The Case For Reading

Question: How many books do you read a year?

If you’re like nearly half of Americans, the answer is zero.

In 2023, 46% of Americans didn’t read a single book.

Now, I’ll admit—if you’re reading this newsletter, chances are you’ve read at least a few.

You probably consider yourself ambitious and driven. Or at least you’re working toward becoming this person.

But even my most ambitious friends don’t read books.

So how did we get here? And why does it matter?

The Silent Crisis

Here are the facts:

Reading is strongly linked to:

- Enhanced critical thinking skills
- Improved attention span
- Better communication abilities
- Greater emotional intelligence and empathy
- Lower stress levels
- Improved mental health

Yet reading is declining at an alarming rate. In 2016, U.S. adults read an average of 15.6 books per year. By 2021, that number had dropped to 12.6—a significant decrease in just five years. 

But I won’t bore you with statistics. Everyone knows reading is good, just like everyone knows eating healthy food is good.

So why are we doing it less?

It mostly comes down to three things:

1. Digital Distractions

Attention is the new oil. Big Tech competes for our attention and leverages human nature to keep us on their platforms for as long as possible. Social media, short-form videos, and endless notifications are all designed to hijack our attention. Reading a book, which requires sustained focus, just can’t compete with that dopamine hit.

2. Shrinking Attention Spans

Constant multitasking and the steady stream of bite-sized content train our brains to expect immediate gratification and constant novelty. As a result, reading feels hard because our brains are no longer conditioned for deep work. Many people today struggle to concentrate on anything for extended periods. Heck, even sitting still and doing nothing for 30 minutes has become a challenge.

3. Reading Under Pressure

Frankly, reading is never taught to be fun. When I was a kid, there was a time when I was addicted to reading. I’d even go to the school library during breaks while others were outside playing. But I did it for fun. I read comics and fiction. Many people associate reading with school assignments, tests, and pressure. This turns reading into a chore rather than a joy. There’s a clear trend of reading for pleasure declining, particularly among younger generations. Unfortunately, many never rediscover it as something engaging or fulfilling.

This lack of reading culture creates a perpetual self-fulfilling cycle. If someone isn’t surrounded by people who read, they’re less likely to form the habit themselves.

You might say, “But we have YouTube videos now, and ChatGPT can give us answers to practically everything.”

Books will change your mind in ways that shallow internet content simply can’t. Sure, ChatGPT is great at summarizing, but that often comes at the cost of the original depth of thought. Books slow you down in a good way. They force you to engage critically with the author's arguments and draw your own conclusions. This is crucial for becoming an independent thinker, something bypassed by quick summaries.

For just 15 bucks, you get access to some of the greatest minds in human history. You’re essentially having a conversation with them. You hear their struggles, wisdom, and insights into some of history's greatest events. There’s no activity with a higher return on investment. It’s the closest thing we have to a time machine.

Books build your intellectual foundation. YouTube and ChatGPT can help explain or expand on what you’re learning, but they’re no substitute.

There’s a reason why highly successful people are avid readers. Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffett, and Elon Musk all have one thing in common: they read voraciously. Realizing this got me back into reading after losing the habit in my teens.

Are we doomed?

I’m an optimist. The rise of newsletters and podcasts shows we’re still capable of deep focus. We’re still hungry for knowledge—it just needs to genuinely interest us.

The case for reading is clear. But how do you actually make it part of your life?

Here are 4 easy strategies to build a reading habit:

1. Read What You Love Until You Love to Read — Naval Ravikant

I started out reading basic self-help books like Rich Dad Poor Dad. That’s what interested me at that time. Today, I mostly read science, philosophy, and politics. I never would’ve guessed I’d end up here. Philosophy? Me? Never. But your interests evolve as you grow as a person. Read what you love until reading becomes part of who you are. Over time, the right books will find you.

2. Set Small Goals

Don’t sabotage yourself by aiming too high, you’ll burn out and quit. Start with small, achievable goals to build momentum. Can’t read 10 pages a day? Read 5. Lower the bar if you can’t stay consistent. 

3. Eliminate All Distractions

Put your phone away. Full stop. One notification is all it takes to break your flow and it can take up to 20 minutes to get it back. Eliminate anything that might distract you. Don’t check your mails. Put your cat in another room. Create a distraction-free reading zone if needed. Find somewhere cozy and quiet, grab a cup of tea, and just read.

4. Apply What You Read

The best way to make reading a habit is to experience its positive impact on your life. It has made me more mature, financially responsible, and significantly improved my relationships. When you start noticing real changes, you’ll wonder why you didn’t begin sooner. Bonus: You’ll retain more of what you read by connecting it to real-life experiences. Theoretical concepts without context are quickly forgotten.

You’re Just One Habit Away

Society is getting dumber.

People are reading less and scrolling more.

These 4 strategies will make sure you’re not one of them.

You’re just one habit away from transforming your life.

As the great Charlie Munger once said: