I am not a huge fan of reading novels — especially those that are entirely fictional. I have mostly read self-help or informative books such as history, science, etc. I often felt I was wasting time if I read a purely fictional book. I used to think: if I want fiction, why not watch a movie? But recently, my perspective shifted. The last two fictional books I read — The Nightingale and The Great Alone — were not purely fictional. The historical events and places in them were real, and the stories were inspired by true contexts. It was a combination of information and storytelling, boosting both imagination and wisdom. After many years away from novels, picking up these two changed my understanding. In retrospect, they taught me a lot, and I wanted to share that in this blog.

Focus

Think of focus as a skill you need to keep brushing. Without it, you will not be able to excel in any field. Those who prepare thoroughly in practice are often the ones who perform best when it truly matters, whether in war or any high-pressure situation. Use books as a medium to practice this skill — a skill you can apply to any kind of work.
In today’s fast-paced world, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have a book-reading habit. Our attention span today feels like the length of a short reel — around 10 seconds. I often catch myself watching countless short videos in just five minutes. Context switching has never been this frequent. Work life has become faster because of AI. Companies are focusing on efficiency, meaning one employee is doing more work — which means more context switching. Learning a new subject has never been easier or more precise with AI chat tools and online videos, so fewer people are reading educational books. Even if you want to, the constant digital distractions around us — the endless notifications, feeds, and alerts — don’t always allow it.

While all this may be good for company productivity, is an increasingly reduced attention span good for you? Short answer: No. Short bursts of focus can give happy moments, but the happiness is unlikely to last. While there are many ways to keep yourself engaged for longer, I recommend going old-school — books. Books keep you engaged for long stretches, provide information and knowledge, and — who knows — wisdom at some point. It’s time we push ourselves to read so we don’t forget that we have the ability to focus. If we don’t act now, it’s not unrealistic to think we gradually lose the ability to sit still and do nothing. While you consider alternative solutions that work for you, I suggest reading a book while thinking.

Unrestricted Imagination

Unlike movies, which spoon-feed imagination to the viewer, books leave it open-ended. They rely on words to describe a scene without fixing one picture in your mind. You choose the colors of the garden, the style of the home, the bustle or calm of the city — a sunlit cobblestone street in Paris, a minimalist glasshouse on a cliff, or a crowded bazaar in Marrakech — complete freedom to craft every detail as your mind sees fit. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of reading a book — especially novels. Humans are different from animals because of our ability to imagine the present and the future. It’s a skill that needs nourishment. People who read books are often strong at creative tasks. Einstein and Tesla famously conducted many experiments in thought before turning them into theories and machines.

Imagination is a skill we will gradually lose if we do not read books. The world feeds us information in absolute formats — videos, pictures, audio — leaving little room for imagination. A YouTuber wants to create a video that’s easy for anyone to understand, no matter how complex the topic. But to keep imagination alive, you must stop consuming content that spoon-feeds information.

Unlearn, Relearn

It is critical to unlearn false beliefs or outdated knowledge and replace them with accurate information. While there are many mediums for learning, books are one of the most effective. A single book can change you in subtle ways that no movie or other medium can. As human beings, we are often uncomfortable when someone challenges our belief system, but it’s essential to evolve with time. Your inner consciousness needs a strong foundation of knowledge to make even the smallest change — yes, it’s that difficult to change yourself. Even one book may not be enough; it can take a series of books just to understand what within you needs to change. Once you accept that unlearning is as important as learning, you’ll see there’s no better medium than books to achieve it.

Mental Satisfaction

In a fast-paced world where we barely feel we have choices, most of us are running on autopilot. Books are a peaceful corner where you can pause. If books do not give you mental satisfaction, then none of the above benefits matter. Eventually, whatever you do must add to your happiness. You must find a reason to love books. Think of it like meditation — you are fully present. In this blog, I’ve tried to highlight non-conventional benefits that we often ignore.

If you are a beginner, I suggest creating an account on https://www.goodreads.com/. Read top recommendations, explore editors’ choices, and set yearly reading goals. You can follow me for my reading history, reviews, and notes. Use AI heavily to find great book recommendations. Start with a book that is easy to finish. Do not give up. Read it with conviction.

Books are more than entertainment. They train focus, expand imagination, challenge beliefs, and give deep mental satisfaction. In today’s world of constant pings and distractions, reading stands out. It strengthens the mind, fuels creativity, and supports growth in ways no other medium can.