When you're an expert, why read up on your area of expertise? You don't know what you don't know. Read More Books Now!
A few years ago, I learned about some free video training on Read More Books Now created by Brandon Vogt. I watched the videos knowing that he would probably be selling a course at the end since that’s the custom these days. I committed to buying the course if it was under a certain price point.
The short video training was well done and he said many things that I agreed with. One exception was his advice to people to read while eating to read more books. Life is stressful. There has to be times when you take breaks. Eating while doing another activity can cause you to overeat.
I bought the training, “Read More Books” for an introductory price of $37. The total training is just under 100 minutes. There are 10 videos and most of them are less than 10 minutes long.
Read More Books: Why Experts Need to Build on Their Expertise
After watching all the videos in the training program, I can safely say that I already knew 95 percent of what he had to say. But I think the five percent is worth the $37. Most people who read this blog know that I know a lot about books and reading. Some of you may be asking, “So, why take the course?” I don’t know what I don't know.
After watching Brandon Vogt’s training on Reading More Books, I can say his audience are people who do not read books or those who want to step up their reading a notch. Since taking this training program over five years ago, I have learned so much more.
Further Reading
Famous Personal Libraries Inspire Reading
You Don't Have to Agree with Everything While Building on Your Expertise
In one of the video teasers to entice people to buy his training, he mentioned that to read more books, read while eating. My comment is that meal times are community building time. And also when you read while eating you tend to overeat.
In the paid training, Vogt clarified that you should read more books while eating alone. I still have issues with that, you will overeat if you are doing other things while eating. I do not understand society’s obsession with multitasking. The studies show that multitasking doesn’t work.
The other thing I object strongly to, is his advice to have a book on the passenger seat to read while waiting in traffic. I usually have a book with me, so I read while riding the subway. And I have missed my stop countless times because I was so engrossed in the book. Can you imagine reading while waiting in traffic?
Now that I have gotten that off my chest, I am glad that I got the program because it reminded me that I have to reread How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading (A Touchstone book)
by Mortimer Adler. I read This book a few years ago. Several times I have mentioned that How to Read a Book is one of those books you have to read more than once to digest all the great information.
I particularly liked the section in Vogt training where he devoted a video to x-raying a book, which he took from Adler’s book. I will definitely read that section again. Brandon Vogt tells you how to start a personal library. I wrote a post on the topic. However, he mentions that you can get great books at estate sales and buying used books from Amazon. I didn’t have those tips in my blog post.
Related Post
Leveraging Other People's Knowledge
Vogt also deals with reading broadly, which I have talked about extensively here. But he also spends time advising you on using different formats of reading such as print, audio and e-books to mix things up. Listening to audio books put me to sleep. But if I listen to them at twice the speed, that forces me to stay awake because it audio sounds weird. Perhaps audio books will work for you.
He also recommends that readers read a stack of different books at the same time because the topics will rarely blur into each other. I know several people who love this approach. However, this doesn’t work for me. I do not finish any of them because I feel scattered. I have to read a book a time. When you using any training program to build on your expertise, take what works for you and toss out the rest.
Read More Books Now, is a program that I was qualified to create. But didn’t, Brandon Vogt did, and he deserves accolades.
Read More Books: What Avil is Adding to the Conversation
I bought Brandon Vogt's Read More Books, and wrote this review over five years ago. During that time I have learned a lot of strategies for people to read more books. Here are a few of the things that I have learned.
- Treat each book individually. Some books you can get all you need simply by previewing it. And other books, while previewing, you'll see chapters and sections that you must read.
- Write down your one-sentence purpose for reading every book. Make note of information that aligns with your purpose for reading the book.
- When reading books, apply the 80/20 Rule. Reading 20 percent of the book allows you to understand 80 percent of the text. Previewing allows you to determine which 20 percent of the book to focus on.
- When listening to audio books, listen to them at one-and-one-half times or twice the speed. Your brain can digest the information faster than the narrator speaks.
- Read the book while listening to the audio book, you'll digest the book faster.
- Before you read a nonfiction book, read a book summary of it. This gives you an understanding of what is about and you'll end up reading the book faster.
It’s important to have different perspectives on books. If you’re not a reader, you can find a synopsis of many books from Readitforme that you can listen to. Click the link to join. This is a great way to learn the latest thinking on many topics.
The most accomplished people use books as problem solving tools. They carve out the time in their schedule to find solutions in the pages of a book. Let me help you to solve your own problems. Additionally, this program helps you to learn valuable career skills. Click the link MoreReads Individual Leadership Development Program to buy.
How to Read Literature Like a Professor
How to Read a BookHow to Read and WhyMake It StickTeach Yourself How to LearnLearning How to Learn
If someone clicks on a link and buys something from Amazon, the company will pay me a small commission.
Related Reading to Support Reading More Books Now
How to Remember 90% of Everything You Learn
A New Way to Think about Reading Books
Speed Reading: Collection of Articles to Help You Read Faster
Make a choice, stick to it, pace yourself!
How to Read 30 Books in 30 Days
The 10% Rule: How to Read More Than 42+ Books a Year
How to Read 40 Books a Year (the nerdy way)
16 Skills to Make Your Reading More Productive
6 important things you should know about how your brain learns
How to Read More Books This Year Than Most People Read in Their Life – Part 1
How to Read More Books This Year Than Most People Read in Their Life – Part 2
First published in February 2015!
