The Complete Idiot's Guide to Speed Reading

I've bought speed reading software (Speed Reader X: Speed Reading Made Easy) in the past and found it quite disappointing. Yes, you DO learn how to read faster with comprehension, but you are limited on what you learn. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Speed Reading is extremely helpful in learning MANY new methods to speed reading. It's up to date to include speed reading on-screen, and offers many tips on increasing your comprehension as well. You'll learn to try out many methods to keep pace (single-finger, multiple-finger, card), and, with experimentation, can figure out which method works best for you. You also learn about picking out key words to get the main idea, while skipping the smaller, less-important words (filler). Or, if that method doesn't work well for you, there's always "though-chunking," reading words as groups. This method works best for me, and increased my reading speed because my eyes stop on 3 or 4 points per line instead of stopping to read each word in a 13-word line. In a sense, you're stretching your peripheral vision to read more than one word at a time. And the book offers many exercises on improving that. There are a number of sample readings for you to practice on, along with space to keep track of your progress. This is very helpful to boost motivation and confidence, which the book points out is very helpful in making progress. If you feel and know you can speed read, then you will. The book offers a number of tips and strategies on how to remain focused while you read, where the best (and worst) places to read are, and how to give your eyes a rest. I've just finished reading this book and continue to practice, practice, practice everyday. That is ESSENTIAL in learning a new method. With the tips I've learned in this book I was able to increase my reading speed from 235 WPM (words per minute, an average reader), to 390 WPM with about 80% comprehension, the same as I would get with my normal speed. I was able to read Johnny Got His Gun, a 320 page novel, in 2 days, something that might have taken me over a week with my normal reading. And I understood it all. A great book. Bottom line: Get this book if you really want to learn how to speed read. It DOES take practice, but you WILL get results.

I bought 3 extra copies and gave to teachers who teach reading. I also tutor Adult literacy and am using it to help with teaching my student. As a reading teacher myself, I enjoyed the tips throughout the book and got many ideas to incorporate in the classroom. I manage mechanics on a full time basis have bought 2 extra to have for use at their leisure. As for helping me, the chapter on electronic mail and organizing that was very helpful. I now spend less time and energy through techniques in the chapter.THIS BOOK IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! Thank you Abby!

Professionals wading through infinite field-related literature, students preparing for exams, or anyone with a list of "must-read" best sellers piling up will benefit greatly from this book. Abby offers an extensive range of practical strategies to read, remember, and understand more in less time. While my favorite pacer for reading most hard copy turned out to be the "Short-Smooth Underline," I tried several others that worked well for different media, for example, the scrolling pacer for reading on screen. After a few One-Minute Timings, my reading speed more than doubled, and I remembered more of the key concepts--my goal of improved comprehension accomplished. The wealth of tools and techniques provide options for all kinds of documents and reading preferences. The speed strategies for organizing and prioritizing reading piles, identifying and kicking bad reading habits, and knowing when and for what types of reading to apply the strategies themselves were especially useful. I can't wait to sort through all the articles I've been keeping for much too long!

As CEO of a non-profit foundation and web site related to atrial fibrillation, I read lots of medical articles, studies, and books. Thus I read The Complete Idiot's Guide to Speed Reading, by Abby Marks Beale, to help me work through my backlog of technical reading. I was surprised to discover from the timed reading tests that I was already pretty fast. Come to think of it, that's because of what I learned from one of Abby's presentations several years ago! ;-) But I was shocked by how quickly the book and exercises helped me increase my speed and comprehension further. I now look forward to digesting complex medical literature more quickly. As a result, I've found myself devouring multiple books each evening, making amazing progress on that backlog. Abby Marks Beale used her extensive experience as a business productivity specialist to create a highly effective program. You'll learn tools and techniques to double, even triple, your reading speed and comprehension immediately. With time and practice, you'll increase them even more. For me, the sections on "Speed Reading On Screen" and "Overload Management" were life-savers. The book is worth reading just for that. The extra speed you'll gain is a bonus. Get it, read it, and you'll be so glad you did! Mellanie True Hills CEO, American Foundation for Women's Health and [...] Author, A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life