Books have been called our best friends since childhood—and for good reason. They offer knowledge, inspiration, and guidance across every area of life. Whether it's psychology, personality development, money management, fiction, poetry, programming, engineering, or the arts, there's a book for every interest and need. We choose what to read based on our passions and goals. Yet, many people overlook the value of reading simply because they haven't discovered its power. In this blog, I’ll share why reading books is essential, what kinds of books you should explore, how to read effectively, and some of my personal experiences.
Why is reading books important?
To succeed in any field, you need knowledge—and much of that knowledge comes from teachers, parents, mentors, and guides. But to deepen and expand your understanding, reading books related to your field is essential. Even teachers and mentors often rely on books when teaching. For example, if you want to excel in mathematics, reading good math books will provide you with valuable concepts and challenging problems. Similarly, whether it's sports, art, music, science, or personal development, books offer insights that help you grow.
However, it's also true that real-life experience is necessary. Without applying what you've learned, your knowledge remains purely theoretical. Many successful people—entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and musicians—credit books as a major part of their journey. That’s why reading is so important for success and personal growth.
A good book can shape your future, while a poorly chosen one can waste your time or mislead you. So, it's important not just to read, but to choose the right books. Reading also improves concentration, since it requires focus and mental engagement. But some people struggle to choose the right kind of books. In the next section, I’ll help you find the types of books worth reading.
As I mentioned earlier, there are generally two types of books: good and bad. You can find books in libraries, online through apps like Amazon, or even access PDFs. Many books are also summarized or reviewed in YouTube videos. When choosing good books, it's best to select ones that are popular or recommended by successful people, teachers, coaches, or mentors. For example, in the area of money management, well-known books include Rich Dad Poor Dad and The Psychology of Money. For building discipline, Atomic Habits is highly recommended. If you're interested in understanding manipulation and influence, books like The 48 Laws of Power or The Art of Seduction are widely discussed. For mindset development, Mindset: The Psychology of Success is a great choice. These books are frequently recommended on social media by successful individuals.
While there are many good books that can help you grow and succeed, bad books are also out there. Some are simply a waste of time with little to no value, while others focus on harmful or inappropriate content like pornography. It's best to avoid both. You don’t need to read every book—2 to 4 solid books on any given topic are usually enough to gain deep insights.
After learning how to choose the right books, it’s also important to read them effectively. Even if you pick a great book, if you don’t read it effectively, the benefit is lost. To read effectively, you first need a peaceful environment. Generally, a library is an ideal place for reading. Alternatively, you can read at home in a quiet room where no one will disturb you. Make sure that distractions like phone notifications, music, or any other annoying noises are turned off. Reading a book effectively requires a deep level of focus. I’ve already written a blog on focus where I explain how to improve your concentration, which you can check out.
If you don’t have enough time to read a full book, don’t rush or skim it or leave it unfinished. Instead, you can read a summary of the book online or check out one of the many YouTube channels that provide book summaries. These summaries can help you learn the key points of a book. Later, when you have more time, you can read the full book. However, don’t stop halfway through. If you’re unsure whether a book is worth reading, you can also decide based on a summary. As I mentioned earlier, in any topic there are many good books, but you don’t need to read all of them. Two or three books are enough for any subject.
I started reading books that were not part of my school studies when I was in 12th grade. My first book was on personality development, which I found in a cupboard where my grandfather (who was a principal of a college) kept his books. There were many books on personality development, Vedic mathematics, and spiritual texts like the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. My love for reading started from there.
Now, after two years, I’m in the second year of my engineering program, and I read many books on money management like The Total Money Makeover and The Psychology of Money, as well as books on mindset like Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, among others.
To read books effectively, I’ve already shared on my blog how I increase my focus. I read three books a day—one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one before bed. I read 4-5 pages of each book daily. When I first started, I only read 2-3 pages of one book a day, but as time passed, I began to enjoy reading more. Now, as I mentioned, I read 4-5 pages from three different books every day.
From my experience, reading may feel boring at first, but as time passes, you start to love it. To increase your love and interest in reading, start with small books. Read just 2-3 pages a day, and once you feel comfortable, you can gradually increase the number of pages or books you read.
If this blog inspired you, share it with someone who’s ready to understand the importance of books too!
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