Books
My relationship of books is quite similar to mine vegetables.
I should do it.
I don’t have a habit of doing it, despite my mom’s effort.
I don’t hesitate while buying them, only to have them rot in the corner.
I know it will be good for me but the resistance persists.

Image: May May embodying my resistance to reading.
But when I eventually get around, reading almost always brings meaningful impacts in my life and, most importantly, feels great.
Turned out it is less about what I read, but how I read.
I used to force myself to complete one book from cover to cover, as soon as possible, mononymously.
The result?
Books are left unread or mid-read.
Read books are forgotten and unlearned.
Despite the modest amount of books I read through childhood, I don’t remember anything.
So here are the tips for those who face the same struggles:
1. Not all readings are the same
You can snack on some, binge on some, poop with some, and sleep with some. Quite literally speaking.
Some readings are addictive, you can’t wait to continue.
But most are average, you might need to push it through over time; you might want to pause and come back around after a month or two; or it simply is not worth your time.
Even with stellar recommendation, if it is not a good fit for you now.
You don’t need to finish it, now or ever.
2. Atomic reading
I used to fantasize reading on a velvety armchair with a cup of perfectly brewed tea next to a autumny window.
It happened.
Maybe once.
Most of my reading happened on bed, before sleep; in the bathroom, when I poop (TMI?); during commute, in between snoozing off.
Reading one book in one setting is a rare occasion for me.
However, before I knew it, I finished books through atomic reading.
3. Read and write
Notetaking changed my way of reading, forever.
Because I used to borrow books from the library, I have a habit of treating them as something shared (as one should).
I would not fold a corner, let alone write on it. (Still highly recommend borrowing books from library!!)
This habit continued after books become affordable.
I wanted to be able to gift them after reading. To leave them in prime condition and untouched. And just like that, my soul is also untouched.
Writing on the book is optional, but writing during or after is not.
It helps me digest, make connections, reflect, and learn from books.
If reading a book doesn’t impact me in anyway, it’s not the book’s problem, it is mine.
Several ways I have learned to effectively take notes on a physical book. On a kindle, you simply hard press it. Much easier, but not necessarily better.
A. Highlight it (duh)
This is often used when I am reading on bed, with no way to drawing a straight line, I don’t expect myself to be able to write anything legible. The highlight serves as a bookmark for me to come back and reflect after.
B. Write the quote/impactful summary on the cover page
This works much better than writing it next to the passage/on the page. Because I can have an overview of the overall impact of the book just all at the beginning/end (curtesy of Tim Ferris’ Youtube video).
C. Final reflection
I now don’t consider finishing a book until I write a reflection of it. I do mine in Notion, through a modified template provided by Ali Abdaal.
I simplified it so it doesn’t feel as overbearing. Because template is just a template.
Happy reading!
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