“Better Communication for Smart People”, the slogan of this website, is not just about writing better.

It is also about reading better.

Readers are leaders, so it pays to be able to read better.

And this got me to wondering something: What are three recommendations that I would make to anyone who wants to improve his or her reading skills?

The answer? 1. Listen more! 2. Watch more! 3. Discuss more!

1. Listen more!

You can improve your reading skills by listening more.

I recommend that you try reading a book and then getting and listening to the audio-book version.

I recommend that you listen to podcasts about their work from book, magazine-article, and blog authors.

And I recommend that Amazon Kindle owners listen to an author’s words through the Kindle’s text-to-speech function.

2. Watch more!

You can improve your reading skills by watching more.

When a movie based on a book is released, watch it in the cinema or on DVD after you read the book.

When you know that a book author is going to be interviewed or covered in a biography on television, read at least one of his or her books prior to watching the TV program.

And search video-hosting websites for video clips made by other readers about a book that you have read.

3. Discuss more!

You can improve your reading skills by discussing more.

Book clubs represent one of the most popular ways for people to discuss books.

Online forums have become an online supplement to or replacement for book clubs.

And I recommend public events as a third way for you to discuss more of what you read.