If you’ve ever struggled to understand a complicated text or wanted to throw a piece of classic literature at your wall, you’re not alone. Even those of us who have studied literature for years still run into the same problem! The good news is that reading is a skill, and the more you exercise your abilities and learn techniques, the easier it will get. Keep reading for tips to understand difficult literature–informed by my perspective as both a student and an English teacher.
#1: Read slowly
This seems intuitive, and maybe it is. Often, especially if it’s assigned reading, you want to speed through it. If you’re a student, this makes sense. You have this book to read, on top of homework from several other classes. However, you will save yourself time in the long run by reading slowly the first time. If you really want to understand difficult literature, you need to become acquainted with it. Let the words sink in. Allow yourself to think and react. It will help, especially as you follow the next instructions.
#2: Summarize as you go
One of the most helpful steps to take is summarizing. Often, you understand at least part of what you read. It’s the difficult paragraphs that throw you. When I read, I still like to write myself small summaries at the end of each chapter. If it’s a particularly difficult text or nonfiction, I write short summaries at the end of the paragraph. For poems, I do each stanza. It’s tedious the first time around, but it helps immensely. Especially if you have to write an essay about the book or study it again, you will save yourself so much time and gain understanding.
#3: Write down your questions
As you read, write down any questions you have. This can fall into the following categories:
- Historical: What was the significance of ______ in the context in which it was written?
- Comprehension: What happened in this paragraph?
- Vocabulary: What did “pernicious” mean in that context?
- Literary terms: Was that an example of alliteration?
- Extrapolating: What relation did X have to Y, and how might that impact the outcome?
Of course, these are not exhaustive. By writing down your questions, you will leave yourself a record of your thoughts and research, which will double as notes. You also won’t make the mistake of assuming you’ll figure it out later! You’ll likely have a lot of questions in the beginning. However, as you do this more, it will become much easier to understand difficult literature.
#4: Don’t be afraid to annotate
Annotating is the key to getting yourself to the next level.
When you annotate, you interact with the text. You go from being a passive reader to an active reader. Asking questions is the start of this. However, annotation goes beyond this and calls upon you to put your own thoughts into it.
I like to think of annotation as a scavenger hunt. Essentially, the author scatters in clues to their true meaning and methods. It’s up to you to find it. Some strategies include the following:
- Add notes to any potentially useful headers, titles, or subheadings
- Write comments in the margins. Note anything that stands out to you! Following your intuition is important, as it is often correct.
- Highlight/circle/underline anything that stands out to you. Consider this in case of interesting diction, symbolism, or other literary devices.
- Note wherever you see certain themes or patterns.
Obviously, don’t go too crazy with annotation. When there’s too much writing, it becomes overwhelming. However, this is a great way to leave yourself notes and understand difficult literature more deeply.
#5: Listen to or Watch the text
If you have the opportunity, this is an amazing option. For many of us, it’s easier to understand when we hear things–or better yet, if we’re reading and listening at the same time. Especially for poetry and rhythmic pieces, listening is a fantastic support. When you listen, your brain has to slow down. You hear the words, intonation, and emphasis how the author intended.
If you are not a natural reader, I highly recommend doing this. If you are an English learner (ESL), this is a great website. You can adjust the speed, and it offers several pieces of classic literature.
When your piece of literature is a play, it is incredibly helpful to watch it. Like with listening, this gives you an idea of how the author intended it to be performed. It also puts the stage directions into context. This is my best piece of advice for students reading Shakespeare!
#6: Reread
Each time I read a book, I find something that I didn’t notice before. I’ve read The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby countless times, yet each time, I find something new. Especially when you’re starting your literature journey, this is a crucial step! Read it the first time around, then take a break. Let the words sink into your brain. Often, especially with poetry, the first time reading is more for comprehension than it is for analysis. After you’ve given it some time to percolate, return. This time, dig a little deeper.
My rule of thumb when I was a student (and what I often do when it’s a new text that I’m teaching) was to read the text three times. This might be unrealistic for some people. However, I recommend doing it at least twice to let the text speak to you!
#7: After you’ve done this, look up a summary/analysis
The keyword is after. You’re not doing yourself any favors if you turn to Sparknotes in place of actually reading the text. With that being said, it is a useful tool! As you’re learning how to read and understand difficult literature, it doesn’t hurt to check your understanding. Additionally, these websites or YouTube channels often model the kind of analysis for you. That is to say, it gives you a starting point and shows you how to analyze. If you’re reading an older text by authors like Shakespeare, Milton, or Dante, this is a crucial step.
#8: Pay attention to background on reading
Often, English teachers do a background on reading or literature in context before reading. This is super important! It places the literature into context, preparing you for some of the following things:
- Historical, political, or literary influence
- Author’s life
- Vocabulary
- Literary terms you may encounter
- Difficult topics in the text
Like I tell my students, the best way to understand difficult literature is to understand the author and the time. Once you do that, you’re off to an excellent start!
Conclusion
Learning to read–to really read–is no easy task. However, with practice and strategy, it is certainly achievable. These tips have helped me to read not only in English, but other languages as well. That goes to show that it truly is a skill!
What other tips have you tried? How have these helped you? Let me know!
Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay
Introduction: My 23 Favorite Books of 2023
As I look back at 2023, I realize just how many great reads there were! All year, I managed to find new and engaging books. Whether they were new releases or beloved re-reads, it was quite the literary year. In honor of the new year, I wanted to share my 23 favorite books of 2023 below.
Book #1: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
If you want to get into philosophy, specifically Stoicism, this book is excellent. Meditations is hailed as one of the best books that you can read, and it truly lived up to that. Even though it was written about 2000 years ago, the wisdom that Marcus Aurelius imparts is absolutely applicable to today. Whether you are struggling with emotions, work, or figuring out your future, you will find some help here. It is blunt and easy to read, and I enjoyed it immensely.
Book #2: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
This is an adorable book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Filled with magic, heartwarming relationships, and found family, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is sure to please. I read this book very quickly because I couldn’t put it down. In the future, I definitely plan on rereading it. Especially in autumn, this will be a book that you can’t miss! This is probably the most seasonally appropriate book I read this year, which made it an easy addition to my favorite books of 2023.
Book #3: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (reread)
What is there to say about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? It’s the best! This is the book that really got me into Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books, and I cannot wait until the movie comes out (if it ever does, lol). Spanning decades and covering the glitzy Golden Era of Hollywood, Reid traces the life of a famous fictional starlet. Divided into Evelyn Hugo’s seven marriages, there’s drama, excitement, and emotion that will keep you addicted to this book. I truly cannot say enough good things about this book, and everyone else I’ve talked to about it has loved it as well! This year, I read it in Italian, which was a fun new challenge.
Book #4: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
If you like twisty psychological thrillers, The Silent Patient is for you. A psychiatrist visits a voluntarily mute woman in a special facility, intent on healing her. The catch? The woman brutally killed her husband, and the psychiatrist is obsessed with fixing her and getting to the root of it. This book leans heavy on the psychology, but it is masterfully told, and I’m sure you will enjoy it. I sure did, hence why it made it onto my favorite books of 2023!
Book #5: Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Another Taylor Jenkins Reid book, but for a good reason! Reid covers the lives of (fictional, based on real life) women so well. She gives so much depth to her characters, and her stories truly feel like she thought of every last detail. It’s very rare that I read such well-though-out, holistically written stories with attention to detail, research, and literary quality. Carrie Soto Is Back tells the story of a tennis player’s return to the game in the 90s. If you love competition, ambitious women, and powerful stories, this one is for you.
Book #6: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
For me, this was a modern classic. Pineapple Street tells the story of a wealthy family in New York City through the eyes of three of the women. It covers class disparities, coming of age, and other impactful themes, all while remaining entertaining. It felt like Great Expectations met Pride and Prejudice in the time of Gossip Girl. I would definitely read this again, and I want to look into whether or not it could be taught in a classroom or used for lit circles!
Book #7: A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
A suspense/mystery story about the daughter of a serial killer? Yes, it’s just as intriguing as it sounds. I read A Flicker in the Dark in just over a single sitting, and I would be shocked if you didn’t as well. If you like complex characters, psychological analyses, and dual-timeline stories, this will be on your list, too.
Book #8: Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
I read Drunk on Love during the summer, and it was the perfect summer romcom! Jasmine Guillory writes such fun books, and this story set in Napa Valley was perfect. A winery owner starts falling in love with an employee, and comedic chaos ensues. If you’ve liked her previous books, you’re sure to like this one, especially because there’s a cameo of previous characters!
Book #9: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Another wonderfully creative ode to found family. Linus is a case worker who has to go to an island orphanage for mysterious, magical children. Upon leaving his ordinary life and stepping into the extraordinary, he finds his path changed forever. The House in the Cerulean Sea was an easy addition to my favorite books of 2023 because of how heartwarming and unique it felt.
Book #10: The Guest List by Lucy Foley
The Guest List was everything a thriller should be. Set against an intriguing, aesthetic background? Check. Filled with shady characters? Check. Dramatic until the very end? Check. I was skeptical about this one at first because of just how much hype it received, but it made it to my favorite books of 2023 easily. I finished it in a single setting and couldn’t put it down.
Book #11: The Followers by Bradleigh Godfrey
The Followers is an influencer mystery/thriller that I didn’t expect to love as much as I did! A single mom influencer is surprised when her new husband is angry that she posts a picture of him on her account. On the other side of the country, someone sees the picture and recognizes him, convinced that he killed her sister years ago. She befriends the influencer to try to uncover the truth, unearthing more than she expected in the process. A fun mystery with some vibrant personalities!
Book #12: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
This was a book that made my jaw drop. I won’t say why (obviously), and I won’t even say much, but you should definitely read it! The shock factor earned The House Across the Lake its place in my favorite books of 2023, and I can’t wait to reread it in 2024. A recently widowed actress goes to her family’s tranquil cabin to find peace. She saves a woman from drowning, which ultimately sparks a series of dark events that will leave your mouth hanging open.
Book #13: The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (reread)
This is a favorite of mine. Erin Sterling, aka Rachel Hawkins, aka one of my favorite authors, has a wonderfully unique voice and creates magical stories like nobody else. The Ex Hex is exactly what it sounds like. After a bad breakup, Vivi casts a curse on her ex. Years later, he returns, bringing nothing but chaos with him. Vivi must help him break the curse in this hilarious, romantic read that’s sure to leave a smile on your face.
Book #14: The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas
If you want a super cute rom com, The American Roommate Experiment is for you. It’s light, colorful, and everything a good rom com should be. After her apartment ceiling caves in, Rosie moves into her best friend’s apartment while she’s out of town. The only problem? Her best friend’s cousin is staying there. The two learn to co-exist, and eventually sparks begin to fly. We love a good intercultural romance, and this book has all the flirty fun that you could want. This easily earned its place in my favorite reads of 2023, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it will earn its place on any subsequent favorites list as well.
Book #15: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Book Lovers might be my favorite Emily Henry book. Nora is a literary agent from NYC, and she joins her sister in a small town in North Carolina. She doesn’t want to be here, but her sister insists on it, for reasons that Nora can’t understand. While in the small town, Nora keeps bumping into a rude editor from back home, surprised to find their bitterness blossoming into something more. A sharp and funny read that kept me engaged.
Book #16: How to Be Free: An Ancient Guide to Stoic Life by Epictetus
More Stoicism, but it’s excellent. Epictetus is another large figure in the movement, and while most of his teachings concur with Marcus Aurelius’s, he offers a different viewpoint. I really enjoyed the Barnes and Noble version of How to Be Free that I got. It was short, sweet, and filled with advice that still applies to daily life today. Its relevance and wisdom earned it a spot in my favorite books of 2023.
Book #17: How to Kill Men and Get Away with It by Katy Brent
Sort of out-of-pocket, but thoroughly enjoyable. An influencer becomes an avenger of wronged women in this comedic thriller. Probably not for you if you don’t like gore, but if you’re willing to throw your scruples out the window, you’ll love this. How to Kill Men and Get Away with It made me laugh and squirm, and I will likely reread it in 2024.
Book #18: The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
The Maidens was my second Alex Michaelides book, and I’m excited to read the one that he recently released. While this book wasn’t as shocking as The Silent Patient, I did thoroughly enjoy it. It takes a deeply psychological look at the mystery of a college girl’s murder, told through the eyes of a grieving widow. Interspersed with Greek mythology and enthralling twists, this book is sure to keep you on your toes.
Book #19: The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (reread)
What can I say? This is one of those love/hate novels, and it’s always been love for me. Holden is the quintessential existential teenager, and his journey through New York City in the pursuit of answers always reminds me why I became an English teacher. This book reads a little differently at each age, and I definitely get more out of it than I did when I was 16. If you haven’t read it, this classic is a must. Even if it’s a reread, there’s no way I could exclude The Catcher in the Rye from my favorite books of 2023.
Book #20: Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger (reread)
I obviously went through a big Salinger phase at the end of the year. Franny and Zooey is existential-crisis-provoking, but it’s also reassuring to know that you’re not the only one searching for answers and meaning. This book is far less read than Catcher, but I’d argue it’s just as good. Told in a rambling conversation between two siblings, this story explores coming of age, finding meaning, and understanding your place in the world in Salinger’s unique way.
Book #21: American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee
I read the first of these books at the beginning of the pandemic. And while I would never want to go back there, I do enjoy returning to the series. Rivals builds off of the exciting and creative premise of the previous books: America never became a democracy, but was instead a monarchy. The royal family continues with their political, romantic, and social drama. From queens to college students to title chasers, this story has enough drama for anyone. I love the premise, and I can’t wait to read the fourth book.
Book #22: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
I was really late to the game on Where the Crawdads Sing. People had told me about it for years, but I couldn’t get into it for the longest time. It was (embarrassingly) after I watched the movie that I tried again, and I enjoyed it. This book reminds me of Rebecca in a way. There’s a little bit of everything: mystery, drama, nature, romance, social commentary…you name it. It felt very complete and well-executed, and I enjoyed it.
Book #23: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
The last of my favorite books of 2023: The House in the Pines. Seven years after her best friend mysteriously dropped dead in front of a sketchy man, Maya believes she’s found something to finally crack the case. She returns to the scene of the crime determined to solve the murder (?) once and for all, all while battling demons of her own. This was a unique story with a great voice.
Conclusion
If you haven’t read one of these books, I highly recommend checking it out! From thrillers to romance to philosophy, I tried to cover it all with my 23 favorite books of 2023. What books would you add to your list? What did I miss? Let me know!