November 2017 · Updated November 2024
Read on paper so you can annotate it, lend it, and build a shelf you can see. Make it a ritual rather than a task, and give yourself permission to put down a book that is not landing. Aim to walk away with one golden nugget per book and teach it to someone — teaching the idea is what makes it stick.
I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions. They always seem like the fast track to burnout and disappointment. Instead, I set goals throughout the year—simple changes or experiments that I try for a few months. Some stick, others don’t, but the ones that do end up shaping my life in surprising ways.
One of these experiments started as a small goal: read one book per week. Sounds simple, right? At least in theory. For the most part, I’ve stayed on track, though a few heavy-hitters took me two weeks to get through. Still, this goal has changed how I learn, think, and spend my time more than I could have imagined. So here’s the practical advice that helped me stick to it and actually enjoy the process.
This might sound like sacrilege in an era where everything’s digital. We’ve got e-readers, audiobooks, and apps that promise the same experience in a sleeker, greener package. But here’s the thing: there’s magic in a paper book that no digital version can replicate. Let me explain why.
First, annotating a physical book is a different experience. With a pencil or highlighter in hand, you’re actively engaging with the words. You’re underlining, circling, making notes in the margins. By the end of the book, it’s not just a finished read; it’s a map of your thoughts and reactions. Later, you can flip through those marked pages in seconds, instantly recalling the most important points without needing to hunt them down in a table of contents or scroll endlessly on a screen.
Then there’s the part where reading a physical book forces you to focus. A paper book doesn’t ping you with notifications. It doesn’t let you skim to the end in a second or check the “most highlighted passages” like an e-reader does. When you sit down with a real book, it’s you and the author, one-on-one, and it demands you go at the author’s pace. That level of focus does wonders for understanding and retaining what you read.
And let’s talk about the after-reading part. When you’ve finished a great book, it’s natural to want to talk about it. Here’s where paper books have another edge: lending. You hand the book to a friend, and you’re passing on something you’ve really connected with. Suddenly, you’re not just recommending a title; you’re sharing an experience. And when that friend brings it up later, you get a built-in recap, reminding you of the key points and insights, even months down the line.
Finally, building a physical library is like having a visible timeline of your learning. Every time you finish a book and add it to your shelf, you’re building a reminder of all the knowledge, ideas, and perspectives you’ve absorbed. Over the years, that collection grows into a testament to your curiosity and dedication. And when you see those 50, 100, 200 books lined up, it does something to you. It’s a visual reminder of how much you’ve grown and how much you’re still capable of learning.
The goal here isn’t just to finish a book a week but to experience a book a week. You want it to become part of your routine, something you look forward to. For me, this means blocking out time in the morning or before bed to read, even if it’s only 10 minutes. This dedicated time slots my mind into “learning mode,” which sticks a lot better than squeezing in 15 pages here and there.
Making it a ritual also means giving yourself the freedom to stop if a book doesn’t resonate. Not every book is going to hit, and that’s okay. The best readers know that not finishing a book is part of the process. The idea isn’t to hit some arbitrary goal but to find books that actually teach you, move you, or change your perspective. So, if you’re slogging through something that feels like a chore, move on to the next one.
It’s easy to reach for books that validate what you already believe, but the best growth comes from reading things that challenge you. Think of books as mentors or even sparring partners—ideas that push you, force you to think, and sometimes argue back. I look for books that I know will stretch my perspective, even if I don’t agree with every word. It’s uncomfortable at times, but that’s where the real learning happens.
Books that challenge you also have a way of sticking with you. They don’t just add to your knowledge base; they change how you see the world. So, I’ve found that deliberately seeking out perspectives that contrast with my own is the quickest way to learn and grow. It’s like adding new tools to your mental toolbox, which you can pull out when you need them.
Finishing a book doesn’t mean you’re done with it. Some of the best insights come days, weeks, or even months later when something from that book pops back into your head. To keep this alive, I make it a point to revisit my annotations periodically. It’s like having a conversation with the author long after the last page has turned.
Sometimes, I’ll even reread books that left a big impact. You’d be surprised how different a book feels when you come back to it with new experiences and knowledge. Suddenly, phrases that seemed minor or unimportant jump out at you with a new meaning. It’s a great reminder that learning is a continuous journey, not a one-and-done event.
Over time, I’ve picked up a few habits that make each book more impactful: