His voice shocked me as I thought it was stronger than what I thought it would be judging from his face. But then I realised, different faces demand different sets of voices. There’s no one voice to understand one sort of face. It demands an adaptation to difference sources of voices.
@@berenicethegirl I think Pedro meant, in a slightly rude way, that no one truly cares or looks at your to-read list, so just read what interests you, instead of what you feel like you need to read.
I saw a quote from English philosopher Francis Bacon about reading books that reminded me of this video; “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.” - Francis Bacon.
@@thirddelossantos2669 Not every book has the density of something like Ulysses. For example, I read romantic comedies but they are fun and in the moment enjoyment. I do not derive wisdom or philosophical insight, but momentary happiness and joy. Those are the kinds of reads I will do and finish them in a few days where I might spend four months reading Infinite Jest.
My notes on reading different books differntly... 6:30 Fiction - Think of them as movies, you should read them as soon as possible so that your experience doesnt' break. These books are meant for escaping the reality, you need not ponder on the words or scenes, it could be suspense that will tie later into the book. Devour it asap and experience a new world. 8:43 Literary Fiction - They are crossovers between categories. They are critical examinations of human conditions. Not specifically designed to read it quickly or for a great experience. Every sentence counts, they carry literary merit. 11:23 Non-Fiction - These books put you in a state of active thought, helps in changing perspective in the real world. Go slow whenever you feel like pondering. Read it the slowest and deliberately. Slow way down. These demand your full concentration. Understand the key things that the books are trying to make. Do overall inspectional reading first and then read it again, annotate the shit out of them.
Finally someone who puts quality over quantity! I watch a lot of Booktube and constantly see people read 10+ books a month, sometimes even 20, and I can't help but think: " But did you get anything out of it in the rush?" It's so important to take your time and really take in what you are reading, be it fiction or nonfiction. I personally always read a bit slower because I think a lot about a book while I'm still in the middle of it, pausing now and again. That's just how I get the most out of it, not by reading 10 books a month. I think reading has become pretty competitive for many people in the Booktube community.
@@matheusminto I'm not saying you can never be on a role and read a lot of books (or just be a quick reader), but when people say "I managed to read 300+ pages today", I feel that that's not what the whole thing should be about. The amount of pages or books you read shouldn't be the main point or achievement. But many people seem to act like they need to finish books quickly so they can get to the next one. And the next one. And the next one. That's what I mean by "rushing".
@@subtlefire7256 I mean...I have a seemingly infinite list of things I want to read that keeps growing every time I so much as breathe lmao. Like, in a world where there is so much out there to read & understand & learn, I can completely understand people feeling there isn't enough time for everything & wanting to read as many things as they can. Because y'know, our time _is_ limited in life lol. It's totally fine if you want to consume fewer things more slowly to digest them better; that's totally valid! But don't talk shit about people who do the opposite. We all are readers, at the end of the day, and what we _should_ be doing is bonding over a shared love of books, not being snide about other people reading too fast/not fast enough. Edit: to be clear, btw, I tend to fall more on the slow reader side of the spectrum myself.
Book tube has a lot of professional readers, though. I can read a lot because I have a 2,5hr commute and listen to audiobooks. Anyone reading about 2,5 hours a day can read a lot without rushing. It's not great for slow burn books, though.
@@sweetpeabee4983 To reiterate: I'm not saying you cannot/ should not read a lot of books or want to get to as many of them as possible. I absolutely share the feeling of "too many books, too little time" (like seriously, you should see my TBR list, it's insane). What I am saying is that I feel like sometimes the priority seems to become "just" the quantity, consuming one book after the other, instead of the enjoyment of what you're currently at. And that issue is by no means singular to Booktube, it's an attitude we are developing we many aspects of life.
Most ya fiction could actually be read pretty fast instead of rushing. Also those are professional readers and can so many pages a day. I've binge read 3 books once a day at times and yes I enjoyed it, loved it even. It's not about the quantity but just the way few books are written. If you however give me a classic lit, I won't be able to read that much.
Like how Bruce lee said it "I am more afraid of a man who practiced one kick 1,000 times. Than man who practiced 1,000 kicks only one time" - Bruce Lee
Great point about not prioritizing being "well-read" - I used to be so focused on the quantity, that while reading a book, I found myself more absorbed in the theoretical result of having finished the book than in the actual reading thereof. Which, of course, highly diminished those results. Also, maybe you could talk about how you take notes on different books. It gets tricky in fiction books, where messages are delivered in an indirect way, and where perhaps (especially if you're a writer), that very way is what you want to take note on. A copy of "The Learned Disguise" is on its way to me, so teach me how to get the most out of it. :-)
You could, but you definitely should do a video on how to take notes from books of various genres, so that people are better equipped to derive the wisdom from the book on their own.
This type of video is invaluable to someone who aims at being a prolific reader but is not attending any formal classes. I truly want to continue a personal education for myself through studying effectively on my own and you are like a web professor! I really appreciate your thoughts.
I took months to finish non-fiction book yet I can finish a fiction book in 3 days. I was convinced that I'm a slow reader or my comprehension is just weak. thanks for this video!
I agree with the idea that different books demand different sets of reading techniques. I’d say it applies even if said books are of the same genre. I initially had so much trouble reading Ulysses because I approached it the same way I did other fiction books, i.e. read at least 30-50 pages a day. It didn’t work out because I know now that reading Joyce requires more time to decipher and understand the subliminal messages. Thanks for your insights! Good video.
Louise Bedaña This video and comment were super insightful, I recently started Lolita and was suffering, not because learning the words for the first time was hard, or that the story was banal, but simply because I felt like I wasn’t reading the book as fast as I should have been. Coming to this realization is super important
Oh, same! I tried to read The Fellowship of the Ring like I used to read the usual YA or children's novel, but it didn't work. Ever since, I've been reading those kinds of books slower, and read it again if I don't understand.
I just want to congratulate your oratory skills, Waldun. Sometimes I feel tired after watching a video where each sentence is a different cut, where they don't even let the words breathe a little. I enjoy when I stumble upon a video where there is minimal editing, like yours. So... congratulations! Edit: I just need to add I also love that you left your pauses to figure out the word you want or your "mistakes". It's a simple thing, but I loved it. Congratulations again.
absolutely. the "perfect edited" videos just make me more insecure about my speaking skills, cause there is no "mistake" in them. but this guy just shows us everything without cutting off some parts. he stops mid sentences to think of the most proper word, he stops to think whats best to say. which is so humane (unlike these "perfect" talks)
"Quantity < quality" is something forgotten in the book reading community. It's so easy to flip quickly through the pages of any book just to mark it as "read", but it's much harder to actually enjoy the process. To slow down, to think, make notes, and get the most out of the book. Thank you for the video and beautiful insights.
This actually really comforting. I struggle to read quickly because I keep going on tangents as I’m thinking about the implications of what I read as I read them. It’s a bigger problem for readings for university since I could get lost in my thoughts and forget about the thesis of the article. And actually, even social media makes me whirl into those implications. Twitter is a pain for expecting everyone to understand everything that’s being said despite it’s vagueness and lack of context, and it’s kinda damning how we don’t really have the choice to mull over ideas or else be labeled as apathetic. Which boggles my mind because anyone who readily accepts new ideas either don’t find them new at all or haven’t thought very deeply about them, especially in the realm of Twitter where people love to make general statements that can’t be used to make judgements because while they seem to apply for all situations, they are actually only referring to very specific ones and don’t bother to detail why, in those particular situations, their advice is valid. I’ll admit I’m a slow reader, and I also overthink and go on tangents, but every book (or any media really) I get my hands on (outside of genre fiction and other entertainment-focused materials) I ponder on to assimilate the ideas that they put forward. I’m a slow reader because I have a strong distaste for not understanding something and I have to be particularly disinterested in a work (or feeling hopeless that I could never understand it) to be able to move on without understanding the reasoning behind it. Which actually explains this kind of “procrastination” I have when delving in some forms of fiction. When I can sense that a work will require a lot out of me mentally and emotionally, I feel like I have to brace myself and only dare to dip my hands in it once I am in the proper state to appreciate it, to experience it, to understand it. I feel like it’s my form of respect towards the author. Their works are never “just another book”, it is the result of a writer’s labour, a piece of their soul, and it deserves the reader’s commitment to see it for what it is.
I can absolutely relate to the procrastination part of your comment. in fact, I would attribute that trait of mine as applicable to not only books but pretty much everything that feels important to me, like truly listening to music, studying, watching a movie, documentary, or show. I couldn't possibly approach something in a relatively unfavourable state of mind because I think I view all of these things as irrevocably important and valuable that need my full attention.
I so agree with you that a book is the result of an author's hard labour so I as well give it my utmost time to understand the passage entirely that I am reading.
Everything about the presentation of this video - the voice, the structure, the language - is so refreshing. It's like I needed someone to speak in a way I genuinely could relate to until now.
Still only 6 minutes in, but I love when someone well-spoken uses their voice to deconstruct an “uppity” idea... I now feel less bad for not bingeing as many books as I can in order to be perceived as well-read. Subscribed!!
This is such a good video for people just getting into reading consistently, ive been a reader all my life and this video definitely helped me process some ideas ive been having about reading. Ive noticed in the past i had to read books differently but could really articulate or even understand how i did so or what i should do to read a certain book best
I used to read anywhere between 20 to 27 books per year when I first started reading which was not long ago; and this is a good number for me. This was because I was following all these Booktubers who gave so much importance to quantity. And now I read a lot less and a lot slower and I realised that was because I was reading Classics which are much heavier than your contemporary fiction. And it saddened me because I was not reading as much as I used to. But after this video I realised that it doesn't matter how fast or slow you read. What matters is how much you get out of a book. And that its okay to be a slow reader, because now even when I read fiction genre, I often find myself taking pauses here and there and really contemplate the idea or emotion and nothing beats that magical feeling. To connect with the characters on a much deeper level by picturing yourself in their situation and getting a better perspective on their choices and decisions. Thank you so much for this video. Sometimes I have all these ideas and emotions but I'm unable to express it for lack if words- something I really need to work on. And I think your videos will help. This was some high quality content, keep up the videos.❤️
I have dyslexia paired with a poor education. I always wanted to read books but it was extremely hard for me to read until I found my "reading voice". Elizabeth Klett is an amazing reader of audio books for LibriVox and Audible. The way she reads, not rushed and just gives life to each word helped me to develop the proper cadence to read past a second grade level which seemed to be where I was doomed to stay. Her style helped me to tackle books, and slowly I gradually increasing my own reading ability. This year I finished 'Crime And Punishment' by Dostoevsky on my own and I credit Elizabeth Klett reading Jane Eyre.
I have a great lifehack for people who can't concentrate on reading and lose their focus in the middle of the sentence. I discovered it while preparing for my literature exam. Here it is: read on the phone by doing constant scroll without lifting your thumb from the screen and focus only on the upper side of the screen. That way upper sentences will disappear while you scroll down and you're forced to concentrate to quickly read the disappearing sentence. You can manage the speed of the scroll, but you always stay focused. Explanation: I found that narrowly placed text is less likely to make you "lost" between words, while when reading a regular book there is wider visual path between sentences in which it's easier to lose focus and harder to connect different parts of texts separated by longer distance
With physical books, some people use a bookmark and place it under the line they're reading then drag the bookmark down as they progress to the next line. Same idea I suppose
Love this video. I’ve been reading for 27 years and this is the first time I’ve heard someone break this subject down. You’ve really opened my eyes! Thank you!
books he listed: 1. The Secret History (Donna Tartt) 2. In Search of Lost Time (Marcel Proust) 3. The Collective Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson 4. History of Western Philosophy (Bertrand Russell)
This is the best advice I’ve ever received on reading and acquiring knowledge. You put this so simply too, thank you for steering me from the path to becoming a learned fool. (Edit: typos)
I would say there still is a "generell technique" you can use no matter what kind of book you are reading which is to constantly adjust your speed on the difficulty of text. now most people are doing this unconsciously anyway, however, when done consciously the quality your reading will improve dramatically.
I totally agree with you! Sometimes people say they didn't get or enjoy some classics or other pieces of literature...although it can genuinely happen, most of the time, they probably didn't allow themselves to take more time to truly enjoy it, myself included ahaha
I have studied an excerpt of an essay by Francis Bacon called "Of Studies". It says the same idea. Here is a part of it: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things."
To be honest I did not search for you but based on my previous search RUclips recommended me your video. Boy! You have just blown me away with your voice and the way of expressing things. Especially the way you repeat certain things to emphasize its importance I'm totally captivated.
Thank you thank you thank you! These are the kind of thoughts on books and reading I have been looking for! I just discovered your channel today and have already binged so many of your videos and read some of your blog posts. I love what you are doing.
I'm from Chile. I'm impressed with the passion and knowledge you have about literature. You are the best booktuber that I' ve seen until now. Congratulations young man! It's a privilege to listen and watch your video.
I started reading books just during this quarantine period and I have to admit that I totally feel so lost on reading. Like it's not really my thing but I want to venture on it and ended up giving it a shot. I came across your channel and so far, your contents helped me a lot. Keep it up!!
This is maybe the first time I've ever subscribed to a channel after just one video. Usually I browse and say goodbye to channels even when I've liked several of videos in a row. This content and the titles of the other videos in the sidebar has me immediately wanting to hear so much more from you. Thanks!
I used to document the books I read on my blog. Pretty soon I felt that I was sort of a "prisoner" of the reading list. I had to read more and more in order to make the blog more and more "impressive". A few months ago, I decided to stop documenting my reading, and what a relief! Now I just read what I want, when I want and no more pressure.
Finding this channel has been a blessing. I've felt like a learned fool for so long and have had to learn these things the hard way (trying to tackle War and Peace and The Divine Comedy as if it were Harry Potter, for example lol). I have finally found my book reading sensei.
your voice is very smoothing but I appreciate your advice. I wish when I started university there was a prof who'd told us that doing our readings is so vastly different from reading textbooks/fiction.
I really needed to hear this.. mainly in regards to literary fiction. This is my favorite type of book to read and I didn't realize it until watching this that I was flying through all these amazing works as if they were something else. Reminded me to slow down. Thank you!
Good Point, Man. I´m Reading ´´To the Light house`` A Virginia Woof´s Novel in a very slow pace here. Mind you, Im a new writer so i´m learning how to struture a novel. So to me the experience of the conciousness flow of the narrator is only possible when Im reading it very slowly.
This took me a few months to finish. She was so good that she made me depressed too. It took quite some time for me to come out of that whole Virginia Woolf mood.
Well I definitely am... the amount of times you hear "This should be a quick read" or readathons that have you read as much as 7 books in a week... or even the constant "only manage to finish 7 books this month" ... I was so impressed with my self that I was reading 10 + books a month, until I just now started thinking about all the classics on my self that aren't being read because they are too demanding hehe... think I need to actively consider my reading habits and maybe reconsider how i view booktube videos hehe
I remember Pat Rothfuss said once during a signing session, that he thinks literary fiction is snobbery and bores, and he brings up "being emo while sitting by the window and drinking tea" which I think is a shade on Proust's Swann's Way. But now I realize he prolly read literary fiction the wrong way. Just a thought.
@@keretaman Yes, I believe there's a video on youtube on the Eolian channel. And I know he's only saying so because some professors think that fantasy can't bring up deeper values, which I think is absurd as well, because fantasy does tackle some profound ideas sometimes. So there's fault in both views here I think
I needed this so bad. As someone who's been reading books for years and surrounded by book-reading peers, there's this pressure I feel when others are still reading and I havent lately. Esp. since I've gotten into historical nonfiction books lately and cant read it in one sitting cuz there's just so much info that I gotta pause and reflect. Im glad I found this video. Its been enlightening and somewhat uplifting 😊
I went from reading Fiction to Philospohy & Business Books, and wondered why I have such a hard time finishing the latter. This video showed why. Thanks so much 🙏
This completely changed my perspective on reading books! I love the emphasis on quality over quantity, because everyone has a different pace of reading books and different circumstances. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Yeah, I've been struggling to read Les Miserables for like a year. Everytime I pick up and try to read, I read like 15 - 20 pages in two hours. It's so fucking dense, with so much historical references, detailed description of France in XIX century, character instrospection. Everytime I came across some historical reference I would pause and do some research to understand how that related to the narrative, and these references, a lot of times, are really specific ones. It totally breaks the narrative flow and that got me away from reading, and I only got more impatient, and eventually I gave up. Now I will try to read again, taking my time, taking some notes, and trying to enjoy the reading, rather than facing it like a chore. I'm glad youtube recommended this.
Different people, different approach. Different books, different approach. Lettuce embrace all! Your channel has now become my go-to whenever :) thank you.
I agree so vividly with your insight which you so excellently articulated - that it is not the number of books read, but how a book has expanded your mind or your "world' that matters. Your insight has proved entirely true to me and the way I read. Particularly as I myself realize that I'm a polymath like you. Thank you for in this moment inspiring me to be better. You are truly an intelligent and inspirational person. 🥰💓🙏
This one's one of your best videos, Robin! Thanks especially for clarifying the distinction between literary and genre fiction-I'm focusing more toward the former. Knowing how to approach a book according to its nature is indeed a core skill for being a polymath acquiring a transdisciplinary liberal education. Also, Adler J. Morton is such a memorable name for a character (c.f.14:43)! Maybe consider using it in your novels as a tribute to Mortimer J. Adler, our reading instructor! (I've been schooled in the _How to Read a Book_ paradigm of reading too. It's such a great book-it literally taought me how to comprehend difficult texts across a range of disciplines, and got me into reading literature, philosophy, history, and science.) Edit: I just noticed the typo in 'taught',but decided to leave it as is-a foreshadowing to the fact that I'll sooner or later dive into Taoist philosophy as part of my polymathic learning adventures.
Great video as always! Gave me a lot of insights! But critizing a little bit (hope you don't mind)... The first 6 minutes are repetition of the same things, the video could be more to the point in the introduction. :) Thanks for all the knowlodge shared!!! Keep it up!
Just stumbled across this channel for the first time. What a fresh, invaluable perspective, Mr. Waldun. Liked and subscribed. Can't wait to hear more of what you have to say!
Thank you for making content like this on youtube! I definitely feel a bit bogged down by quantity-driven reading goals online so your thoughts are a much appreciated reminder that mindful and meaningful reading is what I'm going for. Love how you articulate how reading just isn't about key takeaways but the entire experience of intention and experiential interaction with the books and one's own life. I feel like most people are put off by the need to concentrate while reading...which doesn't make any sense to me.
The Secret History! Back in the '90s I actually called off sick from work to stay home and read that book. 30yrs later it's sill sitting on my shelf. Thanks for the memory!
Great advice! I read M.J. Adler's How To Read A Book last year and its ideas affected my attitude towards reading permanently and for the better. I'm glad that your video does the ideas from the book justice while adding your own experience and take on the topic.
I would like to request you one thing. Please make a dedicated playlist about the reading and books etc. if possible because it makes the viewer difficult to scroll down and identify the parts...
thank you! that was just the reminder i needed! perfect to end this day : ) looking back, i just finished a non-fiction about 170 pages and it took me a year. another one, much thicker though, i've finished a couple of month ago, took me about 3 1/2 years - perfect examples :D and here i am, watching to much booktube recently and feeling almost bad about reading a novel for the second time instead of starting a new one >.< so again, thanks for the reminder! it was a pleasure to listen to you : )
honestly this makes me feel so much better because I tend to take my time reading because I really want to understand everything thats going on in the book and sometimes I get discouraged seeing people read more books than me
I totally agree with you that quality is way better than quantity, now fiction, yeah we can just dive in and read as fast as we want, for example, a contemporary romance. But resource books, academic books, classics, and deeper fiction should be read and savored. One phrase a prof gave me years ago was you read like you would eat your breakfast, you take in the words and you chew them before you digest and therefore are fully nourished. This has helped me through the years learn to chew the words and really digest what the whole book entails in order to be fully nourished!
I'm so glad I stumbled across this video! I had my most "successful" reading year in 2019, in that I'd read 10 fiction books within the second half of the year alone. I was studying speed reading...but eventually gave that up. I wasn't enjoying genre fiction the way I used to, so I went back to taking my time with those titles. Like JtF says below, you have to NOT try to keep up with those on BookTube who can read multiple books in one week/month - that's not for everyone. I actually just finished my...3rd, I think?...of 2020 and that's just because with everything going on in the world, I'm not always in the right mindset to focus on reading - although it is a great escape. Thanks so much for posting!
It took me good years to finish the The way by Swans's by Proust, it is so dense, so packed of information, each sentence is so beautifully crafted. That man, obsessed with becoming a reputed novelist, created during the years a masterpiece that allows one to live more conscious inside his pages.
After hearing your explanation of literary fiction, I understand now why I have trouble coming up with a feasible, genre-fiction A-plot... the majority of the most recent books I’ve read have been literary fiction.
To be honest, before finding your channel I hadn't picked up a book to read out of pure interest since I was a young teen. But you've inspired me to start reading again. Thank you ❤
This is really helpful. I've been thinking a lot about the books that i read and how i read them, and realized that i need to change the way i approach reading!
He's like the teacher I've never had but really needed.
I ended up watching most of his videos that I have questions about reading.
@@CalebM_ like?
agreed
Do you know how old he is?
@@MelwinGeez he’s 19 I think
i'm 30 seconds in and i just have to comment you have the nicest voice ever
I totally agree with you.
His voice shocked me as I thought it was stronger than what I thought it would be judging from his face. But then I realised, different faces demand different sets of voices. There’s no one voice to understand one sort of face. It demands an adaptation to difference sources of voices.
I'd love a posdcast on this subjects. Please make one
12 seconds in and I agree
podcast, radio, voice acting - he should consider these fields honestly, even if just for fun
this guy is like a cartoon librarian i would meet in an rpg to increase my intellect
So truuuu😂
+50 just by looking at him
Hahahahaha the best comment
As a person who is obsessed with adding books to my "read" list on goodreads I needed this video
Bruv same. I have like 100+ books on my want to read list :'(
Pedro Abreu Cry more
@Pedro Abreu so?
@@berenicethegirl I think Pedro meant, in a slightly rude way, that no one truly cares or looks at your to-read list, so just read what interests you, instead of what you feel like you need to read.
@@LaurenLaass yes this. except it wasn't even really put forth in a rude way, given the context.
I saw a quote from English philosopher Francis Bacon about reading books that reminded me of this video; “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.” - Francis Bacon.
Why shouldn't you read every book wholly and with diligence?
Some booktubes are to be chewed and digested.
@@thirddelossantos2669 Not every book has the density of something like Ulysses. For example, I read romantic comedies but they are fun and in the moment enjoyment. I do not derive wisdom or philosophical insight, but momentary happiness and joy. Those are the kinds of reads I will do and finish them in a few days where I might spend four months reading Infinite Jest.
I loath the RUclips algorithm for not recommending your channel earlier.
please do not post my thoughts two days before I have them, thank you ;)
Kia Lazyeyereader same here
Just got this in videos recommendation. Instant subscribed!
You should love the algorithm for giving you the recommendation at all.
My notes on reading different books differntly...
6:30 Fiction - Think of them as movies, you should read them as soon as possible so that your experience doesnt' break. These books are meant for escaping the reality, you need not ponder on the words or scenes, it could be suspense that will tie later into the book. Devour it asap and experience a new world.
8:43 Literary Fiction - They are crossovers between categories. They are critical examinations of human conditions. Not specifically designed to read it quickly or for a great experience. Every sentence counts, they carry literary merit.
11:23 Non-Fiction - These books put you in a state of active thought, helps in changing perspective in the real world. Go slow whenever you feel like pondering. Read it the slowest and deliberately. Slow way down. These demand your full concentration. Understand the key things that the books are trying to make. Do overall inspectional reading first and then read it again, annotate the shit out of them.
thanks for summarizing!
Finally someone who puts quality over quantity! I watch a lot of Booktube and constantly see people read 10+ books a month, sometimes even 20, and I can't help but think: " But did you get anything out of it in the rush?" It's so important to take your time and really take in what you are reading, be it fiction or nonfiction. I personally always read a bit slower because I think a lot about a book while I'm still in the middle of it, pausing now and again. That's just how I get the most out of it, not by reading 10 books a month. I think reading has become pretty competitive for many people in the Booktube community.
@@matheusminto I'm not saying you can never be on a role and read a lot of books (or just be a quick reader), but when people say "I managed to read 300+ pages today", I feel that that's not what the whole thing should be about. The amount of pages or books you read shouldn't be the main point or achievement. But many people seem to act like they need to finish books quickly so they can get to the next one. And the next one. And the next one. That's what I mean by "rushing".
@@subtlefire7256 I mean...I have a seemingly infinite list of things I want to read that keeps growing every time I so much as breathe lmao. Like, in a world where there is so much out there to read & understand & learn, I can completely understand people feeling there isn't enough time for everything & wanting to read as many things as they can. Because y'know, our time _is_ limited in life lol.
It's totally fine if you want to consume fewer things more slowly to digest them better; that's totally valid! But don't talk shit about people who do the opposite. We all are readers, at the end of the day, and what we _should_ be doing is bonding over a shared love of books, not being snide about other people reading too fast/not fast enough.
Edit: to be clear, btw, I tend to fall more on the slow reader side of the spectrum myself.
Book tube has a lot of professional readers, though. I can read a lot because I have a 2,5hr commute and listen to audiobooks. Anyone reading about 2,5 hours a day can read a lot without rushing. It's not great for slow burn books, though.
@@sweetpeabee4983 To reiterate: I'm not saying you cannot/ should not read a lot of books or want to get to as many of them as possible. I absolutely share the feeling of "too many books, too little time" (like seriously, you should see my TBR list, it's insane).
What I am saying is that I feel like sometimes the priority seems to become "just" the quantity, consuming one book after the other, instead of the enjoyment of what you're currently at. And that issue is by no means singular to Booktube, it's an attitude we are developing we many aspects of life.
Most ya fiction could actually be read pretty fast instead of rushing. Also those are professional readers and can so many pages a day.
I've binge read 3 books once a day at times and yes I enjoyed it, loved it even. It's not about the quantity but just the way few books are written.
If you however give me a classic lit, I won't be able to read that much.
Like how Bruce lee said it "I am more afraid of a man who practiced one kick 1,000 times. Than man who practiced 1,000 kicks only one time" - Bruce Lee
"I am more afraid of a man who read one book 1,000 times. Than man who read 1,000 books only one time" - Book Lee
(this is a joke)
I am more afraid that 141k views are actually just 141 people watching 1000 times
thats netero for u ;)
I doubt Bruce Lee had a full stop in the middle of that quote.
"I am more afraid of a man who lived 1,000 times in one life through reading books than a man who lived only one life 1,000 times." - Me
Great point about not prioritizing being "well-read" - I used to be so focused on the quantity, that while reading a book, I found myself more absorbed in the theoretical result of having finished the book than in the actual reading thereof. Which, of course, highly diminished those results.
Also, maybe you could talk about how you take notes on different books. It gets tricky in fiction books, where messages are delivered in an indirect way, and where perhaps (especially if you're a writer), that very way is what you want to take note on. A copy of "The Learned Disguise" is on its way to me, so teach me how to get the most out of it. :-)
Should I do an analysis series on The Learned Disguise?
You could, but you definitely should do a video on how to take notes from books of various genres, so that people are better equipped to derive the wisdom from the book on their own.
This type of video is invaluable to someone who aims at being a prolific reader but is not attending any formal classes. I truly want to continue a personal education for myself through studying effectively on my own and you are like a web professor! I really appreciate your thoughts.
I took months to finish non-fiction book yet I can finish a fiction book in 3 days. I was convinced that I'm a slow reader or my comprehension is just weak. thanks for this video!
I agree with the idea that different books demand different sets of reading techniques. I’d say it applies even if said books are of the same genre.
I initially had so much trouble reading Ulysses because I approached it the same way I did other fiction books, i.e. read at least 30-50 pages a day. It didn’t work out because I know now that reading Joyce requires more time to decipher and understand the subliminal messages.
Thanks for your insights! Good video.
Louise Bedaña This video and comment were super insightful, I recently started Lolita and was suffering, not because learning the words for the first time was hard, or that the story was banal, but simply because I felt like I wasn’t reading the book as fast as I should have been. Coming to this realization is super important
Oh, same! I tried to read The Fellowship of the Ring like I used to read the usual YA or children's novel, but it didn't work. Ever since, I've been reading those kinds of books slower, and read it again if I don't understand.
I just want to congratulate your oratory skills, Waldun. Sometimes I feel tired after watching a video where each sentence is a different cut, where they don't even let the words breathe a little. I enjoy when I stumble upon a video where there is minimal editing, like yours. So... congratulations!
Edit: I just need to add I also love that you left your pauses to figure out the word you want or your "mistakes". It's a simple thing, but I loved it. Congratulations again.
@@Nicole-zy4vb Exactly! This is good. I like this.
100% agree
absolutely. the "perfect edited" videos just make me more insecure about my speaking skills, cause there is no "mistake" in them. but this guy just shows us everything without cutting off some parts. he stops mid sentences to think of the most proper word, he stops to think whats best to say. which is so humane (unlike these "perfect" talks)
"Quantity < quality" is something forgotten in the book reading community. It's so easy to flip quickly through the pages of any book just to mark it as "read", but it's much harder to actually enjoy the process. To slow down, to think, make notes, and get the most out of the book. Thank you for the video and beautiful insights.
What a great video. Now I don't feel bad when I took almost 1 month to finish reading a non-fiction book 😂
Same here!😂
Same!
a month isn't even that long for getting through a book, especially if you are reading it on and off or don't have the chance to read every day
This actually really comforting. I struggle to read quickly because I keep going on tangents as I’m thinking about the implications of what I read as I read them. It’s a bigger problem for readings for university since I could get lost in my thoughts and forget about the thesis of the article.
And actually, even social media makes me whirl into those implications. Twitter is a pain for expecting everyone to understand everything that’s being said despite it’s vagueness and lack of context, and it’s kinda damning how we don’t really have the choice to mull over ideas or else be labeled as apathetic. Which boggles my mind because anyone who readily accepts new ideas either don’t find them new at all or haven’t thought very deeply about them, especially in the realm of Twitter where people love to make general statements that can’t be used to make judgements because while they seem to apply for all situations, they are actually only referring to very specific ones and don’t bother to detail why, in those particular situations, their advice is valid.
I’ll admit I’m a slow reader, and I also overthink and go on tangents, but every book (or any media really) I get my hands on (outside of genre fiction and other entertainment-focused materials) I ponder on to assimilate the ideas that they put forward. I’m a slow reader because I have a strong distaste for not understanding something and I have to be particularly disinterested in a work (or feeling hopeless that I could never understand it) to be able to move on without understanding the reasoning behind it.
Which actually explains this kind of “procrastination” I have when delving in some forms of fiction. When I can sense that a work will require a lot out of me mentally and emotionally, I feel like I have to brace myself and only dare to dip my hands in it once I am in the proper state to appreciate it, to experience it, to understand it. I feel like it’s my form of respect towards the author. Their works are never “just another book”, it is the result of a writer’s labour, a piece of their soul, and it deserves the reader’s commitment to see it for what it is.
I can absolutely relate to the procrastination part of your comment. in fact, I would attribute that trait of mine as applicable to not only books but pretty much everything that feels important to me, like truly listening to music, studying, watching a movie, documentary, or show. I couldn't possibly approach something in a relatively unfavourable state of mind because I think I view all of these things as irrevocably important and valuable that need my full attention.
I so agree with you that a book is the result of an author's hard labour so I as well give it my utmost time to understand the passage entirely that I am reading.
Everything about the presentation of this video - the voice, the structure, the language - is so refreshing. It's like I needed someone to speak in a way I genuinely could relate to until now.
This is so true, I finished reading Every day by David Levithan in a day while it took me 4 months to read Jung's Map of the Soul by Carl Gustav Jung
Still only 6 minutes in, but I love when someone well-spoken uses their voice to deconstruct an “uppity” idea... I now feel less bad for not bingeing as many books as I can in order to be perceived as well-read. Subscribed!!
This is such a good video for people just getting into reading consistently, ive been a reader all my life and this video definitely helped me process some ideas ive been having about reading. Ive noticed in the past i had to read books differently but could really articulate or even understand how i did so or what i should do to read a certain book best
"of gaining life experiences that are otherwise inaccessible to them" EXACTLY
*I could listen to your talk for hours...*
I didn't know you could read.
I needed to hear this. I’m glad that youtube’s algorithm pointed me to your channel!
I used to read anywhere between 20 to 27 books per year when I first started reading which was not long ago; and this is a good number for me. This was because I was following all these Booktubers who gave so much importance to quantity. And now I read a lot less and a lot slower and I realised that was because I was reading Classics which are much heavier than your contemporary fiction. And it saddened me because I was not reading as much as I used to. But after this video I realised that it doesn't matter how fast or slow you read. What matters is how much you get out of a book. And that its okay to be a slow reader, because now even when I read fiction genre, I often find myself taking pauses here and there and really contemplate the idea or emotion and nothing beats that magical feeling. To connect with the characters on a much deeper level by picturing yourself in their situation and getting a better perspective on their choices and decisions.
Thank you so much for this video. Sometimes I have all these ideas and emotions but I'm unable to express it for lack if words- something I really need to work on.
And I think your videos will help.
This was some high quality content, keep up the videos.❤️
I have dyslexia paired with a poor education. I always wanted to read books but it was extremely hard for me to read until I found my "reading voice". Elizabeth Klett is an amazing reader of audio books for LibriVox and Audible. The way she reads, not rushed and just gives life to each word helped me to develop the proper cadence to read past a second grade level which seemed to be where I was doomed to stay. Her style helped me to tackle books, and slowly I gradually increasing my own reading ability.
This year I finished 'Crime And Punishment' by Dostoevsky on my own and I credit Elizabeth Klett reading Jane Eyre.
I have a great lifehack for people who can't concentrate on reading and lose their focus in the middle of the sentence. I discovered it while preparing for my literature exam.
Here it is: read on the phone by doing constant scroll without lifting your thumb from the screen and focus only on the upper side of the screen. That way upper sentences will disappear while you scroll down and you're forced to concentrate to quickly read the disappearing sentence. You can manage the speed of the scroll, but you always stay focused.
Explanation: I found that narrowly placed text is less likely to make you "lost" between words, while when reading a regular book there is wider visual path between sentences in which it's easier to lose focus and harder to connect different parts of texts separated by longer distance
With physical books, some people use a bookmark and place it under the line they're reading then drag the bookmark down as they progress to the next line. Same idea I suppose
@@equi2523 good to know, thanks. Will sure try that next time when I need to read physical book 🙏🏻
watching this with lofi playing in another tab is by far the best self-care I've done in a while
“It’s not exactly something that you can read on a bus”... clearly you’ve never seen me on the London tube 😂 Fantastic channel, keep up the good work!
Love this video. I’ve been reading for 27 years and this is the first time I’ve heard someone break this subject down. You’ve really opened my eyes! Thank you!
books he listed:
1. The Secret History (Donna Tartt)
2. In Search of Lost Time (Marcel Proust)
3. The Collective Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson
4. History of Western Philosophy (Bertrand Russell)
How to Read a Book (Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren)
This is the best advice I’ve ever received on reading and acquiring knowledge. You put this so simply too, thank you for steering me from the path to becoming a learned fool.
(Edit: typos)
I would say there still is a "generell technique" you can use no matter what kind of book you are reading which is to constantly adjust your speed on the difficulty of text. now most people are doing this unconsciously anyway, however, when done consciously the quality your reading will improve dramatically.
I totally agree with you! Sometimes people say they didn't get or enjoy some classics or other pieces of literature...although it can genuinely happen, most of the time, they probably didn't allow themselves to take more time to truly enjoy it, myself included ahaha
The fact that i had to look up what a polymath is, probably means that im not one
The fact that I had to look up what a polymath is, probably means that I'm not one, yet.
I have studied an excerpt of an essay by Francis Bacon called "Of Studies". It says the same idea. Here is a part of it:
"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things."
You are the most articulate person i have ever seen, like a hidden gem
I don't know why youtube recommended this video in my feed, but I'm glad and I'm subscribing. The way he talks is very mesmerizing.
To be honest I did not search for you but based on my previous search RUclips recommended me your video. Boy! You have just blown me away with your voice and the way of expressing things. Especially the way you repeat certain things to emphasize its importance I'm totally captivated.
People like you scares me. Because how intelligent you are
Thank you thank you thank you! These are the kind of thoughts on books and reading I have been looking for! I just discovered your channel today and have already binged so many of your videos and read some of your blog posts. I love what you are doing.
I'm from Chile.
I'm impressed with the passion and knowledge you have about literature. You are the best booktuber that I' ve seen until now.
Congratulations young man!
It's a privilege to listen and watch your video.
I started reading books just during this quarantine period and I have to admit that I totally feel so lost on reading. Like it's not really my thing but I want to venture on it and ended up giving it a shot. I came across your channel and so far, your contents helped me a lot. Keep it up!!
man his voice is so attractive
This is now one of my favourite videos on RUclips. ❤️ The quality of your content is out of this world!
This is maybe the first time I've ever subscribed to a channel after just one video. Usually I browse and say goodbye to channels even when I've liked several of videos in a row. This content and the titles of the other videos in the sidebar has me immediately wanting to hear so much more from you. Thanks!
It also depends on every person, some eat the book while other read more slowly and give it time
I used to document the books I read on my blog. Pretty soon I felt that I was sort of a "prisoner" of the reading list. I had to read more and more in order to make the blog more and more "impressive". A few months ago, I decided to stop documenting my reading, and what a relief! Now I just read what I want, when I want and no more pressure.
I am totally going to binge watch a lot of his content
Finding this channel has been a blessing. I've felt like a learned fool for so long and have had to learn these things the hard way (trying to tackle War and Peace and The Divine Comedy as if it were Harry Potter, for example lol). I have finally found my book reading sensei.
Your voice sounds so good, you can easily read books on audible
your voice is very smoothing but I appreciate your advice. I wish when I started university there was a prof who'd told us that doing our readings is so vastly different from reading textbooks/fiction.
I really needed to hear this.. mainly in regards to literary fiction. This is my favorite type of book to read and I didn't realize it until watching this that I was flying through all these amazing works as if they were something else. Reminded me to slow down. Thank you!
".. Different books need different sets of reading techniques." after you said that, I barely realized, that was right! 😅 thankyou for this video!
Good Point, Man. I´m Reading ´´To the Light house`` A Virginia Woof´s Novel in a very slow pace here. Mind you, Im a new writer so i´m learning how to struture a novel. So to me the experience of the conciousness flow of the narrator is only possible when Im reading it very slowly.
This took me a few months to finish. She was so good that she made me depressed too. It took quite some time for me to come out of that whole Virginia Woolf mood.
Who else here is part of the Booktube community, and is rethinking the way they present books because of this video? ✋
Definitely!!!
Well I definitely am... the amount of times you hear "This should be a quick read" or readathons that have you read as much as 7 books in a week... or even the constant "only manage to finish 7 books this month" ... I was so impressed with my self that I was reading 10 + books a month, until I just now started thinking about all the classics on my self that aren't being read because they are too demanding hehe... think I need to actively consider my reading habits and maybe reconsider how i view booktube videos hehe
I remember Pat Rothfuss said once during a signing session, that he thinks literary fiction is snobbery and bores, and he brings up "being emo while sitting by the window and drinking tea" which I think is a shade on Proust's Swann's Way. But now I realize he prolly read literary fiction the wrong way. Just a thought.
@@junechevalier he actually said that...? Wow. That sucks
@@keretaman Yes, I believe there's a video on youtube on the Eolian channel. And I know he's only saying so because some professors think that fantasy can't bring up deeper values, which I think is absurd as well, because fantasy does tackle some profound ideas sometimes. So there's fault in both views here I think
I needed this so bad. As someone who's been reading books for years and surrounded by book-reading peers, there's this pressure I feel when others are still reading and I havent lately. Esp. since I've gotten into historical nonfiction books lately and cant read it in one sitting cuz there's just so much info that I gotta pause and reflect. Im glad I found this video. Its been enlightening and somewhat uplifting 😊
God damn this channel is a gold mine! Love it
I went from reading Fiction to Philospohy & Business Books, and wondered why I have such a hard time finishing the latter. This video showed why. Thanks so much 🙏
Been having book anxiety for the past few years. Thank you so much. Subbed!
This completely changed my perspective on reading books! I love the emphasis on quality over quantity, because everyone has a different pace of reading books and different circumstances. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Great Vlog, Robin!!! I'm looking forward to reading your book. Keep up the excellent work.
Yeah, I've been struggling to read Les Miserables for like a year. Everytime I pick up and try to read, I read like 15 - 20 pages in two hours. It's so fucking dense, with so much historical references, detailed description of France in XIX century, character instrospection. Everytime I came across some historical reference I would pause and do some research to understand how that related to the narrative, and these references, a lot of times, are really specific ones. It totally breaks the narrative flow and that got me away from reading, and I only got more impatient, and eventually I gave up. Now I will try to read again, taking my time, taking some notes, and trying to enjoy the reading, rather than facing it like a chore. I'm glad youtube recommended this.
Different people, different approach. Different books, different approach. Lettuce embrace all!
Your channel has now become my go-to whenever :) thank you.
Love the calming way you talk and explain things and love ur voice so much, thank you for the video
Wow I'm IMPRESSED by your eloquence, you're too good!
I'm so grateful that I've discovered your youtube channel
"How to read a book" author's name is Mortimer J. Adler, with Charles van Doren on the 2nd edition
I agree so vividly with your insight which you so excellently articulated - that it is not the number of books read, but how a book has expanded your mind or your "world' that matters. Your insight has proved entirely true to me and the way I read. Particularly as I myself realize that I'm a polymath like you. Thank you for in this moment inspiring me to be better. You are truly an intelligent and inspirational person. 🥰💓🙏
This one's one of your best videos, Robin! Thanks especially for clarifying the distinction between literary and genre fiction-I'm focusing more toward the former. Knowing how to approach a book according to its nature is indeed a core skill for being a polymath acquiring a transdisciplinary liberal education.
Also, Adler J. Morton is such a memorable name for a character (c.f.14:43)! Maybe consider using it in your novels as a tribute to Mortimer J. Adler, our reading instructor! (I've been schooled in the _How to Read a Book_ paradigm of reading too. It's such a great book-it literally taought me how to comprehend difficult texts across a range of disciplines, and got me into reading literature, philosophy, history, and science.)
Edit: I just noticed the typo in 'taught',but decided to leave it as is-a foreshadowing to the fact that I'll sooner or later dive into Taoist philosophy as part of my polymathic learning adventures.
Great video as always! Gave me a lot of insights! But critizing a little bit (hope you don't mind)... The first 6 minutes are repetition of the same things, the video could be more to the point in the introduction. :) Thanks for all the knowlodge shared!!! Keep it up!
Do you have any podcast ? I would love to listen to ur insights
Just stumbled across this channel for the first time. What a fresh, invaluable perspective, Mr. Waldun. Liked and subscribed. Can't wait to hear more of what you have to say!
sorry if this is weird but I l o v e the sound of your voice. It is just so unique and sounds smooth to me.
Why didn't I find you sooner... Your way of explaining is amazing.. so calm but to the point.
I can't believe RUclips recommended you JUST NOW. I love this !
Well put! All genres are equally valid but some things just take a long time to read. I’ve been working through Steven Pinker for years
Thank you for making content like this on youtube! I definitely feel a bit bogged down by quantity-driven reading goals online so your thoughts are a much appreciated reminder that mindful and meaningful reading is what I'm going for. Love how you articulate how reading just isn't about key takeaways but the entire experience of intention and experiential interaction with the books and one's own life. I feel like most people are put off by the need to concentrate while reading...which doesn't make any sense to me.
I absolutely love what you’re doing❤️
Is there any book on literary theory that you could recommend me?
Great video. Got both "How to read a book" and "The learned disguise" as well, Can't wait to read them both!
I think you worded this idea really well, I’m so glad I found your channel!
The Secret History! Back in the '90s I actually called off sick from work to stay home and read that book. 30yrs later it's sill sitting on my shelf. Thanks for the memory!
I feel lucky to have stumbled across this channel at a young age because now I can hone and improvise my reading skills.
Great advice! I read M.J. Adler's How To Read A Book last year and its ideas affected my attitude towards reading permanently and for the better. I'm glad that your video does the ideas from the book justice while adding your own experience and take on the topic.
You are the guy that I wanted to hear teach like this I have gone over 100 RUclips pages just to find someone like you thank you
I would like to request you one thing.
Please make a dedicated playlist about the reading and books etc. if possible because it makes the viewer difficult to scroll down and identify the parts...
thank you! that was just the reminder i needed! perfect to end this day : )
looking back, i just finished a non-fiction about 170 pages and it took me a year. another one, much thicker though, i've finished a couple of month ago, took me about 3 1/2 years - perfect examples :D
and here i am, watching to much booktube recently and feeling almost bad about reading a novel for the second time instead of starting a new one >.<
so again, thanks for the reminder! it was a pleasure to listen to you : )
Pfff... This changed the way I think about books! and also discovered Notion thanks to you! subbed! :)
I'm gonna binge-watch all your videos, i can feel it
Just discovered the channel and already love it!
honestly this makes me feel so much better because I tend to take my time reading because I really want to understand everything thats going on in the book and sometimes I get discouraged seeing people read more books than me
I totally agree with you that quality is way better than quantity, now fiction, yeah we can just dive in and read as fast as we want, for example, a contemporary romance. But resource books, academic books, classics, and deeper fiction should be read and savored. One phrase a prof gave me years ago was you read like you would eat your breakfast, you take in the words and you chew them before you digest and therefore are fully nourished. This has helped me through the years learn to chew the words and really digest what the whole book entails in order to be fully nourished!
I'm so glad I stumbled across this video! I had my most "successful" reading year in 2019, in that I'd read 10 fiction books within the second half of the year alone. I was studying speed reading...but eventually gave that up. I wasn't enjoying genre fiction the way I used to, so I went back to taking my time with those titles. Like JtF says below, you have to NOT try to keep up with those on BookTube who can read multiple books in one week/month - that's not for everyone. I actually just finished my...3rd, I think?...of 2020 and that's just because with everything going on in the world, I'm not always in the right mindset to focus on reading - although it is a great escape. Thanks so much for posting!
Oh my
Thanks RUclips to finally give me the indication that I actually need
It took me good years to finish the The way by Swans's by Proust, it is so dense, so packed of information, each sentence is so beautifully crafted. That man, obsessed with becoming a reputed novelist, created during the years a masterpiece that allows one to live more conscious inside his pages.
After hearing your explanation of literary fiction, I understand now why I have trouble coming up with a feasible, genre-fiction A-plot... the majority of the most recent books I’ve read have been literary fiction.
I really really like how you’ve organized the information in this video. You must be amazing at writing essays
To be honest, before finding your channel I hadn't picked up a book to read out of pure interest since I was a young teen. But you've inspired me to start reading again. Thank you ❤
Thank you for bringing up insight, it's kind of the whole point of reading.
This is really helpful. I've been thinking a lot about the books that i read and how i read them, and realized that i need to change the way i approach reading!
i love how you have taken the time to put this out for us, thank you (sorry for my English)