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The best habit I’ve picked up, and one I genuinely believe everyone should try, is reading. It’s not just about learning new things or passing the time. Reading has this magic way of bringing joy, shifting emotions, expanding horizons, and making you grow as a person—intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, all of it.

And no, this isn’t one of those cheesy posts where someone tries too hard to sound inspirational. You know the type. That’s a rant for another day.

This is just me sharing something I love. Reading is a habit I’m proud of and one I plan to hold onto for as long as I can see—literally. If you know me, you know how much I love books. Bookstores are my happy place whenever I visit a new city. I’m that person who gets excited by the smell of new books and can’t walk past a “Staff Picks” shelf without stopping. And yes, I’m a total sucker for non-fiction—business, personal growth, human behavior. Those are my jam.

At the start of the year, I made a promise to myself: one book every two weeks. As of today, I’m on book number 11, Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish. I just finished the first section, and wow, it’s already shaping up to be a great read. I’ll surely write a review once I’m done.

Clear Thinking, number 11 on my list, what a book!

So how do I keep up with this pace? Honestly, it’s not as intense as it sounds. Most books are about 250 pages, and my reading speed is around one page per minute. That includes time for my note-taking system, which—side note—is pretty elaborate. Maybe one day I’ll share it. It’s a mix of digital and physical notes, and it helps me keep track of everything worth remembering.

Whenever I sit down to read, I aim for about 50 pages or, if I’m really into it, until I finish the chapter I’m on. With that rhythm, it takes me about five days to finish a book. Of course, there are exceptions. Some books demand more time because they’re so dense or packed with insights (Sapiens, Make Brilliant Work, and War come to mind). I spent extra time on those because I kept stopping to think or take notes. But generally, a book every two weeks is totally doable.

The year’s almost over, and I’ll be wrapping it up with my 12th book: Same As Ever by Morgan Housel.

For 2025, I’m setting the bar even higher. My goal is to read 48 books—one book a week (I’ve factored in a few weeks for vacations, random life interruptions, or those days when I inevitably spend way too much time deciding which book to read next). Picking books is half the battle. Honestly, I’m not too worried about the pace—I’ve finished plenty of books this year in under a week. The real challenge will be choosing the right ones.

Reading, for me, isn’t just about learning. It’s about the experience. There’s something special about holding a book in your hands, flipping through its pages, and getting lost in its world. Sure, I read articles, blogs, and industry news like everyone else, but it’s not the same. There’s an art to reading a book. It’s intimate.

I’ve tried e-books, and while they’re convenient, they don’t give me the same connection. These days, I buy both the hard copy and the Kindle version of most books. It’s part of my system, again, a story for another day.

So that’s my little love letter to reading. If you’ve made it this far, thank you for indulging me. Now, I need your help. I’ve got 48 books to plan for next year, and I’d love some recommendations. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

(📷 That’s my wife in the background doing her own evening routine as well)