Read Books

What is it?

Reading books is the deliberate practice of engaging with long-form written content—fiction or non-fiction—as a regular part of your routine. Unlike scrolling through articles or social media, book reading demands sustained attention and immersion in a single narrative or topic. It's about carving out time to absorb ideas, stories, and perspectives that are too nuanced for shorter formats.

How does it work?

Books engage your brain differently than fragmented digital content. When you read a book, you build mental models, follow complex arguments, and experience deep narrative arcs. This sustained focus strengthens concentration, expands vocabulary, and enhances critical thinking. Fiction builds empathy by letting you inhabit other lives; non-fiction structures knowledge in ways that stick. The physical or digital act of turning pages and progressing through chapters creates a satisfying sense of accomplishment that reinforces the habit.

Why adopt it?

Reading books transforms how you think and understand the world. It reduces stress, improves focus, and builds knowledge that compounds over time. Books expose you to ideas and experiences far beyond your immediate environment, making you more creative, informed, and empathetic. Unlike passive consumption, reading is active—it forces your brain to work, imagine, and connect dots. Over months and years, consistent reading creates a foundation of wisdom and perspective that influences every area of your life.

How to adopt it (First steps)?

Start absurdly small. Commit to just 10 pages a day, or even 5. The goal is consistency, not speed.

Choose books you actually want to read. Don't force yourself through "important" books if they bore you. Pick topics or stories that genuinely interest you.

Create a reading trigger. Link reading to an existing habit—morning coffee, before bed, on your commute. Make it automatic.

Keep a book visible. Leave it on your nightstand, in your bag, or on the couch. Accessibility matters.

Eliminate friction. If you prefer audiobooks or e-readers, use them. The format doesn't matter—finishing books does.

Track your progress. Use a simple reading log or app to see your streak build. Visual progress is motivating.

Challenges and how to overcome them

"I don't have time." You do—you're just spending it on your phone. Swap 15 minutes of scrolling for 15 minutes of reading. Start with audiobooks during commutes or chores if sitting down feels impossible.

"I can't focus." Your attention span isn't broken, just untrained. Start with shorter books or highly engaging genres. Build up gradually. Turn off notifications and create a distraction-free zone.

"I forget everything I read." Take minimal notes—jot down one insight per chapter or use a highlighter. Discuss books with friends or write a short summary. Retention improves with engagement.

"Books are expensive." Use your library—most have physical books, e-books, and audiobooks for free. Buy used books, join book swaps, or use free apps like Libby or OverDrive.

"I start books but never finish." Give yourself permission to quit. If you're 50 pages in and it's not working, move on. Life's too short for bad books.

Supporting apps/tools

Goodreads — Track what you've read, discover new books, set annual reading goals.

Libby / OverDrive — Free access to library e-books and audiobooks from your phone.

StoryGraph — Alternative to Goodreads with better recommendations and reading stats.

Audible / Libro.fm — Audiobook subscriptions for listening on the go.

Kindle / Kobo — E-readers that reduce distractions and make reading portable.

Forest or Freedom — Apps that block distracting apps while you read.

Notion or Obsidian — Digital note-taking systems for tracking insights and building a personal knowledge base.

Physical bookmark — Sometimes the simplest tool is the best. Mark your place and keep going.