How I Read Over 100 Books a Year (Speechify)

Elizabeth Filips
18 Dec 202007:45

TLDRElizabeth, a medical student and artist in London, shares her method of reading over 100 books a year despite a busy schedule. She switched from physical books to using the Speechify app, which converts text into audio files with a synchronized scrolling text and highlighter. This allows her to adjust reading speed, making books quick to consume. She emphasizes the benefits of speed, portability, note-taking ease, and cost-effectiveness, comparing Speechify favorably to Audible. Elizabeth recommends Speechify for those with heavy reading loads, seeking a more affordable alternative to traditional books or audiobook services.

Takeaways

  • 📚 Elizabeth, a medical student and artist, managed to read about a book a day even during a busy year by changing her reading method.
  • 🔊 She transitioned from physical books to using an app called Speechify, which reads text out loud.
  • 📱 Speechify allows uploading various text formats, converting them into audio files with a scrolling text and highlighter feature.
  • ⏱️ The app enables adjusting the listening speed, with Elizabeth comfortably listening at 900 words per minute.
  • 📘 For informational books, she reads quickly, pausing to take notes on interesting points, while fiction is enjoyed slowly.
  • 🧐 Elizabeth addresses concerns about speed affecting comprehension, noting that note-taking helps retain important information regardless of speed.
  • 🗂️ The digital nature of Speechify allows for随时随地 reading and easy note-taking in a centralized location like Notion.
  • 💰 The cost-effectiveness of Speechify is highlighted, as it's cheaper than buying books or subscribing to services like Audible.
  • 📚 The convenience of digital books includes easy access to free resources and the ability to avoid physical book clutter.
  • 📈 Speechify is compared to Audible, with the advantage of having the text on screen for easy note-taking and highlighting.
  • 🎁 Speechify offers a free trial, making it accessible for those with large reading lists, financial constraints, or a desire to improve reading speed.

Q & A

  • What is the main challenge Elizabeth faces in keeping up with her book reading habit?

    -Elizabeth, a medical student and artist, finds it difficult to balance her growing book wish list with her growing task list amidst a busy life.

  • How did Elizabeth manage to read about a book a day during a busy year?

    -Elizabeth managed to read a book a day by changing her reading method and using an app called Speechify, which reads text out loud.

  • What is Speechify and how does it work?

    -Speechify is an app that allows users to upload text, which it then converts into an audio file, reading it out loud with an accompanying scrolling text and highlighter.

  • How does Speechify allow users to control their reading speed?

    -Speechify lets users easily adjust the speed at which the text is read aloud, enabling them to listen to books at their preferred pace.

  • Why does Elizabeth believe reading informational books quickly is beneficial?

    -Elizabeth believes informational books often contain unnecessary fluff and over-explanation, so reading them quickly allows her to focus on key points and save time.

  • How does Elizabeth handle forgetting information when reading books quickly with Speechify?

    -Elizabeth acknowledges that she forgets most of the content but focuses on pausing and taking notes on important points, which she finds effective regardless of reading speed.

  • What are the advantages of using Speechify over physical books according to Elizabeth?

    -Speechify offers portability, easy note-taking, and cost-effectiveness. It also allows for digital organization of notes and access to free books online.

  • How does Speechify compare to Audible in terms of cost and functionality?

    -Speechify is more cost-effective, with a yearly plan that doesn't require additional payments for books. It also provides the text on the screen for easy note-taking, unlike Audible.

  • What is Elizabeth's opinion on using Speechify for reading fiction?

    -Elizabeth prefers physical books for fiction, enjoying the slower pace and the experience of reading for pleasure, but would still consider using Speechify if it offered a free, endless supply of books.

  • How does Speechify help Elizabeth with her note-taking process?

    -Speechify's text-on-screen feature allows Elizabeth to easily highlight and copy-paste important points into her digital notes, making the process more efficient.

  • What is Elizabeth's final recommendation for those interested in increasing their reading speed or managing costs?

    -Elizabeth recommends trying Speechify, especially for those with a heavy reading load, looking for a cost-effective solution, or wanting to improve their reading speed.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Transforming Reading Habits with Speechify App

Elizabeth, a medical student and artist based in London, shares her experience of maintaining a high reading volume despite a busy schedule by transitioning from physical books to an app called Speechify. This app allows users to upload various text formats, which it then converts into audio files with a scrolling text feature and a highlighter. Elizabeth emphasizes the app's ability to adjust reading speed, enabling her to consume books at a rapid pace, averaging 900 words per minute. She discusses the benefits of speed reading for informational books, where she can quickly skim through fluff and focus on key points. Despite concerns about retention, she finds that taking notes on interesting parts helps her remember them regardless of reading speed. Elizabeth also appreciates the convenience of digital books, especially the ease of access and note-taking compared to physical books.

05:01

💬 The Advantages of Digital Reading and Speechify over Audible

In the second paragraph, Elizabeth delves into the advantages of digital reading, particularly the convenience of having books readily available on her phone and the ease of extracting and organizing quotes and notes in a digital format like Notion. She also highlights the cost-effectiveness of digital books, especially with Speechify's affordable annual plan, which allows her to access a vast number of free books online. Elizabeth contrasts Speechify with Audible, acknowledging Audible's superior narration quality but criticizing its cost and lack of on-screen text for note-taking. She suggests that while she might use Audible for fiction, Speechify is her go-to for non-fiction due to its text visibility and note-taking ease. Elizabeth concludes by recommending Speechify for those with heavy reading loads, those looking for a cost-effective alternative to physical books, or anyone wanting to improve their reading speed.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Speechify

Speechify is an app mentioned in the video that allows users to upload any text, such as PDFs, ePubs, or iBooks, and have it read aloud. It's central to the video's theme as it enables the speaker to read over 100 books a year by converting text into audio files. The app also displays the text on the screen, synchronizing with the audio, which is a key feature that facilitates reading and note-taking.

💡Reading Speed

Reading speed refers to how quickly one can process and understand written text. In the video, the speaker discusses how she increased her reading speed from an average of 600 words per minute to 900 words per minute using Speechify, allowing her to consume books at a much faster pace. This concept is crucial as it demonstrates how technology can enhance reading efficiency.

💡Informational Books

Informational books are texts that provide knowledge or facts, often non-fiction. The speaker mentions that she reads informational books quickly using Speechify, skimming through the content to identify key points or interesting sections. This approach is contrasted with her slower, more leisurely reading of fiction, highlighting a strategic use of reading speed based on the book's content.

💡Fluff

In the context of the video, 'fluff' refers to unnecessary or redundant content in informational books that the author includes to elaborate on a point. The speaker suggests that such content can be skimmed over quickly, emphasizing the efficiency of using Speechify to filter through the 'fluff' and focus on the essential information.

💡Note-taking

Note-taking is the act of recording important points or ideas from what one is reading or listening to. The video highlights the ease of note-taking with Speechify, as the text is displayed on the screen, allowing the user to highlight and copy-paste key points directly into a digital notebook. This feature is particularly useful for retaining information from informational books.

💡Digital Books

Digital books, as opposed to physical books, are electronic versions of books that can be read on devices like smartphones, tablets, or e-readers. The speaker discusses the convenience of digital books, especially when using Speechify, as they can be accessed anywhere and easily managed, such as copying extracts or organizing notes digitally.

💡Cost-effective

Cost-effectiveness in the video refers to the financial benefit of using Speechify over purchasing physical books or subscribing to services like Audible. The speaker points out that many books can be found for free online, uploaded to Speechify, and listened to without additional cost, making it a more economical way to read.

💡Audible

Audible is a subscription service for audiobooks, mentioned in the video as a comparison to Speechify. While Audible is praised for its high-quality narration by human voices, it is criticized for its cost and lack of text display, making it less convenient for note-taking and text interaction compared to Speechify.

💡Bookmarking

Bookmarking in the context of the video refers to the ability of Speechify to save the user's reading or listening progress, allowing them to easily return to where they left off. This feature is highlighted as beneficial for managing reading across multiple books and sessions.

💡Non-fiction

Non-fiction is a genre of literature that presents factual information and real events, as opposed to fictional narratives. The speaker uses Speechify to read non-fiction books quickly, focusing on the key points and skimming through less essential content, which is a strategy that aligns with the video's theme of efficient reading.

💡Retention

Retention in the video refers to the ability to remember and recall information after reading or listening to a book. The speaker discusses how, despite reading books quickly with Speechify, she still retains important information by pausing and taking notes on key points, suggesting that the speed of reading does not necessarily impact memory retention.

Highlights

Elizabeth, a medical student and artist, managed to read about a book a day despite a busy schedule by changing her reading method.

She transitioned from physical books to using an app called Speechify, which reads text out loud.

Speechify allows uploading various text formats and converts them into audio files with a scrolling text display.

The app enables users to adjust listening speed, creating a personalized audiobook experience.

Elizabeth increased her listening speed from average to 900 words per minute, allowing her to read books in as little as an hour.

She differentiates between reading for fun and reading informational books, adjusting her speed accordingly.

Informational books often contain 'fluff', so speeding through them allows for focusing on key points.

Elizabeth finds that speed reading does not significantly affect her retention of important information.

Speechify's digital format offers convenience, allowing reading anywhere with a phone.

Digital reading facilitates easy note-taking and organization in digital platforms like Notion.

The cost-effectiveness of digital reading is highlighted, especially for students on a budget.

Speechify offers a more affordable alternative to services like Audible, with additional benefits.

The on-screen text in Speechify simplifies the note-taking process compared to audio-only services.

Elizabeth prefers Speechify for non-fiction and would reserve Audible for fiction due to its human narration.

Speechify is recommended for those with extensive reading requirements, looking for cost-effective solutions, or wanting to improve reading speed.

A free trial of Speechify is available for those curious about its benefits.

The video concludes with a reminder to be kind and to question one's own thoughts.