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I read solely for academic purposes, so I rarely engage in reading for pleasure, like fiction or romance. This is something I've come to regret as I've grown older. As a result, I sometimes struggle with maintaining concentration for extended periods. I find myself constantly flipping back and forth through the material I'm reading. Moreover, I encounter difficulty when reading compositions laden with rare English terms.

Reading becomes challenging when I lack prior context or knowledge about the subject matter. If I fail to actively engage with the material and attempt to decode the author's intentions, it may appear all too monotonous or uninteresting. Unfamiliar vocabulary also poses a hurdle, so there are times when it may take some time to absorb the information being read.

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The greatest determiner of my enjoyment in reading is my mood, followed by my current schedule as a student. I also rarely get to read a text without any distractions, unless it is so compelling that I refuse to stand up for a water and toilet break (yes, it happens). Apart from these two factors, I also find it difficult to read when I fail to feel any sense of attachment to the text and its characters/topic, which is a common struggle amongst other readers as well.

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The first thing I tend to do when I read is to have a preliminary overview of the material to familiarize myself with the content and grasp its overall concept. This initial step was a practice I developed over time since there were countless times when I was surprised by the density of the content I am reading. Apart from that, when I was younger, my sister who loves books also told me that whenever I come across words I don't recognize, I should immediately look up their definition to broaden my vocabulary and enhance my comprehension. Subsequently, I try to get rid of distractions I encountered the first time. I usually put my phone on “do not disturb” mode and find an area I am most comfortable to read aloud. After that, I reread with more concentration to immerse myself in the text without any interruptions, and absorb the important details.

To maintain a high level of focus during my reading, I use active reading techniques. These involve highlighting key information or important points within the text. Additionally, I often take notes to help me recall some details and thoughts I had while reading. When dealing with a paper with too much information, it overwhelms me, so I organize my readings into parts to make them easier to comprehend.  These segments also serve as an opportunity to take breaks for mental refreshment and lead to better retention of the information. When I still can’t focus, I take a 1 hour break by either napping or doing recreational activities before I read again.

I've found that my reading is most effective when I have my own personal space and there is minimal noise or distraction around me. When I say personal space, I learn better when I am alone, reading at my own pace. I think this is why study groups are not for me because I only get pressured and intimidated by the speed of their reading. An interesting twist to my approach is that I often read aloud, dictating the words. This practice not only deepens my understanding of the content but also helps me with pronunciation. Hearing myself read aids in remembering the texts easily.

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I usually start reading the preface and skim towards the final sentences or paragraphs of a text. Then, I check some of the middle parts of the text. When I am satisfied with gaining a peek of some of the rising action/conflict, and resolution of the text, I start reading the text in a linear manner. I consult external materials that are either directly related to the text (author and critical commentaries about the text) or have significant to minor bearings to it (historical context and evidence related to the text, media adaptations and inspirations etc.) in order to gain a multi-faceted understanding of the impact of the text and appreciate it as a tool for sociopolitical commentary. I also look for (free) audiobook editions of the texts while reading it, since it aids in maintaining my focus on the text, and adds an interesting and defined "voice". I remember enjoying my experience in reading and studying Alice Walker's The Color Purple with her voice narrating the text in my ear; it made the experience more personal, and at times, more crushing than ever*.

The effectiveness of my reading method greatly varies depending on my current reading mood; however, I find the nonlinear nature of my reading method ideal for someone who finds it easier to understand the text with prior knowledge or understanding of some of the key events of the stories. I do not worry about having my reading experience ruined by spoilers, since I know that the essence of the text is not solely reliant on its plot, but also on how it was unraveled by the author.

*Walker's The Color Purple is not a light read, for thematic reasons.

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I like to take my time when I read. I’m really not a fan of speed reading or skimming for either academic or non-academic texts. Instead, I like to read in “sections.” I define sections based on what topic or line of thought the author is currently lingering on. For academic texts (like the International Financial Reporting Standards that are the tools of the trade in accountancy), I categorize parts into theory, formulae, or practicum. For creative pieces, however, my sectioning is not as precise as I like to think of it as a series of scenes. For example: the author describing the character’s immediate surroundings, or setting the mood for a huge confrontation, or delving deep into the emotions of a complex villain can all be part of the same scene even if they read as completely different trains of thought! I like to do this because I like being able to savor what the author is trying to communicate in each “section.” At times, I will even stay stuck in the same one if I feel like I haven’t fully digested what the author meant to push across, repeating the same sentences over and over. Thus, even the tiniest things stick to my mind because of how much I want to fully grasp sections before moving on.

Although it’s important for me to understand what is happening or what point the author is trying to make, I also make note of scenes or passages that I think are striking or well-written. (Like this gem Madeline Miller wrote in The Song of Achilles: “I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.” Or this excerpt from Numbers 32:23, “...be sure that your sin will find you out.”) As someone who once had aspirations of being a writer myself, I also enjoy and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into written work. What words does the author use to describe this scene? Why did they choose to write this scene in this way? Why did they decide to resolve the protagonist’s issues this way? To me, answering these questions is as equally thrilling as anticipating what happens next in a story.

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In my opinion, what makes deeper-level reading a challenge is how overwhelming it is once you break the surface (and how overwhelming it is to even attempt to break it). Enjoying a story or a narrative is easy -- you can just take it as is! However, picking apart how it was done or why certain details are the way they are requires not only a deeper level of understanding of the author’s particular style, origins, and influences, but also a mindfulness of socio-cultural differences and implications. In short: there’s a lot of work that goes into truly appreciating literary pieces, and sometimes it can be so mentally taxing that it’s hard to convince myself to go through all that -- pardon the language -- torture.

For example: my favorite Bible verse is Numbers 32:23, "... For you can be sure that your sin will find you out." (I am by no means religious, nor are my parents, but my grandmothers were adamant to bring me to Sunday school and read me the Bible, King James version, to sleep.) Would I find that passage any less beautiful or haunting if I didn't know the context behind it? Hardly. On its own, I think it's a striking phrase that speaks of introspection and warns of guilt. However, knowing that it was both a threat and a warning spoken by Moses in the context of a delicate covenant between the tribes of Israel amidst a possible war makes it, well, more badass if you ask me. I had to do a lot of Bible study to learn that, though.