"Five minutes each week that might change your life."
In 2010, I read 14 books.
In 2020, I read 81 books.
Most people think reading more means turning into a librarian with a highlighter fetish.
“Take notes.”
“Read slower.”
“Force yourself through the boring stuff.”
None of that works.
Not only is it miserable—it’s scientifically proven not to help you retain information.
Here are five ways you can actually read more (and remember what you read):
1. Stop reading sh*t you don’t like.
“If I start a book, I have to finish it.”
Do you finish movies that suck? TV shows? YouTube videos? No.
So why force yourself to read a book you hate?
2. Cut the inner monologue.
That little voice in your head slows you down. You don’t need it—and you’ll read more quickly without it.
3. Read with your finger.
Yeah, you’re gonna feel like a doofus. But it keeps your eyes steady.
Steady eyes = faster reading
4. Schedule your reading.
Your iPhone screen time says 5 hours, 47 minutes a day.
Don’t tell me you’re “too busy.”
Read at lunch. Read at the gym. Read before bed.
5. Read more than one book at a time.
Some books are meant to be read in huge chunks.
Some you can flip through when you have a few minutes.
Give yourself the option to read both.
See you Monday,
Mark
P.S. You know what else can help you read more? Shortform. For years, I railed against book summary apps, convinced proper reading meant you put in the hours. But then Shortform showed up with what they claimed were the best book summaries in the world. And, actually, they’re right.
How do I know? Humble author that I am, I checked out their summaries of my books—and they nailed it. Comprehensive chapter breakdowns, expert analyses with alternate viewpoints, exercises to help you digest my word salad. They even correctly identified my philosophical influences as being Buddhist and existentialist instead of the more trendy Stoicism—a mistake that most people make.
There’s a reason Shortform is a long-term sponsor of this newsletter, and that reason is they’re awesome. Join me for a free trial and $50 off your annual plan.
