I keep overthinking while reading books and can’t finish anything. What should I do?

[Ankush96]

I have a small problem and I want some advice. Whenever I start reading any book, I automatically go into “learning mode.” Instead of just reading normally, I start focusing too much on:

grammar
sentence structure
meaning of every word and phrase
trying to understand everything perfectly

Because of this, I keep re-reading the same line or paragraph again and again. If I forget something, I go back. If I don’t understand one word, I stop and search on Google, AI tools, etc. I keep switching between the book and my phone, and finally I lose the flow. In the end, I get stuck and I am not able to finish any book. I don’t know if this is a correct way of reading or if I have developed a bad habit. So I want to ask:

1. Is this normal?
2. Should I change this way of reading?
3. If yes, what should I change so that I can read smoothly and actually complete books?

If anyone has gone through this or has suggestions, please help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jutfrank]

1. Not for most people, no.
2. If it's not working for you, yes. If it's working, no.
3. Read material that is graded to a slightly lower level.

There's nothing wrong per se with going into 'learning mode' if your goal by reading the book is purely to learn. But if your goal is to read for enjoyment, you should find something that's a bit easier to read, so you don't have to stop and focus on the language quite so much.

What kind of books are you reading that you're not able to finish? Can you give us one or two examples?

 

[Ankush96]

This is actually with any kind of book: novel, fiction,or, non fictional; short stories; long stories. My objective to improve comprehension, understand sentence structure and grammar, so that I can apply in real life - be it in speaking, writing and reading.

I really need some practical advice. If you got some idea, please help. I am kind of stuck, wasted lot of time, and unable to progress. I will be really grateful .

 

[Tarheel]

First, you have to decide how much time you want to devote to any particular endeavor. (Any time you spend doing one thing is less time you have fun something else.)

I would avoid saying that I would be grateful.

 

[Ankush96]

First, you have to decide how much time you want to devote to any particular endeavor. (Any time you spend doing one thing is less time you have fun something else.)

I would avoid saying that I would be grateful.

Thanks Tarheel for the suggestions. I got lost in the darkness. Please enlighten me.

 

[jutfrank]

It's quite simple—read texts that you enjoy, and which are at the right level for you. If the text is so hard that you have to stop at every sentence to check comprehension, you're not reading optimally.

A rule of thumb: If you can understand 90%-95% of the text, it's the right level for you.

 

[emsr2d2]

This is actually happens with any kind of book: novel, fiction no comma here or no comma here non-fiction, al; short stories no semi-colon here and long stories. My objective is to improve my comprehension no comma here and to understand sentence structure and grammar, so that I can apply them in real life, be it in speaking, writing and or reading.

I really need some practical advice. If you've got some any ideas, please help. I am kind of stuck, I've wasted a lot of time, and I'm unable to progress. I will be really grateful .

Please note my comments and corrections above.