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Beyond her acclaimed novels such as Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf was an essayist who explored a wide range of topics, from personal reflections to critiques of other authors. One of her notable essays is titled “How Should One Read a Book?”
Woolf clarifies the reasoning behind the essay’s title, “How Should One Read a Book?” rather than “How One Should Read a Book.” She emphasizes that there’s no definitive way to approach reading. “The only guidance one can offer is to avoid relying on others’ advice, trust your instincts, apply your reasoning, and draw your own conclusions,” she states [PDF].
However, Woolf does offer some suggestions. She advises readers to let go of preconceived notions about a book before diving in and to avoid forming hasty judgments. Instead, she encourages readers to immerse themselves in the author’s perspective. “If you hold back, remain reserved, or critique too soon,” she explains, “you’re limiting your ability to fully appreciate and absorb the text.”
To achieve this, Woolf recommends trying your hand at writing: “to experiment with the challenges and complexities of language.” Once you’ve grappled with describing a scene or event, you can “turn from your messy and imperfect drafts to the first pages of a master novelist,” Woolf notes. “This will deepen your appreciation for their skill.”
As Maria Popova explains on her blog Brain Pickings, Woolf doesn’t discourage forming judgments about books—she believes it’s an essential part of reading. However, she advises pausing after finishing a book to let its ideas settle in your mind. “Take a walk, have a conversation, pluck the dead petals from a rose, or simply sleep,” Woolf suggests. This allows the book’s essence to crystallize, making it easier to evaluate and compare with others.
Woolf expresses mixed feelings about allowing all readers to critique books freely, rather than reserving this role for professional critics. Yet, she concedes that readers naturally form opinions. “There’s always a voice within us that says, ‘I hate this, I love that,’ and we can’t silence it,” she observes. The solution, she argues, is to read extensively and diversely, refining our inner critic’s taste over time.
Ultimately, Woolf balances her earlier points by suggesting that the primary goal of reading might simply be enjoyment. “Aren’t there activities we engage in purely for their intrinsic value, and pleasures that are ends in themselves? Isn’t reading one of them?” she questions.
For those acquainted with Woolf and her writings, her open-ended advice on reading likely comes as no surprise. She was never one to adhere to strict rules, whether in writing or in life.
