Reading ability is not an innate skill; it is a learned and cultivated one. As humans are not born literate, the level of a person’s reading proficiency is largely determined by the extent of their learning and training. The most effective method to improve this ability is not found in shortcuts, but rather in extensive, consistent, and sustained reading. This applies not only to increasing reading speed but also, more critically, to enhancing your ability to retain, absorb, and analyze information from a text. Cultivating this skill through disciplined practice will provide immense and lasting benefits, while neglecting it can create a cognitive ceiling that limits your potential.
The key to effective reading lies in selecting the right materials. The ideal book is one you can largely comprehend but that also presents a sufficient challenge to your current skill level. Reading books that are either too easy or too difficult will not lead to significant progress. For instance, if you have very limited reading experience and lack the necessary background knowledge, jumping directly into complex philosophical works like Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason will likely leave you confused and yield little benefit. Conversely, if you consistently read books that offer no challenge, such as popular, light fiction like Harry Potter, you risk becoming intellectually stagnant and trapped in a cognitive loop, which makes it increasingly difficult to engage with new and different ideas.
For those aiming to significantly improve their reading skills—including comprehension, retention, and the ability to analyze complex sentences—I recommend focusing on foundational works in the humanities and social sciences. Unlike the often concise and direct language of scientific books (with the exception of low-quality textbooks), these classics offer a linguistic challenge that is crucial for developing your language comprehension. A great starting point would be foundational texts that are relatively straightforward yet intellectually demanding, such as Plato’s Apology and Republic, René Descartes’ Discourse on Method, and Max Weber’s Politics as a Vocation.
Most first-time readers will find these classics challenging, but the reward is immense. Once you persevere through one of these books—ideally a thinner, more accessible one—each subsequent text will become progressively easier. To maximize your gains, approach your reading systematically by paying attention to historical sequence and the intellectual lineage between authors. For example, understanding the progression from Descartes to Spinoza, then to Locke and Hume, and finally to Kant helps to build a cohesive framework. By deliberately constructing this “systematic” understanding, after reading twenty to thirty books, you will begin to form your own profound insights and connect ideas in a way that was previously unimaginable.