Do You Know the Feeling of Finishing a Good Book?
The 3 Levels of Reading — Discover. Document. Digest.
Do you know the feeling of finishing a good book? It feels delightful. Turning over the last page of a book. But, what will I do with all the knowledge and insights I’ve gained from the book? As I thought about this question, I‘ve discovered that I experienced three levels of reading.
Level 1: Discover.
I discover my preference for non-fiction and personal development books. (People also call them “self-help” books but I think this name sounds ridiculous.) I read the standard literature like Atomic Habits or Thinking Slow and Fast. At this point, I just read for the sake of reading. I don’t take notes. I don’t reflect on the contents. I don’t discuss ideas.
Level 2: Document.
I realize the power of note-taking. Initially, I just highlight my favorite paragraphs. Then I start writing notes from them. Finally, I stumble upon the world of Knowledge Management. I start using software for note-taking, such as Roam Research or RemNote. I begin applying the Zettelkasten method to systematically organize my notes and try to build connections between my ideas. Note-taking is nothing more than paraphrasing the most important contents of a book. At this point, I grasp the actual power of reading.
Level 3: Digest.
Right now, at the third stage, I try to make use of all the insights I’ve gained from reading. I feel the urge to share and discuss all of the concepts that are written down in my favorite books.
Only at the third level, I can harness the full potential of reading. If I create notes from my books and learn from them, I’d often have a feeling of comprehension. But that’s just illusionary. How can I be sure that I’ve really internalized the insights and ideas of the book?
The answer is: Write or Discuss.
Only when I express myself in my own words, I can make sure that I’ve personalized the insights of a book. It turns out that the third stage is the most…
