After reading what Vladimir Nabokov said in his short essay,
Good Readers and Good Writers, I have to say i must agree with his statements. To be a good reader, you cannot go into a book with preconceptions about the subject or any subjects that are in the story. You must start with a fresh mind and a clean slate, no prior beliefs or opinions. If you try to read a book with prior opinions then you are bias and wont accept what the author is trying to show or tell about in the way its supposed to be recognized. You must, "notice and fondle details." or take in the smallest detail or description an utilize it to help you understand and really focus on what the author is saying.
A good reader will not only read a book once, not twice, but many times. A good reader will reread a story many times to truly understand its concept. As Nabokov says, the first time someone reads a book they are more focused on moving theres eyes along the lines back and forth instead of the understanding actual content for what it is. Then once they read it a second time it wont be as if they are trying to just move along the words, lines, and pages but they will actually take in the words, lines, and pages and their meanings. But not only does a good reader need to have these skills but they must have an imagination and be able to put themselves into the story or the essay. They must not think of it as just type on a page but a scene or day in their life as if it was really happening.
To be honest I don't believe i am a good reader. i don't read often and when I do, I am focused on moving my eyes along the lines and I'm not taking in the details. I only read a book or story once when i should read it more. I need to see reading as an adventure or as an art more than just a strenuous task.
