I think speed reading is a great skill but rather for reading articles when I need to learn something quickly or find specific information - then "scanning" the text is useful.<p>For books? Come on... Just dedicate some quality time daily and choose a book wisely.
I agree with the title but highly disagree with much of this article.<p>Speed reading does work well, but you have to deliberately practice comprehension. I've read well over a million words in the last month. Fiction and history books are especially wordy, but are worth reading fast. Ever read Stephen King? He's got some excellent ideas, but you have to just slog through the descriptions. I'm grateful I can speed read as it makes the book more like a story that flows.<p>But in general, the really good books are very hard to read, because the ideas are hard to grasp. Going for X books a year means you end up selecting "easy" (and thus, less impactful) books.
I don't think the objective of reading books is to be successful.<p>This has the same problem as "going to college won't get you a high paying job".
My problem is that I stick with a bad book for too long. I keep thinking there'll be more 'good' parts, but it's lost time.<p>I'd probably benefit from reading fewer books, but sticking with quality material.
Reading doesn't make anyone successful. Working does.
Reading improves your knowledge if you read the right stuff.
Working and applying what you read improves your odds.
Reading for reading's sake is entertainment. You have to actively put what you learn into action for the knowledge to be effective in your life. You can't do that when you read 2 books a week.
Felix Dennis called these sort of cargo-cultings "point-at-the-sky guide to success." If the billionaire points at the sky, clearly that's really,
really important. <i>sarcasm</i> ;)