.The most frequent question I am asked is, “How do you read so much?” which is often followed by, “How can I read more like you?” Those questions, though, fail to capture the motivation and, as a result, do not allow us to measure productive reading. Reading depends on each individual; effective reading is unique and personal to every individual. So, what does it mean to read productively? I would propose that the purpose of reading determines the answer to that question.
Primary Measuring Methods
People measure reading with various appraisals, most commonly based on the number of books or pages read within a given timeframe. Others use aspects such as the quality of the books, or the use of reading time as the primary benchmark. However, each method comes with complications that limit their accuracy.
Most criteria—especially the proper use of reading time, quality of books, etc.—are at best subjective, making it difficult to determine their actual effectiveness. Some quantitative measurements are sensible when reading similar books (generally those of the same genre). But even this creates two problems. The most obvious difficulty is that books come in different shapes, sizes, fonts, spacing, and more. My two books of reading may only equate to someone else’s one book. Do we start counting words, then? That seems a bit absurd. Besides, that doesn’t account for the reality that few people consistently read from the same genre. Most of us are reading different types of books:
- Did I learn from what I read?
- Does this text influence God’s work of transformation in my life?
- Did my reading incline my heart toward God?
How do we start counting words, then? That seems a bit absurd. Besides, that doesn’t account for the reality that few people consistently read from the same genre. Most of us are reading different types of books.
I have found more significant issues when focusing on numbers. Numbers don’t account for the scope of the situation, such as varying reading levels and reading speeds (much like focusing on attendance numbers as the sole measurement of a church’s health). More concerning is that the focus on numbers often abolishes the joy associated with reading because we focus more on quantity. Frequently, this generates false competition with others and even ourselves as we try to read ‘more.’
Admittedly, I track the number of books and pages I read each year. As I set yearly goals, I utilize those numbers because knowing them not only motivates me but sometimes points to trends in my reading. Yet, I also keep a list of what books I read for the year because it tells me the quality of my reading. For example, at one time, my reading decreased from the previous year, but I could look at that list and ask, “Am I reading heavier books than last year?” The answer was, ‘Yes.’ I had jumped into a Ph.D. program that was defining much of my reading. Sometimes, it can point to some mitigating factors; during COVID shutdowns, we lived overseas in a place where shutdowns were extreme, which had the effect of increasing my usual reading time, while a move back to the United States the following year significantly hindered my reading. Therefore, numbers aren’t unusable. Numbers don’t provide the most comprehensive measure.
A Better Measuring Technique
So we ask, “Is there a better way to measure reading?” Yes! I think the best way to calculate the productivity of our reading is by determining our learning and personal growth. Scripture makes much of our ongoing sanctification and transformation, telling us to pursue wisdom (Proverbs 4:1-13), set our minds on the things above (Colossians 3:1), and be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12:2; cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18). Therefore, it seems reasonable that this should be the measurement of our reading.
I find this method to be more practical because it is more personal. Reading is an individual discipline determined by the person reading. By looking at our reading through this lens, we remove the comparisons with others. Instead of judging ourselves by comparing ourselves to others (or judging others by comparing them to us), we look only at ourselves.
This approach challenges us to make the most of our reading and helps us to read better by focusing more on what we are reading. Our reading, then, is assessed when we ask ourselves questions such as:
- Did I learn from what I read?
- Does this text influence God’s work of transformation in my life?
- Did my reading incline my heart toward God?
- How does this work contribute to my ongoing sanctification?
- Did I convert knowledge to wisdom by applying what I learned? Can I further enact this learning in my life?
The answers to those questions, or similar ones, will tell you the value of your reading.
This principle is not relevant only for Christian living or theological books. Measuring the growth from your reading is helpful for reading anything from the truth of God’s Word to the reading of various fiction.
Using questions like these as our metric should lead us to an essential conclusion in our reading: we must prioritize Scripture. All wisdom and learning begin with a fear of the Lord that leads us to the truth of His Word (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12). Only the Word of God, used by the Spirit of God, has the full effect of transforming lives and so all reading must begin there. While other books may be helpful and clarifying, they are only as useful as much as they direct our attention back to the Word of God.
The personal nature of reading necessitates a personal manner of evaluation because what is helpful and valuable to me may not be of value to you. Therefore, we evaluate reading personally based on our growth. The most outstanding value in reading is not how much you read but how influential what you read is in your life.
