You can probably tell by now that I read a lot. My goal each year is to read at least 12 books, and I usually exceed that easily. I read a lot of business and self-improvement books because I’m committed to being the best I can be under any circumstances. I also sprinkle in a few fiction books to exercise my imagination.
I got a lot of practice reading difficult and sometimes poorly written content while I was in law school, and that has certainly helped me read less challenging material quickly. It also helps me recognize well-written text and continue to improve my own writing. It even helps my spoken communication, when I can slow my brain down enough to keep up with my mouth!
If you’re looking to create a reading habit for any of the benefits I’ve noted, here are some ways to choose books you will enjoy:
- Consider the movies and TV shows you like to watch. There are often books that inspired them, and the books will typically be different enough to keep you reading. You might even find it fun to see what was changed to make the film more engaging, or vice versa.
- Re-read something you enjoyed or didn’t finish when you were in school. See if you can discover something you missed before or that you see differently because of who you are now. (I do not recommend Walden for this exercise, but to each his own.)
- Ask for recommendations. Your local bookseller can often help you get started. Try a wide variety of genres to see what you like best, as well as which calms you and improves your sleep–or something else you are trying to improve.
Need another recommendation?
