Saturday 15 April 2023

How I Read So Much?

How I Read So Much?

You would be surprised how often I get asked that question. As a way to read more I first started keeping track of everything I read Back in October of 1995. The first year I have numbers for a whole year is 1996. But first some background. 

I have a dual form of dyslexia and came out of grade 7 reading at a grade 3 level and went into grade 8 reading at a university level. I went to a private summer school 5 days a week all summer. My dyslexia was diagnosed in grade 2, you can read about it here: Confessions of a Bibliophile #5 - How I Became a Bibliophile, From Dyslexic to Addict and another piece several years later here: Confession of a Dyslexic Bibliophile - eBooks, Regional Rights and More. As mentioned I have a dual form of dyslexia and I really prefer eBooks I can change the font, font and page colour on most digital books. I find this makes reading easier more me. My son has eye tracking issues and he uses and film over the page or tablet that shows only one line at a time and changes it to blue background which is his preferred reading method. I also do not any longer make a distinction between physical books, eBooks, audio books (though not a fan personally) or adaptive technology using text to speech. I use the adaptive technology whole doing chores, working out or while driving. That way I can jump back and forth between reading and listening and reading again.

I can recommend some tools to help you try and read more. 

How to Change Your Life in 10 Minutes a Day
Book 2 
Michal Stawicki
ISBN 9781500811976
ASIN B00G3EBDA8


Brandon Vogt 
(eCourse)
Note: the course is now also available at Claritas U.


3. Coles Notes Study Guides Speed Reading
Mihir Bose
ISBN 9780774005807
ISBN 9781552679241


(Apparently Chapters-Indigo has killed off the ColesNotes brand and there appears to be a second volume called Speed Reading for Higher Marks, you can find both titles used for reasonable prices.)

A Bonus item is one I recommend for high school and university students. It was transformative in helping me go from a 60’s average my first time in university to a 90’s average the second time. It applies the 80/20 method to academics.

Steve Douglass and Al Janssen
CRU
ASIN B0043EVBVQ

(Note 2023 - the book only appears to be available as an eBook currently, or through the CRU site.)


But basically cut down TV, use adaptive technology or eBook while doing chores or exercise, and driving. Make reading a priority. And I limit games on mobiles and alerts on my phone. I have alerts for work emails, on call email, phone calls and texts I have no other notifications set up on my devices to distract me.

I hope you find one or more of the tips and tools above helpful.

Statistics Books Read By Year:
438 - 2022
365 - 2021
317 - 2020 
392 - 2019
359 - 2018
380 - 2017 
272 - 2016 
177 - 2015 
130 - 2014 
88 -  2013
176 - 2012 
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

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