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How Do I Understand Hard Books R Literature Reddit

Bonisiwe Shabane
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how do i understand hard books r literature reddit

Katie Azevedo July 31, 2023good habits, reading comprehension, study skills If you’re a student of any age, you’re going to read hard books for school. This is a fact of life. But whether you consider yourself a good reader or not, reading hard books will always take more effort and sometimes different approaches than reading other types of books. In this post, I teach you how to read hard books with 7 strategies. The strategies below will help you get through difficult novels, including non-fiction, fiction, and biographies.

Priming is a strategy that involves getting a brief overview of the topic you’ll be reading about before you read it, so that what you read has a place to “stick” in your mind. Why is this important? Because the more you know about a subject, the better you’ll be able to process and understand new information about that subject. Think of it this way: If you’ve eaten an orange before, you’ll have an easier time describing the flavor of a grapefruit the first time you eat a grapefruit. Understanding the orange’s flavor (sweet, tart, citrus-y) helps you categorize and experience the flavor of a grapefruit. Jeremy Anderberg • September 3, 2019 • Last updated: October 28, 2025

In the last year, I’ve managed to finish a number of lengthy, sometimes hard-to-read books. Ron Chernow’s 900+ page tome on George Washington. 600+ dense pages on James Madison. Andrew Roberts’ massive biography of Winston Churchill. (Yes, I’m into biographies.) A couple of Dickens’ novels — they’re all big. Melville’s American masterpiece, Moby-Dick.

Robert Caro’s legendary, epic series on Lyndon Johnson. And most recently, all 1,400+ pages of Les Miserables. Even though these books were enjoyable, and I had a genuine interest in the subject matter, they were often hard to read, if for no other reason than their sheer volume. Large pages, small fonts, tiny margins. Les Mis, because of its actual weight, had to be read sitting up, and often in a chair with an armrest because the thing was so dang heavy and unwieldy. (While I could have read an e-version, as I’ll explain below, I often prefer hardbound copies of classics, even if they’re harder to wrangle.)

While Hugo and Dickens are a delight to read, the reality is that their language is so different from today that it takes brain power to really digest. And while those biographies I mentioned aren’t necessarily old, they are dense with facts, especially when you’re new to that person/time period. They’re just intimidating for folks who aren’t used to that type of reading which requires sustained focus and a bit of endurance. Before the last year or so, I would have probably counted myself in that camp. I had tried to read Washington: A Life and gave up after a few hundred pages. I’d tried Moby-Dick and met a similar fate.

The allure of a big, meaty book was great, and yet I couldn’t find the stamina to actually finish many. Dense texts can often feel like a labyrinth, where every turn leads to confusion rather than clarity. You might find yourself grappling with complex ideas and unfamiliar terminology, leaving you wondering how to effectively navigate these challenges. It's essential to adopt a strategic approach, one that transforms frustration into understanding. By employing specific techniques, you can access the potential of even the most difficult materials, but what exactly should you focus on to make that shift? Understanding difficult texts can feel like tackling a complex puzzle, but it's a rewarding challenge.

When you immerse yourself in dense reading, you stretch your comprehension beyond what you already know. This journey not only promotes intellectual growth but also helps you explore rich, complex material. To navigate these texts effectively, start by gathering background information. Researching relevant historical context can greatly enhance your understanding. Additionally, setting a clear reading goal can help enhance focus and efficiency, making the reading process more manageable effective reading strategies. As you read, remember that authors often present complicated ideas and vocabulary.

To tackle this, employ strategic reading strategies like annotating and summarizing. These techniques clarify meanings and keep you engaged with the material. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking faster reading means better comprehension, but studies show that skimming often leads to missed details. Instead, slow down and process the content fully. Develop effective reading habits by taking notes and asking critical questions. This approach not only enhances your focus but also improves your retention.

Effective reading strategies can transform how you approach dense texts, making the process smoother and more rewarding. One powerful method is the SQ3R technique—Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. This method actively engages you with the text, promoting better reading comprehension. As you read, take notes to enhance focus and memory recall. Summarizing key points can clarify difficult concepts and reinforce your understanding. A lot of you have asked me how I read so many difficult, long books, like some of the classics I have discussed here?

And how can I read, summarise and analyse them on this channel? Today, I will explain my process in 9 steps to help you read and digest meaty books but more importantly how to be more productive with your reading. There are 2 types of writers and readers: discovery readers are intuitive and planners are logical. Discovery readers seek experiences and surprises. Planners, however, have a specific goal. In my younger days I used to be a discovery reader and I would let the book take me on a journey.

Now I plan my reading. When you’re young, you date for fun. But once closer to 30, you search for a good mate to have babies with. When it comes to books, I am picky. Typically fiction readers are discovery readers and non-fiction readers are planners, but I’m a planner through and through. Just as in life and stories, reading is a three-part process: before reading, while reading and after reading.

So each section comes with three tips. Let’s begin. I used to be scared of commitment, so I read shorter books. Short books are fun dates, while long books are like a full-on marriage. Reading the 7 volumes by Marcel Proust, about 3000 pages was a marriage, with lots of ups and downs. I started slow and moved up once I had the stomach to digest a chunkier book.

Just like in gaming, you want to start at level one. Two of my favourite books of all time are short novellas: the Blind Owl and Pedro Paramo. Step: 2: You must judge a book by its cover. You are here: Home » Blog » Bookworm's Notebook » How to Read a Difficult Book Reading books like Ulysses (1922) by James Joyce or Infinite Jest (2006) by David Foster Wallace can seem daunting, but it’s a journey well worth taking. Learning how to read a difficult book requires not just patience but also specific strategies to comprehend its complex themes and intricate structures.

To face the challenges of reading a difficult book, develop a disciplined reading schedule and commit to reading a certain number of pages or chapters each day. Annotating as you read can help keep track of complex plots or ideas and make it easier to revisit key passages later. Another useful strategy is to join a book club or online forum that focuses on difficult texts. Engaging in discussions with others can provide new perspectives and keep motivation levels high. When facing the challenges, start by understanding the context and time period of the book; this can provide invaluable insights into its themes and style. If you encounter particularly tough sections, don’t hesitate to skim or even temporarily skip ahead.

To stay motivated, view the challenging sections as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. The goal is to keep moving forward and enjoy the reading experience. Difficult books often feature dense prose, intricate plots, and extensive use of symbolism. Works by Shakespeare or James Joyce typically contain language that may feel archaic or unfamiliar. What a great post Shannan. Like you, I read my “recovery book” (I never used that term but like it) while reading a “hard” book.

I would also choose what time of day to read it. I might want to save my recovery book for evening reading in case the “hard” book lead to bad dreams. My book club also challenges me to read outside my comfort zone and gives me a “why” as I know there will be a great discussion to make it worth it. Thank you so much Janice. My reading time is limited but that is a great idea to read the “hard” book during the day. I could probably do it during carline waiting on the Buddy Man!

Thanks. Thank you so much for this post Shannan! I am someone who has so many books that I want to read but am afraid to because I find difficult themes really hard to read through, knowing that I might I feel uncomfortable... I don’t necessarily want to push myself to read all hard books just for the sake of it, but I do want to read some because the topics covered are important to me and... This post will really help me slowly but surely expand my comfort zone in my reading life and I so appreciate that!! I’m so glad, Alexis!

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