If your TBR pile is starting to look like the Tower of Pisa, you’re not alone. We live in an information flood, and reading faster—without losing the plot—can feel like a super-power. A solid speed reading book offers structured exercises, evidence-backed techniques, and realistic advice on comprehension. Below you’ll find the ten titles I consider essential for 2025. I’ve ranked them from #1 to #10, with Read Faster Remember More taking the crown by popular demand. Whether you’re a student racing through textbooks or a curious mind tackling endless PDFs, one of these guides will fit your style.
What Makes a Great Speed Reading Book?
Balanced focus on speed and comprehension. Research shows gains in words-per-minute mean little without understanding the text. (Time)
Actionable drills. The best books walk you through timed sprints, eye-movement charts, and rapid-chunking games you can repeat daily.
Science you can trust. Look for references to eye-tracking studies, cognitive-load theory, and working-memory research—not just anecdotal hype.
Adaptability. We all read for different reasons, so a good guide helps you tailor techniques for fiction, dense non-fiction, or academic journals.
The Top-10 List
1. Read Faster Remember More by Conrad Andrews
This fresh release earns the #1 spot because it solves the classic speed-versus-memory dilemma. Andrews blends paced-reading drills with mnemonic devices so you recall key facts long after closing the book. Expect short “micro-sprints,” spaced-repetition flashbacks, and humor that keeps practice fun. Early readers report doubling their pace while retaining test-level comprehension—proof that speed and memory can coexist.
Master Speed Reading and Memory
Unlock the secrets of speed reading and memory mastery. This practical guide helps you boost your reading speed, sharpen recall, and learn smarter—starting today.
Breakthrough Rapid Reading by Peter Kump
A classic that still tops expert lists, Kump’s program uses 36 progressive drills to push eye span wider and silence the voice in your head that slows you down. Many readers hit 400 wpm by the final chapter, all while answering comprehension checks.
3. 10 Days to Faster Reading by Abby Marks Beale & The Princeton Language Institute
Short on time? This workbook delivers quick wins through daily, 20-minute sessions. Each chapter busts a bad habit—like regression or unnecessary fixation—and replaces it with a science-based alternative. Practical quizzes let you measure gains in real time.
4. The Speed Reading Book by Tony Buzan
Buzan popularized mind-mapping, and that creativity shines here. He pairs peripheral-vision drills with note-rhythm techniques so you digest structure at a glance. Updated editions include digital-age tips for screens and tablets.
5. Speed Reading with the Right Brain by David Butler
For visual thinkers, Butler’s right-brain angle is a game changer. He teaches you to picture ideas, not words, which accelerates reading and deepens recall. The book links each exercise to fMRI studies on visualization and comprehension.
6. Super Reading Secrets by Howard Stephen Berg
Berg—dubbed “the world’s fastest reader”—packs his secrets into step-by-step drills. Skeptics appreciate that every chapter ends with a comprehension test, keeping claims honest.
7. Triple Your Reading Speed by Wade E. Cutler
Cutler’s self-paced program starts with a baseline test, then serves up eye-movement charts and timed “power pages.” The fourth edition adds smartphone timers and QR-linked practice passages. Many readers see an immediate 150–200 wpm jump.
8. Remember Everything You Read: The Evelyn Wood 7-Day Speed Reading & Learning Program by Stanley D. Frank
Evelyn Wood’s famous techniques live on through Frank’s structured seven-day boot camp. It’s heavy on comprehension checkpoints and introduces “layered reading,” a preview–skim–deep-dive cycle used by journalists.
9. How to Be a Super Reader by Ron Cole
Cole’s personable style makes complex theory accessible to teens and adults alike. He breaks eye-tracking science into friendly analogies and offers multi-sensory mnemonics that stick.
10. Speed Reading: Learn to Read a 200+ Page Book in One Hour by Kam Knight
Knight focuses on the digital reader facing endless reports. His RSVP-style drills and “space reading” hacks (staring at the gaps between words) boost pace on phones and tablets where scrolling sabotages rhythm.
How to Choose the Right Title for You
Identify your goal. Exam prep? Dense research papers? Casual novels? Each speed reading book above leans toward one use case.
Match your learning style. Visual learners thrive with Butler (#5); checklist lovers may prefer the 10-day sprint (#3).
Check the practice commitment. Kump’s 36-chapter marathon requires a month; Knight’s hourly crash course suits urgent deadlines.
Preview sample drills. Most publishers offer a look-inside feature. Make sure the typography and pacing feel comfortable; if the font strains your eyes, your results will suffer.
Getting the Most Out of Any Speed Reading Book
Warm up your eyes. Simple figure-eight eye stretches reduce fatigue before timed reading sprints.
Start slow to finish fast. Measure current words-per-minute and comprehension to track genuine progress.
Practice daily—even 10 minutes counts. Neural adaptation happens with frequency, not marathon sessions.
Respect comprehension limits. Studies show that pushing past 600 wpm can slash retention on complex texts. (The Guardian)
Alternate between fiction and non-fiction. Variety trains your eyes to handle shifting narrative density.
Teach someone else. Explaining a concept cements it in memory and reveals gaps in your understanding.
Final Thoughts
A great speed reading book is more than a promise of superhero-level WPM; it’s a toolkit for smarter, more purposeful reading. From Conway Andrews’ brand-new Read Faster Remember More to tried-and-true classics by Kump and Beale, each title on this list can shave hours off your study time without sacrificing comprehension. Pick the one that suits your goals, stick with the drills, and watch your reading pile shrink—while your knowledge bank grows.
