Mark Twain once said, “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read”
Look, I get it. In the age of endless brain rot and 15 second reels, no one has the time to read. Reading a book feels like running a marathon when there’s a escalator right in front of you.
But here’s the thing. That escalator is taking you nowhere. Reading isn’t just a pastime - it’s a strategic investment into your overall development.
Reading has lots of benefits. From increased concentration to reduced stress levels. You also get to learn new concepts. It is also a form of entertainment (if you are into that kind of books). Also, there a unique charm of reading physical books also not to mention the scent of never opened pages.
Why read?
Reading books daily can help you in:
- Books gives you deep technical and non-technical knowledge in a particular domain.
- Expanded vocabulary and communication skills.
- Maintaining focus and attention span.
- Improving creativity and idea generation.
- Enhance writing, naming, and storytelling.
- Improve problem‑solving through analogies from other fields.
- Cultivate discipline and a sustainable learning habit.
What if I don’t have enough motivation?
I am someone who struggles to finish a book. But you know what? That’s still better than not starting. I mean, you can either try, learn something, and quit rather than not try.
But almost all of the times, when I have not finished a book is when I don’t find the book interesting enough. If I really like a book then I will finish it.
Find a time of the day when you will read books, it does not matter if its 1 hour or 10 minutes, everything counts. Use a highlighter to mark important ideas. I like to listen to lo‑fi while I read. If you’d like to give it a try, search for Tycho. I really like the depth in his music.
My Recommendations
If you are new to reading books, I have some great recommendations for you, these are the books that I started with, pick any of them and start your book reading journey.
- Shoe Dog: This is a autobiography of the creator of Nike and how it became the behemoth it is today. It goes over the birth, rise and near-collapse of Nike. The founder starts from a humble beginning and the book goes through the ups and downs of starting a business and scaling up. The book is quite interesting, its told in a candid and conversational prose. It’s more of a behind the scenes documentary view, every setback feels personal.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: I don’t like the whole idea of self-help industry, but this book is different. Mark Manson, the author shows an alternative way of living a life of happiness and meaning. The book is unique in the sense that it goes against the conventional self help methods. The style is conversational—complete with profanity, sarcasm, and witty one‑liners—making complex ideas feel like a chat with a blunt‑spoken friend. Since its release, the book has become a bestseller, sparking countless discussions on social media and inspiring readers to quit the “hustle‑until‑you‑burnout” mindset.
- The Psychology of Money: This is one of the books that everyone should read. If you’ve never picked up a book, I would suggest to start with this. This books covers every major aspect of money, It goes over how you can use money more effectively. This book gives you a solid foundation in personal finance without overwhelming you with jargons, and it teaches you how to make smarter decisions with the money you already have. This book is short and hence a good starting point for people who can’t commit to longer books.
- Man’s Search For Meaning: Viktor Frankl doesn’t sugar‑coat, he drops you straight into his concentration‑camp experience. This book is a guide to finding purpose to your work, love, or simply the attitude you choose when everything else is out of your control. This book is short, brutally honest, and oddly uplifting. I am still reading this book, but so far I really like it.
By consistently reading books you’ll become a more focused, articulate, and innovative person. Happy reading!