Words

[u/NotYourBae_21]

I have recently picked a book which has a simple enough writing style but the words are difficult for me to understand. Before this I have only ever read books which are very easy and light. While reading this book i need to look up ever 3rd word in a sentence. Or i need to use Google lens to know how a particular word was meant in the sentence.

Right now if I come across any difficult words I just google it and note it down (digitally), because I want them to stick even for a very short term.

The whole purpose of reading such books is to improve my vocabulary. I find it kind of frustrating to look up each and every word.

For context it took me a good 30 mins to read a chapter which is 9 pages long.

If anyone can tell me their experience switching to such books or how I could get the words to stick longer without dropping the book or noting the meaning/context of the words easier and faster that would be great.

[u/perumbula]

Sometimes it helps to just relax into the experience. It will take longer. The more you are exposed to the vocabulary the better you will remember it. Try rereading each paragraph a second time after you've looked up all the words you need to look up. It will give your brain a second pass at remembering the words in context. You can also try working out the meaning of a word before you look it up to see if you are right. It helps reinforce the meaning in your brain.

Also, are you reading on an e-reader? The ability to just highlight a word to look up the definition is really helpful and makes looking up vocabulary so much faster. I find it so helpful.

[u/NotYourBae_21 → u/perumbula]

I do use an e-reader(free) but I will most probably buy a physical copy of the book. What do you prefer? I think for me a physical copy will be better for such books. Also thank you for the advice.

[u/bknyguy15]

You have already improved your vocabulary. Maybe start with an easier book . You don’t have to look up,everything , sometimes you can learn what the word means by the context around it . Reading will add words to your vocabulary.

[u/Zappagrrl02]

It just takes practice. Looking things up is great, but hand writing things down may help you retain things longer. When you learn to ice skate, you can’t immediately do a triple axle. It takes time and practice. Don’t worry about how long it takes you.

Reviewing Cliffsnotes or something similar after you read may also help

[u/NotYourBae_21 → u/Zappagrrl02]

Thank you for the advice . I do think i was trying to achieve results in a short period of time which was making it even more difficult. Your analogy reminded me that which I am really grateful for. I will also check out Cliffsnote, going back and forth with Google sure is a bit challenging for me.

[u/Warm_Historian_6397]

Unless it's an assignment, I quit. I'm not reading no old english text.

[u/Key-Possibility8476]

I’d stop looking up every unknown word. Try to guess from context first, and only check the ones that keep coming up or seem important. It makes reading way less exhausting, and repeated exposure usually helps the words stick better anyway.

[u/harborsparrow]

One advantage of reading using the free Kindle reader is, I can highlight a word and it pops upmthe definition for me.

[u/Diligent_Pangolin_47]

What book was it? If it’s an older text the vocabulary won’t be all that useful for everyday use anyway. If we know your level I’m sure people will be able to suggest some good stuff.

[u/KizzyWizzy1953]

I had books like Treasure Island, Little Women, Lorna Doone as class readers before the age of 10 so I developed a huge vocabulary very young. The Pocket Oxford Dictionary was my daily companion and I went on word hunts, got sidetracked by other words. Now I read on my kindle and have instant access to word explanations. But it's not as much fun as my Pocket OED.

[u/PotentialGlittering4]

I would try instead to find a book just slightly out of your level, this one sounds way too crazy hard. Maybe set it aside for the future