I’ve noticed a sudden uptick in posts and articles telling us that we should read more books. Oprah, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Doctors and Life Coaches are all touting the benefits of reading. Telling us we should be reading MORE.
It’s the time for New Year’s Resolutions. I know, I know. But I can’t help but cringe slightly each time I see one.
The advice on how to read more ranges from:
- turn off the TV
- read books on digital devices
- listen to books on Audible
- keep a reading journal
- join a book club
- read whenever you have a spare moment in your day…
I’m not denying that reading has immense benefits – reduces stress, provides learning, connects you with other people’s points of view, helps you to be a better writer, increases EQ (Emotional Intelligence), expands your imagination, betters your life.
But does more equal better? I would argue that a balanced diet of high-quality, fiction and non-fiction books is absolutely fine. There shouldn’t be a mad rush to consume as many books as you can. Just because you read 300 books in a year, doesn’t make you better than someone who reads only 12. It’s not a race. Or a competition.
Our digital society has put information so readily at our fingertips, that we can gorge ourselves on articles, posts, books, publications. Even physical books are so inexpensive that the barrier to entry is low and it triggers the kind of reaction that one might have the first time we go to an all-you-can-eat restaurant. You mean I can eat as much as I want? No limits? Well, then I’m going to stuff my face until I physically can’t eat one more bite. Just because I can.
Is this why the zeitgeist is telling us to read more and more and more? Because we can?
I personally have never been a voracious reader of books. But I completely agree that reading books has its own unique benefits that you would never get from other types of reading or media consumption. I also believe that everyone is different in their ability to absorb, assimilate and metabolize information. Whereas some people can read a book or 2 a week and be a better person for it, others would drown in that amount of reading and derive little benefit from doing so. These latter people may do better listening to podcasts, watching videos, reading articles and whitepapers.
And I don’t think it’s like building up stamina for exercise either. I’m not convinced that the more books you read, the better you’ll be at grasping the information or that you can work your way up to reading 50, 60, 70 books a year.
For me, it’s always been about being selective but inclusive in my reading portfolio. Choosing a wide range of genres from business to self-improvement, fiction to culture, comedy to memoirs. Trying to include books on topics out of my “comfort zone”. Reading when it makes sense in my daily routine.
If I start a book, get 25% through it think it’s terrible, I’ll abandon it. I’ll make notes as I come across “a-ha” sections of good books and I’ll freely recommend books I have enjoyed to those I think would appreciate them.
At the end of the day, reading is a pleasure that should be experienced in doses that suit the individual. For some, less is more.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
