Reading Quickly

While reading Ideas (see earlier posts 12/25 & 1/6) I have become very frustrated with my reading speed. I have never been a fast reader, and I suffered for it in graduate school. Since grad school, I have never really been tested in reading quantity over short periods of time, so I set it by the way side. But as school approaches–13 days from now–and the vast pile of books that I need to read barely moves, despite dedicated huge amounts of time to reading, I am beginning to bang my head against the wall.

I have a relaxed reading temperament. I enjoy taking my time, reading about as fast as I would speak somewhat quickly. And my mind often wanders– if something interesting strikes me, I set down the book and consider whatever it is, even if it isn’t relevant. I have found this to be a strength, as I will often see things or reap ideas that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. However, there is a disadvantage to this as well– I simply to not absorb the quantity or grasp the ocean of material that I want to acquire (and need in order to be a successful philosophy teacher and student). 

So, today, from this moment on, I am considering this a top priority: become a faster reader. Force myseslf to move over lines quickly, while staying engaged and mentally active enough to reassemble and paraphrase everything I encounter as I read. I can move my eyes over the page quickly, but if the mind is in the usual state of relaxed contemplation, I understand nothing. Reading fast, I think, is a double thought process. One for absorption, another for active reconstitution. It requires an entirely different mental state than the one I have thoroughly habituated.