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Hi Reader,

before we get into this week's topics, I have some things to share.

First, I've started updating my book summaries that I have uploaded on Gumroad so far. They now come in a new design, and each book that I summarize will come in three different formats:

• A long, written summary (usually between 20 to 50 pages) for those of you who don't have time to read an entire book but still want to absorb all the important information from it.
• A 5-page summary for those who want to spend even less time on reading and only want to learn the essentials.
• A one-page visual summary with all the key concepts from the book—completely free!

​​Take a look at how the summaries are structured:

New summaries will be added in the next few weeks! Watch out for summaries of Atomic Habits & Courage Is Calling. Check them out right here.

On another note, my nonfiction book club is choosing our next read! We’ll start reading and discussing it on February 23rd. Here are the options—which one would you pick?

Head over to Fable to vote on the poll!

Now let's dive into this week's topic!

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Have you ever finished a book, closed the cover, and thought, Well… that was a waste of time? Or maybe you’ve forced yourself through a book just because it was a bestseller, only to realize it didn’t really teach you anything useful?

I’ve been there. More times than I’d like to admit. And the worst part? It’s not the book’s fault—it’s that I chose the wrong book for me.

Why we end up reading the wrong books

So, how do we get stuck reading books that don’t actually serve us? Here are some of the most common traps:

The bestseller trap – Just because a book is everywhere doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. Some books go viral because they’re easy to digest, controversial, or full of catchy one-liners—but that doesn’t mean they’ll add real value to your life.

The “Should Read” syndrome – We often feel pressure to read books that others say are “must-reads.” Maybe it’s a classic, a business book everyone swears by, or that one title your super-productive friend keeps recommending. But if a book doesn’t spark your curiosity, you’ll probably struggle to finish it (or worse, force yourself through and not retain anything).

Mismatched goals – Are you reading to learn a new skill, get inspired, or simply enjoy a good story? A book can be well-written and insightful, but if it doesn’t align with why you’re reading, it won’t feel meaningful.

How to choose books that actually matter to you

So, how do we stop wasting time on the wrong books and start reading the ones that truly serve us? Here’s what I’ve learned:

✅ Know your “why” before you start​
Before picking up a book, ask yourself: What do I want to get out of this? Do you want to improve your habits? Get better at decision-making? Learn a specific skill? Or just unwind with an interesting story? The clearer you are on your why, the easier it is to find books that deliver what you need.

✅ Follow curiosity, not trends​
Forget what’s trending. Instead, pay attention to what you are naturally drawn to. What topics do you find yourself Googling at 2 AM? What kind of problems are you trying to solve in your life? These are the books that will feel the most rewarding to read.

✅ Read smarter, not just more​
Reading more books isn’t the goal—reading the right books is. A single well-chosen book that challenges your thinking or shifts your perspective is far more valuable than speed-reading through ten that you’ll forget next week.

Your reading, your rules

At the end of the day, you get to decide what’s worth reading. It’s okay to stop reading a book if it’s not clicking. It’s okay to reread an old favorite instead of chasing the latest releases. And it’s okay to read for joy instead of productivity.

So, tell me—what’s the last book you read that truly made an impact on you? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Next week's book releases

James Fadiman, an early psychedelic researcher, and co-author Jordan Gruber’s MICRODOSING FOR HEALTH, HEALING AND ENHANCED PERFORMANCE is the first comprehensive book on microdosing, using new research and extensive reports from individuals to describe the possibilities of the practice. ​ ​​ Microdosing is proving to be a safe and powerful approach to a wide range of health conditions and enhanced performance. Partly responsible for modern microdosing’s development and current popularity, the authors answer hundreds of questions, blending extensive research with detailed personal accounts from contributors worldwide. The book also contains wide-ranging microdosing history, research, and science. Get your copy here

Follow a journalist and TV producer from 48 Hours and 60 Minutes as she carves out a career in the ruthless, knives-out world of true crime television . . . one killer story at a time. ​ Serial killers. Homicidal spouses. Sociopathic criminals. Claire St. Amant has met them all. ​ She spent nearly a decade in network television chasing the biggest true crime stories in the country, including the murder of Chris Kyle, plastic-surgeon-turned-murder-for-hire suspect Thomas Michael Dixon, the Parkland high school mass shooting, the disappearance of Christina Morris, and serial killer Samuel Little. Get your copy here

Defuse any heated conflict by learning which of the five conflict styles you are and how to resolve even the most sensitive dispute with this must-read guide. ​ The average American worker spends 156 hours a year engaged in the kind of moderate to intense workplace conflict that adversely impacts both performance and health. Managers spend twenty-six percent of their time addressing and resolving conflicts on their team—the equivalent of chewing up one full workday each week. But what if it didn’t need to be like this? What if there was a way to spend less time in stressfully interpersonal interactions and more time on the things that really matter? Get your copy here

America was once a country that did big things—we built the world’s greatest rail network, a vast electrical grid, interstate highways, abundant housing, the Social Security system, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and more. But today, even while facing a host of pressing challenges—a housing shortage, a climate crisis, a dilapidated infrastructure—we feel stuck, unable to move the needle. Why? America is today the victim of a vetocracy that allows nearly anyone to stifle progress. While conservatives deserve some blame, progressives have overlooked an unlikely culprit: their own fears of “The Establishment.” Get your copy here

Borders draw one map of the world; money draws another. A journalist’s riveting account exposes a parallel universe exempt from the laws of the land, and how the wealthy and powerful benefit from it. ​ The map of the globe shows the world we think we know: sovereign nations that grant and restrict their citizens’ rights. Beneath, above, and tucked inside its neatly delineated borders, however, a parallel universe has been engineered into existence, consisting of thousands of extraterritorial zones that operate largely autonomously, increasingly for the benefit of the wealthy and powerful. Get your copy here

California has long reigned as the land of plenty, a place where the sun always shines and opportunity beckons. Even prior to its statehood in 1850, it captured the world’s imagination. We think of bearded prospectors lured by the promise of gold; we imagine its early embrace of immigrant labor during the railroad boom as prologue to its diverse social fabric today. But what lies underneath the myth is far more complicated. Thanks to extensive research by Michael Hiltzik, one of our longstanding voices on California, Golden State uncovers the unvarnished truth about the state we think we know well. Get your copy here

What I've been reading

This week, I focused mainly on our current book club pick, Courage Is Calling. Though smaller than the books I usually have on my shelf, it’s incredibly powerful. I’m reading it actively—with sticky tabs and a pencil in hand—because it’s PACKED with wisdom! I’ve already gathered so many great quotes, and I can’t wait to share my summary once it’s ready.

This little book on courage will have you nodding on every page. If you read it in the morning, it’ll set the tone for your entire day. Highly recommended so far! If this update made you curious, you can grab your copy here.

Thanks for reading! I'll be back in your inbox next Sunday. Let me know what you'd like to see explored in future issues.

Talk soon,
Elena

Love reading nonfiction but have no one to discuss it with? I got you! Join my nonfiction book club on Fable and connect with like-minded readers. Let's dive into great books together—it's completely free!

Learned something new today? Consider buying me a cup of coffee ☕️

P.S.: Don't have time to read an entire book but still want to soak up the key insights? Head over to my online shop for expertly crafted book summaries that give you all the wisdom in a fraction of the time! Perfect for busy readers who crave knowledge on the go: