Reading Vs Understanding

You can read something and not understand it, you can understand something but not read it, you can do both read and understand something. Reading is a skill, it is the translation of symbols into concepts. For example, the word "tree" is a symbol. Once I learned that the letters in that symbol equaled the tall thing with bark and branches, I could then understand what was written. But words, in and of themselves, are just symbols. If those symbols aren't put together in a meaningful way, then they are incomprehensible. Understanding is a way of manipulating information to gather intent from another source. It is coming to grips with information that is being conveyed to you. You can understand things based on speech and/or writing. I, however, agree with your last point. Reading is great, but without meaningful interaction with the information presented, then, there is no point.

Yup, true what you say...I mean if you want to read books, what's the point if you're not really into it, understand what's going on so you could have a better reading experience...It applies to everything that involves reading, you're not only suppose to read it fast but read it and understand what the meaning is..If you don't understand, don't be afraid to go over it twice..=] just my opinion.