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How to Read a Book: Advice for Christian Readers
Imagine a well-read man.
Do you see a machine dressed in tweed gorging on information? This book is not about becoming that kind of reader.The well-read man wakes up and consults with Moses on the way to work.
He sips his coffee and ponders the wisdom of Hannibal's elephants crossing the Alps.
He turns furrowed-browed philosophers upside down and takes their lunch money.
He changes his oil and deliberates with Peter Drucker about effective management practices.
He regales his wife with the tale of Monet's water lilies in the Gardens at Giverny.
He sings with Sandra Boynton as his toddlers' eyes grow heavy.
This book is about becoming that man. Be as human as you can be.
Learn how to read a book.
Do you see a machine dressed in tweed gorging on information? This book is not about becoming that kind of reader.The well-read man wakes up and consults with Moses on the way to work.
He sips his coffee and ponders the wisdom of Hannibal's elephants crossing the Alps.
He turns furrowed-browed philosophers upside down and takes their lunch money.
He changes his oil and deliberates with Peter Drucker about effective management practices.
He regales his wife with the tale of Monet's water lilies in the Gardens at Giverny.
He sings with Sandra Boynton as his toddlers' eyes grow heavy.
This book is about becoming that man. Be as human as you can be.
Learn how to read a book.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2024
179 people are currently reading
1246 people want to read
About the author
Andrew David Naselli
45 books107 followersAndrew David Naselli (PhD, Bob Jones University; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is associate professor of New Testament and theology at Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota and an elder of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
April 8, 2024
One of the best books I've ever read, and incredibly timely for me. The last year or so I've really been working hard on being more productive, wise, and self-disciplined, especially in my reading and writing habits, and this book just gave me the keys to the kingdom.
February 7, 2025
Every time I read a book by my good friend Andy Naselli, the same words come to mind: "Classic Andy." He's got a reputation for hard-working, straightforward, others-serving analysis. Here he analyzes his own studied reading practices and offers very practical advice in an admirably brief space for others who wish to read well. He and I have had a lot of the same influences, and I mean a lot. I've hardly ever read a book so quickly, because my thinking is so similar to his. But I remember when I didn't know these things, and Andy's counsel is (I certainly believe!) sound.
June 23, 2024
“You should read for at least three reasons: to live, to grow, and to enjoy.”
This concise read is perfect for Christians who desire to improve their reading life.
This book electrified my love of reading! I want to read more now- more deliberately, thoughtfully and joyfully.
I loved how there was an emphasis on the vital importance of Bible reading, and the benefits of both fiction and non-fiction.
There is a short “recommended books” list at the end. He has a distinct reading taste (which happens to be similar to my own,) but I know not everyone will enjoy or be interested in them. There are some methods the author proposes that won’t work for everyone, but he acknowledges this and there was plenty of other practical advice.
This concise read is perfect for Christians who desire to improve their reading life.
This book electrified my love of reading! I want to read more now- more deliberately, thoughtfully and joyfully.
I loved how there was an emphasis on the vital importance of Bible reading, and the benefits of both fiction and non-fiction.
There is a short “recommended books” list at the end. He has a distinct reading taste (which happens to be similar to my own,) but I know not everyone will enjoy or be interested in them. There are some methods the author proposes that won’t work for everyone, but he acknowledges this and there was plenty of other practical advice.
June 25, 2024
I think this will end up being one of my favorite books of the year. Fantastic. Nothing groundbreaking, but encouraging, convicting, concise, and exceptionally practical. Read this instead of Adler’s book.
July 22, 2025
This is my third or fourth time around. It's a great book to read before school starts. It snaps you into the right state of mind.
August 23, 2024
Excellent resource. “A tool for sharpening your axe.”
Considering making this required reading for all MTC participants over the winter or summer break.
Considering making this required reading for all MTC participants over the winter or summer break.
May 3, 2024
Similar to Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books, but condensed, this short book provides practical tips for the Christian reader, in how to read, what to read and when to read. I found it a good refresher and an invitation to reassess my own reading skills and habits.
May 27, 2025
One of the most helpful and effective tools I’ve been blessed to have. Dr. Naselli’s advice is brilliant and academic yet very easy to read and understand. He has singlehandedly propelled me back into joyful reading. Easily 5/5, would recommend as a must-read.
July 6, 2024
An edifying, instructional, and freeing book that is geared specifically towards the Christian reader. Edifying because the ultimate end in our reading (to learn or delight) is because it is all for the glory of God. Instructional because Naselli masterfully organizes his book by utilizing many lists which makes it easy to follow and remember. Freeing because many can feel the guilt of reading as duty and not as delight (also because he agrees with me that listening to an audiobook is reading)! He speaks to Bible reading being the most important reading we can do and encourages multiple methods to engage God’s Word - surveying, microreading, macroreading, memorization, listening to an audio Bible, etc. Every Christian would be wise to learn from Naselli!
August 27, 2024
Outstanding! A book on how to read a book may seem like it’s preaching to the choir for those who enjoy reading enough to be on goodreads 😉, but every piece of this book was thoroughly researched, clearly reasoned, compellingly stated.
Naselli is very influenced by Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book, but obviously there is a Christian influence here. It is still primarily a book about reading books in general, but inevitably touches on how to read THE book. Naselli is heavily influenced by CS Lewis, John Piper, and Don Carson and you encounter a lot of their emphases in this book.
Naselli takes a view of reading and learning to love reading that is very in line with the classical Christian education I received, so much of this book felt familiar to me, but there is still so much that is so helpful to me as a reader.
Highlights for me were his discussion of reading at different levels, reading systematically, and what to read. His illustration of Eustace Scrubb as a boy who read the wrong books was a wonderful illustration for his discussion of what to read.
I know I will read more and more effectively after reading this book. There aren’t many books out there I would unhesitatingly recommend to anyone, but I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from this.
Love this quote! ⬇️
“Reading is worship. You enjoy God by enjoying his gifts, and one of his gifts to you is reading. You should delight in God by delighting in his words and the wholesome written creations of his creative and imaginative image-bearers…Read to enjoy.”
Also love this one! This is why I write such ridiculously long reviews. It helps synthesize what I’ve read to reflect back and write out a review. ⬇️
“Reading, conversing, and writing go together to make you a well-rounded person. When you read deeply, that copiousness overflows in conversations. Talking about what you read helps you clarify what you think about it and helps you communicate easily and promptly. And writing about what you read forces you to clarify more precisely what you think about it.”
Naselli is very influenced by Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book, but obviously there is a Christian influence here. It is still primarily a book about reading books in general, but inevitably touches on how to read THE book. Naselli is heavily influenced by CS Lewis, John Piper, and Don Carson and you encounter a lot of their emphases in this book.
Naselli takes a view of reading and learning to love reading that is very in line with the classical Christian education I received, so much of this book felt familiar to me, but there is still so much that is so helpful to me as a reader.
Highlights for me were his discussion of reading at different levels, reading systematically, and what to read. His illustration of Eustace Scrubb as a boy who read the wrong books was a wonderful illustration for his discussion of what to read.
I know I will read more and more effectively after reading this book. There aren’t many books out there I would unhesitatingly recommend to anyone, but I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from this.
Love this quote! ⬇️
“Reading is worship. You enjoy God by enjoying his gifts, and one of his gifts to you is reading. You should delight in God by delighting in his words and the wholesome written creations of his creative and imaginative image-bearers…Read to enjoy.”
Also love this one! This is why I write such ridiculously long reviews. It helps synthesize what I’ve read to reflect back and write out a review. ⬇️
“Reading, conversing, and writing go together to make you a well-rounded person. When you read deeply, that copiousness overflows in conversations. Talking about what you read helps you clarify what you think about it and helps you communicate easily and promptly. And writing about what you read forces you to clarify more precisely what you think about it.”
July 26, 2024
4.5/5
In the best ways, this is an improvement on Adler's book of the same name. It is more concise and more Christian. Highly recommend.
In the best ways, this is an improvement on Adler's book of the same name. It is more concise and more Christian. Highly recommend.
January 30, 2025
Listened on Canon+.
5x5: Writing/Reading. I kept increasing the speed while listening, waiting for it to be more than his commonplace collection formatted into lists. Meh. I did look up and get some good books off his bibliography.
Maybe if you had a class of young high school students who wouldn't read Adler, you could use this book as an intro to serious reading. I found his regurgitation of other people's thoughts into numbered lists to be dull.
5x5: Writing/Reading. I kept increasing the speed while listening, waiting for it to be more than his commonplace collection formatted into lists. Meh. I did look up and get some good books off his bibliography.
Maybe if you had a class of young high school students who wouldn't read Adler, you could use this book as an intro to serious reading. I found his regurgitation of other people's thoughts into numbered lists to be dull.
April 26, 2024
Lots of good stuff in here for the Christian reader.
- Encourages three levels of reading, survey, micro and macro reading.
- Gives tips and encouragement on how to encourage a culture of reading with you kids
- The Bible is the foundational word we should read.
- Full of great quotes
Made me want to work harder to be a literate man.
- Encourages three levels of reading, survey, micro and macro reading.
- Gives tips and encouragement on how to encourage a culture of reading with you kids
- The Bible is the foundational word we should read.
- Full of great quotes
Made me want to work harder to be a literate man.
January 13, 2025
Naselli provides a wealth of good advice on how we can read more, and read better. He generally follows the Follow Your Whim school of thought endorsed by Alan Jacobs in The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction.
Here are the main take-home messages:
-Read broadly from a wide variety of subjects. And don’t neglect fiction.
-Read old books (like CSL says!)
-Listen to audiobooks (yes, this counts as reading—you’re listening to someone read aloud).
-Read multiple books at a time. Pick what strikes your fancy at the moment.
-Read at different levels: Some books should be “surveyed” (he prefers this term to “skimmed”), others should be “macro-read” (read word-for-word as if reading aloud or listening to an audiobook), and still other books should be “micro-read” where details should be mined and analyzed.
Readers who are hoping for specific book recommendations or to locate a list of Books Every Christian Should Read may be disappointed. But Naselli still offers some great recommendations on how to choose which books to read:
-Read what helps you be vigilant about your character and doctrine
-Read what helps you excel at what God has called you to do
-Read what helps you better understand reality
-Read what you wholesomely enjoy!
Here are the main take-home messages:
-Read broadly from a wide variety of subjects. And don’t neglect fiction.
-Read old books (like CSL says!)
-Listen to audiobooks (yes, this counts as reading—you’re listening to someone read aloud).
-Read multiple books at a time. Pick what strikes your fancy at the moment.
-Read at different levels: Some books should be “surveyed” (he prefers this term to “skimmed”), others should be “macro-read” (read word-for-word as if reading aloud or listening to an audiobook), and still other books should be “micro-read” where details should be mined and analyzed.
Readers who are hoping for specific book recommendations or to locate a list of Books Every Christian Should Read may be disappointed. But Naselli still offers some great recommendations on how to choose which books to read:
-Read what helps you be vigilant about your character and doctrine
-Read what helps you excel at what God has called you to do
-Read what helps you better understand reality
-Read what you wholesomely enjoy!
December 9, 2024
Thoroughly wonderful.
Naselli is well studied and read, and it comes through. This seems to be the best of books like "An Experiment in Criticism" by Lewis, "Lit" by Reinke, and "How to Read a Book" by Adler, all condensed and combined.
He is encouraging, convicting, and enlightening as an author. There were several times reading this book where I thought, "How did I never think of that?" or audibly saying, "This book is wonderful. What a delight!"
If you want to know why reading is important, this book is for you; if you want to learn how to read, this book is for you; if you want helpful tips on how to read, what to read, or even simpler things like organizing books, when to read books, or even good authors to read, then this book is for you.
This book has given me a great desire to read more, and it's given me helpful tools to embark on the journey. So, with the last chapters exhortation (taken from Augustines Confessions), "take up and read!"
Naselli is well studied and read, and it comes through. This seems to be the best of books like "An Experiment in Criticism" by Lewis, "Lit" by Reinke, and "How to Read a Book" by Adler, all condensed and combined.
He is encouraging, convicting, and enlightening as an author. There were several times reading this book where I thought, "How did I never think of that?" or audibly saying, "This book is wonderful. What a delight!"
If you want to know why reading is important, this book is for you; if you want to learn how to read, this book is for you; if you want helpful tips on how to read, what to read, or even simpler things like organizing books, when to read books, or even good authors to read, then this book is for you.
This book has given me a great desire to read more, and it's given me helpful tools to embark on the journey. So, with the last chapters exhortation (taken from Augustines Confessions), "take up and read!"
May 21, 2024
The practical insights from Naselli were outnumbered by his numerous book recommendations in the various categories...and I am not complaining. He presents three levels of reading, and especially the first "survey" level is sure to stir up differing opinions. I absolutely agree, and honestly I found much of what Naselli suggests to be things I have absorbed over the years myself. And for all the rest, I will try to keep absorbing.
December 24, 2025
I kept hearing how good this was, so I picked it up, expecting to get a dry, academic survey like Mortimer Adler's. Literally nothing could have been further from the truth. It was very interesting, funny, and actually engaging. There was SO MUCH content that was pure gold (not just for reading but also for life) that I think I'm gonna need to read it like three more times to fully grasp all of it. This one is going in the GOAT shelf 100%
EDIT: I have not read this two times, Goodreads 🤨🤨 idk why it's showing that
EDIT: I have not read this two times, Goodreads 🤨🤨 idk why it's showing that
December 11, 2025
Holy cow, I’ve never read a book so quickly. In two sittings Dr. Naselli affirmed my goals for reading and began dissecting the skills and patterns to make reading seem much more feasible. My desire to read has remained great, but my fear of getting stuck or reading poorly has been reframed with new purpose. I look forward to referencing this book as I move on to the next book.
July 30, 2024
Accessible. Thorough. Timely. A needed rebirth of the concepts in Adler's classic with a much more personable style.
January 1, 2025
The purpose of this book is to help Christians learn how to read well.
💭 There are many good points. Overall I found Chapters 1-2, why and how you should read, to be the most encouraging and helpful.
Strengths:
- Prioritizes Bible reading,
- discusses the importance of good reading choices,
- helps you consider what may be distracting you from focused reading,
- provides reading strategies and encourages you to discern worldview 🙌.
Weaknesses:
- There are 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 nested lists and I did not care for the format. Yes, I realize this review utilizes lists 😆.
- Arguments are built around and dependent on numerous quotes.
- The suggestions for what to read are too narrow, only reflecting the author’s personal taste.
- Ultimately reads like the primary audience is college students or pastors despite stated intent of reaching a general Christian audience.
💭 There are many good points. Overall I found Chapters 1-2, why and how you should read, to be the most encouraging and helpful.
Strengths:
- Prioritizes Bible reading,
- discusses the importance of good reading choices,
- helps you consider what may be distracting you from focused reading,
- provides reading strategies and encourages you to discern worldview 🙌.
Weaknesses:
- There are 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 nested lists and I did not care for the format. Yes, I realize this review utilizes lists 😆.
- Arguments are built around and dependent on numerous quotes.
- The suggestions for what to read are too narrow, only reflecting the author’s personal taste.
- Ultimately reads like the primary audience is college students or pastors despite stated intent of reaching a general Christian audience.
May 20, 2024
It’s chiefly a book of quotes of other peoples’ thoughts on reading, most of which were found in books I’ve already read (no points docked for that, of course!), but there still remains some of the author’s own thoughts and experiences as well. It would be a good starting place if you’re newly embarking on literary studies, as its footnotes are full of [mostly] solid book/article recommendations. I did take note of a few suggestions and overall appreciate Naselli taking the time to curate his quote collection for us. It’s succinct, well-organized, and easy to read. The appendix discussing social media was a nice addition and would benefit everyone.
3.5 overall
3.5 overall
May 12, 2024
I should write more later, but wow I loved this book! Tolle lege, tolle lege! Take up and read, take up and read!
January 26, 2026
I really thought a book on how to read a book was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard of. These are my words I will be having them for dinner. This might be the most helpful book I’ve read (which to be fair is not many books tho) buti have a list of people I can wait to recommend this to. It’s practical, vision casting, and surprisingly a page turner. Naselli writes like your favorite teacher who really believes I can be cured of my iPad-kidism. I’m easily overwhelmed by reading and get stubbornly stuck in boring chapters or even entire books. Praise God I am delivert. By introducing three different methods of reading, and discussing how to think about what we should spend our precious and limited time reading Naselli helps the reader see value in growing the discipline of habitual reading. Down with big doom scrolling up with big reading.
May 26, 2024
This book is less comprehensive than Mortimer Adler’s book with the same title, but it is the better for it. It is filled with sound wisdom and practical steps for to grow as a reader. The chapter “How to read” is worth the price of the book. I heartily recommend this for all who aspire to grow as readers.
June 24, 2025
This is a must read for Christians who want to be productive readers. The piece of advice I found most helpful from the book was to read books on different levels. Not all books should be read slowly and carefully. Some can be skimmed, or “surveyed,” as Naselli calls it. Others can be read quickly and some should be read under a microscope. It will be helpful for me to place different books in these categories in my mind as I read them.
January 24, 2025
Easy 5 star. Whether well-read or not a reader at all, How To Read A Book will greatly benefit you. It is an easy read, very straightforward, and enhances other reading. I would seriously recommend this book to anyone.
May 2, 2024
ruthless readers become ruthless leaders
June 10, 2024
Phenomenal work and a must read for Christians wanting to take their reading more seriously.
October 29, 2024
Phenomenal. Even if you just read it for the book recommendations.
August 16, 2025
I’ve been reading wrong this whole time. Dang it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews