Right now, reading is having kind of a moment. Techbros bragging about their book stacks. Influencers compiling impossible to complete must read lists. You know the vibes. There’s nothing inherently virtuous about reading, but if you want to do more of it, and I always want to be reading more, I have some thoughts.
I read a fair amount. Certainly not as much as super readers like Tyler Cowen or Ryan Holiday, but more than the average American. For as long as I can remember, I’ve read at least 52 books a year. Folks often ask me how I read as much as I do. Here’s some insights into that.
Read What Interests You
Folks get caught up in worrying about what they’re reading instead of just reading. You’re a busy person, you're probably never going to finish that William Gaddis novel you started three years ago. Put it down, and focus on what you want to read. I’ve long since given up on reading the new talked about novel. I find them dull. I’d rather a crime novel, or a history of the English Civil War, but your mileage may vary. And that’s fine. Reading is many things. It’s a way of learning about the world, and it’s an escape from the world. Let it be whatever you want it to be, and follow your interests wherever they go.
That said, here’s a sub-tip, taken from Cowen. If you’re reading to understand a subject, read in clusters. I’m doing this right now with messianic Judaism and the works of Gershom Scholem. Currently I’m jumping between Scholem’s magnu opus on Sabbatai Sevi, Biale’s biography of Scholem and dipping in and out of Idel’s book on Messianic Mystics. I’m finding that hopping between these has me reading more, and with greater understanding.
Put Your Phone Away
The surest way to read less is to look at your phone more. This is a problem we all have and I, for one, lack sufficient willpower to not check the damn thing. My solution, put it away. For years now, I’ve been sleeping with my phone charging in a different room and it’s no surprise I get my best reading done at night, in bed, far from my phone. I highly recommend this. If the phone is sitting there next to you, you’ll check it, by sheer force of muscle memory, you’ll check it. Put it far away, not just out of reach, but out of sight, and give yourself an hour to read. It will be a better, more focused experience.
When You’re Reading, You’re Reading
I’ve turned the whole thing into a little ritual. I put my phone away, make a cup of tea, get into bed with a book and a notebook, and read. Depending on the day, it might be for fifteen minutes, or it might be for two hours, but I always do a bit before bed. For me, the notebook is important, its a tip I snagged from Ezra Klein – when I’m reading I’m reading – anything else that comes into my head, things I have to do, ideas for other projects, anything, goes into the notebook. It can wait. It will be dealt with late, when I’m done reading.
Audiobooks count (for me)
There are those who say audiobooks do not count as reading and on a technical level, they’re right. I don’t care. I’ve found audio books to be a total joy, but I’m very specific about what type of audiobook I’ll listen to. Narrative nonfiction and light biographies only. No fiction, no philosophy, controversially, no poetry. I’m suspicious of those who’ve said they listened to the Powerbroker or Beloved. In my mind, masterpieces need to be poured over, taking your time, going back, reviewing, peeking ahead. Audiobooks don’t lend themselves to that kind of “reading” but give me some narrative nonfiction on Teddy Roosevelt doing something crazy and I’m here for it.
THANKS!