Use an e-reader with an E Ink screen for reading, not a tablet.
The Screen That Feels Like Paper.
I tried reading books on my tablet, but after a while, my eyes would feel strained and tired from the backlit glare of the LCD screen. Reading before bed was even worse; the blue light made it hard to fall asleep. Then I bought an e-reader with an E Ink screen. The difference was incredible. The screen wasn’t backlit; it reflected ambient light, just like real paper. I could read for hours without any eye strain, even in bright sunlight. A tablet is a distracting, multi-purpose device; an e-reader is a serene, purpose-built portal for reading.
Stop buying new hardcover books at full price. Do use your local library or its digital equivalent instead.
The $25 Book You Can Read for Free.
I had a terrible habit of buying every new, full-price hardcover book that caught my eye. My shelves were overflowing with books I had only read once, and my bank account was suffering. I finally got a library card, and it felt like I had discovered a secret cheat code for life. I could read all the same, brand-new bestsellers, for free. And with the Libby app, I can borrow e-books and audiobooks without ever leaving my house. My reading habit is now completely funded by my taxes.
Stop feeling guilty about not finishing a book. Do practice the art of strategic abandonment instead.
Life Is Too Short to Read a Bad Book.
I used to feel a crushing sense of guilt if I didn’t finish a book I had started. I would force myself to slog through hundreds of pages of a book I wasn’t enjoying, just to say I had finished it. It turned reading into a chore. I learned that life is too short to read a book you’re not connecting with. You are allowed to quit. By strategically abandoning a book that isn’t working for you, you are freeing up your precious reading time for a book that will. It’s not a failure; it’s a smart use of your time.
The #1 secret for reading more books that gurus don’t want you to know is to always have your next book ready to go.
The End of the “What Should I Read Next?” Paralysis.
I would finish a great book and then spend the next week in a reading slump, paralyzed by the question of what to read next. I would scroll through websites and lose all my momentum. The secret is to eliminate that decision point. The moment I start a new book, I decide what the next one will be and I have it ready to go—whether it’s downloaded on my e-reader or sitting on my nightstand. When I finish the last page of one book, I can immediately pick up the next. The momentum never stops.
I’m just going to say it: Audiobooks absolutely count as reading.
The Story Is What Matters, Not the Medium.
I used to be a bit of a snob about audiobooks. I thought that if you weren’t physically looking at the words on a page, it didn’t “count” as reading. I was so wrong. The goal of reading is to consume a story, to learn, and to engage with ideas. An audiobook achieves all of those things. I started listening to audiobooks during my commute and while doing chores, and my “reading” life exploded. It’s an incredibly powerful and accessible way to bring more books into your life. The story is what matters, not how it gets into your brain.
The reason you can’t get into reading is because you’re trying to read what you think you should be reading, not what you want to read.
Ditch the “Important” Books and Read for Joy.
I spent years trying to force myself to read the “important” classic novels that I thought a smart, well-read person should be reading. I was bored to tears, and I thought I just didn’t like reading. The problem wasn’t reading; it was what I was reading. On a whim, I picked up a fast-paced, “unimportant” sci-fi novel. I devoured it in a day. I learned that you have to read for joy first. Read the “trashy” romance novel, the pulpy thriller, the nerdy fantasy series. Your passion for reading will follow.
If you’re still buying physical books you know you’ll only read once, you’re losing money and valuable shelf space.
The One-Night Stand of Your Bookshelf.
My bookshelves used to be a museum of once-read, popular thriller novels. I had enjoyed them, but I knew I would never read them again. They were just collecting dust, taking up valuable space, and representing a significant amount of money. I learned to be honest with myself. For those “one-night stand” books that I know I’ll only read once, I now get them from the library. My bookshelves are now a curated collection of only my absolute favorite books that I know I will return to again and again.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about speed reading is that it doesn’t sacrifice comprehension.
The Skimming You’re Calling Reading.
I was so tempted by the promise of speed reading. I thought I could double or triple my reading speed and consume more books. I tried the techniques, and while I was able to move my eyes across the page much faster, I realized I wasn’t really reading. I was just skimming. I wasn’t absorbing the nuances of the prose or the depth of the ideas. My comprehension had plummeted. Reading is not a race. The goal is not to get to the end as fast as possible; it is to understand and to enjoy the journey.
I wish I knew that it’s okay to have multiple books going at once when I was younger.
The Polyamory of Reading.
I used to be a strict monogamous reader. I would only allow myself to read one book at a time, from start to finish. If I wasn’t in the mood for that specific book, I just wouldn’t read. I learned that it is perfectly okay to have multiple books going at once. I now have a non-fiction book for the morning, a novel for the evening, and an audiobook for my commute. It allows me to match my reading to my mood, and it has dramatically increased the amount of reading I do.
99% of readers make this one mistake when starting a new book: skipping the dedication and epigraph.
The Secret Key to the Story.
I used to just jump straight to Chapter 1, completely ignoring the dedication and the short quote at the beginning of a book. I thought it was just fluff. I learned that these are often a secret key to understanding the heart of the story. The dedication can tell you who the book is for and what inspired it. The epigraph is a carefully chosen quote that acts as a thematic signpost for the journey you are about to begin. Taking an extra 30 seconds to read and consider these small details can enrich your entire reading experience.
This one small habit of carrying a book or e-reader with you everywhere will change the number of books you read per year forever.
The Found Moments of Reading.
I used to complain that I never had time to read. The truth is, I had plenty of time; it was just broken up into small, five or ten-minute chunks throughout the day. I started carrying a book with me, everywhere I went. I would read a few pages while I was waiting in line at the grocery store, while I was on the bus, or while I was waiting for a friend to arrive. These small, “found” moments of reading added up to hours every week. I didn’t find more time; I just used the time I already had.
Use a service like Libby to borrow e-books and audiobooks for free, not Audible.
The Free Alternative to the Subscription You Don’t Need.
I was paying a monthly subscription fee for an audiobook service. It was expensive, and my library of credits was piling up. I discovered Libby. It’s a free app that connects to your local library card and allows you to borrow a huge catalog of e-books and audiobooks, for free. It has almost all the same bestsellers as the paid services. I now listen to just as many audiobooks, and it has not cost me a single penny. It is one of the greatest and most underutilized free resources in the digital world.
Stop buying books just to display them. Do curate a library of books you’ve actually read and loved.
The Unread Books That Judge You From the Shelf.
I used to buy impressive-looking classic novels that I had no intention of reading, just to make my bookshelves look smart. They were props, not books. And every time I looked at them, they would silently judge me. I learned that a bookshelf should not be a museum of your intellectual aspirations; it should be a living, breathing reflection of your actual reading life. A bookshelf that is curated with the books that you have actually read, and that have shaped you, is a much more honest and interesting thing.
Stop rereading the same books over and over. Do explore new authors and genres instead.
The Comfort Zone of Your Bookshelf.
I had a handful of my favorite books that I would just reread every few years. It was a comfortable and enjoyable experience, but my literary world was very small. I made a conscious effort to start reading outside of my comfort zone. I would deliberately pick up a book from a genre I had never tried, or from an author from a different country. It was a revelation. It opened my mind to new ideas, new perspectives, and new worlds. Rereading is a joy, but exploration is how you grow.
The #1 hack for getting out of a reading slump is to read a short, fast-paced novella or thriller.
The Quick Win That Re-Ignites the Fire.
I was in a major reading slump. Every book I picked up felt like a chore, and I couldn’t get through more than a few pages. I thought I had just lost my love of reading. The solution was a quick win. I picked up a short, fast-paced, page-turner of a thriller. I devoured it in a single afternoon. The simple, satisfying act of finishing a book, and the momentum it created, was enough to completely break the slump and to re-ignite my passion for reading.
I’m just going to say it: Judging a book by its cover is often a very effective strategy.
The Cover Is the First Chapter.
We are all taught the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” I’m here to tell you that in the world of books, it’s often a very good idea. A book’s cover is the result of a huge number of intentional design decisions that are meant to convey the tone, the genre, and the intended audience of the book. A thoughtful, well-designed cover is often a sign of a thoughtful, well-written book. It is the first chapter of the story, and it is a powerful and surprisingly accurate first impression.
The reason you forget what you read is because you’re not taking a moment to reflect or take notes after finishing.
The Book That Goes in One Ear and Out the Other.
I would finish a book, and a month later, I could barely remember the plot or the main characters. It was like the story had just passed through me. I learned that to truly retain what you read, you need to engage with it actively. Now, after I finish a book, I take just five minutes to jot down a few thoughts in a reading journal. What did I like? What did I learn? What was the main idea? This simple act of reflection and synthesis is what moves the information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory.
If you’re still using a folded page corner as a bookmark, you’re ruining your books.
The Dog-Ear of Disrespect.
I used to be a chronic “dog-earer.” I would just fold down the corner of the page to mark my spot. It seemed so harmless. I learned that this is a cardinal sin for any book lover. It creates a permanent, ugly crease in the page and is a sign of disrespect for the physical object of the book. A bookmark—whether it’s a dedicated one, a receipt, or a simple scrap of paper—is an inexpensive and readily available tool that does the same job without causing any damage. Your books will thank you.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about classic literature is that it’s boring and inaccessible.
The Human Stories That Are Timeless.
I used to think that the “classics” were a collection of dusty, boring, and difficult books that were a chore to read. I was so wrong. I finally picked one up, and I was shocked to discover that beneath the slightly more formal language was a story that was full of the same human drama, passion, and conflict that we see in modern stories. These books are classics for a reason: they are about the timeless, universal human experiences that are just as relevant today as they were a hundred years ago.
I wish I knew about Goodreads and StoryGraph for tracking my reading when I was in college.
The Digital Bookshelf of Your Life.
I used to have no real record of my reading life. The books I had read were just a jumble of memories. I discovered Goodreads, and it was a game-changer. It’s like a social media for book lovers. I can catalog all the books I’ve read, see what my friends are reading, and get personalized recommendations. It has become a digital bookshelf that serves as a rich and detailed history of my reading journey. It’s a powerful tool for any serious reader who wants to track their past and discover their future reads.
99% of book club members make this one mistake: not actually reading the book.
The Book Club That’s a Wine Club.
I was so excited to join my first book club. I thought it would be a place for deep, intellectual discussions. The reality was that I was usually the only one who had finished the book. The “book club” was really just an excuse for a wine and cheese night. And while that’s fun, it was a disappointment. A good book club requires a shared commitment to actually doing the reading. The rich, rewarding conversation that comes from a group of people who have all engaged with the same text is the real magic.
This one small action of setting aside just 15 minutes to read before bed will change your sleep and your mind.
The Digital Detox Before Dreamland.
I used to scroll through my phone in bed, and I would have a hard time falling asleep. My mind would be racing. I made a simple change: for the last 15 minutes of my day, there are no screens. I just read a physical book. The calming, focused activity of reading helps my brain to wind down and to disconnect from the stresses of the day. It has dramatically improved the quality of my sleep, and it’s a beautiful, peaceful way to end the day.
Use a book light that has adjustable color temperature, not a harsh, blue-light one.
The Light That Helps You Sleep.
I love reading in bed, but my bedside lamp was too bright for my sleeping partner. I got a clip-on book light, but the harsh, blue-white LED light was straining my eyes and making it hard to fall asleep. I learned that the blue light can suppress your body’s production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. I switched to a book light that has an adjustable, warm, amber-toned setting. It’s a much softer, more relaxing light that is perfect for reading before bed and doesn’t interfere with my sleep.
Stop relying on bestseller lists to find your next read. Do follow trusted book reviewers or independent bookstore recommendations instead.
The Algorithm vs. the Human.
I used to just pick my next book from the top of the bestseller list. The books were often fine, but they were rarely surprising or challenging. I learned that the bestseller list is often just a reflection of what has the biggest marketing budget. I started to find my next reads from sources that were curated by actual, passionate human beings—a book reviewer whose taste I trusted, or the “staff recommendations” shelf at my local, independent bookstore. The recommendations were so much more interesting, diverse, and personal.
Stop feeling like you have to read in long, uninterrupted blocks. Do embrace reading in short “sprints” instead.
The 10-Minute Reading Session.
I used to think that to be a “real” reader, I needed to have these long, luxurious, two-hour blocks of uninterrupted reading time. Since I rarely had that, I just wouldn’t read. I learned to embrace the “reading sprint.” I realized that I could read a surprising amount in just ten or fifteen minutes. I started to fill the small, empty pockets of my day with these short sprints of reading. Those small sessions added up to multiple books a month. It’s about the consistency, not the duration.
The #1 secret for enjoying a long book is to treat it like a TV series, reading one “episode” or chapter a day.
The Daily Dose of a Great Story.
I used to be so intimidated by massive, 800-page books. I would never even start them. I learned a simple trick: treat the book like a season of your favorite TV show. I just commit to reading one chapter, or one “episode,” every single day. The small, daily dose makes the huge book feel manageable and not at all intimidating. It becomes a pleasant, daily ritual, and before I know it, I’ve journeyed through an epic story that I would have otherwise been too afraid to begin.
I’m just going to say it: The book was better than the movie, almost every single time.
The Inner World That a Camera Can’t Capture.
I love a good movie adaptation, but it is an undeniable, almost universal truth that the book is better. A movie is a visual medium that is constrained by time. A book is a medium of interiority. It allows you to live inside a character’s thoughts, to understand their motivations, and to experience the world through their eyes in a way that a camera simply cannot capture. The movie can show you what happens; the book can show you why it matters.
The reason you can’t focus while reading is because your phone is in the same room.
The Siren Call of the Notification.
I would be trying to read a book, but my mind would be half-elsewhere. I was constantly fighting the urge to just pick up my phone and check for notifications. I learned that the mere presence of your smartphone in your line of sight can reduce your cognitive capacity. It’s a constant, low-grade distraction. The solution is simple, but powerful: when you sit down to read, put your phone in another room. By removing the temptation completely, you allow your brain to fully sink into the deep, focused state that is required for immersive reading.
If you’re still buying physical reference books like dictionaries or encyclopedias, you’re losing to the internet.
The Book That’s Obsolete Before It’s Printed.
I used to love the idea of a big, beautiful dictionary or a set of encyclopedias. They are a monument to knowledge. They are also completely obsolete. The world’s information is changing so rapidly that a physical reference book is out of date the moment it is printed. The power, the speed, and the constantly updated information available on the internet have made these books beautiful, but functionally useless, objects. For reference, the digital world is the undisputed champion.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about reading is that it’s a solitary activity.
The Conversation That Spans Centuries.
I used to think of reading as a quiet, solitary hobby. And while the act of reading is done alone, the experience of reading is profoundly social. When you read a book, you are engaging in a deep and intimate conversation with the author, who may have lived hundreds of years ago. And when you join a book club or just discuss a book with a friend, you are connecting with other readers and building a community around a shared experience. Reading is a deeply human and connective act.
I wish I knew that reading aloud could improve my comprehension and appreciation of prose.
The Words That You Can Taste.
I used to read complex prose, like Shakespeare or Faulkner, and the words would just wash over me. I wasn’t really comprehending it. A literature professor gave me a simple piece of advice: read it aloud. The act of physically speaking the words and hearing them with my ears forced me to slow down and to engage with the rhythm, the sound, and the texture of the language. It was a completely different and much richer experience. It’s a powerful technique for unlocking the meaning of any dense or beautiful piece of writing.
99% of people make this one mistake when buying a book as a gift: buying what they want to read, not what the recipient wants.
The Gift That’s Really for You.
I used to love giving books as gifts. I would always buy a copy of my own favorite, obscure novel, thinking I was sharing a piece of myself. The reality is, the recipient would politely thank me, and the book would likely go unread. I learned that the best book to give as a gift is not the book you want to read, but a book that you think the other person will genuinely love, based on their own unique tastes and interests. It’s a gift for them, not a homework assignment from you.
This one small habit of looking up a word you don’t know will change your vocabulary forever.
The Curiosity That Builds Your Brain.
I used to just skim past a word I didn’t know in a book. I would just try to figure it out from the context. I started a new, simple habit: every single time I come across a word I don’t know, I stop and look it up. My e-reader makes this incredibly easy with its built-in dictionary. This small, consistent act of curiosity has had a massive, cumulative impact on my vocabulary and my understanding of the language. Each word is a tiny, new key to the world.
Use a weighted bookmark to hold your book open, not your coffee mug.
The Page-Holder That Doesn’t Leave a Ring.
I love to read at the table while I’m eating or having a coffee. I used to use my coffee mug or a salt shaker to hold my book open. It was a wobbly, and often messy, solution. I discovered the simple elegance of a weighted bookmark. It’s a small, leather-bound weight on a string that just rests on the page, holding it perfectly flat without damaging the spine. It’s a simple, purpose-built tool that makes hands-free reading a much more pleasant and less precarious experience.
Stop buying every book recommended by a celebrity book club.
The Sticker That Sells a Million Copies.
I used to automatically buy any book that had the sticker of a major celebrity book club on it. I thought it was a guarantee of quality. The reality is that these books are often chosen for their broad, commercial appeal, not necessarily for their literary merit. And the “Oprah effect” can turn a decent book into a massive bestseller, crowding out other, more interesting books. It’s a fine place to start, but there is a whole universe of incredible books that don’t have a celebrity endorsement.
Stop reading only within your favorite genre. Do deliberately read outside your comfort zone.
The Walls of Your Literary House.
I was a die-hard science fiction fan. I only read sci-fi, and I was proud of it. My literary house had only one room. I finally made a conscious effort to read a book from a completely different genre—a historical non-fiction, a literary memoir, a book of poetry. It was a revelation. It opened my mind to new ways of thinking and new ways of telling stories. Reading outside your comfort zone is like adding new rooms to your house. It makes your inner world a much bigger and more interesting place to live.
The #1 hack for reading more non-fiction is to skip around to the chapters that interest you most.
The Book You Don’t Have to Read in Order.
I used to think that I had to read a non-fiction book from cover to cover, in order. I would often get bogged down in a dry, introductory chapter and just give up. I learned that a non-fiction book is not a novel. You are allowed to read it out of order. You can look at the table of contents, jump straight to the chapter that seems the most interesting, and then hop around from there. This gives you the “quick win” of the information you were looking for and makes you much more likely to actually engage with the book.
I’m just going to say it: Annotating your books with notes in the margins enhances their value, it doesn’t destroy it.
The Conversation With the Author.
I used to treat my books like sacred, untouchable objects. The idea of writing in them felt like a desecration. I was wrong. A book that has been read and engaged with—with underlined passages, with notes in the margin, with questions and arguments—is a much more valuable and personal object than a pristine, unread copy. The annotations are a record of your conversation with the author. It turns the book from a monologue into a dialogue, and it makes the book uniquely your own.
The reason your e-reader’s battery dies so fast is because you’re leaving the Wi-Fi and backlight on.
The Two Vampires of Your E-Reader.
My e-reader’s battery, which was supposed to last for “weeks,” was dying after only a few days. I thought it was defective. The two culprits were the Wi-Fi and the built-in backlight. The E Ink screen itself uses almost no power, but the Wi-Fi radio and the light are major battery vampires. By putting my e-reader in airplane mode and turning the backlight off when I’m not in a dark room, I was able to get the incredible, multi-week battery life that was promised.
If you’re still reading on your phone’s tiny screen, you’re losing your eyesight.
The Screen That’s Too Small for a Story.
I used to read e-books on my phone. It was convenient, but I was constantly squinting, my eyes would get dry and tired, and I would get headaches. The small screen and the backlit glare were a recipe for eye strain. A dedicated e-reader, with its larger, paper-like E Ink screen, is a massive ergonomic upgrade for your eyes. It is a tool that is specifically designed for the sole purpose of comfortable, long-form reading, and your eyes will thank you for it.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about reading is that you have to remember every character’s name.
The Story Is the Star, Not the Roster.
I would be reading a big, Russian novel with a dozen characters with long, complicated names, and I would get so stressed out trying to remember every single one. I thought I was a “bad” reader if I couldn’t keep the roster straight in my head. The truth is, it’s okay. You don’t have to remember every single minor character’s name to understand and enjoy the story. Just focus on the main players and the plot. The story is the star, not your ability to memorize a cast of characters.
I wish I knew that library book sales were a goldmine for cheap, amazing books.
The Treasure Hunt for Book Lovers.
I used to think that the only way to get cheap, used books was at a thrift store. Then I discovered the magic of the annual library book sale. It’s a treasure hunt for book lovers. You can find incredible, high-quality, and often almost-new books for a dollar or two. It’s a fantastic way to build a personal library on a tiny budget, and all the money goes to support your local library. It’s one of the best and most joyful community events for any reader.
99% of parents make this one mistake with their kids’ reading: stopping reading aloud to them once they can read on their own.
The Connection That’s More Than Just Words.
When my son learned to read on his own, I stopped reading bedtime stories to him. I thought he had “graduated.” This was a huge mistake. I learned that reading aloud to a child, even an older one, is about so much more than just decoding the words. It’s about the connection, the cuddle, the shared experience. It also allows them to hear and enjoy stories that are above their own reading level, which expands their vocabulary and their imagination. Don’t let their new skill end a beautiful and important ritual.
This one small action of creating a “to-be-read” list will prevent endless scrolling on bookstore websites.
The Wishlist That Guides Your Journey.
I used to finish a book and then fall into a rabbit hole, spending hours scrolling through online bookstores, completely overwhelmed by the choices. I started a simple “To-Be-Read” (TBR) list in a notebook. Now, whenever I hear about an interesting book—from a friend, a podcast, or a review—I just add it to my list. When I finish a book, I don’t have to search; I just go to my curated, personal wishlist and pick the book that excites me most at that moment.
Use a reading journal to track your thoughts, not just a list of titles.
The Diary of Your Reading Life.
I used to just keep a simple list of the books I had read each year. It was a fine record, but it was just data. I switched to a reading journal. Now, after I finish a book, I take a few minutes to write down not just the title, but also my favorite quotes, my thoughts on the characters, and how the book made me feel. It has become a rich and personal diary of my intellectual and emotional life. It helps me to remember the books more deeply and to see the connections between them.
Stop buying books from Amazon. Do support your local independent bookstore instead.
The Algorithm vs. the Community.
I used to buy all my books from the big, online retailer. It was convenient and cheap. But I was missing out on something important. I started going to my local, independent bookstore. It was a magical place, curated by passionate, knowledgeable people. I could get a personal recommendation from someone who actually loved books, and I was supporting a small business that was a vital part of my community’s culture. The few extra dollars I might spend are a small price to pay for that human connection and for keeping that wonderful space alive.
Stop trying to force yourself to like a “critically acclaimed” book. Your taste is valid.
The Emperor’s New Clothes of Literature.
I was trying to read a very famous, “critically acclaimed” novel, and I hated it. I thought I was just not smart enough to “get it.” I felt like a literary fraud. The truth is, reading is a deeply personal and subjective experience. There is no such thing as a universally “good” book. It is perfectly okay to not like a book that everyone else loves. Your taste is valid. Don’t let the critics or the prize committees make you feel bad for your own, honest reaction to a piece of art.
The #1 secret for finding amazing, underrated books is to browse the staff recommendations at an indie bookstore.
The Hidden Gems, Curated by Humans.
I was tired of reading the same, hyped-up bestsellers that everyone else was reading. I discovered the secret to finding incredible, hidden gems: the “Staff Recommendations” shelf at my local, independent bookstore. These are the books that the passionate, well-read booksellers have personally loved. They are often the quirky, surprising, and beautiful books that don’t have a massive marketing budget. It’s a shelf that is curated with human passion, not by a corporate algorithm, and it has led me to some of my all-time favorite reads.
I’m just going to say it: It’s okay to DNF (“Did Not Finish”) a book. Life is too short.
The Freedom to Quit.
I used to have a terrible sense of guilt about not finishing a book. I would force myself to slog through a book I hated, just so I could say I had finished it. It was turning my joyful hobby into a chore. I learned a powerful acronym from the book community: DNF. “Did Not Finish.” It is a declaration of freedom. Life is too short, and there are too many amazing books in the world, to waste your precious time on one that is not bringing you joy or value. It is not a failure; it is a smart and strategic use of your reading time.
The reason you can’t find time to read is because you’re spending that time scrolling on social media.
The Thief in Your Pocket.
I used to complain that I “never had time to read.” Then I looked at the screen time report on my phone. I was horrified to see that I was spending two to three hours a day mindlessly scrolling through social media. I wasn’t lacking time; I was lacking intention. I made a simple trade: I would put my phone in another room and pick up a book instead. The time was there all along; it was just being stolen by the thief in my pocket.
If you’re still feeling guilty about reading “fluffy” or “genre” fiction, you’re losing out on joy.
The Literary Snobbery That’s Robbing You.
I used to feel a sense of shame about my love for romance novels or fantasy epics. I thought I should be reading more “serious,” literary fiction. I was a victim of literary snobbery. The truth is, a good story is a good story, regardless of the genre it’s in. “Genre” fiction can be just as beautifully written and just as emotionally profound as any literary novel. Reading should be a source of joy and comfort. Read what you love, without apology.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about poetry is that it’s too complicated to understand.
The Music of Language.
I used to be so intimidated by poetry. I thought it was a secret code that only English professors could decipher. I was trying to “solve” it, like a math problem. I learned that the best way to approach a poem is to not try to understand it, but to experience it. Read it aloud. Listen to the music and the rhythm of the language. Feel the images. A good poem is not a puzzle to be solved; it is a piece of music to be felt.
I wish I knew that reading the first page of a book is the best way to know if I’ll like it.
The First Date With a Book.
I used to read the back cover copy and a few reviews to decide if I wanted to read a book. It was a very hit-or-miss strategy. I learned the most reliable test of all: just read the first page. A great book will often grab you from the very first paragraph. The author’s voice, the style of the prose, the tone of the story—it’s all there on that first page. If you are not intrigued by the first page, you probably won’t be intrigued by the next 300. It’s like a first date; you usually know right away if there’s a spark.
99% of Kindle users make this one mistake: not utilizing the “send to Kindle” feature for articles and documents.
Your E-Reader Is More Than Just a Bookstore.
I used to just use my Kindle to read the books I had bought from the Amazon store. I had no idea about its secret superpower. I learned about the “Send to Kindle” feature. Every Kindle has a unique email address, and you can send long articles from the web, work documents, and PDFs directly to your device. It’s a game-changer. I can now read all my long-form articles in a beautiful, distraction-free, e-ink environment, instead of on a glaring computer screen.
This one small habit of discussing a book with a friend will deepen your understanding of it forever.
The Book Club of Two.
I would finish a great book, and the story would just be swirling around in my head. I learned that the act of discussing a book with someone else is a powerful tool for deepening your own understanding. I started a simple “book club of two” with a friend. After we both read a book, we’ll get together for a coffee and just talk about it. The process of having to articulate my own thoughts and to hear their unique perspective helps to solidify the book in my mind and reveals layers of meaning I would have never seen on my own.
Use a comfortable reading chair, not just your bed.
The Pavlovian Response of the Bed.
I used to do all my reading in bed. I couldn’t figure out why I would always get so sleepy after just a few pages. I learned that my brain had a powerful, Pavlovian association with my bed: it was a place for sleeping, not for reading. I created a dedicated, comfortable reading chair in the corner of my living room. It became my “reading spot.” This simple change in location created a new association in my brain, and I was able to read for much longer, more focused periods without getting drowsy.
Stop buying books just because the cover is pretty.
The Beautiful Cover of a Boring Book.
I have been seduced many times by a book with a stunning, beautifully designed cover. I would buy it without a second thought, only to discover that the prose inside was dull and lifeless. I learned that while a good cover can be a sign of a good book, it is not a guarantee. The marketing department is often much better than the author. Now, I will admire a beautiful cover, but I will always read the first page before I make a purchase. The beauty must be more than skin deep.
Stop reading book reviews before you read the book. Do form your own opinion first.
The Opinion You Haven’t Earned.
I used to read a bunch of reviews before I would start a new book. I would go into the book already knowing what the “consensus” was and what I was “supposed” to think about it. I was robbing myself of the joy of discovery and of forming my own, original opinion. Now, I try to go into a new book as blind as possible. I want to have my own, authentic reaction to the text, uncolored by the opinions of others. You can always read the reviews after you’re done, to see how your own experience compares.
The #1 hack for a better reading experience is to match the book’s mood to your own.
The Right Book for the Right Moment.
I used to try to force myself to read a heavy, serious novel when I was feeling stressed and just wanted to escape. It never worked. I learned that a huge part of enjoying a book is matching the book to your current mood and circumstances. On a sunny beach vacation, a light, fun romance novel is perfect. On a quiet, rainy weekend, a dense, literary classic might be just the thing. By having a few different books on the go, you can always choose the one that is the perfect companion for that specific moment.
I’m just going to say it: Graphic novels are a legitimate and powerful form of literature.
The Art Form That’s Not Just for Kids.
I used to think that comics and graphic novels were just for children or for superhero stories. I was so ignorant. I finally picked up a modern, literary graphic novel, like “Maus” or “Persepolis.” I was blown away. I learned that the graphic novel is a sophisticated and powerful art form that can tell stories of incredible emotional depth and complexity. The interplay between the words and the images creates a unique and immersive reading experience that is unlike any other. They are not a “lesser” form of literature; they are a different one.
The reason you’re overwhelmed by your “to-be-read” pile is because you see it as a list of chores.
The Mountain of “Shoulds.”
I had a huge, teetering pile of unread books on my nightstand. Every time I looked at it, it filled me with a sense of anxiety and guilt. It was no longer a pile of opportunities; it was a pile of obligations. It was a list of chores that I “should” get to. I learned to reframe my thinking. That pile is not a mountain you have to climb; it’s a buffet of wonderful choices. You are in control. The joy is in the choosing, not in the conquering.
If you’re still letting your kids read only what’s assigned in school, you’re losing their love of reading.
The Homework That Kills the Hobby.
My child used to love reading. Then he got to middle school, and reading became all about assigned texts, book reports, and literary analysis. It became homework. And his love for reading started to die. I learned that it is so important to encourage and to make space for a child’s own, personal reading life, completely separate from school. Let them read the “silly” graphic novels, the fantasy series, the books that are just for fun. That is how you keep the spark of a lifelong love of reading alive.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about e-books is that you own them.
The License You’re Renting.
I was building a large, digital library of e-books. I thought I was buying and owning these books, just like a physical copy. I learned a shocking truth: you are not buying an e-book; you are buying a revocable license to read that e-book. The company you bought it from can, and in some rare cases has, remotely deleted the book from your device. The only way to truly own a book, in a way that can never be taken from you, is to own the physical, paper copy.
I wish I knew that I could adjust the font size and style on my e-reader for maximum comfort.
The Text That’s Tailored to You.
I was reading an e-book, and the default font was a bit small and hard to read. I was squinting, and I didn’t even realize that I had the power to change it. A friend showed me the settings menu on my e-reader. I was amazed. I could not only make the font bigger, but I could also change the font style, the line spacing, and the margins. I was able to create a perfectly customized, comfortable reading experience that was tailored to my specific eyes. It’s a simple feature that makes a world of difference.
99% of people make this one mistake when listening to an audiobook: not adjusting the narration speed.
The Narrator on Fast-Forward.
I was trying to get into audiobooks, but the narration often felt so slow and plodding. It was hard to stay engaged. Then I discovered the speed setting. I bumped the narration speed up from 1x to 1.25x. It was a game-changer. The narrator sounded more natural and engaging, and it was still perfectly easy to understand. Most narrators speak very deliberately, and a small speed increase can make the listening experience so much more enjoyable and efficient. Don’t be afraid to experiment and to find the speed that is perfect for you.
This one small action of looking at the map in a fantasy novel will change your understanding of the world.
The Journey on the Page.
I used to always skip past the map at the beginning of a fantasy novel. I just wanted to get to the story. I learned that the map is not just a pretty drawing; it is a crucial tool for understanding the world and the journey of the characters. By taking a minute to study the map, and by referring back to it as I read, the story came alive in a new way. I could actually trace the characters’ journey and understand the scale and the geography of their world. It makes the entire experience so much more immersive.
Use a book subscription box to discover new authors, not just for the trinkets.
The Curated Surprise at Your Doorstep.
I was in a reading rut, just reading the same few authors over and over. I signed up for a book subscription box. It was so exciting to get a surprise, curated book delivered to my door every month. It has introduced me to so many incredible, debut and underrated authors that I would have never discovered on my own. While the little, extra trinkets in the box are fun, the real value is in the discovery. It’s a wonderful way to broaden your reading horizons and to support new authors.
Stop waiting for the movie to come out.
The Spoiler Alert You Can Avoid.
I would often hear about a great book that was being made into a movie, and I would think, “Oh, I’ll just wait for the movie.” I was doing myself a huge disservice. The movie will inevitably spoil the plot twists and the ending of the book. And as we know, the book is almost always a richer, more detailed, and more profound experience. By reading the book first, you get to experience the story as the author intended, and you get to have the fun of comparing it to the movie later.
Stop thinking you have to read “important” books. Do read what makes you happy.
The Joy of the “Unimportant.”
I used to have a list of “important” books that I felt I “should” read. It was a list of literary homework. It was making me not want to read. I finally gave myself permission to read whatever I wanted, without judgment. I read a fluffy romance novel. I read a pulpy sci-fi book. And I had so much fun. I rediscovered my love for reading. The most “important” book you can read is the one that brings you joy and makes you want to pick up the next one.
The #1 secret for appreciating a difficult book is to read a summary or analysis alongside it.
The Tour Guide for a Tough Text.
I was trying to read a dense, difficult classic novel, and I was completely lost. I was ready to give up. I learned a powerful trick: there is no shame in using a tour guide. I would read a chapter of the book, and then I would read a short, chapter summary or analysis from a website like SparkNotes. It helped me to understand the key themes and to follow the complex plot. It didn’t ruin the book; it unlocked it. It gave me the confidence to tackle a difficult text and to get so much more out of it.
I’m just going to say it: The smell of old books is great, but the smell of a new book is better.
The Scent of Possibility.
I know it’s a romantic notion, the smell of an old, dusty library. And it is a wonderful smell. But for me, the smell of a brand-new book is even better. It’s the smell of fresh paper, of crisp ink, and of a story that is a complete and total unknown. It is the smell of pure, untapped potential. The smell of an old book is the smell of a journey that has been taken by many; the smell of a new book is the smell of a journey that is about to begin, just for you.
The reason you’re not remembering the plot of the last book you read is because you consumed it too passively.
The Inactive Reader.
I would finish a book, and a week later, I would have only a vague memory of the plot. I had consumed it, but I hadn’t engaged with it. I learned that reading is not a passive activity. To truly remember a book, you have to be an active participant. I started asking myself questions as I read: Why did that character do that? What do I think is going to happen next? This simple act of active engagement and prediction turned me from a passive consumer into an active partner in the storytelling process, and my retention improved dramatically.
If you’re still only reading authors from your own country, you’re losing a world of perspectives.
The Literary Window to the World.
My bookshelf used to be filled almost exclusively with American and British authors. I didn’t even realize it, but my literary worldview was very narrow. I made a conscious effort to start reading translated fiction from authors all over the world. It has been one of the most rewarding reading projects of my life. It is a powerful and intimate way to experience a different culture, to see the world through a different set of eyes, and to understand that the human experience is both universal and beautifully diverse.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about your local library is that it’s just a dusty, quiet building.
The Community Hub That Has It All.
I used to think of the library as just a dusty, old building full of books. I was so wrong. I went to my local library for the first time in years, and I was blown away. It was a vibrant community hub. They had free Wi-Fi, they had meeting rooms, they had a 3D printer, they had free classes and events, and yes, they still had books. The modern library is one of the last truly public, democratic spaces we have, and it offers an incredible wealth of free resources that most people are completely unaware of.
I wish I knew that joining a book challenge could be a fun way to broaden my reading horizons.
The Gamification of Reading.
I was stuck in a reading rut, just reading the same genre over and over. I joined a “reading challenge” online. The challenge had a list of prompts, like “read a book set in Asia,” or “read a book by an indigenous author.” It was a fun and motivating game that gently pushed me out of my comfort zone. It gamified my reading life and introduced me to a whole world of incredible books and authors that I would have never discovered on my own.
99% of readers make this one mistake with a series: waiting for all the books to be released before starting.
The Water Cooler of Westeros.
I used to wait until a popular book series was completely finished before I would start it. I thought I was being smart by avoiding the cliffhangers. I was actually just missing out on the fun. The best part of reading a popular series as it’s being released is being a part of the global, cultural conversation. It’s the joy of discussing the latest plot twists with your friends, of debating fan theories online, and of experiencing the story as a shared, communal event. The wait is part of the experience.
This one small habit of reading the author’s acknowledgments will give you a list of their influences and your next great read.
The Secret Reading List.
I used to always skip the acknowledgments page at the end of a book. I thought it was just a long list of names. I learned that it is actually a secret treasure map. In the acknowledgments, an author will often thank the other authors who have inspired them or whose work they admire. It is a curated reading list from a person whose taste you already know you like. It has become one of my favorite ways to discover new authors and to see the web of connections in the literary world.
Use a book stand for reading at a table, not hunching over your desk.
The Posture-Saver for Readers.
I love to read at my desk or at the kitchen table, but I was always hunched over the book, which was giving me a terrible pain in my neck. A simple, inexpensive book stand was a complete game-changer. It holds the book upright, at a comfortable reading angle, allowing me to sit up straight with a good posture. It’s a simple, ergonomic tool that has made my long reading sessions so much more comfortable and has saved my neck from a huge amount of strain.
Stop buying self-help books you’ll never read.
The Shelf-Help Section of Your Library.
I had a whole shelf of self-help books. They were full of promises to make me more productive, more confident, and more successful. And I had barely read any of them. I learned that the act of buying a self-help book can give you a small, temporary feeling of accomplishment, without you ever having to do the actual hard work of implementing the advice. I was getting a dopamine hit from the purchase, not from the practice. That shelf was not a self-help shelf; it was a “shelf-help” shelf.
Stop reading in a poorly lit room. Do protect your eyes with adequate light.
The Eye Strain You Can Easily Avoid.
I used to read in a dimly lit room, with just a single, weak lamp. I would have to squint to see the words, and I would end the night with a headache and tired, aching eyes. I was putting a huge amount of unnecessary strain on my eyes. I invested in a good quality, bright reading lamp that I could position directly over my book. The difference was incredible. The eye strain and the headaches disappeared. Good, direct lighting is not a luxury; it’s an essential part of a healthy and comfortable reading habit.
The #1 hack for finishing more books is to set a small, achievable daily page goal.
The 10-Page Promise.
I wanted to read more, but the thought of finishing a whole book felt so daunting. I set a simple, almost laughably small, goal for myself: I just have to read 10 pages a day. It was a promise that was so easy to keep that I never had an excuse to skip it. Some days I would only read the 10 pages, and other days I would get hooked and read for an hour. But that small, consistent, daily habit is what built the momentum. Those 10 pages a day added up to over 30 books in a year.
I’m just going to say it: A little bit of background noise or instrumental music can enhance reading focus.
The Soundtrack to Your Story.
I used to think that I needed complete and total silence to be able to focus on a book. The reality was that the silence would often make me more aware of every tiny, distracting noise. I discovered that a little bit of ambient, non-distracting sound can actually help me to focus. I now often read with a quiet, instrumental soundtrack playing in the background—some classical music, some lo-fi beats, or even just the sound of a crackling fireplace. It creates a cozy, focused bubble that helps to drown out the distractions of the outside world.
The reason you don’t like non-fiction is because you’re reading dense academic texts instead of engaging narrative non-fiction.
The True Story That Reads Like a Novel.
I used to think that all non-fiction was dry, boring, and academic. I was reading the wrong books. I discovered the world of “narrative non-fiction.” These are books that are meticulously researched and factually accurate, but they are written with the storytelling techniques of a novel. They have compelling characters, a dramatic plot, and a beautiful prose style. Authors like Erik Larson or Mary Roach can make a true story about history or science feel like a thrilling page-turner.
If you’re still only reading bestsellers, you’re losing out on hidden gems.
The Tyranny of the Bestseller List.
The bestseller list is a fine place to see what’s popular, but it is often a terrible place to find what’s interesting. The list is dominated by a few, big-name authors with huge marketing budgets. I made a commitment to explore the “mid-list”—the vast world of incredible books by talented authors that are not household names. By looking at the award nominees from smaller presses or by just taking a chance on an unknown author, I have discovered some of the most unique, challenging, and beautiful books I have ever read.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about translated fiction is that something is “lost in translation.”
The World That Is Gained in Translation.
I used to avoid reading books that had been translated from another language. I had this vague idea that I was getting a “lesser” version of the story. I was so wrong. A good translation is an art form in itself. The translator is a skilled writer who is able to capture not just the literal meaning of the words, but the rhythm, the style, and the cultural nuances of the original text. Reading a book in translation is not about what is lost; it is about the incredible, beautiful, and diverse world of stories that is gained.
I wish I knew that my reading taste would change and evolve over time, and that’s okay.
The Person You Were Is Not the Person You Are.
I used to feel a strange sense of loyalty to the books and the authors that I loved when I was a teenager. I would try to reread them, and I would be disappointed when they didn’t resonate with me in the same way. I learned that my reading taste is not a fixed, static thing. It changes and evolves, just as I do. The books that speak to you when you are 20 will not be the same books that speak to you when you are 40. And that is a beautiful thing. It is a record of your own growth.
99% of people make this one mistake when visiting a library: not asking the librarian for a recommendation.
The Human Algorithm.
I used to wander the library, feeling completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. I would just pick a book at random. I learned that the librarian is the most powerful and underutilized recommendation engine in the world. They are passionate, knowledgeable people who have read a huge variety of books. By just telling them a few books that I’ve loved, they are able to give me a perfect, personalized recommendation that is a thousand times better than any online algorithm.
This one small action of recommending a book you loved to a friend will change how you connect with people forever.
The Book Is a Bridge.
Recommending a book to a friend is one of the most personal and intimate things you can do. You are not just recommending a story; you are sharing a piece of your own heart and your own mind. You are saying, “This story moved me, and I think it will move you, too.” And when that friend comes back to you and says, “I loved it,” you have created a powerful, shared experience and a new, deeper level of connection. A book is a bridge between two minds.
Use a digital notebook like GoodNotes for annotating PDFs, not just printing them out.
The Paperless Highlighter.
I had to read a lot of PDFs for work and school. I used to print out hundreds of pages just so I could highlight and take notes in the margins. It was wasteful and created a huge pile of paper. A digital note-taking app on my tablet was a complete game-changer. I can now import the PDF directly into the app, and I can highlight, write, and annotate to my heart’s content, with all the benefits of digital searchability and organization. It’s a powerful, paperless workflow that has saved a small forest.
Stop thinking of reading as an escape. Do see it as an engagement with the world.
The Window and the Mirror.
I used to think of reading as a way to “escape” from my own life and from the problems of the world. It can be that, and that’s wonderful. But I’ve learned that reading is also one of the most powerful ways to engage with the world. A good book can be a mirror that helps you to understand your own experiences, or it can be a window that allows you to see the world through a different set of eyes. It is a tool for building empathy and for becoming a more thoughtful and engaged citizen of the world.
Stop buying books for your “future self.” Do buy books for the person you are right now.
The Aspirational Bookshelf.
My bookshelves used to be full of books that I thought my “future, smarter, more disciplined self” would read. I had dense books on philosophy and economics that I had no real interest in reading. They were just a monument to my aspirations. I learned to be honest with myself. I started buying books for the person I am, right now, with my current interests and my current curiosities. My reading life has become so much more joyful and authentic now that I have stopped trying to perform for my own imaginary, future self.
The #1 secret for a great book club is to have diverse opinions, not for everyone to agree.
The Echo Chamber vs. the Debate Club.
I was in a book club where everyone had the same taste and the same opinion. The discussions were boring. We would all just agree that the book was “good.” The best book clubs I’ve been in are the ones with a diverse group of people with different perspectives. The most interesting and memorable discussions are the ones where we respectfully disagree. A good book club is not an echo chamber; it’s a debate club. The goal is not to agree; it is to challenge your own thinking and to see the book from a new perspective.
I’m just going to say it: You don’t need a cozy blanket and a cup of tea to enjoy a book.
The Myth of the Cozy Reader.
I used to have this romantic, Instagram-worthy image of the “perfect” reading experience: a rainy day, a cozy blanket, a crackling fire, a cup of tea. It’s a lovely image, but it’s also a myth that can become a barrier to reading. The truth is, you can read anywhere. You can read on a crowded bus, you can read on a sunny park bench, you can read in a noisy cafeteria. Don’t wait for the perfect, cozy moment. The magic is in the book itself, not in the props.