How I Read — with Stephanie Seputra

A series where we ask successful professionals about their reading habits, techniques that help them fit reading into their busy schedules, and general advice on becoming a smarter reader.

1) What tools do you use in your reading?

It depends on the kind of books that I’m reading. If it was fiction, I would typically highlight or underline quotes and or passages that I thought was profound and meaningful. If it was non-fiction, I would go on Evernote and summarize interesting ideas that I found from the book. Then I would also write down questions and thoughts that were spurred by my readings and then delve into it further after I finish reading the book.

For articles on the internet, if it was a longer format and I don’t have time to read it, I would just bookmark it and put it on a folder on Chrome that says “Read It Later”.

2) How do you structure reading into your day?

Usually I would read at least 50 pages of the book that I am currently reading in a day. These 50 pages are usually broken down before I leave for work and before I go to sleep.

News articles are typically consumed on the go, during my commute to and from work.

3) In the flood of information, how do you choose what to read?

Most of my reading choices are from recommendations. I would typically go and ask my friends and ask them about what they are currently reading, and if they are especially passionate about it, I would read the reviews on Amazon or the description on the jacket and then decide if it would be the right book for me.

I used to go on Goodreads a lot and find books from the lists curated by the good people of Goodreads. But recently I haven’t really gone on there and update my preferences. It could be interesting to go back and track what I am reading throughout the year.

4) Lightning Round

Preference: Paper or Digital

Paper.

Do you read only one book at a time, or manage multiple?

One book at a time.

If you start a book, do you feel you have to finish it?

No.

Fiction or Nonfiction

Nonfiction.

5) Why do you read?

I read to feel inspired. I remember the first novel I picked up and loved was the Enid Blyton series. The Famous Five series gave me a different perspective on childhood and growing up, it made me crave for adventures and made me want to see the world. As I grew up, the Harry Potter series taught me a lot about self discovery, loyalty, and perseverance.

Now as I am entering a different phase in my life, I’m more into non-fiction books that sheds a light into the life of remarkable individuals, in the hope that I can learn something from their journey. Some of my favorites include Start Something that Matters, The Last Lecture and What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20.