College For Women library issue 3 2013-2013 | Page 12

How To Read A Difficult Book
Even if you have lots of experience
in reading books, you will still come
across books that are just difficult to
get through. You may find the reading
slow because of the subject matter, the
language, word usage, or the convoluted
plot and character elements. When you
are just attempting to get through the
book, it may not really matter to you
why the book is difficult. You just want
to finish the work, so you can move
on to your next reading pick. Here are
some tips:
1. Find your reading spot--a place where you can
be comfortable and read. Under what conditions
are you able to concentrate, study, and read most
effectively? It may be easier for you to read at a
desk, at a table in a quiet library or on the grass.
2. Keep a dictionary with you as you read the book.
Look up any words you don’t understand. Also, jot
down literary references that are escaping you. Are
comparisons being made that are escaping your
understanding? Look those references up!

12