These 28 Reading Rules Transformed My Life

I love to read. I don’t know when and how I fell in love with reading.

I don’t know when or where, but I remember while reading a book, I learned that it’s possible to learn almost anything if you can develop this crucial habit called reading.

I used to read fiction and, most of the time, any book that came across my way, but now I am in my mid-30s, and meaningful reading is my priority.

Reading is challenging. It would only help if you used almost all of your senses to read.

Reading is not a passive activity like watching TV, where you can text or even call someone while watching TV and still be able to understand what’s happening.

Reading is an active activity, so you need your utmost attention to understand what’s happening.

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one. ― George R.R. Martin

Now, the big question is how to read more.

Say no to speed reading.

I never used the word speed read or skimming. If you are having a hard time focusing, just read this Deep Work by Cal Newport book to find the optimal way to focus.

I may recall I started reading at the age of 10. I know data says you can begin reading between the ages of 4 and 7. As a matter of fact, I cannot recall almost anything; my long-term memory sucks. I can only recall some tragic facts; I vividly remember I lost a part of my finger in an accident. I was 12 at that time. I don’t know much about my childhood or literally what happened six months or 12 months ago.

Writing is the best habit I developed to recall memories. I started writing a journal in 2017 using the Day One app. While writing one day, I came across this idea to share my reading habits or the best way to say how to read a lot without getting scammed about speed reading, etc.

Here are a couple of points I follow to read a lot.

1. I don’t believe in speed reading; in fact, speed reading is a scam. Now that’s out of our equation, we need to add another variable called focus to balance the equation.
2. I read a lot on Kindle, especially this ONE — Kindle Paperwhite, but if you prefer a hard copy, that can beat any digital device. I enjoy the portability of the Kindle, but it can never beat the authenticity of an actual book.
3. I placed books almost everywhere around the home to reduce resistance.
4. On weekends, I dedicate at least 3–4 hours to reading. I wake up way before my wife is up, make a cup of black coffee, pick up my Kindle, and if the weather is good, I sit on the lawn and start reading a hard copy.
5. Always take notes, add to the side of the book, or highlight in Kindle.
6. I also use tab tags.
7. If you have a 9–5 gig, focus maybe 45 minutes daily to develop a reading habit.
8. I carry a hard copy and also a Kindle almost everywhere, especially if I am going to the cabin/cottage; I make sure I have books in the bag.
9. If you are traveling, make sure to pick a couple of your favorite books.
10. Reading also helps me a lot to increase my revenue. In fact, it’s not wrong to say that it is another source of my income. All the ideas jump from reading.
11. After reading a book, I love to write a report, which I plan to share. I wrote those reports while writing books in the past few years, and the time has come to share them with the readers in the form of notes on my personal blog.
12. I believe reading should be purposeful. First, find your why. Then, read based on your why, which will help you develop your reading habits way faster.
13. I am obsessed with streaks. A merely 30-day streak is a piece of cake for me. I have done many 30+ days of challenges to test and develop sustainable habits.
14. I use the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of focused time, then a 5-minute break — 50 minutes of focused time, then a 10-minute break. Now, my focus has increased massively; I can literally focus from 9–11/12ish, then go for a 45-minute walk around our neighborhood’s pond.
15. I always read a couple of books from different genres so as not to get bored with one.
16. I also learned the hard way that completing a book is unnecessary.
17. Most of the non-fiction books are nothing but fluff. The writer can say the crucial point at the beginning of the book, and then the rest is just filler. It’s helpful from the experiential perspective, but the main idea has already been conveyed. Now, it’s up to you as a reader how to implement it in your life.
18. I buy books all the time. I am building an anti-library. Anti-library means a collection of books I own but have not yet been read. It’s a humble practice to realize that there is more knowledge to acquire than you know.
19. I read every day. PERIOD
20. Making notes, especially tab tags, visualize how many books you have already completed and what you learned.
21. Don’t worry about buying books; a book has the power to bring an idea that can be 1000x the ROI.
22. I also learned from Ryan Holiday to re-read a book. I read Meditations by Marcus way before I knew that Ryan Holiday would be one of my favorite writers. I bought hard copies of Meditations and the War of Art books. I read these two books at least once or twice a year.
23. I love spending time in local bookstores and sometimes on the Facebook marketplace if someone sells books.
24. If you have a mentor, ask what are their favorite books.
25. Don’t just read what interests you the most; read everything, and maybe you will find something more interesting than what you wanted to know.
26. I love to give book gifts on special occasions, birthdays, weddings, etc.
27. I learned a trick from one of the accomplished authors, Ryan Holliday, about maintaining a commonplace book. It’s a simple strategy to organize what you read. Here is a Commonplace Book System.

a. Have a conversation about a book.

b. Let the book sit for a couple of months. Pick the best idea from it later.

c. Have a commonplace book where you put all the notes. Write the theme and why it touched you.

d. Find patterns, then write your own book, blog, etc., or implement them in your life.

I love to read; reading is the best skill you can develop to learn almost anything in life.

Keep reading and suggest how to develop this crucial habit for your loved ones, especially kids.

Thank you for reading. I wish you a happy and healthy life.