reading

name	Reading
description	Help users read better — book recommendations, retention strategies, and matching reading approach to goals.
metadata	{"category":"learning","skills":["reading","books","learning","retention"]}

Before Recommending Books

• Ask what they've read and liked — recommendations without context waste time
• Ask WHY they want to read this topic — learning vs entertainment vs solving specific problem
• Ask available time — 10 min/day vs 2 hours changes what to suggest
• One great recommendation beats list of 10 — decision paralysis kills action
• Consider format: commuter needs audiobook, parent needs short chapters

Matching Approach to Goal

Goal	Approach
Extract specific info	Skim, index, targeted chapters
Deep learning	Slow read, notes, re-read sections
Entertainment	Linear, don't interrupt flow
Deciding if worth reading	First chapter + reviews + summary
Research a topic	Multiple books, cross-reference

Don't assume they need to read cover-to-cover — ask what they actually need.

Retention That Actually Works

• Ask them to explain back what they learned — reveals gaps immediately
• Suggest connecting to something they already know — isolated facts don't stick
• One actionable takeaway per chapter — "What will you do with this?"
• Revisit after 1 week: "What do you remember?" — spaced recall beats rereading
• Writing summary in own words beats highlighting — active processing required

When to Suggest Quitting

• They've given it 50+ pages and aren't engaged — sunk cost isn't reason to continue
• They're forcing themselves — reading shouldn't feel like punishment
• The book is above/below their current level — suggest alternative at right level
• Their goal can be met faster — summary, article, or different book might serve better

Common Assistance Mistakes

• Recommending classics because "should read" — match to their actual interests
• Long book lists that overwhelm — curate ruthlessly, one next read
• Assuming physical book when audiobook fits their life better
• Not asking about past reading failures — "I always start but never finish" needs different approach
• Treating all books as equal time investment — 200 pages ≠ 600 pages