Speed reading isn’t for everyone, but it is a great skill to have if you read print newspapers, or are still in school where you get massive reading assignments in literature, history, etc. and study time is precious. The key is to break the habit of mentally pronouncing the words as you read, a habit which grew out of reading out loud in elementary school. Don’t get me wrong – reading out loud in school is important for other reasons. Nevertheless, it does carry over into silent reading (at least it did for me).
I recall a Kingston Trio song about an “unfortunate Miss Bailey”, but I can’t remember why she was unfortunate.