Ali Abdaal
October 30, 2019
TL;DR
A doctor and YouTuber shares 8 practical strategies for reading consistently, including using a Kindle, changing your mindset about finishing books, building reading into your daily routine, and leveraging tools like Audible, Goodreads, and Readwise.
“Reading is supposed to be fun it's not supposed to be this chore this thing that we only had to do in our english lessons”
— Speaker
“When you're a beginner in reading the trick is to start with something simple like harry potter or some great fantasy or fiction book that's easy to read that makes you want to turn the page”
— Speaker
“I'm treating these books exactly like i'm treating articles or blog posts i'm not feeling guilty for skimming or for not finishing one”
— Speaker
1. Introduction & Context
The speaker introduces himself as a doctor, YouTuber, and business owner who reads 1-2 books per week despite his busy schedule, and explains the video will share 8 tips for reading more consistently.
2. Tip 1: Get a Kindle
Evidence shows e-reader users read 40-50% more books annually than non-users. A Kindle transforms the reading experience and is highly recommended as a game-changing tool.
3. Tip 2: It's Okay Not to Finish Books
Shift your mindset from viewing books as sacred objects you must complete to treating them like blog posts—feel free to abandon boring books without guilt.
4. Tip 3: It's Okay Not to Read Classics
Don't feel obligated to read prestigious classics if they don't engage you. Start with enjoyable books like Harry Potter; once reading becomes a habit, you can explore more challenging literature.
5. Tip 4: Skim and Read Strategically
Reading for enjoyment differs from reading for information. Fiction warrants full attention; non-fiction can be skimmed for key insights. Highlight and note-take only when necessary.
6. Tip 5: Build Reading into Your Daily Routine
Integrate reading into your nighttime routine—the speaker reads 20-30 minutes before bed every night, which easily yields one book per week and helps establish consistency.
7. Tip 6: Use Audiobooks for Extra Time
Leverage Audible to listen to books during commutes, gym sessions, and other downtime. Audiobooks are especially suited for fiction, while Kindle is better for non-fiction with highlights.
8. Tip 7: Track Progress on Goodreads
Create a Goodreads account to build a library of every book you've read, rate them, and gamify your reading progress. This creates motivation and allows discovery of recommendations.
9. Tip 8: Use Readwise to Resurface Highlights
Readwise syncs Kindle highlights and emails you five random highlights daily, helping you retain and resurface key insights. It also integrates with Evernote and Instapaper for a searchable second brain.
10. Conclusion & Recommendations
The speaker reiterates that the most important steps are getting a Kindle and building reading into your routine. He emphasizes that reading should be fun, not a chore, and recommends his other videos on book recommendations.