7 Speed Reading Books Steven Goldstein and Experts Use to Accelerate Learning
Trader performance coach Steven Goldstein and other thought leaders recommend these Speed Reading Books to enhance reading speed and comprehension.

What if you could double your reading speed without losing track of what matters most — comprehension? Many assume speed reading means skimming and sacrificing understanding, but that’s far from the truth. The real skill lies in balancing pace with retention to unlock knowledge faster and smarter.
Steven Goldstein, a trader performance and executive coach with 25 years in investment banking, has faced intense reading demands himself. His endorsement of Katya Seberson’s "Essential Speed Reading Techniques" highlights how mastering both speed and comprehension can transform professional and academic success.
While these seven expert-curated books offer proven frameworks to enhance your reading, if you’re looking for strategies tailored to your unique background, goals, or reading habits, consider creating a personalized Speed Reading book that builds on these insights and fits your specific needs.
Recommended by Steven Goldstein
Trader performance and executive coach
“Speed-reading means nothing unless you not only comprehend what you are reading but also retain the information. Anyone who must read, retain, and comprehend vast amounts of material for their schooling or profession must let Katya Seberson guide them along the way. She has studied and mastered her craft and her knowledge never ceases to amaze me. This book should be required reading for every serious student and professional.”
by Katya Seberson··You?
Katya Seberson overcame her own reading challenges, which fueled her dedication to developing effective speed reading strategies. In this book, you learn to tailor your reading techniques to your unique strengths and challenges, using exercises that enhance both speed and comprehension. The book covers everything from setting realistic progress goals to minimizing eye strain during screen reading, with practical tests to track your improvement. Whether you tackle complex textbooks or leisure novels, this guide helps you maintain comprehension while accelerating your pace. It's especially useful if you want to read more efficiently without losing the essence of the material.
by Joseph Milano··You?
Joseph Milano challenges the common belief that speed reading sacrifices comprehension. Drawing on two decades of coaching, Milano reveals how you can actually increase reading speed while boosting memory and understanding simultaneously. His book breaks down techniques to expand your visual intake, sharpen focus, and track progress, with exercises designed to build these skills quickly. For instance, he explains how altering reading habits can prevent information loss and improve recall, making this particularly helpful if you face dense or technical material regularly. If you want to read more efficiently without losing depth, this guide offers practical methods tailored to your pace and goals.
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book explores customized techniques to master speed reading efficiently, focusing on your unique interests and current skill level. It examines the key elements of increasing reading speed while maintaining comprehension, providing a pathway that matches your background and addresses your specific goals. The content reveals how to balance rapid eye movement, cognitive processing, and retention strategies in a way that aligns with your learning style. By offering a personalized synthesis of expert knowledge, this book fosters a deeper understanding of speed reading principles and practical exercises. It creates a tailored experience that guides you through mastering techniques suited to your preferences, making the journey to doubling your reading speed both achievable and engaging.
by The Mesosphere Mindset··You?
The Mesosphere Mindset challenges the usual approach to speed reading by focusing on brain training exercises designed to boost both your reading speed and comprehension. This book delves into why most people read at around 250 words per minute and offers practical methods to push that number well beyond 400 or even 600. You'll find chapters that bust common myths, outline five core speed reading techniques, and provide targeted exercises for different text types—from academic papers to corporate emails. If you want to improve how quickly and effectively you process written information, this book offers straightforward strategies, though it suits those willing to invest daily practice rather than expecting instant results.
by Peter Kump··You?
by Peter Kump··You?
Peter Kump, with over two decades directing his own rapid reading consultancy, offers a practical approach grounded in the methods pioneered by Evelyn Wood. This book guides you through graded drills designed to boost your reading speed while enhancing retention, rather than simply pushing you to read faster. For instance, specific exercises in later chapters focus on minimizing subvocalization and expanding peripheral vision to increase comprehension. If you’re serious about transforming how you process written content—whether for work or study—this book provides clear techniques that develop both speed and understanding. Casual readers may find some of the drills rigorous, but those committed to skill improvement will benefit greatly.
by Kam Knight··You?
by Kam Knight··You?
Kam Knight's extensive experience as a coach and author specializing in mental performance shines through in this book, which offers a distinct approach to speed reading that goes beyond mere skimming or scanning. You’ll explore techniques that harness your brain and eye capabilities to naturally increase your reading speed while improving comprehension and retention. The book breaks down how to double or even triple your reading pace in minutes, with practical chapters on enhancing focus, building vocabulary, and maintaining eye health for long-term reading ability. This makes it especially useful if you’re a student, educator, or professional aiming to absorb information faster without sacrificing understanding.
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book explores targeted actions to rapidly boost your reading speed and retention, focusing on your unique interests and goals. It examines essential techniques, such as efficient eye movement, minimizing subvocalization, and enhancing comprehension, all presented in a way that matches your background. By concentrating on what matters most to you, this book reveals a personalized pathway through the complex landscape of speed reading knowledge, helping you build skills quickly and effectively. The book covers practical exercises and cognitive approaches designed to accelerate your progress over a 30-day period. This personalized guide ensures you develop lasting reading habits that balance pace with understanding, making your learning experience both efficient and enjoyable.
Unlike most speed reading books that emphasize rapid word recognition, David Butler's approach centers on enhancing comprehension by engaging your right brain's visual and conceptual strengths. You'll learn to read ideas in phrases, not just individual words, through unique phrase-highlighted exercises that train you to grasp larger concepts faster. This method boosts both speed and understanding, making it suitable for anyone frustrated with traditional reading techniques or eager to deepen their cognitive engagement with text. Chapters guide you from basic principles to practical drills, helping you develop sharper focus and memory retention as you read.
Drawing from over a decade of psychology research and coaching experience, Peter Hollins challenges common speed reading assumptions in this focused guide. You’ll learn how to train your eyes to skim and scan effectively, stop subvocalizing, and grasp concepts instead of individual words, enhancing both speed and retention. Chapters cover efficient text previewing, debunking myths, and exercises to boost visual concentration, making your reading time more productive. This book suits anyone overwhelmed by reading demands who wants to read faster without sacrificing understanding.
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Conclusion
Across these seven books, clear themes emerge: the importance of comprehension alongside speed, the value of consistent practice, and the need for techniques suited to your personal reading style. If you struggle with distractions or retention, starting with Katya Seberson’s guide can ground your foundation. For those eager to train their brain systematically, "What the Heck Did I Just Speed Read?" offers practical daily exercises.
Combining books like Peter Kump’s "Breakthrough Rapid Reading" with Kam Knight’s mental performance insights can accelerate your progress through structured drills and cognitive techniques. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Speed Reading book to bridge general principles with your own reading challenges and goals.
These books present reliable methods to help you boost reading efficiency and comprehension, empowering you to accelerate your learning journey and handle information overload with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which Speed Reading book should I start with?
Start with "Essential Speed Reading Techniques" by Katya Seberson. Steven Goldstein highlights its practical balance of speed and comprehension, making it ideal for learners facing heavy reading demands.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Speed Reading?
Not at all. Many books, like Joseph Milano’s "Learn Speed-Reading Fast," provide accessible guidance suitable for beginners eager to improve both speed and memory retention.
Which books focus more on practical application versus theory?
Peter Kump’s "Breakthrough Rapid Reading" emphasizes structured drills, while "What the Heck Did I Just Speed Read?" offers daily brain-training exercises, making both very hands-on.
Should I read these books in a specific order for best results?
It helps to start with foundational techniques, then explore specialized methods. For example, begin with Seberson’s book, then deepen practice with Kump and Knight’s mental performance strategies.
Do any of these books contradict each other on techniques?
While approaches vary, they generally complement each other, offering different angles on speed and comprehension. For instance, Butler’s right-brain focus contrasts with traditional methods but enriches your toolkit.
Can I get Speed Reading advice tailored to my specific goals and background?
Yes! While these expert books provide solid foundations, personalized books can tailor strategies to your unique needs, bridging expert insights with your situation. Explore custom Speed Reading books here.
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