Effort and pleasure of reading (in a foreign language)

Effort and pleasure of reading 

(in a foreign language)

“I find television very educating. 

Every time somebody turns on the set, 

I go into the other room and read a book”

(Groucho Marx, a US writer and comic actor)

Can you read? Oh, what a question!... Of course, I can! Everyone can! Mmmm, not so sure...
What does ''the ability to read'' mean? 
How much of what you read do you understand? 
How much of what (you think) you understand can you apply to your life? 
Do you enjoy reading? 
Why do you read? 
Do you prefer paper books, e-books, audio-books? 
These are the questions I often discuss with my students, friends, people in social situations during a small talk.

And here are some questions lots of people ask when they start reading in a foreign language. Please, forgive my ironic comments, but I hope they will lighten the burden of starting to read.
How can I read if I don't know all the words? (Do you know all the words of your native language? I bet you don't! Does it stop you from reading?)
Where can I find time for reading regularly? (Do you find time to read in your mother tongue, to surf the Net, to see the photos of FB friends you hardly know?)
Who will check if I translate the book correctly? (Are you going to become a translator/interpreter? Is your translation going to be published?)


Jokes apart, here is what can be done to start reading in a foreign language:
Step 1. Start with easy reading of your interest. 
Subscribe to a newsletter of an expert in your area who writes in your target language.

Step 2. You've got mail! When you get the newsletter, don't hurry to open it, try to guess what it's about first.

Step 3. Read and see how much you've guessed. Also, look up the meanings of new words. Belonging to your sphere of interest, these words will be easier to remember and recognize the next time you see them.

Step 4. Read again to get more if you are really interested or just leave it and wait for another newsletter. Persistence is what really matters. And - yes - practice makes perfect!