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"I plan to read more" is a common new year's resolution.
There's a general consensus that reading more is *always* good.
I disagree.
That's only true if you're reading too little.
A lot of people already read too much.
Here's a thread:
There's a general consensus that reading more is *always* good.
I disagree.
That's only true if you're reading too little.
A lot of people already read too much.
Here's a thread:
You're reading too much if you retain little and remember few ideas vaguely.
That new book *everyone* is talking about *always* makes it on to your reading list.
You're not reading enough if you retain little and remember few ideas vaguely.
You have lots of open mental threads.
That new book *everyone* is talking about *always* makes it on to your reading list.
You're not reading enough if you retain little and remember few ideas vaguely.
You have lots of open mental threads.
Reading should make you smarter.
Being smarter isn't about reading the most books in the shortest time, or remembering the most obscure facts.
That's performance.
Nobody *really* cares how much you read.
Being smarter isn't about reading the most books in the shortest time, or remembering the most obscure facts.
That's performance.
Nobody *really* cares how much you read.
Reading is one of the most efficient ways to get smarter, faster.
The smartest people understand (and can speak about) a few things thoughfully.
So how can you make the most of your book choices and reading time?
Read with intent.
The smartest people understand (and can speak about) a few things thoughfully.
So how can you make the most of your book choices and reading time?
Read with intent.
People often choose books based on either vague curiosity (e.g. l "I like biographies") or FOMO.
FOMO is silly.
You end up either gathering vague knowledge about many things, or on track to saying "yes" if someone asks if you've read something.
Stop competing.
FOMO is silly.
You end up either gathering vague knowledge about many things, or on track to saying "yes" if someone asks if you've read something.
Stop competing.
Trust yourself.
Follow your curiosity.
That's where you'll find threads of expertise and the motivation to stick with things.
Many people will read 1 book on a topic they're curious about and move on. That's not enough if you really want to get smart.
This is better:
Follow your curiosity.
That's where you'll find threads of expertise and the motivation to stick with things.
Many people will read 1 book on a topic they're curious about and move on. That's not enough if you really want to get smart.
This is better:
Read in clusters.
Pick an idea that you're really curious about and read multiple books on it, one after another.
Converge on it from several perspectives.
2-book clusters are too small
3 is good
6 is probably overkill (unless it's a professional or academic interest).
Pick an idea that you're really curious about and read multiple books on it, one after another.
Converge on it from several perspectives.
2-book clusters are too small
3 is good
6 is probably overkill (unless it's a professional or academic interest).
But how do you stay interested after 1 or 2 books on the same thing?
By focusing on big ideas and how things work.
For example, if you're curious Oprah, ask yourself why.
You might actually be more interested in how successful people turn trauma into achievement.
By focusing on big ideas and how things work.
For example, if you're curious Oprah, ask yourself why.
You might actually be more interested in how successful people turn trauma into achievement.
Turn that into a "curiosity cluster" and read 3, 4, 5 books on the topic.
Each book should represent a different "pinhole".
A pinhole is a different perspective, a fresh way to converge on your curiosity.
Then, instead of reading one biographical book about Oprah...
Each book should represent a different "pinhole".
A pinhole is a different perspective, a fresh way to converge on your curiosity.
Then, instead of reading one biographical book about Oprah...
...you might look for biographies of successful women that suffered major trauma.
A four-book cluster might look like this:
Oprah: An Autobiography, by Oprah Winfrey
Desert Dawn, by Waris Dirie
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing, by Maya Angelou
Wave, by Sonali Deraniyagala
A four-book cluster might look like this:
Oprah: An Autobiography, by Oprah Winfrey
Desert Dawn, by Waris Dirie
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing, by Maya Angelou
Wave, by Sonali Deraniyagala
As you read with genuine interest and curiosity, you'd naturally look for common ideas, and start to knit together mental models of how life works.
With carefully chosen book clusters, you'd eventually be able to speak with more credibility than many people on the topic.
With carefully chosen book clusters, you'd eventually be able to speak with more credibility than many people on the topic.
This year, I'm reading *just* 12 books.
1 book a month.
3 books x 4 clusters on:
+ Compounding effects
+ Decision-making
+ Gender gaps & data
+ Modern wealth creation.
I shared the how & why of reading in clusters (and my 2021 reading list) here: https://mailchi.mp/df8394b805b8/mustardseeds001-3597894
1 book a month.
3 books x 4 clusters on:
+ Compounding effects
+ Decision-making
+ Gender gaps & data
+ Modern wealth creation.
I shared the how & why of reading in clusters (and my 2021 reading list) here: https://mailchi.mp/df8394b805b8/mustardseeds001-3597894
