Questions to Ask While Reading a Book
Active reading prompts to deepen comprehension, retention, and joy—solo or for book clubs.
1What problem is the author really trying to solve?
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What problem is the author really trying to solve?
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Why this works
Clarifies thesis and relevance early.
2What assumptions is this chapter built on?
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What assumptions is this chapter built on?
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Why this works
Teases out hidden premises and scope.
3Where does a story or example do the heavy lifting?
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Where does a story or example do the heavy lifting?
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Why this works
Finds persuasive devices beyond claims.
4What would change my mind here?
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What would change my mind here?
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Why this works
Designs falsification for fair reading.
5What’s one sentence worth underlining?
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What’s one sentence worth underlining?
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Why this works
Creates memory anchor points.
6Which idea connects to something I already know?
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Which idea connects to something I already know?
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Why this works
Builds schema and integration.
7What question am I excited to ask someone about this?
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What question am I excited to ask someone about this?
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Why this works
Turns reading social and reflective.
8Where might this be wrong or incomplete?
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Where might this be wrong or incomplete?
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Why this works
Encourages respectful skepticism.
9What could I try in the next 24 hours?
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What could I try in the next 24 hours?
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Why this works
Translates insight into action.
10What’s the emotional tone and how does it affect me?
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What’s the emotional tone and how does it affect me?
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Why this works
Tracks mood’s influence on interpretation.
11What’s missing that I wish were here?
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What’s missing that I wish were here?
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Why this works
Generates follow-up reading list.
12How would I explain this chapter to a friend?
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How would I explain this chapter to a friend?
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Why this works
Tests understanding via retrieval.
Reading System
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.