Bettina Soulez, a French expert in high performance reading, shares her thoughts:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIGH PERFORMANCE READING:

1) The eye moves by leaps & bounds;
2) The brain, or rather the mind, is faster than the eye;
3) Reading faster means better understanding;
4) The brain can grasp up to 15 words at a glance - especially with the aid of peripheral vision;
5) It's OK to sift & select what to read - be active & selective!;
6) The printed word is not sacred - it's there to be challenged!
7) Understanding takes less time than reading;
8) The mind move spontaneously from synthesis to analysis - always get the big picture first!; 

9) Reading is a personal activity: our past determines what kind of reader we are;

WHAT YOU NEED TO AVOID IN HIGH PERFORMANCE READING:

1) Sub-vocalising - this is a fact: 'tongue' speed can never match 'mind' speed;
2) Regressing - this is probably part of the 'kiasu' syndrome & is counter-productive;
3) Feeling guilty for not reading everything - in today's context, it's not feasible to read everything; we need to read what we need;
4) Reading only one type of text - different text calls for different strategies;
5) Reading without a reason - starting with a purpose for reading sets the tone;
6) Arriving neutral before a text - this explains the significance of prior knowledge;
7) Reading everything at the same speed - this is counter-productive as, again, different text calls for different strategies;
8) Neglecting practice - it's important to read regularly;
9) Neglecting reading the end of a text, especially the end summary or questions, if any;