Half-read

My reading style has changed dramatically since I switched from paperbacks and hardcovers to the Kindle. I used to love going to a physical book store (used or new) and browsing for works from my favorite authors or just stumbling across a book that I needed to read. I would take my time before “investing” in a new book for my collection. And once that book was home, I would tend to read it from cover to cover immersing myself in the beauty of the words and worlds (fiction) or ideas (non-fiction).

The Kindle changed everything, especially with the relatively low price point – call it $0 to $4.99 to try a new author. Now I have dozens have half-read books on my Kindle. Some I will eventually finished, but others, I’m not so sure. Some rare e-books, I have read several times (as I would with the physical versions), but many I’ve invested only 10 or 15 pages and not the 100+ that I would have committed to for a physical book. And I’m not sure what’s really changed. I don’t know whether it’s just I’m simply more focused on my time being my single most limited resource on this planet; and, therefore, I am trying to use it more thoughtfully, or whether there is something about the e-book experience that is different somehow.

Here are a few of the books I actually plan to finish, since I think they will be worth the commitment:

Conscious Coaching – by Brett Bartholomew. I started this one while doing my Precision Nutrition Level 2 Certification but never quite finished it.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead – by Brene Brown. I’ve actually read this one in full, once, but it deserves a complete re-read as I wasn’t ready the first time around.

The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline – By Dale Breseden. Back when I was still a scientist, I remember sitting on study section panels where Dale Breseden’s research was reviewed. His grants were always interesting and compelling. I started reading this, and remember it was fantastically written especially in terms of communicating complex science in a comprehensible fashion without losing the subtleties. It takes great talent for a scientist to communicate in this way. In this case, the details and nuances are critical. And given that all of my grandparents who lived to 80+ had some kind of senility/dementia, this is potentially important work to me personally. For some reason, I have never actually finished it. I will.

Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope – by Mark Manson. I loved his first book in this series (of course I bought the hardcover version). I’m about half-way through but lost my momentum on this one. I’ll get back to it. I love his writing, and am subscribed to his newsletters and such.

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself – by Kristin Neff. This was another book recommended by Precision Nutrition during the level 2 certification, that I skimmed through during training but need to read again now that I think I am more ready for the lessons. Maybe.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – by James Clear. So I’m about half-way through one. I own it both hardcover and the Kindle version (I really wanted this book!). I love his writing, and have read almost every single one of his online articles, which might be why I’m struggling to finish the book. While the content is excellent, I’ve read most of it in some form before. But I will finish it, eventually.

How about you? Do you prefer a physical book – paperback or hardcover? Or do you love the flexibility of easily carrying hundreds of books with you at a time on a Kindle or similar device? Have your reading habits changed with the advent of e-books? What books are on your list to finish?

Day 23, #BlogPals19