The Only Thing You Gotta Do to Read More

Summary

The article emphasizes that reading should be a personal journey of discovery and enjoyment rather than a forced habit driven by external pressures or the need to impress others.

Abstract

The author of the article criticizes the common advice on increasing reading quantity, such as improving reading speed or tracking reading habits, labeling it as unnecessary. Instead, the author suggests that individuals should introspect on their motivations for reading more and emphasizes that reading should be a self-fulfilling activity. It is portrayed as a philosophy of life that enhances personal growth, learning, and mental acuity, rather than a means to appear smarter or more sophisticated to peers. The article advocates for reading what one enjoys and finding intrinsic value in the act of reading itself, rather than adhering to a regimented routine or comparing oneself to others. The ultimate reading tip offered is to stop obsessing over the quantity of books consumed and to immerse oneself in a book that truly captivates, thereby discovering a genuine passion for reading.

Opinions

The author believes that external tools and methods to increase reading are superfluous and that the act of reading should be intrinsically motivated.
Reading is seen as a deeply personal experience that should not be influenced by the need to prove oneself to others.
The article suggests that reading should be a natural part of one's life, not a chore or a status symbol.
The author points out that reading for the sake of social image or to meet arbitrary goals can lead to a superficial engagement with books.
A genuine love for reading comes from choosing books that resonate with the individual, leading to a more meaningful and effortless reading experience.
The author implies that societal pressures to read more can detract from the true value of reading, which is personal enrichment and growth.

Spoiler alert — Read!

There are a gazillion articles out there about how you can read more. Improve your reading speed with various methods, downloading some app to track your reading habit, schedule your reading or buy a fancy reading lamp.

I’m sorry, but that’s all bullshit.

Instead, you should start asking yourself why you always need to force yourself to read more. Why is it so important to you that you read more? Do you feel smarter, do you feel sophisticated with a book in your hands, do you need to prove anything to your peers? Because if that’s the case you should stop reading right away — it’s not for you.

Reading is about yourself, not about others. It’s diving into a different world, it’s exploring and discovering, learning and expanding your horizons, sharpen your mind and mouth. Of course, it’ll support you in daily life when interacting with other people, but this shouldn’t be the purpose of reading.

I was known as the family’s bookworm all my life. I’ve received hundreds of books as presents from parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I barely went out of the house without a book in my pocket. On rare events when I went out for a party I took my book with me, in case I got tired with social interactions and conventions. Shame on me, I even skipped conversations that left me bored to death, just to get back to my book.

You don’t have to be like that — actually you shouldn’t be if you don’t want to be as socially awkward as me. What I want to point out is that reading is a philosophy of life. It’s more than just a habit, more than “Ugh, now I have to pick up that book again and read for 60 minutes to finish my 50 pages-a-day routine.” Reading becomes meaningful when you stop trying so damn hard. And trust me, it’ll be the easiest thing in the world.

So what’s the ultimate reading tip?

Stop focusing so much on how much you need to read, because nobody sets the rules but yourself. If you see someone reading five books a week — good for them, but do they actually get value out of their massive reading? Or are they just patting themselves on the back and feeling superior for reading another bunch of useless crap? Choose a book you like, dive into it fully, and discover your true love for books.

And now— that’s why I kept this one short — turn off your phone or close your laptop and finally stop devouring articles about reading tips. Instead, start reading!

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READING & WRITING

The Only Thing You Gotta Do to Read More

Spoiler alert — Read!