How to read a difficult book

Even if you are an avid reader, you are sure to come across some books that are extremely difficult to complete. The reasons can be many. You may find the books too descriptive or the subject may not interest you much. Also, at times the language or the word usage by the author can be very difficult to comprehend, or in some cases the plot could be too convoluted with too many elements introduced every now and then. But since you have begun, you should do all that you can to finish the book, so that you can pick up your next without a feeling of guilt. Here are some tips to put that difficult read behind you…

Settle in your reading spot—get back to that place where you can be comfortable and read for hours together without getting disturbed. It could be anywhere - you could read at your study desk, in a quiet library, on the grass, on the hammock, by the lake, or in one of those cushy chairs at your favourite coffee shop. So the first step towards conquering that difficult book is to reproduce the ideal conditions that work for you the best.

Keep a dictionary handy and immediately look up the meaning of words you are unsure of. This little extra effort will go a long way in helping you comprehend the book.

Don't skim read till you have understood how the story is going. Read the entire book, every word till you get the hang of things. If the characters or the plot is too complex then make a chart to guide you and help you with names. Let the guide be clear so that on your next session this comes handy.

If you own the book you are reading, you can also highlight important passages. Otherwise, you can take careful notes, noting down quotes, passages with page numbers or use stick-on notes to highlight important things.

If the book becomes too heavy to digest or too overwhelming, stop reading for a bit (even couple of days is okay). Take time off to better understand the book. Write down the questions that come to your mind, about characters, the plot, the author, the setting, idea conveyed, etc. If things don’t get sorted, try discussing it with a friend who you think can help.

Don't take a very long break. It can be very tempting to take a break and put the book away, but don't give in to that temptation. This is because it is very likely that you will never pick up the book again. And in case you pick it up there is every chance that you may forget about important elements of the plot or characterization. So, no matter how tough it gets just keep on reading!

After you've read through the book once, re-read the book if necessary to fill in the gaps. As you read and re-read key passages of the fiction/non-fiction, try tracing the events in the book chronologically. This will also help you put two and two together. Also, try tracing common elements, between this book and other works of the author. This will help you read between the lines and deepen your understanding of the subject.

Follow these tips and be persistent, it will help you complete even the most difficult book under the sun.