How to Read a Book: Advice for Christian Readers

by Andrew David Naselli

When people ask me what I do for a living, sometimes I reply, “I teach people how to read.” My paid vocation is to train graduate-level students to be faithful and fruitful pastors, and that requires the ability to read well. But it’s not just graduate-level students who need tips on how to read better. Any literate Christian—from high school students to scholars—can improve, and I aim in this book to help you take your reading to the next level.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Education, Christianity, Personal Development, Faith

106 pages, ebook

First published April 1, 2024

About the author

Andrew 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.

Reviews

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mark Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

“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.

[Jack Schutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kara Naselli · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brandon Curriston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. “A tool for sharpening your axe.”

Considering making this required reading for all MTC participants over the winter or summer break.

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jacob Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mark Christenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Rachel Ekberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.”

[Riley Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might end up being a yearly read. Both enjoyable and inspiring

[Joseph Henry Kester · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shea Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Ethan Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!"

[Ben Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mystie Winckler · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible. Thorough. Timely. A needed rebirth of the concepts in Adler's classic with a much more personable style.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should write more later, but wow I loved this book! Tolle lege, tolle lege! Take up and read, take up and read!

[Drew Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Josiah C · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brad Sarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to kick off a new year. Reading books about reading books is a deep joy of mine. One of the very first books I ever read was a book about reading and it lit a fire in my soul to prioritize the time and attention to reading.

I enjoy Naselli and this book was a treat. Grateful for the tips, reminders, and wisdom he unpacks on how to read well.

[Nathan Pettit · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rachel Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ruthless readers become ruthless leaders

[Kenneth G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal work and a must read for Christians wanting to take their reading more seriously.

[James Mauney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Even if you just read it for the book recommendations.

[Sloan French · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading wrong this whole time. Dang it.

[Sam Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book like this should inspire you to read more and read better. It did that for me. It was the right length, and well laid out. Naselli serves readers well by summarizing the main ideas of Adler’s original book and providing practical guidance for Christian readers. The appendices were especially helpful.

I personally found that the repeated references to Canon/Doug Wilson/Moscow materials came across as a not so subtle advertisement for their products and movement (theonomy etc).

Aside from that, I’d happily recommend this book as an eminently readable book about reading.