quote:
"what can i get from this book?" or "how can this book be helpful to me"
I like to start with those questions whenever I pick up a book. After a quick preview and photoreading I quickly have a sense of whether I want to go deeper into the book or forget it. They help me to establish a purpose for reading a book (in the sense of "I want to know what the author has to say about...?"). Once I've decided that a book is worthy of a read then my questions become more specific like 'what information is there about...?' I like to approach a book with a sense of curiosity. Sometimes my question is 'In what way can I use this information?'
I find the purpose "To understand what the author has to say about...!" a useful broad starting purpose. It helps to keep the mind open to possibilies. To enjoy a Novel is certainly a valid purpose as are multiple purposes (to learn, to enjoy, to understand 
)
Alex
[This message has been edited by AlexK (edited November 27, 2002).]
