Read Better, Become Better

I hope this meets you well. In this newsletter, I will share some insights on how to make the most of your reading.

Dear Friend, 

I hope this meets you well. In this newsletter, I will share some insights on how to make the most of your reading. I guess I can say I am a lifelong reader. I have been reading for most of my adult life, and reading has been the activity that has brought me the highest return. It has made me more informed, helped me make better decisions, helped me develop my abilities, helped me understand the world better, and helped me make new friends. 

Yes, books give you new friends—both real friends and old friends like Uncle Lewis CS Lewis. 

So, how do I make the most of my reading? How can I gain all these insights, this wisdom, and how do I find applications in my life? Let me teach you in 5 headings. 

Engaging Reader 

I noticed many people are passive readers - this flows from how we were taught to read in school. We were taught to read any book that isn't an exam-focused material in a passive way. We transferred the same mindset to the books we read after graduating. But this is a terrible way to read. To make the most of your reading, the first thing is that you must be an engaging reader. You must engage with the material, you must engage with the characters, and you must engage with the events within the book. When I say engage, I do not mean kneel and swear vows. Lols

No. Engage by consulting other materials related to the subject. Engage by curiously closing up gaps in knowledge related to the subject. Take, for instance, Morgan Housel's book "Same As Ever," which mentions "The Great Depression" so many times. If I didn't know anything about The Great Depression, I would go on the internet and browse The Great Depression. Just the Wikipedia page is often enough to fill the Depression. Just the Wikipedia page often serves for my reading. 

Take Highlights 

Another step I take in my active reading is taking highlights. This is an old trick; nearly every great reader I know does this. So, who am I not to do it? And who are you not to do this? Try it. Take notes while reading. Highlight the passages that hit you. There are just some passages that will resonate with you; those passages are worth highlighting. One quote can change your life, but if you don't stress it and consciously process it, there is no way it will do its work in you. 

Process What You Read 

The last step in this stage is consciously processing what you've read. This process is very important. How do you process what you've read? For me, the easiest way is to ensure you think about a practical application of what you've read. For instance, you've read The Chile Project, a book about Chicago boys that comprises history and economic ideas. The author talks about neoliberalism. One way to absorb such a book is to look for practical examples of neoliberalism in my country. This is an active process. While I am reading, I am looking for real-life cases. This process ensures that I see the ideas I've read in real life. 

Build Conversations 

A proverb I heard a lot in church is, "There is joy in sharing." Indeed, it is true. And there is not just joy, but there is retention. You remember what you share. Share the ideas you've learned. Share the stories you've learned. Talk about the books you enjoy. Talk about your favorite authors. Talk about your favorite passages. Talk about the things you disagree with. All my friends are my sounding board. When I read a book that interests Peter, I talk to Peter about it. When I read a book on healthcare, I discuss it with my wife. Build a conversation around the reader beyond the book itself. Another way to share is to write reviews, which I've been doing with this substack. Write reviews of the books you've read. 

Ask Questions

Lastly, ask questions. Draw questions from what you've read. I am currently reading the biography of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi's life is an inspiration all around the world. This biography has shown me his life in ways I've never known. My last highlight from this book is this; "Was Gandhi a saint or a politician? Is endless yet barren. Polak quotes Gandhi as having said in South Africa, 'Men say I am a saint losing myself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician trying my hardest to be a saint." I am asking myself, how does this apply to me? Am I trying to be a saint with what I am doing? Will someone be confident enough to call me a saint in whatever I am engaged? 

These personal questions lift me from merely reading a biography of Gandhi to analyzing myself and pushing myself to become a better person. Of course, this makes me retain more from this book. Gandhi is not just some distant fellow; he is now my inspiration. His life is directly influencing mine. 

Whew. I've shared a lot in this email. It is time to stop. I hope a few of this help you become a better reader.

Before you go, I have a question for you, what reading tip has helped you become a better reader? Share with me please.

See you again soon.

PS: I am taking books for Christmas gift.