I’ve consistently read 2-3 books/week for many years, plus my systematic Bible reading. Many fine books are published each year, in addition to the long history of great books. We live in a privileged time when so many books are widely available. I feel a special surge of pleasure when someone asks me about a book and I can say, “Yes, I’ve read that.”
My strategy going forward:
- Focus 80% of my time re-reading the classics and a set of books I find most significant. Read deeply, unhurriedly – dive deep, and ponder. I plan to spend the next 10 years going back through the Great Books of the Western World collection, and about 40 other books of enduring value to me.
- Continue my systematic Bible reading – 10 chapters/day, plus periodic read-throughs of the whole Bible. (Reading about 50 pages/day takes me through the whole Bible in 30-35 days.)
- Intentionally ignore all but the most-compelling new books in leadership, business, and history.
It made perfect sense for me to read widely and rapidly when I was younger. This adjusted strategy improves my ability to think deeply and wisely about the most significant issues.
Have you articulated your strategy for book reading and consuming information?
