Why Reading Matters: Successful People Read

Summary

The speaker reflects on the importance of reading and how it shaped their life, beginning with a love for magazines that introduced them to various cultures, including hip-hop. As they matured, books became a key source of knowledge, inspiration, and business insights, with biographies and influential books like 'The Alchemist' offering valuable lessons. They also share their unique hobby of leaving books for commuters to discover, emphasizing the power of reading to broaden minds, spark creativity, and fuel personal growth. Encouraging others to embrace reading and overcome challenges, they highlight its transformative impact.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker grew up surrounded by books, thanks to their mother's influence, which cultivated a lifelong habit of reading.
• 📰 The speaker's initial interest in hip-hop culture and various other topics came from reading magazines before transitioning to books.
• 📖 The speaker attributes much of their business knowledge to reading books about deals and success stories in the industry.
• 👤 Biographies are a favorite genre for the speaker, as they provide valuable lessons from the lives of others.
• 📘 Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin are highlighted as particularly influential reads.
• 💡 Reading *The Alchemist* was a life-changing experience for the speaker, reinforcing the idea that the universe conspires to help those with dreams.
• 🎒 The speaker has an interesting hobby as a 'book ninja,' leaving books in public spaces for others to discover and enjoy.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker emphasizes that reading is crucial for developing communication and writing skills, advocating for pushing beyond light reading into more challenging material.
• 📊 The percentage of teenagers reading for fun is at an all-time low, and the speaker encourages changing that trend by making reading a regular habit.
• 🔥 Reading provides a sense of hope and energy, reminding the speaker of life's possibilities and offering inspiration to keep going, especially during challenging times.

Q & A

What influence did the speaker's mother have on their reading habits?

The speaker’s mother always kept books in the house, which made reading an important habit. This early exposure influenced the speaker to continue reading as they grew older.

How did the speaker first learn about hip-hop culture outside of L.A.?

The speaker learned about hip-hop culture outside of L.A. by reading magazines like Double XL, which contained stories about classic albums from other places.

What type of content did the speaker start reading before getting into books?

The speaker started by reading magazines related to their interests, which eventually led them to read books about the same subjects.

How did reading influence the speaker's business knowledge and decision-making?

The speaker attributes much of their business savvy to reading books about the music industry and deals made by others. These readings helped them understand decisions that empowered people throughout their careers.

What types of books does the speaker enjoy, and why?

The speaker enjoys reading biographies, finding them particularly interesting because they offer many lessons depending on whose life story is being told.

Which biographies had a significant impact on the speaker?

The speaker found Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin particularly interesting. Franklin is considered one of the speaker’s heroes.

How did the book 'The Alchemist' impact the speaker's life?

The speaker describes 'The Alchemist' as life-changing. It made them realize how many people had conspired to help them reach their current position, reinforcing the belief that the universe supports those with a strong desire.

What is the speaker's 'book ninja' hobby, and what is its purpose?

The speaker calls themselves a 'book ninja' and leaves books in public places, such as the underground or the tube, for commuters to find, read, and pass on to others. This hobby is meant to encourage reading.

What advice does the speaker give about reading and writing?

The speaker encourages people to read as much as possible, challenging themselves with more complex material. They also stress the importance of practicing writing.

What personal challenge did the speaker overcome by starting to read more books?

The speaker had a tendency to not finish things when they became difficult or boring. By setting a New Year's resolution to read more books, they overcame this habit, finding value in completing what they started.