Why I Started Reading a Lot of Books.
You Should Try It, Too.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve been reading a lot of books. And I mean a lot of books. I annoy my friends by talking about them constantly. Apparently my friend Rob has a really funny impression of me, “Let me tell you about this book I read about Lyndon Johnson.” (I did actually read that whole series.)
I used to reddit a lot.
I read an article that really affected me, there has been research over the past few years about how multitasking doesn't work. The research is pretty convincing, especially to me. I have ADHD.
I’m not just saying that like every other millennial who doesn't feel like paying attention, I have actually been diagnosed. Lack of attention is a constant and visceral experience to me. It’s hard for me to pay attention, even when I want to.
I used to reddit a lot. I’d read articles, I’d learn a lot of small things. But, I usually felt that I wasn’t learning more than just trivia. I have a very good memory, so I remember all of this trivia. But, remembering it wasn’t enough. I can’t grow just from trivial knowledge. I needed something more.
I embarked on a conscious quest to better myself. If I find articles about a subject interesting, why not just read a book about it? It’s not that hard, it’s not that much of a commitment. And, if I can pay attention to a book all the way through, then my whole attention span will probably increase.
I did some internetting.
I validated my hunch that this would help by finding this article on lifehacker:
To get a longer attention span — even a span long enough to read this article — don’t worry about managing the information. Worry about managing your attention. Paying attention, for long periods of time, is a form of endurance athleticism. Like running a marathon, it requires practice and training to get the most out of it.
As expected with my attention span, I don’t think I finished the article. But, it gave me the fortitude I needed to embark on my quest to have a longer attention span.
I find most “lifehacks” to be pretty bullshit. They are either too easy and don’t really change anything, or they are things that are hard to do and don’t offer any real solutions as to how to do them. Oh, you think I shouldn’t be hitting snooze so much, that’s true. I agree. I wish I didn’t. How do I do that?
They taunt you. The real lifehacks are hard to do, they require building stamina and habits. I liked this idea because it was hard, and because it was more like running a marathon. It was a challenge, but it was one that I could do. I used to read a lot as a kid, and I knew that I could train myself to do it again as a twenty something.
I didn’t commit to a book a week.
I have friends who do, but that seemed like a goal too many for me. I sometimes did finish a book (or more) a week, but it wasn’t my explicit goal. All I wanted was to train my attention span.
I wanted to run a marathon. I didn’t have to read the books as quickly as I could, I might miss things if I just sped through them. Reading them slowly, though I still read pretty briskly, is good enough.
What books did I read? I read books about a lot of things. I’m more into nonfiction, though I read some fiction too. I usually read books about subjects that interested me. I read Godel, Escher, Bach; Nixonland; The Big Short; The Nine. If you’re interested, here’s my Goodreads. I’m not good about updating it, though, so it’s far from complete.
I’d read a book because I wasn’t satisfied with Wikipedia. I’d read a book after seeing it on Colbert. I’d read a book just because.
You should commit to reading more.
Reading is a great way for anyone to better themselves. You learn a lot. It does increase your attention span (though, as a scientist, I really can’t claim to have any real data on this other than my own anecdotal evidence).
What books should you choose to read? I love nonfiction. That’s not for everyone. Read books that your friends like, that’s why Goodreads is fantastic. Just look at books in Barnes and Noble, okay, there aren’t bookstores anymore, go into a library, those usually still exist. See what’s interesting!
Your life will be better if you just spend an hour a day reading a book. Turn off your computer, turn off your phone. Disconnect yourself.
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