Choosing Books and Big Ideas

Lately, I've been inundated with questions about my reading habits. 'How do you choose what to read?' 'Do you finish every book?' 'How do you remember what you've read?' These queries have prompted me to reflect on how my approach has evolved since I first wrote about neuroreading years ago in my blog. While the essence remains, the method has transformed entirely.

Imagine this: I'm standing in my home library, surrounded by carefully curated books. Each one feels like an old friend, eager to share its wisdom. But here's the truth - I know I can't read them all in this lifetime, and that's perfectly okay. It's not about finishing; it's about learning.

So, how do I decide what makes the cut? It's a seven-step dance, really. First, curiosity strikes. I consult AI (Perplexity, specifically) for a quick summary and explore the author's talks. If it piques my interest, I'll skim the table of contents and perhaps sample it on Kindle.

Here's where it gets intriguing. I ask myself, 'Does this align with my current projects?' If I'm deep into research on feedback, for instance, a book on that topic suddenly becomes irresistible.

If a book's made it this far, it's earned my full attention. I dive in, scribbling notes and highlighting passages that resonate. But the journey doesn't end there. I love bouncing these ideas off friends and colleagues. Their perspectives often lead me to my next great read.

Now, you might wonder - is this just about books? In our digital age, big ideas can come from anywhere. Podcasts, Reels, Guides, White Papers, Talks - they're all fair game. Focusing on big ideas keeps me curious. These ideas are like principles - few in number, but expressed in myriad ways. It's about focusing on the through line, not getting lost in the storyline.

That's why I don't fret if I skim ten books in a week without finishing them all. It's about big ideas, and they can emerge from any source.

So, here is what I am reading right now. I'd love to hear about yours too.