After revisiting How to Read a Book and synthesizing it (see here), I realized that I prefer synoptical reading and had spent most of the year doing it. Hence, in the library section of this site, you see that each book lists the number of books it’s connected to. I also read analytically, but less often, and honestly that isn’t my first choice.

Another thing I realized is that I haven’t been consistent in doing Stage 1 (which, ironically, I added to the process). Stage one is “Define the problem you need to solve or the topic you want to understand.” But most times, I pick up a book based on what feels good at the time. I read it, and if it mentions another book, I read that book too. The result is that I’m not reading to solve top-of-mind problems or understand the very issues slowing me down. I’m just gathering knowledge that might not be what I need to move forward.

I thought about it today and realized that it takes effort to crystallize a specific problem. It’s not easy or natural for many people, which explains why so many early-stage founders can’t articulate the problem they’re solving (see here). But, as Kidlin’s Law says, if you write a problem down clearly, then the matter is half solved.

So, going forward, I’ll write down the problem I want to solve or the topic I want to understand better before I start reading synoptically. My hunch is that I’ll read more intensely and accelerate my progress by focusing on that problem or topic as I read.