HowTos Index

How To How to Find Pleasure in Reading
Imagine walking along a deserted seashore, hiking to the top of mountains, sleeping in a field of flowers, finding love, or chasing after an elusive criminal mind. Works of literature--novels, short stories, poems, and plays--are filled with these many moments. As you read through the pages, discover the pleasure of reading--enjoyment that can last a lifetime.

How To Read a Difficult Book
Even if you have lots of experience in reading books, you will likely come across books that are just difficult to get through. You may find the reading slow because of the subject matter, the language, word usage, or the convoluted plot and character elements. When you are just attempting to get through the book, it may not really matter to you why the book is difficult. You just want to finish the work, so you can move on to your next reading pick. Here are some tips...

How To Keep a Reading Log or Book Journal
A reading log or book journal is a great place to react to what you read. You can find out exactly how you feel about the characters; you may gain insight about the theme and plot; and you can expand your overall enjoyment of the literature. Here are a few idea starters. Feel free to build your own list of questions as you start your life-long habit of keeping a reading log or book journal. Read on.

How To Save a Book from Banning
Books are banned or challenged every day. But, what does that mean? A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict material. A book ban goes even further--the work is removed from the classroom or library circulation. But, you can help save books from disappearing from the shelves. Here are a few simple steps you can take to save banned books!

How To Identify the Theme
A theme is a central or underlying idea in literature. The writer may express insight about humanity or a world view. Before you attempt to identify the theme of a work, you must have first read the work, and you should understand at least the basics about the plot, characterizations, and other literary elements. Here's how to identify the theme of a work of literature.

How To Protect Books From Cat Claws
One of my cats loves books, but that's not a good thing. She loves to claw the bindings of my books. And, she really loves to chew the covers of paperback books. If you have cats that like to scratch, you may find your books in serious danger. Here are a few tips for protecting your books from cat claws. Read on.

How To Get Rid of Bad Odor in Books
Prevention is key to make sure that books don't smell bad. If you store your books in a dry, cool location, there's a much better chance that you'll avoid much of the bad odor of old books. Despite your best efforts, though, you may find mold or mildew on your books. The books may smell musty. Here are tips for how to get rid of the bad odor from your books.

How To Take Care of Books
What do you do to take care of the books in your library? Some of the most avid collectors refuse to read the books in their collection; so the books remain in mint condition. Others buy two copies of a book; they read one, and leave the other untouched. But, many readers must read their books, but they still want to protect and care for the volumes. Here are some tips to remember if you want your books to remain in good condition.

How To Remember What You Read
Reading is important. But, the next step is making sure that you remember what you've read! Memory is sometimes a tricky thing. You may have just read the text, and the concepts and ideas of the poem or novel may not catch on... The images may just fly right out of your head. Here are are a few tricks for remembering what you read.

How To Keep Track of Characters
Whether you're reading a novel for a literature class, or enjoying a book on the beach, characters are the vehicles that often help to drive the plot. They make you care about what happens, and you may grow emotionally attached to them (wishing for their happiness and success). But, not all characters are very exciting. And, in some novels, the characters have such similar names that it's sometimes difficult to keep track. Here are a few tips to help...

How To Succeed in Your Literature Class
Whether you're taking an English class in high school or registered for a literature class in college, learn steps you can take to succeed in your literature class. Listening, reading, and being prepared for your class can make a dramatic difference in how you understand the books, poetry, and stories for your class. Read more about how to succeed in your literature class.

How To Determine a Reading Schedule
Despite your best efforts, it's sometimes difficult to stick with your plan to finish that list of books. Other projects get in the way. You may find yourself overwhelmed by the size of the book you've chosen. You may just let the habit of reading slide or slip until you've forgotten much of the plot and/or characters; and, you feel that you might as well just start over. Here's a solution: Set up a reading schedule to get you through those books!

How To Improve Your Reading Speed
Reading can be fun, but it can also be time-consuming if your speed is not as fast as you'd like it to be. An average reading speed can range from 200 to 350 words per minute, but that rate can vary depending on the material and your reading experience. It's also important to understand what you are reading--even when you improve your speed. Here are a few tips to help you improve your reading speed.

How To How to Read & Enjoy a Play - Drama
When you think about a play, you probably think about going to watch the drama being acted out upon the stage, but plays were originally written down by the playwright. The verbal aspect of a play is very important, but you can also enjoy reading it. Here's how to read and enjoy a play. Study the drama; and decipher the treasures in the lines. Read on.

How To How to Make the Most of Your Online Book Club
So, you've decided to start (or join) an online book club. Here are some points to keep in mind, so that you can make the most out of your experience with an online book club.

How To How to Incorporate Reading and Literature into Your Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate and share. It's usually a time to eat lots of good food, and and make memories. But, you can also make reading great classics part of your Thanksgiving traditions. Read on.

How To Improve Reading and Literacy Encourage Reading
Millions of people have difficulty reading. That's because, despite what many people think, literacy issues are not just relegated to children and young adults. To improve literacy in America, we must consider readers of all ages and backgrounds. Here are some tips to help you improve and encourage reading and literacy.

How To Ask a Stupid Question
I've heard some teachers and professors say that there are no "stupid" questions. But, some students still manage to come up with some pretty outlandish queries. Here's how you can ask a stupid question in class...

How To Make Literature a Part of Your Halloween Celebrations!
Here are some ideas that should help you to make literature a part of your upcoming Halloween celebrations.

How To Help Provide Relief -- One Book at a Time
When hurricanes, fires, and natural disasters strike, there is something you can do to help--while you also share your love of reading with others. Why not share a books with a friend in need, donate books to a shelter, or send books to a relief organization. There are lots of great ways to pass books around. Bring pleasure into the lives of those who may have lost everything, who need a bit of comfort.

How To Plan Out Your Summer Reading List - - Make a List
The months of summer can be a time when lots of activities are taking place. You may be going on vacation, or to the beach, or hiking, or biking, or you may be participating in all sorts of other activities. Whether you're staying home, or traveling near or far, you'll want to have a summer reading list that's perfect for your needs. Here are some tips!

How To Pick a Book For Your Dad - Father Books
It may seem that buying a book for your father is the easiest gift, but what book(s) do you pick? What would he enjoy? And what would he really read? Here are some ideas that should get you going in the right direction. Have fun shopping for your father!

How To Find Your Reading Spot
A reading spot is a place where you can be comfortable and read, but how do you find it? Read on.

How To Write a Literary Book Review
If you plan to study literature, there is a good chance that you will be asked to write a literary book review in one of your classes. A book review is not simply a plot summary or an unsupported opinion of how well the reader did or did not like the book. A book review includes information about the key elements of the book (plot, character, setting, theme, etc.) and the reviewer's opinion of how well the author has succeeded in using those elements to write an effective story. Read on.

How To Become a Critical Reader
Whether you are reading for pleasure or academia, it's important to understand basic structural and content elements about the text you are studying. These questions and idea generators should help you to become a more critical reader. Understand and retain what you read! Read on.