How to Understand the Book You Are Reading

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Have you ever been reading a book and then realized that you haven’t actually processed any of the information on the last few pages you’ve read? If so, you’re definitely not alone! The good news is that reading comprehension is something you can get better at just by trying some simple tricks and making a few changes to the way you read, and we’re here to show you how. Below you’ll find strategies for dealing with confusing books and becoming a more effective reader, because no one has time to be reading the same passages over and over again.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Dealing with Confusing Passages

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  1. It’s easy to get hung up on confusing parts of books. Read the paragraphs immediately before and after the passage that you don’t understand. If you’re still confused, read a few more pages forward.
    • Sometimes, putting confusing passages into the wider context of the book will help you reach a sudden “ah-ha!” moment.
  2. Read the passage over at least twice, and maybe 3 or 4 times. Each time, focus especially hard on the sentences that are really tripping you up. You may find that this extra level of concentration clears up your confusion. [1]
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  3. Identity the beginning, middle, and end of the passage. Figure out what the overall purpose of the passage is, along with each of the sections. Write down this outline on a piece of notebook paper. [2]
    • Maybe you’re stuck at a description of the Battle of Gettysburg in an American History textbook. Write a timeline listing the start, major turning points, and end of the battle. Next to the timeline, note how each phase of the battle shifted the advantage to one side or the other.
  4. It’s easy to get confused when books talk about complex terms or ideas. Luckily, lots of authors will quickly move on to examples to better show what they’re talking about. If you don’t see the example right away, keep reading, as there may be an example a few pages ahead.
  5. You may be confused because there’s a word or reference you don’t recognize. Use a dictionary, the Internet, or even the local library to check on these spots. This may quickly help you understand what you’ve just read. [3]
  6. Don’t let the confusing passage keep you from finishing the book. Make your best guess about what’s going on in the passage and read on. You can only really understand a book if you read it from start to finish!
    • Write down the page numbers of any passages in a book that you can’t puzzle out right away. Once you’ve finished reading the entire book, go back and see if they make sense to you now.
  7. If you’re still struggling to understand confusing parts of the book, turn to a buddy. This could be a friend you know who’s also read the book, a teacher, or a family member. If you’re both confused, you may be able to figure it out by working together and discussing the book.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Setting Yourself up for Success While Reading

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  1. Avoiding distractions will help you stay focused on your book. Choose someplace away from the TV. Turn your phone on silent, and set it slightly away from you. Be sure there’s a lamp or window nearby to keep you from straining your eyes while reading. [6]
  2. Sometimes it may be hard to get into a book, even if you have a comfy spot, good lighting, and no distractions. If there aren’t any immediate time constraints, consider putting down the book and coming back to it at a later time. Try to choose a more relaxing time to revisit the book. [7]
    • For instance, you may find that you are better able to focus early in the morning, after working out, or when all your chores or tasks are done for the day.
  3. Your brain absorbs the unfolding of the story and information better when you read paper books. This is because you can observe the thickness of the book and use your body to interact with it (turning the pages, for example) while reading. [8]
    • If you prefer e-readers, that’s okay too! However, if you are struggling to understand books, try reading a paper one and take note of any changes that occur in your comprehension.
  4. Take the time to process what you read. Try to set aside at least 20 minutes and up to an hour each day for reading. Don’t skip too many days without returning to the book, as you may forget what you’ve read. [9]
    • It can be helpful to re-read the last page, paragraph, or chapter when returning to a book. Think of it as recapping what happened, similar to the way a TV show might recap what happened in previous episodes at the beginning of the next one.
  5. When you get to the end of a chapter or section of a book, stop and ask yourself if you understand the major themes and events. If you recall what happened and have a good understanding, feel free to proceed. If you don’t, though, you should refresh your memory by going back over the previous pages, chapters, or sections.
  6. Keep a notebook next to you while you read. Use several different pieces of paper to keep track of main characters or key terms, major plot points, big-picture questions, and things that confuse you. You can refer to these notes later to remember what the book was about. [10]
    • This is especially helpful for academic texts. When reading a book for pleasure, however, frequently stopping can disrupt the flow of your reading.
  7. Talking about books is a great way to really understand them. Other people may notice things you didn’t, and vice versa. Talk to your friends or go to your local library to join or organize a club.
    • You can also find book clubs and forums for discussion online.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Digging Deeper into the Book

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  1. Understanding why the book was written may help you with comprehension as you read. Go online to look up major events that were occurring in the world when your book was written. Write them down to create a reference sheet for later. [11]
    • It may also be important for you to think about who wrote the book. Maybe you’re reading a novel written by someone who was put in prison because they had opinions their government thought were dangerous. Think about what could be dangerous about the book you’re reading.
    • This goes for textbooks, too! A history textbook written in 1950 might be really concerned with the Cold War, for example.
    • You can also read articles about the time period or situation the book focuses on to help improve your understanding. For instance, consider reading about the hardships women in the early 20th century faced if you’re reading a realistic fiction novel about a female character in the U.S. during the 1920s.
  2. Pay attention to key lessons, depending on the overall point of the book. A romantic novel teaches readers about love and relationships, and that’s what you should be looking out for when reading. A science textbook, on the other hand, is meant to teach you about a particular subject, usually using key terms, examples, and the occasional anecdote. [12]
  3. Even if you’re not reading the book for a class assignment, consider writing something down about the book once you’ve finished it. Briefly summarize the book, or use a longer piece to make your own argument about the significance and quality of the book. [13]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you read books effectively?
    Jake Adams
    Academic Tutor
    Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University.
    Jake Adams
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Slow down and take the time to look up vocabulary you don't understand. If there's a term or concept that's not clearly explained, try to dive deeper and figure out what exactly is being referenced and why. These context clues and ideas can help you get a more full picture of what's going on.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
  • Question
    How do I get better at remembering what I am reading?
    Alexander Peterman, MA
    Test Prep Tutor
    Alexander Peterman is a Private Tutor in Florida. He received his MA in Education from the University of Florida in 2017.
    Alexander Peterman, MA
    Test Prep Tutor
    Expert Answer
    If you're having trouble remembering what you are reading, it may be helpful to self-check your knowledge of the book as you read. Try giving yourself a brief, honest quiz (it can be in your head!) after each chapter or after every few chapters. Can you effectively summarize what you just read? If so, good! If not, maybe you need to refresh by re-reading some of it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do you read for research purpose?
    Alexander Peterman, MA
    Test Prep Tutor
    Alexander Peterman is a Private Tutor in Florida. He received his MA in Education from the University of Florida in 2017.
    Alexander Peterman, MA
    Test Prep Tutor
    Expert Answer
    For purposes of research, I would highly recommend you take notes and highlight important sections of your reading. Identify important quotes and bits of information, save it, and make sure you copy down any information necessary to cite it if writing a research paper.
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      Tips

      • Some books take a bit longer to get into than others. This is often a matter of personal preference as opposed to whether or not a book is "good" or "bad." Look into the reasons why you don't like it. If it's super description-heavy, and you prefer bits of dialogue and character, feel free to skip large chunks of these dull passages. You can always re-read them later.
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      • If you’re an auditory learner, consider also listening to a version of the book you’re reading in paper form.
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      Warnings

      • Your tastes are your own. Don't force yourself to read a book all the way through just because someone else liked it.
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        Helpful 16 Not Helpful 0
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      Things You'll Need

      • A book that you think you may be interested in
      • A place where you can get peace and quiet
      • Paper
      • Pencil or pen

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      References

      1. ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/reading
      2. ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/reading
      3. ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
      4. ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
      5. ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
      6. ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/reading
      7. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/reading-comprehension-tips/
      8. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/
      9. ↑ https://pne.people.si.umich.edu/PDF/howtoread.pdf
      1. ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/reading
      2. ↑ https://pne.people.si.umich.edu/PDF/howtoread.pdf
      3. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/reading-comprehension-tips/
      4. ↑ https://pne.people.si.umich.edu/PDF/howtoread.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you’re struggling to understand the book you’re reading, there are a few simple ways to help you figure it out. Try re-reading the section you don’t understand slowly to see if you missed something important. If you’re still confused, keep reading for a while, since the meaning might become clearer later on. You can also write notes on what you’ve read to help you piece things together. Alternatively, search online to figure out the meaning. For fiction, you can read chapter summaries to make sense of what you’ve read. For non-fiction, you can read other articles or posts explaining the same thing you’re reading about. If you’re still confused, try coming back to it another day when you have a clearer mind. For more tips from our Teaching co-author, including how to write a summary of the book you’re reading, read on!

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