The goal is not to read a book, the goal is to become a reader. - James Clear, Atomic Habits
Hi Reader, in 2024, I only read 10 books, which was far below my target. At the beginning of last year, I had set a goal of reading around 20 books, as that had been my average over the past few years. Read a set amount of pages each day Last year, I revisited my notes on Atomic Habits and was reminded that one of the key steps to forming a habit is starting with small, manageable actions. For this goal, I’ve decided to read a minimum of five pages per day. I chose this small number because it feels achievable and non-intimidating—and I know that once I start reading, I’ll often exceed five pages. If you’re interested in learning how to build better habits, I recommend checking out my extended summary of Atomic Habits here. It’s the perfect resource to kick off the new year. Make reading as easy as possible For this step, I plan to keep a book within easy reach wherever I relax. This way, it’ll be effortless to grab a book and start reading. Too often, I find myself lying in bed wanting to read, but without a book on my bedside table. Since I tend to be lazier in the evenings, once I’m already in bed for the night, I’m unlikely to get up and fetch one. By making books readily accessible, I’m removing this obstacle entirely. Choose the next read spontaneously In the past few years, I would choose my next read even before finishing my current book. However, by the time I was ready to start the next one, I often found myself no longer interested in the book I had preselected. I’ve realized that I need to choose my next read right after finishing a book to match my current mood and interests more effectively. Alternate between big and short books After finishing a big book, I plan to read a shorter one. Reading two 500-page books back-to-back can feel exhausting, so a shorter book in between will give me a much-needed mental break and help me maintain my momentum. ​ What are your reading plans for this year? Let me know by replying to this email. Next week's book releasesWhat I've been readingI’m currently visiting my mom for the holidays and only brought one book with me. So, my reading year began with The Bill Gates Problem by Tim Schwab. I’m a few chapters in, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Growing up, I always thought of Bill Gates as a rich, superhuman philanthropist, but this book challenges that image and reveals a very different side of him. Before the end of last year, I had started reading Goddesses by Joseph Campbell and Psychological Types by Carl Jung. I’ll pick up where I left off with these books next week, so stay tuned for my next reading update! 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, 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:
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It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. – Seneca Hi Reader, reading is often seen as a quiet, solitary activity—just you, a book, and maybe a cup of coffee. And while that sounds amazing, what if I told you that reading in public could be even more powerful? I don’t mean reading on public transport (though that’s great too). I’m talking about reading as part of a network—discussing books, sharing ideas, and learning alongside others. Some of my biggest...
There are darknesses in life and there are lights; you are one of the lights, the light of all lights. – Bram Stoker, Dracula Hi Reader, have you ever read a book, loved it, and then… never thought about it again? We’ve all been there. You finish an amazing nonfiction book, feeling inspired and full of new insights. But weeks (or months) later, you struggle to remember what you actually learned. That’s where rereading comes in. Some books aren’t meant to be read just once—they’re meant to...
Courage calls each of us differently, at different times, in different forms. But in every case it is, as they say, coming from inside the house. – Ryan Holiday, Courage Is Calling 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...