Read like a writer

Every great writer started as a reader who paid attention. Reading like a writer means noticing how a book makes you feel something, not just what happens.

Keep a “lines I love” page

When a sentence makes you stop, copy it into a notebook. Then write one line underneath explaining why it works. Is it the verb? The rhythm? A surprising comparison?

Steal the shape, not the words

Take a sentence you admire and write your own sentence with the same structure but a completely different subject. This trains your ear for rhythm without copying anyone.

Ask three questions after every chapter

• Where did the writer make me curious?
• What did they leave out?
• What is the last line of the chapter doing?

Our bookshelf tells you which skill each book teaches best. Pick one and read with a pencil in your hand.