According to the Pew Research Center, 76% of American adults read a book in some format over the previous 12 months, typically reading approximately 5 books in the past year.
Sounds impressive, but also disconcerting at the same time when you figure that nearly a quarter of adults didn’t read a book at all.
With the rise in popularity of the Kindle, Nook, and other tablets, the ease of carrying a library in your pocket has made reading a much easier and enjoyable thing to do. Apps such as Next Issue let you read hundreds of magazines electronically with one low subscription cost.
Reading plays a critical role in becoming a strong leader. Growth comes from learning. In the case of billionaire Mark Cuban, he read software manuals to prepare for clients and get ahead of everyone else. Read as much as you can. Look for opposite points of view. Read biographies to learn the habits of successful people and how you can apply. Use books for motivation or inspiration. Think of ideas found in a book and how you can apply it to your own business. In How to Win at the Sport of Business, Cuban mentions how he used to tell himself that one good idea from a book could make him money, lead to a customer or solution, and end up paying for itself many times over. Cuban’s biggest surprise was noting that while all the books are public most people won’t put in the time to get a knowledge advantage.
Want to read more but claim you’re too busy or don’t have enough time? Try this speed reading course – the best book I’ve read that actually produces results.
Bravo! I read voraciously and have since I was in the womb (I’m pretty sure). The best thing we have done in our household is cancel our satellite TV subscription in 2012. We catch our sporting events at my mom’s house. Bonus: We spend time with my mom that we normally would be spending at home.
Saving this post to share in my Weekly Wrap-up. Thanks, Eric.
Thanks Suzy! What types of books do you typically read? Anything good you recommend?
Oh, my goodness, I could give you a list a mile long. Start with the few I mentioned over the weekend in my Weekly Wrap-up: http://www.suzyandspice.com/2015/01/31/weekly-wrap-up-the-inaugural-edition
I recently created a Goodreads account and am slowly adding titles to that list.
Until I joined a local reading group last year, I went through a several years of mostly nonfiction (I really like books that help me improve myself, or learn about something or someone who inspires me).
I’ve reviewed a few good ones (and some so-so ones) since I started reviewing for a Christian publisher a few years ago – they send bloggers a preview copy in exchange for an honest review.
And I have an author friend who has recommended some good books that I’m currently reading. I’ve been meaning to write about all this, so I really need to do that!
But here are the best books I read last year:
— “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova (for reading group). Fascinating, heart-wrenching. I hear they’ve made a movie out of it with Julianne Moore. Fiction.
— “The Light Between Oceans” by ML Stedman. Fiction.
— “Night” by Elie Wiesel (Nobel Peace Prize winner). Life as a boy in a concentration camp. My author friend recommended it to me 20+ years ago, and I chose it for reading group last fall. Nonfiction. HIGHLY recommend this one.
Sorry I can’t give a short answer when you ask me about books. Check out what I said on my blog for some of the others.
In fact, tomorrow morning I’ll be meeting my second discussion group to talk about “The Screwtape Letters.” We meet at 6:30 a.m. on Thursdays.
Adios!
Forgot this one on my best-of-2014 list: “The Well-Balanced World Changer: A Field Guide for Staying Sane While Doing Good” by Sarah Cunningham. Nonfiction. I reviewed it: http://www.suzyandspice.com/2014/04/06/book-review-the-well-balanced-world-changer
Also, “The Light Between Oceans” was a pick for monthly reading group. I forgot to mention that.
I also have a “Books I Love” tab at the top of my blog, but I haven’t updated it in four years! But it has my all-time favorite books on it.