If you’ve ever searched “how to read books faster”, you probably want two things at once: speed and understanding. The good news is you don’t need gimmicks to make real progress. Reading faster is mostly about reducing friction; eye movement, distractions, poor formatting, and the habit of rereading; while keeping comprehension high.
Below are practical, repeatable techniques you can use today, plus Kindle font tips and solutions if you keep rereading sentences.
What “reading faster” actually means
Most people try to read faster by “pushing” speed. The better approach is to remove what slows you down:
unnecessary rereading
losing your place on the page
low focus (internal distractions)
low clarity (fonts/spacing/lighting)
unclear purpose (reading without a goal)
When you fix these, your pace rises naturally.
1) Start with a purpose: read with a question
Before you begin a chapter, set a micro-goal:
“What is the main argument?”
“What are the 3 takeaways I can use?”
“What’s the plot turning point here?”
This gives your brain something to hunt for, improving focus and reducing “wandering rereads.”
2) Stop subvocalising (a little), not completely
Subvocalisation is the voice in your head reading along. You don’t need to eliminate it; doing so can hurt comprehension; but you can soften it to increase speed.
Try this:
Keep your inner voice, but make it “quieter”
Read in phrases (chunks) instead of single words
Slightly increase pace until the inner voice can’t pronounce every word perfectly
A helpful trick is to tap your finger lightly every second to encourage rhythm and forward motion.
3) Use a pacer to keep your eyes moving forward
One of the fastest improvements comes from using a pacer:
finger
pen
stylus
cursor highlight (on Kindle/reading apps)
Move the pacer smoothly under the line. Your eyes follow, and you reduce backtracking.
Start pace: slightly faster than comfortable.
Goal: steady forward movement, not perfection.
4) Preview the structure before you read
For nonfiction, previewing can cut reading time dramatically because you stop treating every sentence as equally important.
Do a 60-second scan:
headings / subheadings
intro + conclusion
bold terms
first sentence of each paragraph
Then read normally. Your brain now has a map, which reduces rereading.
5) Read in “sprints” to boost focus
Speed is often limited by attention, not ability. Use short timed sessions:
10 minutes reading
2 minutes break
repeat 2–4 times
In each sprint, aim for consistent reading, not maximum speed. Consistency builds a higher baseline pace.
Why do I keep rereading sentences in a book?
If you keep rereading lines, it’s usually not “because you’re bad at reading.” It’s one of these:
A) Your attention is splitting
You’re reading, but also thinking about something else; so you reach the end of a sentence without processing it.
Fix: Before starting, take 10 seconds and ask: “What’s distracting me?”
If it’s real (stress, tasks), jot it down. That small “brain dump” reduces mental tab-switching.
B) The text isn’t visually comfortable
Small font, tight spacing, glare, or a harsh contrast can make your eyes fatigue, increasing backtracking.
Fix: Adjust font, size, spacing, and lighting (see Kindle section below).
C) You’re reading too slowly
Counterintuitive, but true: very slow reading can increase mind-wandering, which causes rereading.
Fix: Increase pace by 10–15% and use a pacer.
D) You’re aiming for perfect comprehension
Perfectionism triggers rereading. Not every sentence deserves equal precision.
Fix: Decide your “good enough” level:
For a novel: follow the story and emotion
For nonfiction: capture the argument + a few key points
You can always return for details later.
Should you reread when trying to read faster?
Yes - strategically.
There are two types of rereading:
Bad rereading (accidental)
You drift, lose meaning, and loop back repeatedly. This kills speed and confidence.
Good rereading (intentional)
You reread a key paragraph once to lock it in, or to clarify a concept.
Rule of thumb:
If you reread more than once, stop and ask why.
If it’s important, take a note instead of rereading again.
Kindle fonts and settings to help you read faster
Your Kindle settings can make reading smoother and reduce that “I keep rereading lines” feeling.
Best Kindle font choices for speed
Different fonts affect readability. Generally, choose something clean and familiar.
Bookerly: designed for long-form reading; often comfortable and “book-like”
Amazon Ember: clean, modern, very legible
OpenDyslexic (if available): some readers find it reduces letter-swapping and fatigue
Quick test: Use a font for 10 minutes. If you feel your eyes “catch” on words, change it.
Font size
Bigger isn’t always slower. Too small can cause strain and rereading.
Increase size until you can read without squinting
If lines feel too long, adjust margins/spacing
Line spacing and margins
These settings reduce visual clutter:
Line spacing: slightly larger spacing often reduces line-skipping
Margins: moderate margins can reduce very long lines (long lines can cause losing your place)
Brightness and warmth
Indoors at night: lower brightness + warmer light reduces glare
Bright sunlight: higher contrast helps
If you’re rereading constantly on Kindle, try changing one setting at a time (font → size → spacing → brightness) and note what improves smoothness.
More tips and tricks to read books faster
Skim what you can, slow down where it matters
For nonfiction:
skim examples if you already understand the point
slow down for definitions, key arguments, and summaries
For fiction:
speed up during scene-setting
slow down for emotional beats or important dialogue
Improve retention without slowing down
Faster reading often fails when people don’t remember what they read. Add light structure:
After each chapter: write 1 sentence summary
For nonfiction: list 3 bullet takeaways
Mark highlights sparingly (too many highlights reduce value)
Build the habit with “minimum viable reading”
Even 10 minutes daily compounds. A reliable habit beats occasional marathon sessions.
A simple 7-day plan to read faster
Day 1–2: Add a pacer + reading sprints
Day 3: Preview headings/structure before each session
Day 4: Adjust Kindle font + spacing (one change at a time)
Day 5: Practice chunking (phrases, not single words)
Day 6: Add 1-sentence chapter summaries
Day 7: Increase pace slightly and measure progress
You’re aiming for smoother reading, fewer backtracks, and better focus; speed follows.
FAQ
How can I read faster and still remember?
Preview first, read in sprints, and do a 1-sentence summary per chapter. Retention improves when you actively process, not when you reread mindlessly.
Why do I reread sentences even when I’m interested?
Interest doesn’t prevent distraction or visual strain. The most common causes are split attention, perfectionism, or uncomfortable text formatting (especially on screens).
What’s the best Kindle font for reading faster?
Many readers find Bookerly or Amazon Ember easiest for smooth, fast reading. The best choice is the one that reduces eye fatigue and backtracking for you.