You’ve probably read everything from Sweet Valley High in your youth to Lean In in your career. Maybe you even consider yourself a bit of a bookworm.

But are you maximizing your reading time? If you’re just skimming words, you might be missing out.

Active reading goes beyond turning pages. It’s about engaging with the material to boost both comprehension and retention. And with our busy lives—careers, families, personal growth—who doesn’t want to get more out of the time they spend reading?

Whether you’re reading a self-help guide or a business book, active reading will help you extract more value from every page.

Ready to level up your reading game? Let’s get started.

What is Active Reading, and Why Should You Care?

open book and laptop on a soft surface, probably a bed

So, what is active reading?

Active reading means engaging with the text—asking questions, drawing connections, and critically thinking about the material. It’s like discussing a book instead of listening to a lecture.

Active reading isn’t about how much you highlight or underline; it’s more about how you interact with the information.

Here’s what you do during active reading:

Ask questions as you read
Summarize key points in your own words
Connect ideas to what you already know
Evaluate the content

Engaging with the material this way will improve your comprehension, retention, and ability to apply what you’ve read.

So, why does this matter? Let’s break it down.

1. Improves Comprehension

Active reading helps you understand what you're reading.

We’ve all had moments where we zone out and realize we’ve "read" a few pages without absorbing a thing. Active reading helps prevent that.

By staying engaged, you can tackle more complex ideas.

2. Enhances Critical Thinking Skills

Active reading pushes you to do more than simply accept the information you read. You’ll question, analyze, and evaluate what you’re reading, which will sharpen your critical thinking skills.

This is invaluable, both personally and professionally. Imagine how much easier it will be to cut through the fluff of a dense work report or assess the validity of a new parenting technique your friend recommends.

3. Increases Retention of Information

Let's face it; there's no point in reading if you can't remember what you've read (unless you’re reading for entertainment). Active reading boosts your ability to recall information.

By engaging with the material, you're creating stronger mental connections. This means you're more likely to remember and apply what you've learned.

Active Reading Examples

woman sitting on floor looking at an open book

Let's look at how two women use active reading to level up their game in both their personal and professional lives.

Example 1: A Career Advancement Strategy

Sarah, a 45-year-old marketing manager, is reading Crucial Conversations to improve her leadership skills. Here's how she applies active reading.

Sets clear goals: Before starting, Sarah notes specific challenges she faces at work, like giving feedback to underperforming team members.
Engages with the text: As she reads, Sarah highlights key concepts and writes questions in the margins. Next to a passage about "creating safety" in conversations, she asks, “How can I apply this in our high-pressure environment?”
Summarizes and applies: After each chapter, she summarizes the main points in her notebook and identifies at least one action step to try in her next meeting.
Discusses to deepen understanding: Sarah shares her takeaways with a colleague over lunch, which helps her process the information and gain new perspectives.

By actively engaging with the material, Sarah remembers more information. And by immediately applying the concepts, she improves her effectiveness as a leader.

Example 2: Work-Life Balance Journey

Lisa, a 50-year-old entrepreneur and mother of two, is reading Atomic Habits to help her achieve a better work-life balance. Here’s how she uses active reading:

Sets intentions: Before each chapter, Lisa reviews the table of contents and defines what she hopes to learn.
Organizes her insights: As she reads, Lisa uses colored sticky notes—yellow for key concepts, blue for actionable tips, and pink for discussion points with her accountability partner.
Connects ideas to her life: In a notebook, she creates mind maps linking the book’s concepts to her daily routines at work and home. For example, she explores how the “2-minute rule” can streamline her morning routine with the kids.
Creates a visual reminder: After finishing the book, Lisa compiles a one-page summary of the most impactful strategies and posts it on her home office wall for daily reinforcement.

Engaging with the material helps Lisa personalize the lessons and develop practical strategies that create lasting changes. She gets a boost in both her business efficiency and family time.

Tips for Active Reading

Now that you know the value of active reading, here are some practical tips. These strategies will help you get the most out of every book you read.

Tip #1: Preview the Text Before Diving In

Think of this as a quick reconnaissance mission. Before you start a chapter, take a few minutes to survey the layout.

Scan the table of contents and chapter titles for a big-picture view.
Read the introduction and conclusion to uncover the main points.
Skim the headings, subheadings, or bold text to identify essential concepts.
Review any charts, graphs, or illustrations that summarize key ideas.

This preview sets the stage for your reading by creating a mental roadmap. Much like checking a map before a trip, you’ll know what to expect and how the information fits together.

Tip #2: Ask Questions While Reading

Tap into your natural curiosity by asking "why?" and "how?" as you read. This keeps your mind engaged and helps you dig deeper into the material:

Before starting, jot down questions you hope the book will answer.
As you read, ask yourself: "How does this connect with what I already know?" or "How can I apply this in my work or personal life?"
If something isn’t clear, write down your question. You can either find the answer as you read or research it later.
After finishing a section, reflect: "What are the key points?" and "Do I agree with the author's perspective?"

Asking questions turns you from a passive reader into an active participant.

Tip #3: Take Notes or Annotate the Text

Make the book your own by interacting with the content. Don’t worry about keeping it pristine—a well-loved book shows engagement:

Summarize key points in your own words to cement your understanding and make review easier later.
Use symbols or colors to categorize information. For instance, stars for critical concepts, question marks for areas to research, and exclamation points for actionable ideas.
In the margins, write your thoughts, reactions, or real-life examples to connect the content to your experiences.
If you prefer not to write in books, use sticky notes or keep a separate notebook for your notes and summaries.

The focus is on engaging with the material, so you walk away with deeper insights and practical takeaways.

Are You Ready to Try Active Reading?

woman holding an open book and reading it

You’ve just learned how active reading can take your reading experience to the next level. Instead of passively flipping through pages, you can engage with the text, ask critical questions, and apply what you’ve learned in real time.

Whether it’s boosting your leadership skills like Sarah or finding a better work-life balance like Lisa, active reading is the tool that can help you get there.

Now it’s your turn. The next book you pick up is an opportunity. Try these active reading strategies to discover insights that can affect your career, relationships, and personal growth.

You don’t need to read more—you just need to read better. Start today and see how much more valuable your reading time can be.

Boost Your Reading Game with Active Reading Techniques