I've been reading 'Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective' to boost my low-level programming skills. It's a great book and strikes a good balance in terms of difficulty for me. However, I struggle with reading speed, especially since I'm not a native English speaker. I want to absorb all the details and do all the exercises, but I find myself sometimes only getting through about 7 pages an hour! Any tips for improving my reading efficiency with technical books? I've got a bunch of other books on my shelf that I want to get through too, like 'The Art of Programming.' I just want to finish them before the universe ends!
6 Answers
Seven pages per hour for a textbook is pretty normal. Don’t stress about speed; focus on comprehension!
One trick I've used is to highlight important sections in the book—if it's digital, tools like Calibre work wonders. I also jot down notes in my own language to clarify complex parts as I go. Having a second screen with something like Obsidian for organizing notes makes it easier to connect ideas and speed up the process. Just be honest about your notes, keep them concise, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you start gaining understanding! Feel free to ask for more tips if you’d like!
Honestly, I don’t think reading slow is a problem if the info sticks with you. Absorbing what's in front of you should be the priority, not racing through the pages. Quality over quantity, right?
Try treating your reading like a college course. Taking notes can really slow you down, but it also helps cement the material in your memory. Studies have shown that note-taking is a solid strategy for learning and retention—so give it a shot!
Programming is all about practice, so try building some small projects while you learn. Focusing on practical applications like pointers or memory management in C++ alongside your reading could really solidify your understanding!
As you read more, you'll naturally get faster at recognizing words and concepts. It's like training your brain to see syntax more quickly. Stick with it, and you'll notice a difference!
I’m planning to get a good grasp on the fundamentals first, like pointers and I/O operations, so I can create my own C++ projects alongside my studies. Just want to understand how everything works under the hood!