Selection
Why a Book Blurb Is a Poor Substitute for a First Page
A book blurb sells the premise; a first page shows sentence style, pacing and reading effort, helping you judge…
The full reading list
All articles
Browse writing on choosing what to read, making a reading list useful, and deciding when a text deserves another pass.
Formats
Paper or Screen for a Text You Need to Mark Up?
Paper or screen for annotating a text? Choose a format that suits the work, so your notes stay legible and useful when…
Reading Lists
Commonplace Books and Reading Lists Do Different Jobs
Commonplace books and reading lists do different jobs: learn how to keep useful passages, remember recommendations and…
Attention
The Backlog Trap: When Saving a Title Becomes a Promise
A reading backlog need not dictate your next choice. Learn to separate saved titles from reading plans and find a book…
Revisiting
A Second Pass Through a Short Text
A second pass through a short text helps you test its main claim against the wording that carries it, without turning…