What I wish I knew about books 20 years ago
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I love books. Looking back on my life though, I’ve learnt some big lessons. There are a few things about books that I wish I knew 20 years ago.
1. BUY IT
If you’re thinking of buying a book, stop thinking and buy it immediately. Don’t waste time wondering.
The absolute worst that can happen is you end up not reading it. Total cost of that is less than R200. The best that can happen is you read it and it changes the entire course of your life.
R200 for all of someone else’s mistakes and victories distilled into 10 hours? Yes please. R200 for the results of a lifetime of research and thinking? Sign me up! R200 for time travel? Thank you very much!
2. STOP IT
If you’re not enjoying the book, stop reading it. There are lots of reasons why you might be struggling, and that’s okay.
Some books should have been a blog post. Some have good content but are terribly written. Some are not for now. Yet others are not for you.
Give it another chapter or two to be sure and then cut bait. You don’t get a medal for suffering through every book you start.
3. REMEMBER IT
You will forget almost everything you read. That is, unless you do more than just reading.
Some things I’ve found helpful:
Take notes.
Highlight sections.
Review.
Read summaries afterward/later.
Contemplate.
Discuss with friends.
Apply or try out the concepts.
Write about it.
If you’re thinking of buying a book, stop thinking and buy it immediately. Don’t waste time wondering.
The absolute worst that can happen is you end up not reading it. Total cost of that is less than R200. The best that can happen is you read it and it changes the entire course of your life.
R200 for all of someone else’s mistakes and victories distilled into 10 hours? Yes please. R200 for the results of a lifetime of research and thinking? Sign me up! R200 for time travel? Thank you very much!
2. STOP IT
If you’re not enjoying the book, stop reading it. There are lots of reasons why you might be struggling, and that’s okay.
Some books should have been a blog post. Some have good content but are terribly written. Some are not for now. Yet others are not for you.
Give it another chapter or two to be sure and then cut bait. You don’t get a medal for suffering through every book you start.
3. REMEMBER IT
You will forget almost everything you read. That is, unless you do more than just reading.
Some things I’ve found helpful:
Take notes.
Highlight sections.
Review.
Read summaries afterward/later.
Contemplate.
Discuss with friends.
Apply or try out the concepts.
Write about it.