Rediscovering the Habit of Reading
If you read a year’s worth of great books and don’t post about it, did it really happen? Tips and books in review from 2021
With the proliferation of digital products, the constant use of our mobile devices every hour (as they have replaced countless physical items like calculators, scanners, alarm clocks, and maps), and the increasing feeling of being “online” I was due for an analog reset.
When was the last time you checked how many apps you have on your phone? Today I have 74.
As of the last few years, a big aspiration had been to return to physical hobbies, analog thinking, and activities using my hands. So naturally reading became a habit to reengage and pick up for 2021.
So how do you go from not reading much to reading (for education, recreation, and pleasure) around 1–2 books a month? Here are some tips that have stayed with me after reading 12 books that helped me rediscover the habit of reading in the last 365 days.
Tip #1: Start small.
Like running it’s best if we start with one or two miles, without forgetting the added pre-run and post-run stretching. So start with a small book, regular fonts and plan to read 15 to 30 minutes a day to get started. Like meditation, you may want to sit still for 30 minutes, but the 5-minute start will get you to develop a consistent practice over time.
Tip #2: Look out for your reading friends.
Look around, connect with friends (close and far) that are already on a reading spree, and tag along. I have been surprised as to how many friends and colleagues have suggested terrific books, shared their favorite authors, and given useful tips; they were always there but I had to look a bit closer.
Tip #3 Accountability.
Following tip #2 it’s then helpful to find a reading friend or join a book club for accountability. I have been experiencing my first (semi-structured) book club while working as a Product Designer at Copper Books and have benefited from the weekly cadence, the rotation of books co-curated by the group, and the ongoing conversation. 1/4 of the total books I read this year were thanks to this!
Tip #4 Keep your pencil close.
If you are like me, you likely wanna be searching for a fact, a word, or a person every other paragraph. Do not freeze! but first, leave your phone in a drawer. Instead, have a pencil nearby and use it to underline, circle, or mark your favorite scratch to signal something is worth noting. You’ll be surprised by how focused reading can become as you build a rhythm to stay on track.
Tip #5 Alternate genres.
I have noticed I can be a more engaged reader when I alternate the type of reading I am interacting with. For example, as I finished “How To Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan, I moved on to “Normal People” by Sally Rooney. The transition between a large semi-autobiographical and neuroscience-focused book naturally gave room for an easier non-fiction novel about two people that cannot seem to get away from one another. See? I did it right there too!
Tip #6 Keep tally and get inspired.
Last, but not least, keep track of what you have accomplished, what you are currently engaging with, and what’s on the horizon. Part of sticking to goals is keeping oneself balanced and motivated through the year, so keeping a tally of books and authors on your radar can be helpful.
Now onto the books!
Art of Gathering by Priya Parker (2019)
This book has brought a whole new meaning to the words ‘gather’ and ‘gathered’ that I did not see coming. Parker’s experiences are both close and professional, intimate and universal, and with each tale the author makes you understand that the journey of coming together starts way before you thought so (…) and ends (you guessed it!) way after we are no longer in the same space.
As someone that has spent a few more seconds than your usual reader thinking about how to host, when to facilitate, and where to bring people together over the last years I found this book so insightful, poignant, and clear. In the process, I had the chance to reflect on my volunteering experiences leading OpenIDEO’s San Francisco Chapter community for over 3 ½ years and hosting community gatherings like art walks, walking tours, and round tables around the Bay Area.
Meanwhile, Parker’s book continued to remind me of the invaluable skillsets that we as hosts and guests have to shape, influence, and create alternative worlds, together. Moving forward, I feel equipped and empowered with new tips to improve upon this practice.
Looking back? I would read this with a peer or friend to be able to pause at every chapter and share past experiences together, as well as compare notes of tips learned in the reading journey. Using a gathering book to come together, why not?
Curious to learn more? Check Priya Parker’s TED Talk’s “3 steps to turn everyday get-togethers into transformative gatherings.”
It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton (2021)
Composed of short essays and quick stories, Arlan offers a perspective both refreshing and “not-your-typical white male cis tech entrepreneur” to challenges such as starting a company from scratch, creating a venture capital fund, supporting early-stage startups, and breaking into Silicon Valley networks.
The book is divided into 8 parts ranging from finance, community, resiliency, authenticity, creativity, and self-care. Each section is woven through Arlan’s constant positive attitude, perspective, and growth mindset when faced with rejection, adversity, and closed doors. This book was a reminder that sometimes “we” can be our biggest obstacle, and that authenticity can be your silver bullet.
Looking back? I would jump around more to read a specific section that I would be most interested in at the time, instead of committing to a linear journey.
For example: Feeling stuck or looking to start a new passion project? Head to the ‘Creativity’ Chapter 19, Page 141.
Don’t know Arlan and her background as a queer black woman working in tech? Start with the FAQs in the last chapter of the book.
Curious to learn more? Watch this New Establishment Panel by Vanity Fair from 2018 where Arlan gets to speak with HuffPost’s editor-in-chief, Lydia Polgreen.
How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan (2017)
An incredible read filled with rich visual metaphors, historical context, and self-reflective inquiries of what it means to be a human navigating the challenges past, present, and ahead of ourselves.
I personally found Chapters 5 and 6 to be the most revelatory, as the author walks through the neuroscience mechanisms activated when experiencing altered states of consciousness, as well as the possible treatments for conditions of those in late stages of their lives or experiencing end-of-life diagnostics, as well as those suffering from addiction and depression.
One of my underlined quotes and biggest takeaways comes from Page 366, “psychedelics open a window of mental flexibility which people can let go of mental modes we use to organize reality”
Looking back? Pollan’s book shines the most when understood in three different acts between history, biography, and educational science; therefore a small suggestion would be to read the book in aleatory chapters or simply either from end to start.
Curious to learn more? It’s on my list to read Pollan’s latest book This is Your Mind On Plants.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (2021)
A beautiful, honest, and intimate memoir that touches at the heart of what it means to be an immigrant, descendant of immigrants, or any mixed-race upbringing. In doing so, the author dwells on the complexity of growing up between different worlds often with different cultural underpinnings, and taste buds.
As Zauner walks us through the formative years of pre-adolescence, going to college, and navigating life as an early twenty-year-old she rarely loses sight of her shortcomings, frustrations, aspirations, and love for her caring mother throughout the process.
It took me a moment or two to find the courage to keep reading (with the intersecting waves of grief, pain, trauma, and loss) yet the author does a phenomenal job at keeping us (the reader) grounded, present, yet time-traveling through flashbacks to Korea, South-east Asia, Portland, and New York City.
It’s a book that surely challenged my notion of what it means to love, care for, and respect those formative figures in my life (like one’s parents) but also the family and mentors we choose to care for and surround ourselves with.
Looking back? I would underline more of the multi-layered Asian foods, and traditions shared; so likely keep a notepad close to writing down quick shopping lists to savor some of the mouth-watering ingredients Zauner relates from her home country of Korea.
Curious to learn more? Give a listen to Michelle Zauner’s experimental pop-band Japanese Breakfast.
Normal People by Sally Rooney (2019)
Sally Rooney’s first published book captures the invisible tensions of “two people who try to stay apart but find that they can’t”. In doing so, she takes us from the time Marianne and Connell meet in high school all the way to college and the years afterward. During this timeline, expedited between weeks and months at a time, the author is able to balance stories between the two main characters while maintaining a loyal third-person narration that keeps everyone in check.
What I enjoyed the most about this reading was Rooney’s ability to tackle seemingly opposing topics at once like loneliness vs. companionship, dishonesty vs. loyalty, and authenticity vs. conforming; all masterfully written in the portrayal of a deeply intimate relationship between two people growing together into adulthood.
Look forward? It’s on my list to check the TV adaptation co-produced by Rooney. Normal People on Hulu/BBC.
Greedy by Jen Winston (2021)
Jen Winston’s book is a late millennial’s smoothie of funny, honest, and witty essays about what it means to be a questioning human with sexual doubts (and queer curiosities) growing up at the start of the 21st century. At times Winston’s memoir feels like a psychological autopsy.
In her first book, she describes adolescent memories, college experiences, and adulthood societal conundrums woven together in and out of personal narratives confronted with the power that love (and desire) can offer to oneself, friendships and relationships. With the author’s immense thirst for authenticity through humor, I walked away with a new perspective on what it means to be greedy, curious, and above all, loving yourself every day.
Looking back? I would grab a pen and paper and underline the sprinkled references, footnotes, and research the author offers along the way on topics of feminism, queerness, race, sex, and psychology.
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney (2021)
Rooney’s third novel marked my first introduction to her writings. I was captivated by the intermittent chapters written as “emails-like letters” between the two of the main characters, Alice and Eileen. While being carried away by the remaining of the book’s third-person chapters where we get to meet each of the women’s main love interests, Felix and Simon respectively.
As the author paints millennial portraits and brings forward familiar topics from her previous novels (like living in Dublin, visits to the countryside, travels to Italy, being part of the literary world, etc.) she attempts to overlay with larger societal questions.
In doing so she explores dichotomies like city life vs. the countryside, wealth vs. working class, privilege vs. education, all while not attributing one quality to each character, but rather showing us how each and one of them can be all these things at once, yet not defined by any of them too.
Look forward? It’s on my list to read Sally Rooney’s first novel Conversation with friends.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2011)
Madeline Miller’s first novel places centerfold one of the Trojan War’s most underrepresented characters, Patroclus, next to Achilles, one of Homer’s most famous character’s from The Iliad. In doing so, we get to experience firsthand an intimate portrait of childlike friendship, queer love, and undeniable loyalty that goes beyond most heteronormative tales I have come across to date.
I was fascinated by the author’s power to recount a tale so many of us assume we know, yet with such nuance, play, and detail intersected with archetypical challenges and obstacles still relevant to date.
Look forward? Explore Homer’s The Iliad anew.
Circe by Madeline Miller (2018)
Madeline Miller’s Circe marks one of the main books that brought me back to reading for 2021. Through Greek Mythology, we are first introduced to Circe through Homer’s The Odyssey. Yet not being too familiar with Odysseus’ travels to the island of Aeaea, I was up for a whirlwind experience.
In Miller’s tale from this female perspective, I was continuously fascinated with the multitude of characters we encounter like Prometheus, Helios, Glaucos, Minos and Pasiphae, Penelope and Telemachus, and monsters like the Minotaur and Scylla.
Without a doubt, even from exile, Circe’s journey is filled with swatches of pain, joy, solitude, and curiosity whilst overcoming challenge after challenge through the trajectory of a rich expansive life.
Looking forward? It’s on my list to read Ariadne by Jennifer Saint.
What Happened to you? By Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry (2021)
A thoughtful read that left me curious and engaged at every page turn without a doubt. Through each of the 10 chapters, scientific research around childhood development is at the forefront; as it unfolds from the early-developmental stages (and nurture of the first months) and its correlations to our long-term well-being in adapting as human beings in the modern world.
One of my favorite lines, it’s obvious on the cover, as it makes the case to ask one another: “What Happened to you?” instead of the common phrase: “What’s wrong with you?” Simple yet so powerful.
Looking back? I would be more cautious in speeding through some of the content as it delves into trauma, mental disorders, difficult upbringings, abuse, neglect, PTSD, and a multitude of other human developmental conditions.
Curious to learn more? Watching Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harris’ The Me You Can’t See where they expand on various topics around mental health. Dr. Bruce Perry appears in this show as well.
Think Again by Adam Grant (2021)
Such an insightful book, at such a pressing time. I walked away with a fresh mindset, yet with a renewed perspective for old and new tales. I learned about topics like “psychological safety”, the power of persistent experimentation while “thinking like a scientist”, not shying away from iterative ‘constructive feedback’ and ultimately making “rethinking a regular habit.”
As the book is divided into 4 distinct parts, and a total of 11 chapters, one of my favorite sections was Part II’s Interpersonal Rethinking: Opening Other People’s minds.
Looking back? I would take a look at Page 251 “Actions for Impact” where Adam Grant highlights his top 30 practical takeaways of the book.
Business Made Simple by Donald Miller (2021)
Donald Miller’s book is an easy overview of business essentials for any organization or entrepreneur in 2022. The author presents the book in formats of days (total of 60) and 11 chapters that go from leadership, productivity, marketing, communication, sales, negotiation, management, and execution.
I was discouraged with the marketer’s voice (a marketing book, that markets itself while you are reading, I know!) but if you are able to see past some of these gimmicks, Millers’s latest book is a great start for those of us who do not have a business degree and are eager to catch up.
Looking back? I would go ahead and read a specific chapter of interest from end to end (preferably uninterrupted) and take more notes, especially Chapter 10 for Management.
Acknowledgments
None of the aforementioned authors, publishers, organizations, and/or links highlighted have sponsored nor supported this article.
Thanks to Juliana Colangelo and Anup Mankar for proofreading this article.
Remarks
Thanks for reading if you made it all the way here! I’m open to hearing any feedback or thoughts you have about this article or answering any questions. Please feel free to leave a response below or shoot me an email directly at francescostumpog@gmail.com
