my worst reading mistakes: 1) exclusively reading fanfiction 2) starting 10 books and finishing none of them 3) googling definitions every 5 minutes

Timestamps and notes ⏱️📝 00:43 Mistake #1: Not reading for fun 02:42 Mistake #2: Boxing myself in 04:14 Mistake #3: Not walking away 05:58 Mistake #4: Not talking about books

Booktube has made reading a productivity contest to me and I want to get out of that and be able to read for fun again. I‘m currently reading The Great Gatsby and not beating myself up for taking more time to read because I like to savor the great wording☺️

Go on a date where one person reads to the other person. Probably won’t work with most relationships, but it’s really fun if you find the right person and the right book.

John: Talk about books with your friends Me: looks around and finds no friends or people who read* Goes on and reads alone anyways*

"Read what you love until you love to read"

Notes from video for future self: 00:41 Mistake1: Not reading for fun: School turns reading into a chore, a transaction. Remind yourself of why you liked reading as a kid. 02:40 Mistake 2: Boxing myself in: Only sticking to what I'm confortable with. Not seeing value in certain books. Explore! 04:11 Mistake 3: Not walking away: Forcing yourself to finish a book. It's not giving up! It frankly doesn't make sense. 05:58 Mistake 4: Not talking about books: Helps ideas solidify. Others' point of views. Writing a review or journaling if not.

I have often had people asking at work why I read so much, as though I have exams to write. Their wonder mostly comes as a surprise to me: reading is supposed to be for exams only? A kinda transaction? I only enjoy reading and learning new things. That's it. Well, Cicero said it's the duty of the human spirit to know. How about that for why I read?

I really like what you say about regaining that childhood mindset of exploring through reading and going places that you really enjoy. I used to do that so often as a kid and I don't do it anymore. I really want to get back there. Thanks for posting!

This reminded me of how much I loved reading and also how I agree that the mindset of having to read rather than as an activity of exploration had stifled my love of reading. I also just really like the idea of talking about books and exploring different perspectives, I’ve never talking about reading(outside of class) and would really like to try that. I really like you videos, thank you.

I read Fantasy, Horror, and Sci-Fi, and I’m down for whatever just sounds interesting to me. I never read as a “chore,” I genuinely read whatever I think I’ll enjoy.

the fact that you haven't created a Goodreads account yet annoys me 🧍🏻‍♂️

It is so satisfying to talk with others about a story you loved!

Love the warm atmosphere when you talk about books reading, just like the time when you were in your Harvard dorm room ❤️

I'm having one of my best reading years right now, my new hobby is making the books I'm reading everyone's problem, I will talk to anyone who'll listen and my friends are happy about it because it makes them want to read more too!

Remember why you’re reading in the first place. Would you still read a certain book if you weren’t allowed to tell anyone else you were reading it? Let this question be your guide for deciding what to read. The clarity it provides will ensure that you are truly reading for yourself - and nobody else.

I'm rewatching your vlog series from 2017 and it's crazy to see how much improvement has come in your videos since then - production, voice, story-telling, everything

*5 things to quit right now:* *1. Overthinking* *2. Trying to make everyone happy* *3. Living in the past* *4. Worrying* *5. Doubting yourself*

Reading came back to me only recently and I’m happy I saw this so that I can avoid the same mistakes! :)

I love john’s reading videos, they’re always insightful and useful ❤️❤️

Sometimes it’s good to park and revisit a book years later. I was slogging through Dombey and Son in my 20’s and finally quit but luckily kept my copy. Absolutely LOVED it in my 30’s!

Inspiring as always, John! Really appreciate how you perceive books' impact to our everyday lives. I would love to see a day in the life and see what you're doing during the pandemic and hope that it'll give us some inspiration! Stay safe and stay healthy!

This is what I needed! At the beginning of this year I began reading and then I stopped. I wasn’t having fun with it anymore! Thanks for the advice! Much needed.

It's good to see you back with a great content !

Crazy good video, good job John!

you made me start reading again with your first videos about books you read back in the day. when it comes to reading i tend to have a "seasonal reading" habit; i read for a month or two months straight and then i won't touch a book for another month or so. i feel like you have to be in a right state of mind to take something in and forcing yourself to read stuff when you're not often becomes exhausting.

I love your videos so much. I feel like reading was a habit growing up and now that I don't read that often, whenever someone asks my favourite hobby. I instinctively reply with reading lol. I feel like I understand the 'transactional' reading concept, which is not fully explorative and more or less algorithmic if that makes sense.

great video! I see myself committing some of this mistakes too, thank you so much

Your video always refreshes my mind.

Thank you, John! Great content

His videos are so high quality and packed with informative advice it feels productive just watching him talk.

Hey, great video! Would love to see more videos about CS topics and life in school.

Personally, when I was little I didn’t read AT ALL. When I became 14 I started reading the Maze Runner series for fun. I read the whole trilogy and never forced myself to read a single page because I enjoyed it. Next was my first non-fiction, Shoe Dog (which I actually saw in your reading list). This one was so good; storytelling and business perspective was so interesting. Since then, reading became something I did only for myself. Up to this day I've read the Whole Harry Potter Series (started last summer), many other non-fiction and I'm now starting Mistborn. All of them in English, while my native language is Spanish, which helped me in achieving C2 Proficiency English Level Certificate this year at 16. Reading is such a great thing, John.

I really want to combine my want to make KZfaq videos with my want to read more, and your point on conversing about your ideas you’ve gained from each book is definitely what I needed to hear to convince myself that making a sort of KZfaq book club would be valuable. I don’t know when I’ll start making pseudo reviews about the books I’ve already read, but I’m hoping my motivation makes it happen sooner rather than later

I have definitely made some of those mistakes. Thank you for this video!

Very Happy to see you again😀.

Beautiful video, thank you

When it comes to talking about books, I used to think that if I wanted to talk about them, I either needed to read wildly popular books that everybody has read or start a book club with formal discussion questions. It wasn’t until I was watching some of withcindy’s videos that it occurred to me that I should just find reader friends with whom I can read books and discuss and get excited about.

It was very helpful john, thanks a lot for this great video.

I can definitely relate to the part about feeling like I have to finish a book to move on. Thank you for the great video!

My reading mistakes, >Thinking I have to complete the book even though I am not enjoying. > Not taking notes early on > Reading again and again a paragraph I couldn't understand. (Its okay to not understand a para or two) Tips > I used to buy books judging on the back side of the cover, but I found out that if I read the 1 pg of the book, i will get to know if a book hooks me or not. > Journaling the feeling while a book

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go." -Dr. Seuss

Would LOVE to hear more of your bookish thoughts!!

I just want to say that you are the best male KZfaqr ♥️♥️ Thank you for inspiring me and so many other people 😊💕💕

Please do a book shelf tour!!

Thanks for your advice JF

Great work man

I used to read so much as a kid, and was well beyond my grade level. Now, I havent read a book in years. I will try to learn to read again thanks to you.

I completely agree with all mistakes you mentioned. The 1st and 3rd one affect me the most. I'm super stubborn and dnfing a book takes all my strength but I'm slowly learning to do so

Hey, Fish, you thinking about creating a podcast or something?This would be a interesting thing no?Hugs from Brazil.I'm big fan.

each video inspires me a lot!

Yeah me too start to fall in love with reading again recently, I mean love! I used to read a lot classic fiction, but my passion for books faded when I tried to read something like philosophy that I thought I was suppose to read and I found myself being unable to understand any of it. I picked up reading again this year and tried starting with history and social science, and actually got some feedback that motivated me to keep doing. What I have learnt is that, you should view reading as some kind of conversation with the author, try to walk with the author and float your mind with him. And try to make reading a habbit or routine, keep reading and some day you can find yourself in love with it.

This is amazing!

I have a hard time putting down a book and not finishing... I think it's the fear I'm missing out on something and if I just push a little farther I'll gain value. I'm reading A Little Life right now and going through it because everyone speaks so highly of it.

keep up the videosss!!

Wonderful... Thank you.

The last one is really important. There's a great value in sharing.

Thanks Mr. Fish

Thank-you for these beautiful lessons. Something that helped me was: 1. Pick the book from my reading list I'm most curious or excited about; use 1-10 ratings in terms of curiosity. 2. Put down reading the book after 10% of it, ir it doesn't engage you. 3. Keep a daily habit tracker for reading. Helps so much. I use HabitBull. You can use Loop or whatecer suits you.

As teachers, we actually try to teach both - that reading can be for fun and/or for information.

I really enjoy your videos, good vibes from mexico 💖

Loved this video :) so true

Great video! Love these. How do you find the new Kahnemann book?

Helpful Video 👍🏼

You inspirate me for reading a book per week bro , thanks for that. Greetings from Argentina.

Mistake #4 important, it's really helpful when you share your love for books with others 📖 💙 .

wish you got 1 M subscribers as soon as possible!

Got it. I Will follow Your suggestions.

Number 2 was happening to me before. I was into much more non fiction book, i thought reading novel or short story book was a complete waste of time. Until i read Memoirs of a Geisha. It was fun and i enjoy every second of reading it. And it shapes some perspective for me too. Now and then i try to be more open minded to other books

top sci fi books of all time pls! would love to get those recs from u

thank you!!!

I've struggled a lot when I start reading a book that I don't enjoy and take forever to finish cause I'm not enjoying it. Really tough to put a book down and move on.

Good to see ur improving, even tho u didn’t need it man ❤️

Great video!! Could you film an updated room tour? :D

Reading Don Quixote right now. It's been on my book shelf for some time now. It's a great read so far and I'm only a hundred pages in.

Much love from Brazil 💖🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

Love you mate

You are a very impressive and charismatic person!

New Ken Follet looking forward to it!!

You have changed John than 2018... In a better way...like an older brother...❤️❤️❤️

I am always happy to talk about a book I am reading with other people. :) But sometimes people don’t listen to me talk about books, so I just talk it out loud to the air, or, to myself XD. So my wisdom is that even if sometimes people don’t listen to you, just ignore that and continue to talk to yourself or the air, or anything, anyone who is willing to listen to you. Keep on running, and your effort will be seen one day! Never give up hope! :) I also have a period of time where I give up on reading more books, and that was the first year when I came to Canada. My parents told me to read books in English, but the books I want to read are in English, and I don’t understand them at all. Before I came to Canada, I always liked to read deep and challenging books, but at that time I just felt that I couldn’t do it. So the number of books I read dropped dramatically. But just in recent years, I feel like I am back on track again. :) Thanks John for making this video, it will really help a lot of people! 😃

What helped me to find my lost love for books was reading children books. They are short, entertaining, beautiful. Everytime i feel like i read just to be more productive and i lose the spark, i go read my favorite children books and i feel much better

Thanks buddy

I can relate to #3. I always feel guilty not finishing a book just because it's such a waste that I bought it and left it to collect dust on my shelf.

Hey, John, love your content. Can I ask you to make a video about your own perspective on how a programmer should think? I would love to hear your genuine opinion on what constitutes the mind of a programmer

Recommendation of brooks I enjoyed reading recently: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (as well as his previous books) and American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.

John and sankho's video uploading on same day.... Aaahhhhhh.... Thanks God. 🍃

I like your content a lot

following from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 I'm a University Student. thanks for your support and suggestions. Best wishes ❤️

Can you do a video for develop a better speed of reading?

I blame school running my love of reading! Before having to do book reports I loved reading!

his hair grows really fast... what is this man's secret...

Good man! Valuable thougths, thank you to share with us. Find someone or I would say, a free mind to connect thougths in our relationship circle it isn't a easy task.

May you share how to make hierarchy notes specifically? thanks very much

Mistake #1 IMO is DEAD ON correct! I remembered HATING to read books in the 4th and 5th grade. Yet, during AP Literature and onwards, reading became a powerful way to introspect and I loved it. Eventually, I realized it was because I was forced to read long, "awarded" books (Newberry) at a tight scheduled pace...and then get tested on them through "Accelerated Reader" (AR) tests, where the questions that come up have little to do with the themes I interpreted from the book and A LOT about being able to memorize small, minute details from what seems like the most boring chapters. Well, here I am reading biographies from the likes of Walter Isaacson, MUCH longer books than I was reading to just be able to handle those AR tests. I'm not reading cover to cover and I actually jump through chapters, BUT these are the chapters that invigorate me to try and become my own da Vinci or Feynman

The way I talk about books now is by gifting family and friends books. I also made my tiktok and instagram accounts more focused on books.

{ John Fish, these past days I had no inspiration, I’ve been very bored , and stressed. I always use KZfaq and was always bored. But when I saw your videos I automatically addicted. It would be an honor if you could just notice me or just say hi. }

Mistake 1) Not reading for fun. Mistake 2) Boxing myself in. Mistake 3) Not walking in. Mistake 4) Not talking about books. Didn't realize that I've been making ALL these mistakes! Helpful video as always, John :)

I am guilty of mistake 3 constantly. But I still can't make myself walk away from a book i've started.

6:00 - 7:30 when you do something it's more fun if you share it. friends can be distracting, still, that's life.