is a very crisp and short book of approx 24 pages only. The author has described the punch points to read a book and retain maximum of the informations which is to the point and precise.
I'll recommend this book to anyone who likes reading or who want to start reading books, it has strategies for students also to read technical course books.
The points mentioned in the book are actionable and very easy to implement. I am sure many of us are familiar with them and are using also or may be with time, forgotten.
A highly recommended book on reading a book !!!!
I saw this book on someone else page & by the title & the reviews ,I thought of reading this book.
This is a very crisp and short book of approx 24 pages only. The author has described the punch points to read a book and retain maximum of the informations which is to the point and precise.
I'll recommend this book to anyone who likes reading or who want to start reading books, it has strategies for students also to read technical course books.
The points mentioned in the book are actionable and very easy to implement. I am sure many of us are familiar with them and are using also or may be with time, forgotten.
A highly recommended book on reading a book !!!!
February 6, 2024
I love to Read and I really love this Book.
After reading this book I am excited (committed to reading a book day. I have in the past ten years or so, I've normally struggle to read at least one hundred books a year. I'm 75 years old... so I want not just read, but learn and retain what I've read and most importantly to be able to share it with my
family and friends. I feel that this book will help me to achieve this goal on a daily basis. And I want to thank the author of this from the bottom of my heart for helping me to achieve my goal. Thank You!!!
After reading this book I am excited (committed to reading a book day. I have in the past ten years or so, I've normally struggle to read at least one hundred books a year. I'm 75 years old... so I want not just read, but learn and retain what I've read and most importantly to be able to share it with my
family and friends. I feel that this book will help me to achieve this goal on a daily basis. And I want to thank the author of this from the bottom of my heart for helping me to achieve my goal. Thank You!!!
January 17, 2022
quick read
The main thoughts and ideas are easily expressed and learned. There is some repetition but it is minimal. I enjoyed the clear cut instructions and the simplicity of the process. It was really enjoyable and I believe comprehension is very good. Towards the end was already following the MRP and doing some Mind Mapping. The final review and questions solidified what I had just learned. Took me less than 20 minutes to read the book. Kudos to the author and thank U
The main thoughts and ideas are easily expressed and learned. There is some repetition but it is minimal. I enjoyed the clear cut instructions and the simplicity of the process. It was really enjoyable and I believe comprehension is very good. Towards the end was already following the MRP and doing some Mind Mapping. The final review and questions solidified what I had just learned. Took me less than 20 minutes to read the book. Kudos to the author and thank U
February 11, 2023
Lots of useful strategies in this book, especially when it comes to reading articles, non- fiction, and textbooks. The author led me towards some speed reading software which I shall also check out. He had some tips for aural learners (like myself) which was greatly appreciated. However, there are some books that I wouldn’t want to plow through in this fashion, so this method isn’t applicable to all reading modalities. It was short and useful, what more could you really want?
September 15, 2023
It's worth a read (only like 24 pages) but nothing that hasn't been taught in school already. Perhaps it's a good refresher for some.
I also find it funny when authors mention something along the lines of "If (insert billionaire/former slave owner) can read a book a day there's no reason you can't!" as if these people haven't had an army of exploited workers taking care of their everyday mundane tasks lol
I also find it funny when authors mention something along the lines of "If (insert billionaire/former slave owner) can read a book a day there's no reason you can't!" as if these people haven't had an army of exploited workers taking care of their everyday mundane tasks lol
January 3, 2024
Great tips to read a book a day
A non nonsense to the point guide for how anyone can read a book a day and actually understand what it is they are reading. I’ve taken a speed reading course before and this consolidates a lot of the strategies, tactics and concepts I learned from the course here. Highly recommended for anyone looking to boost reading comprehension and reading speed.
A non nonsense to the point guide for how anyone can read a book a day and actually understand what it is they are reading. I’ve taken a speed reading course before and this consolidates a lot of the strategies, tactics and concepts I learned from the course here. Highly recommended for anyone looking to boost reading comprehension and reading speed.
January 5, 2024
Tips and Techniques
This would be a good read for a student in the 7th through 9th grade. Actually, grown folks could benefit as well but for the student there's a benefit of learning a skill that'll be helpful academically. If you're a parent of say 4th through 6th grade you could use this book to help set your children for success by organizing their time with the techniques that the author lays out here.
This would be a good read for a student in the 7th through 9th grade. Actually, grown folks could benefit as well but for the student there's a benefit of learning a skill that'll be helpful academically. If you're a parent of say 4th through 6th grade you could use this book to help set your children for success by organizing their time with the techniques that the author lays out here.
January 5, 2024
A great way to read with intent and purpose
The author shares valuable information in how to improve your reading skills in a number of tried and tested ways. He gives an overview of what great leaders do to expand their knowledge and understanding of various topics on an ongoing basis. My greatest takeaway is if you want to really learn something teach it and you learn it twice…
The author shares valuable information in how to improve your reading skills in a number of tried and tested ways. He gives an overview of what great leaders do to expand their knowledge and understanding of various topics on an ongoing basis. My greatest takeaway is if you want to really learn something teach it and you learn it twice…
February 20, 2025
I can't wait for the author's next book: How To Write A Book A Day: A Guid fod Lazy Writers.
The book reminds us of the worthiness of an iterative approach to reading, which is good. Mind maps are a good suggestion. However, the author does not provide any references to back up his claims. Also, he covers some diet and good sleep tips that seem to be fluff (per the author's jargon). There are so many typos that make it hard to take this book seriously.
The book reminds us of the worthiness of an iterative approach to reading, which is good. Mind maps are a good suggestion. However, the author does not provide any references to back up his claims. Also, he covers some diet and good sleep tips that seem to be fluff (per the author's jargon). There are so many typos that make it hard to take this book seriously.
June 10, 2020
Good tips
This should be the first book anyone ever reads. It will vastly improve your reading skills and help you become a Renaissance man/woman by increasing the amount of books you'll be able to read in less time.
I gave it four stars however because there's some issues with the Kindle images
This should be the first book anyone ever reads. It will vastly improve your reading skills and help you become a Renaissance man/woman by increasing the amount of books you'll be able to read in less time.
I gave it four stars however because there's some issues with the Kindle images
June 3, 2022
Deceptively Effective
This is a remarkably succinct and to-the-point guide for more effectively get the the most important parts of a book.
You could spend time reading Mortimer Adler's "How to Read a Book", but this book will cut to the chase and have you reading better even before you finish the book.
This is a remarkably succinct and to-the-point guide for more effectively get the the most important parts of a book.
You could spend time reading Mortimer Adler's "How to Read a Book", but this book will cut to the chase and have you reading better even before you finish the book.
June 6, 2022
Great and concise information!
This book on, “How To Read A Book A Day”, was most informative. It was a quick and easy read with numerous tips for reading with intent and efficiency. I am happy that I was actually able to complete the book in only 2, two hour sessions. I greatly recommend this book to anyone wishing to read more books in less time.
This book on, “How To Read A Book A Day”, was most informative. It was a quick and easy read with numerous tips for reading with intent and efficiency. I am happy that I was actually able to complete the book in only 2, two hour sessions. I greatly recommend this book to anyone wishing to read more books in less time.
May 23, 2023
A literary supplement.
I like that it helped me cue in on techniques I didn't know about. I preferred to keep my notes and that's it but this book elaborates with hidden marks, tips, and memorization to keep in tune with the overall theme of books. I will certainly try this to my books now. I recommend it to someone who is avid when it comes to literacy.
I like that it helped me cue in on techniques I didn't know about. I preferred to keep my notes and that's it but this book elaborates with hidden marks, tips, and memorization to keep in tune with the overall theme of books. I will certainly try this to my books now. I recommend it to someone who is avid when it comes to literacy.
December 31, 2023
Keep Scrolling
This book is about an interesting and worthy subject, reading well. It appears to have been AI-generated with little or no editing. There are excellent ideas presented, making it worth at least skimming. Too bad time wasn't invested in making it grammatically and syntactically worth enjoying, as well.
This book is about an interesting and worthy subject, reading well. It appears to have been AI-generated with little or no editing. There are excellent ideas presented, making it worth at least skimming. Too bad time wasn't invested in making it grammatically and syntactically worth enjoying, as well.
January 4, 2024
Helpful Conscise
I have to say that this was a decent read it was short concise into the point didn't contain a lot of fluff which nobody really likes and I was able to get what I needed from it I would recommend it to somebody who's looking to improve the way that they read and to increase their capacity for learning
I have to say that this was a decent read it was short concise into the point didn't contain a lot of fluff which nobody really likes and I was able to get what I needed from it I would recommend it to somebody who's looking to improve the way that they read and to increase their capacity for learning
January 21, 2024
All very basic yet powerful reminders I wish I would have considered years ago. These helpful tips especially help those who read non-fiction books where your goal is to retain as much information as possible to apply in your own life or pass your next exam. I don’t think this applies well to fiction books as people usually read fiction for pleasure.
June 10, 2024
Simple
This short book was very simple and quite easy to understand. The methodology to reading is one I intend on implementing right away as I have a pile of books waiting on me.
The only drawback is that the formatting of this book leaves a lot to be desired. The content definitely makes up for where it's lacking in this area.
I would definitely recommend it.
This short book was very simple and quite easy to understand. The methodology to reading is one I intend on implementing right away as I have a pile of books waiting on me.
The only drawback is that the formatting of this book leaves a lot to be desired. The content definitely makes up for where it's lacking in this area.
I would definitely recommend it.
June 21, 2024
This book is quite basic probably good for the high-school level. Can be used for a quick and basic introduction on how to read better but probably too basic for more advanced readers. Yet the presentation of those basics is very well executed providing the rationale for each technical aspect detailed which is not always found.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews