Demanding reader - those who read less, but very selective.
Thinking is hard work. Thinking deeply is challenging and draining.
When working with a book, engagement and thinking process is paramount. Readers must reflect on the contents of the book:
As a result: better comprehension, more efficient self-education.
Demanding reader develops a habit of consciously and intentionally reflecting on a book’s contents.
Thinkin isn’t just reading continiously without pausing, it’s about moving from paragraph to paragraph while maintaining focus.
Concentrate on the problem at hand.
The essence of being good reader is to be a demanding reader. A demanding reader is one who stays awake while reading, and does so by asking questions as he reads. – Mortimer J. Adler, How to read a book
There are different available tools for a demanding reader. I see them as 2 main categories:
While working with a book i may use pen, highlighter, indexing stickers. Good books deserve at least several reads. Brilliant books can be searched the whole life - over and over you will find new ideas. My approach is to use whatever tool i have now with me, and talk with the author. If i can, i write inside the book, highlight resonating thoughts and index them later for better search.
This way i can work out a lot more out of the book.