Reading....it's fundamental

I am a reader, and have been for quite some time.? People often ask me what they “should'' read, or what tips and tricks they could use to make the process more valuable to them.? Each year I like to review the reading maxims I’ve collected, make adjustments, and republish so that others may benefit.? I hope you can make use of them.??(note: I tried to make this a regular LI pot, but apparently there is a character limit)

My Reading Maxims

1. Read EVERY day; make it non negotiable…lose 20 minutes of sleep if you must but do NOT skip daily reading.? Make it a habit.??
2. Consider the cost.? No one is given extra time to read.? If you are not currently reading (at all/enough) then you must be using that time for something else (TV/YouTube/Facebook/etc).? You must be ok with sacrificing that time for a higher purpose.? It is ok if you decide not to bear the cost, but never say “you don’t have time.” Because that is a lie.????
3. Get Goodreads.? There is a right tool for any job; Goodreads is the best tool for organizing your reading.? This free app lets you track what you’ve read and set goals for the year.? Anytime I hear of a book that sounds remotely interesting I pop it into the “to read” section.? Books I’ve finished get moved into “Read.”?
4. Set an annual reading goal (see Maxim #3).? Goodreads makes it easy to set goals and make sure you are on pace.? I think 20-30 books is a good place to start; don’t undersell yourself; make it a stretch goal.??
5. Pick several books to reread each year.? Remember that “Read” section in Goodreads?? Now we’re going to put it to use.? “You never step in the same river twice” (I read that somewhere). When you return to a favorite book you always discover something new.? I typically choose 4-5 books to reread each year.???
6. Seek out reading lists.? Many of my all time favorite books came from working my way day someone else's suggested top 10 lists.? There are so many…just google them.? Here is a great one to start with: https://jamesaltucher.com/blog/books-saved-life/
7. Take notes as you go; underline important passages.? A few weeks later, copy the best ones into a centralized repository (I use Google docs). You never know when a cool passage you recorded can be of use (see quote in #5).
8. Get Audible or Libby/Overdrive.? Some people do not believe in audio books.? Only you can decide if you want to use them, but many of the best books I’ve “read” over the years have been in audio format.? The message is what matters to me, not the medium.??
9. Make it a habit...non-negotiable.? Worth saying twice.??

My Reading List:

Certainly not all inclusive, but the titles below have all had a huge influence on my life.??

1. The Slight Edge, Jeff Olson.? My daily reading habit started after reading this book in 2014.? Almost ten years on I’d say that was a good find.?
2. Getting Things Done, David Allen.? My inbox typically has 10 or fewer E-Mails at any given time.? This book has the system to do that.
3. Leadership and Self Deception and Anatomy of Peace.? Two for one by the Arbinger Institute.? Will change how you look at…well, everything.??
4. The Book: on the Taboo against Knowing who you are, Alan Watts.? The Universe likes to play hide and seek with itself…
5. Power of Now and A New Earth.? Eckhart Tolle.? This guy is mainlining the secrets of the universe.??
6. Man’s Search For Meaning, Victor Frankel.? Puts your petty concerns into perspective.??
7. Quiet, Susan Cain.? Extroverts are outgoing and Introverts are shy, right?? Wrong.? This book explains the difference.??
8. The Accidental Superpower, Peter Zeihan.? THE best book I read back in 2017.? And now, after having predicted the Russia vs Ukraine war, his influence has exploded.? AND Accidental is being re-released this year.????
9. The Subtle Art of Not giving a F*ck, Mark Manson.? Amazing book which shaped much of my philosophical thinking. I wish it did not have the silly title, but I guess it has worked out for Mark.??
10. Lord of the Rings, Tolkien. Three books in one; EVERYTHING that came after owes its DNA to Tolkien.? Sorry GOT/GRRM fans, but there is only ONE Lord of the Rings…and he does not share power.??
11. Dune, Frank Herbert.? The LOTR for Sci Fi.? Finally got a movie worthy of the title.? Star Wars, Alien, 40k, all owe their DNA to this sci-fi classic.??

That’s all for now.? Hit me up if you want additional book recommendations, and I’d love to hear yours.? I’m always looking to add to my “To Read” list.?