The Growth Series [Part 4]: How Books Boost Your Learning and Growth
Working in software comes with a unique challenge — the need to constantly keep up. Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, with new tools and frameworks emerging almost daily. While this can feel overwhelming at times, it also presents a great opportunity for continuous learning and improvement. There are countless ways to expand your knowledge in this fast-moving field, and one of the most timeless and effective methods is through books.
In this part of my ongoing growth series, I'll explore the benefits of learning through books. Is it a good approach? What’s the best way to make the most out of it? And which books are worth your time? I'll dive into these questions, and by the end of this post, I hope you'll share the same enthusiasm for learning through books that I do.
Why Books Beat Videos for Retention
If you've read the previous articles in my growth series, you’ll know that I’ve already discussed learning through online courses and YouTube videos. So, naturally, you might wonder: Why should I read a book when I can just watch a video about the same topic?
Personally, I use both methods, but there’s a reason I sometimes prefer books over videos. It comes down to how we process information. There’s a natural limit to how much we can absorb at once, and the faster the information is presented, the less likely it is to stick. Books allow you to control the pace of learning, helping the material to sink in more deeply. But that's not the only advantage.
When I read, I naturally go at a slower pace compared to most videos. But this slower pace has its benefits. It allows me to pause, reflect on what I’ve just read, and maybe even take notes or explore a concept in more depth. While I could do the same with videos, I’ve noticed that I rarely do. For some reason, pausing a video feels disruptive, and I tend to push through, thinking I can take notes while watching. However, this rarely works well—I often end up with messy notes and missing key points from the video.
This is one of the key advantages of reading books, in my opinion. It allows you to move through the material at a slower, more deliberate pace, which helps you engage more deeply with the content.
Another advantage books have over videos is that they are thoroughly reviewed and come with detailed resources and references. Think about it—when was the last time you checked a reference in a video? Videos sometimes mention studies or sources, but they often don't clearly cite where the information is coming from. This makes it harder to verify if their sources are reliable.
While this can happen with books too, the key difference is that books must go through a rigorous review process. Authors need to convince a publisher, not just the reader, and part of that process involves properly citing their sources.
Mastering the Art of Book Selection
When you're looking to learn something new, you might decide to find a book on the topic. In my experience, there’s no shortage of books available, no matter the subject. For example, if you want to dive into AI, you could easily find yourself staring at a selection of what feels like two million books on the topic. And that brings us to the first problem—there’s almost too much choice!
When you're trying to learn something new and want to buy a book on the subject, it’s often better to be as specific as possible in your search. If you're interested in science, for example, ask yourself which branch of science, and then narrow it down further to a specific area within that field. This approach can be especially challenging if you're new to the topic, and the search can become overwhelming. You might even lose interest after spending too much time trying to find the “perfect” book.
However, don’t focus on finding the one "perfect" book. Instead, treat the search as the beginning of your learning journey. Yes, some books may not resonate with you, but even from those, you’ll learn what doesn’t work for you. Was it the book’s structure? The author’s writing style? This experience will help you refine your preferences over time. Ultimately, the goal is to enjoy the process of growth, rather than grinding your way through it just to gain knowledge.
How to Make Reading Part of Your Day
So, you’ve finally found a book that interests you, and now it’s time to dive in and absorb all the information. You place the book on your nightstand, with the goal of reading a few pages before bed each night. But what happens? You’re too tired, or just not in the mood to read. Soon, the book starts gathering dust, and you begin to wonder how others manage to read regularly and why it’s such a struggle for you.
I made the same mistake in the past, until I learned how to approach my reading more effectively. If reading more is your goal, you need to treat it like any other goal you want to achieve. Don’t expect it to just happen naturally. For example, if you want to get in shape, you wouldn’t just toss your workout clothes in the corner and hope that seeing them will magically motivate you to exercise. No, you would set aside a specific time for your workouts and mark it in your calendar. The same applies to reading. You need to dedicate time for it and make it part of your routine.
You should approach reading the same way you would a workout—a workout for your mind. If you truly want to read and learn more from books, dedicate specific time to it. Block out a time in your calendar, whether it’s an hour, 30 minutes, or even just 10 minutes. The important thing is to give your full attention and focus to reading during that time. Eventually, it will become a habit, and you might not even need to block the time anymore—just like how fit people go to the gym because they enjoy it.
I like to set aside a specific time each day for reading—ideally, the first half hour of my morning. Of course, this can be disrupted by urgent work tasks or family obligations, but more often than not, you’ll find time to read if you prioritize it. Trust me. Over time, this practice will turn into a habit, and you’ll realize that it’s consistency, not willpower, that drives success.
I also like to bring a notebook with me, just in case I need it. There are many different approaches to note-taking, and this could be an entire blog post in itself. If you're interested, let me know in the comments and I’ll be happy to dive into this topic!
As for my own process, I prefer taking notes either in a small notebook or directly in the book. At first, I struggled with the idea of writing in a book, but once I started, I realized how beneficial it can be. You can jot down your thoughts and questions as you go, and later revisit those sections for deeper exploration.
It’s Okay to Put Down a Book
As you start reading more, you’ll begin to notice a common pattern: most non-fiction books can be boiled down to two or three main ideas. This is true for many books, and when people realize this, they often feel discouraged, thinking it’s not worth the effort for just a “little bit of information.” But the truth is, good books present these core ideas through engaging stories, insights, and related topics that make the experience worthwhile.
In my opinion, the best books grab your attention from the first page, and before you know it, you're already halfway through. That said, not every book will achieve this. Some books simply fail to capture your interest, so don’t expect to be blown away by everything you pick up. The key is to keep exploring and find the ones that resonate with you.
Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because a book is popular, you have to like it. While it's true that a New York Times bestseller might have a higher chance of appealing to you, there's still a possibility it won’t resonate. It could be the writing style or simply the topic that doesn’t click with you. So, be prepared for the fact that even highly recommended or popular books might not be your cup of tea—and that's perfectly okay! Don’t hesitate to acknowledge when a book isn’t for you.
This mindset leads to another important aspect of reading…
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned about reading is that it’s okay to give up—not on reading itself, but on a book that’s not working for you. If you find yourself struggling through a book you don’t enjoy, it’s perfectly fine to stop and move on to something else. This might seem obvious to some, but for me, there was always this need to finish a book, even if I hated it, only to feel frustrated afterward for wasting my time. Now, I’ve realized that it’s better to leave a book unfinished than to force myself through it. It’s much more rewarding to spend that time on a book that truly engages you.
You can even skip chapters if a particular section doesn’t interest you. Many books are structured in a way that allows for this flexibility. The main message I want to share is to enjoy the process of reading and learning. Don’t get stuck in the mindset that you must finish every book or chapter—it’s not about ticking off boxes; it’s about enriching your knowledge and enjoying the journey.
Choosing Your Format
This is a common question I get when I tell people I enjoy reading: Do you have a Kindle? Do you prefer physical books? What’s the best approach?
The truth is, there’s no "best" approach—it really comes down to personal preference. For me, I use both. I own a Kindle, but I also have plenty of physical books. It depends on the situation. For example, when I’m reading in bed, I prefer the lightweight feel of the Kindle. But there’s something motivating about having a physical book in hand—it’s more tangible, and sometimes just seeing it reminds me to pick it up and read.
Of course, the convenience of carrying a small Kindle around is a huge advantage, especially when traveling or commuting. But at the same time, I love the experience of wandering through a bookstore, discovering new books in a way that browsing Amazon just can’t replicate.
So, there’s no specific answer to the question of which is better—it depends on your preferences, your environment, and even your mood. Try both and see what works for you!
Books as a Tool for Lifelong Learning and Discovery
In my opinion, books are an incredible resource for learning new things. It doesn’t matter whether you're reading a highly specialized book on Software Testing, a popular science book about physics, or even a novel—every book can offer nuggets of wisdom if you pay attention.
What I personally love most is the pace of reading. You control it. You can dive deep into a subject at your own speed. There have been many books I thought I would breeze through, only to find myself researching more in-depth after each chapter. These books sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to expand my knowledge beyond their pages. This kind of engagement is what keeps me coming back to books.
Books are a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning. It’s not about how fast you get through them, but about enjoying the journey and becoming wiser with each page.