# Stop Trying to Replace R... ! [ rw-book-cover] (https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1377679594602573829/xFkQO7Ik.jpg) URL: https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378839987749032 Author: @AlexAndBooks_ on Twitter  ## AI-Generated Summary None ## Highlights > Stop trying to replace reading a book with reading a summary of it. > No one's life was ever changed from reading a book summary. > Here's the right way to use book summaries: >  ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378839987749032)) > 1) Book Summaries = Movie Trailers > Summaries and trailers are a great way to SAMPLE content. > Just how you watch a movie trailer to decide whether the movie is worth watching, you want to read a book summary to decide whether or not the book is worth reading. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378842168906108)) > The truth is that most books aren’t worth reading. > So it’s helpful to use summaries as a way of sampling the book to see if it’s interesting to you or contains lessons you’re looking for. > If you like the summary, that’s a good sign you should get the book. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378843531977099)) > 2) Book Summaries = Personal Tutor > Book summary apps hire people with PhDs or domain expertise to write detailed yet easy-to-understand summaries. > If you’re having trouble understanding the book you’re reading, try reading a summary of it to help you out. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378845104808227)) > For example, earlier this year I read “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse. > It’s a deeply spiritual and philosophical read, so I knew there were things I missed or went over my head. > So I read a summary of the book to help me better understand the book’s key events and lessons. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378846765764695)) > 3) Book Summaries = Cheat Sheet > Book summaries provide an easy way to refresh your memory about the key lessons from a book without having to reread it. > If you've lost your notes, want to review important lessons, or want to apply a book you've read, read a summary of it. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378848598749682)) > For example: > If you're negotiating your salary, read a summary of a negotiation book you've read in the past. > Or if you read a book years ago that's now the book for your company’s book club, read a summary of it to remind yourself of the key lessons. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378849961910321)) > Recap: > DON'T replace reading books with reading book summaries. > DO use book summaries as a way of: > -Sampling books before buying them > -Better understanding what you're reading > -Refreshing your memory on the key lessons of a book ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378851626967342)) > PS: If you want to try a summary app, [_shortform](https://twitter.com/_shortform) is the best one I've found. > They have 1,000+ summaries and exercises in each one to help you apply what you learn. > Use my link to try Shortform FREE for 5 days & get 25% off their membership here: https://t.co/cBntcwCf1u ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/AlexAndBooks_/status/1869378853384446140))