Many people want to make reading a habit. The biggest challenge for a beginner is picking the right book. If you choose a boring one, you will likely quit — and the habit dies before it starts.
I have made mistakes picking books, and it took me a while to figure out a better approach. Let me share what not to do — and what works.
What not to do
Do not blindly follow recommendations. There is nothing wrong with getting suggestions, but do not read a book just because someone said so. Do a bit of your own research first.
Do not read because your favourite person reads it. Everyone has different taste. Do not read something hoping it will make you like them. Read only if the book genuinely interests you.
Do not read to complete a target. Challenges like “100 books a year” create mental pressure. You start skipping parts just to finish. You never fall in love with reading — you only feel the pressure of counting.
Instead of setting goals, build a habit. Start with a few minutes a day. Fall in love with reading first, then expand naturally.
Do not read to show off. Some people fake reading books because it sounds impressive. But over time, people can tell whether you are actually smart or just sounding smart. Showing off is a great way to destroy your reputation, not build it.
Do not judge a book by its cover — or its first few chapters. I made this mistake with Rich Dad Poor Dad. I assumed the whole book would repeat the same ideas after reading the first quarter. When I picked it up again, it covered completely different territory.
How to choose a book
Based on your current struggles. If you are struggling with productivity, pick a book on effectiveness. When you can relate what you read to your real life, you keep going. And it creates immediate impact.
Based on your interests. Interests change over time, but they can hook you into great books. Read about your hobbies, or explore what others have done with the same passions.
Based on self-improvement. Know your strengths and weaknesses, then find books that help you grow in those areas. Books can also help you improve emotional intelligence and build empathy through multiple perspectives.
Based on curiosity. You do not always need an action plan from every book. Chase your curiosity — science, history, psychology, whatever pulls you. I read across many topics that have nothing to do with my career, and I find value in all of it.
Based on challenges you face. Pick books about people who faced what you are going through. Biographies are a great starting point. Other people’s experiences offer perspectives that open your eyes to things you had missed.
Based on your future vision. Read about what you want to become or about someone whose path you admire. Knowing the obstacles they faced prepares you for your own journey.
Conclusion
Learning should be a continuous process. You can learn through reading, listening, watching, and observing. But reading gives you the widest access to knowledge — most of human history is recorded in writing.
You just need to find that one book that makes you fall in love with reading.