Read Faster. Read Better. Read More.
Welcome to the Read More section of The Art of Living. If you’re here, there’s a good chance it’s for one of three reasons:
- You’re trying to decide what to read next;
- You’re looking for well-written book summaries; or
- You want to read faster and retain more of what you read.
Well, good news! You’re in the right place for all three.
The first thing to do is check out my 10-step effective-reading cheat sheet. To get it, use the form above. N.B., This is exactly the same 10-step process I use to write the many book summaries you’ll find here on The Art of Living.
After that, bookmark this page and take your time exploring the recommended tools, reading lists, book summaries and articles on reading more below. If you want to read more this year, there aren’t many better places to start.
- Amazon Audible – I always recommend reading with your eyes. But there are times when holding a book just isn’t practical. Or when listening to a book, read by its author, adds something unique (like this one). That’s when Audible becomes awesome. PLUS you currently get two FREE audiobooks with a free trial so it’s basically a no-brainer.
- Kindle Paperwhite – The best way to read more is to always have a good book close by. I know you love paper. Me too. But I would probably read 75% fewer books each year if I didn’t have my trusty Kindle to hand, 24/7.
Book Recommendations (A – Z):
One of the best ways to read more this year is to read from good, curated lists. And that’s exactly what you’ll find below. These are my reading lists. The ones that I’ve spent hours researching and putting together from other lists, my own reading and expert recommendations. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Book Summaries (A – Z):
Syntheses, summaries and notes on some of the best books ever written (or just ones I wanted to read!) in anything from 500 to 10k words. Anything you enjoy in my writing or thinking almost certainly started somewhere here.
10,000 Years of Art Summary – Phaidon Press
3 MINUTE READ | The perfect handbook for anyone interested in a perspective on the history and progression of art, across the world and over 10,000 years – by the wonderful team at Phaidon Press.
Topics: Art
Acres of Diamonds Summary – Russell H. Conwell
1 MINUTE READ | Acres of Diamonds is a short, inspirational reminder that all you need for success, wealth and happiness can be found right in front of you and that the grass is always green where you water it - by minister, orator and founder of Temple University, Russell H. Conwell.
Topics: Thoughts & Emotions
Apology Summary – Plato
9 MINUTE READ | Apology contains three powerful speeches made by Socrates, a founder of Western Philosophy, in his final defence of wisdom, excellence and his life – by Socrates’s student, Aristotle’s teacher and eminent Greek philosopher, Plato.
Topics: Growth & Learning
As a Man Thinketh Summary – James Allen
4 MINUTE READ | As a Man Thinketh is THE #1 ranking, uplifting, pocket-sized pep-talk on the power and importance of changing your thoughts as the cornerstone to changing your life – by philosopher and prolific self-help author, James Allen.
Topics: Thoughts & Emotions
Being Mortal Summary – Atul Gawande
2 MINUTE READ | Being Mortal is an uncomfortable yet enlightening exploration of how treating terminal disease (especially linked to ageing) as a purely extend-life-at-all-costs medical problem is destroying the final moments of our lives - by surgeon and best selling author, Atul Gawande.
Topics: Health & Vitality
Black Box Thinking Summary – Matthew Syed
4 MINUTE READ | Black Box Thinking is a fascinating account of how cognitive biases and fixed mindsets cause individuals and institutions to fail to learn from their mistakes (and what to do about it) - by athlete and author, Matthew Syed.
Topics: Growth & Learning
Born to Run Summary – Christopher McDougall
1 MINUTE READ | Born to Run takes takes running back to its roots in this critically acclaimed analysis of evolution, injury and recovery that is filled with compelling insights, great story telling and practical tips - by best-selling author and journalist, Christopher McDougall.
Topics: Health & Vitality
Bounce Summary – Matthew Syed
10 MINUTE READ | A thoughtful investigation into the primacy of practice and mindset over talent when learning and mastering new skills - by top-ranked table tennis champion and journalist, Matthew Syed.
Topics: Growth & Learning
Braiding Sweetgrass Summary – Robin Wall Kimmerer
7 MINUTE READ | Braiding Sweetgrass is an elegant collection of hopeful, moving, and wistfully funny essays about the natural world. It's also a celebration of our reciprocal relationship to the planet - by botanist, teacher, and indigenous scientist, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. Topics:
Can’t Hurt Me Summary – David Goggins
11 MINUTE READ | Can't Hurt Me is a powerful, uplifting, part-how-to, part-memoir that'll pick you up by your collar, help you take control of your life circumstances and kick your victim mentality to the curb - by endurance athlete and retired Navy SEAL, David Goggins.
Topics: Thoughts & Emotions
Codependent No More Summary – Melody Beattie
12 MINUTE READ | Codependent No More is the definitive book on codependency, clarifying what it is, why so many struggle with it, and most importantly, how to overcome it — by former codependent and beloved self-help author Melody Beattie.
Topics: Love & Partnership
Crucial Conversations Summary – Kerry Patterson et al.
11 MINUTE READ | Crucial Conversations is the New York Times bestselling #1 guide to healthy dialogue about complex issues, full of practical tips to help you understand and improve your communication skills - by communication experts, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Joseph Grenny, and Al Switzler.
Topics: Family & Friends
Deep Work Summary – Cal Newport
8 MINUTE READ | Deep Work is a timely reminder of the value of deep, focussed work and the dangers of losing yourself in the shallows of entertainment and distraction - by author and computer science professor, Cal Newport.
Topics: Productivity & Performance
Eating Animals Summary – Jonathan Safran Foer
1 MINUTE READ | Eating Animals is a part-memoir, part-investigative-journalism philosophical dive into the darkest corners of our dining habits in this fascinating exploration of what we eat and why - by novelist and nonfiction author, Jonathan Safran Foer.
Topics: Health & Vitality
Effortless Mastery Summary – Kenny Werner
3 MINUTE READ | An inspirational and practical guide for advanced and expert practitioners in any field on finding mastery by getting out of your head and surrendering to your art - by jazz pianist and composer, Kenny Werner.
Topics: Growth & Learning
Financial Peace Revisited Summary – Dave Ramsey
3 MINUTE READ | Financial Peace Revisited is an approachable, practical guide to getting out of debt and unlocking your financial freedom no matter who you are or where you're starting from - by personal finance guru, radio host and businessman, Dave Ramsey.
Topics: Wealth & Lifestyle
Goals Summary – Brian Tracy
1 MINUTE READ | Goals! was the first book I ever read on productivity and probably the most readable and complete guide to goal-setting ever written - by sales legend and time-management master, Brian Tracy.
Topics: Productivity & Performance
How Not to Die Summary – Dr. Michael Greger
7 MINUTE READ | How Not to Die is a deeply researched and compelling primer on the promise and importance of whole food plant-based nutrition in preventing and reversing disease - by medical doctor and nutrition expert, Michael Greger.
Topics: Health & Vitality
Make It Stick Summary – Peter C. Brown et al.
Make It Stick is filled with tools, strategies and stories to help students, teachers and trainers learn more effectively based on 10 years of collaboration between 11 cognitive psychologists - collected and synthesised by author Peter Brown and psychology researchers Henry Roediger and Mark McDaniel.
Topics: Growth & Learning
Mastery Summary – Robert Greene
6 MINUTE READ | An exploration of Mastery - its benefits, principles and strategies - enriched with instructive and inspirational biographies of historical and contemporary masters - by modern-day Machiavelli and author Robert Greene.
Topics: Growth & Learning
Meditations Summary – Marcus Aurelius
8 MINUTE READ | Meditations is a humbling and thought-provoking insight into the stoic mindset of one of history's greatest leaders and thinkers - by Roman emperor, philosopher and example to us all, Marcus Aurelius.
Topics: Thoughts & Emotions
On Writing Well Summary – William Zinsser
10 MINUTE READ | On Writing Well is a book so brimming with literary wisdom that it feels like you're clutching a living brain. Writing, about writing, for writers - by writer, editor, critic, teacher and captain of the craft, William Zinsser.
Topics: Business & Career
Outliers Summary – Malcolm Gladwell
3 MINUTE READ | Outliers systematically debunks the myth that success is only determined by talent and hard-work - with quantitative and qualitative evidence from medicine, sport, business, history, music, science and more - by journalist and author, Malcolm Gladwell.
Topics: Growth & Learning
Start With Why Summary – Simon Sinek
14 MINUTE READ | Start With Why is a simple guide to building successful companies and becoming a best-in-class leader by asking and answering three simple questions: Why, How and What - by motivational speaker and business consultant, Simon Sinek.
Topics: Business & Career
Starting Strength Summary – Mark Rippetoe
2 MINUTE READ | Starting Strength is a well-illustrated, detailed and time-tested guide to mastering the most important barbell exercises you need to get strong, fast without injuring yourself - by strength training coach and author, Mark Rippetoe.
Topics: Health & Vitality
The 5 Love Languages Summary – Gary Chapman
6 MINUTE READ | The 5 Love Languages is a concise, actionable and time-tested guide to letting others know they are loved and feeling loved and appreciated in return - by best-selling author, pastor and marriage counsellor, Gary Chapman.
Topics: Love & Partnership
The Alchemist Summary – Paulo Coelho
10 MINUTE READ | The Alchemist is a spiritual seeker's go-to novel for inspiring you to follow your dreams. Develop your character with the alchemy of spirit and the signs of the omens. No matter how far you travel, your personal legend waits within – by visionary author, Paulo Coelho.
Topics: Thoughts & Emotions
The Art of War Summary – Sun Tzu
9 MINUTE READ | The Art of War is THE classic guide to military strategy that has inspired soldiers, politicians and business leaders worldwide for millennia. Its timeless (and time-tested) lessons in outthinking and outflanking your adversaries are as valuable in the boardroom as on the battlefield - by Chinese Qi Dynasty military general and master strategist, Sun Tzu.
Topics: Business & Career
The Body Summary – Bill Bryson
2 MINUTE READ | The Body is a fantastically-written and awe-inspiring 23-chapter tour through the 30 trillion cells that (literally) make you who you are - by best-selling author, Bill Bryson.
Topics: Health & Vitality
The Brain That Changes Itself Summary – Norman Doidge
2 MINUTE READ | The Brain That Changes Itself is an informative and readable journey into the history, science and consequences of recent research in neuroplasticity - the brain's incredible ability to change and reorganise itself - by psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and researcher, Norman Doidge.
Topics: Growth & Learning
The Mastery of Love Summary – Miguel Ruiz
11 MINUTE READ | The Mastery of Love is a beautiful, poetic and easy-to-read self-help book that illuminates the false and unnecessarily dramatic lives we lead, filled with fear and self-rejection, and how to wake up to our own inner power so that we can learn to love others and ourselves — by Toltec Nagual and best selling author, Don Miguel Ruiz.
Topics: Love & Partnership
The Millionaire Mind Summary – Thomas J. Stanley
4 MINUTE READ | The Millionaire Mind builds on The Millionaire Next Door by exploring EXACTLY how America's self-made, top 1% millionaires overcame obstacles like humble GPAs and rough starts - by marketing professor, author and business theorist, Thomas J. Stanley.
Topics: Wealth & Lifestyle
The Millionaire Next Door Summary – Thomas J. Stanley
2 MINUTE READ | The Millionaire Next Door is a fascinating study of the work and personal habits of America's surprisingly abundant blue-collar millionaires and PAW's (prodigious accumulator's of wealth) - by marketing professor, author and business theorist, Thomas J. Stanley.
Topics: Wealth & Lifestyle
The Obesity Code Summary – Dr. Jason Fung
9 MINUTE READ | The Obesity Code gives an amazing look at how the body uses food to create the perfect conditions for obesity and how to disrupt the cycle to create a healthier future - by kidney disease specialist, best-selling author and MD, Jason Fung.
Topics: Health & Vitality
The Power of Now Summary – Eckhart Tolle
13 MINUTE READ | The Power of Now is an intimate Q&A on enlightenment, filled with simple, yet profound wisdom on how to find deep peace and calm by simply being in the present moment - by spiritual teacher and best-selling author, Eckhart Tolle.
Topics: Thoughts & Emotions
The Psychology of Selling Summary – Brian Tracy
31 MINUTE READ | The Psychology of Selling is a powerful, motivational and practical guide to becoming one of the most successful (and highest-paid) salespeople in your company, industry and the world – by self-help legend and sales guru, Brian Tracy.
Topics: Business & Career
The Total Money Makeover Summary – Dave Ramsey
2 MINUTE READ | The Total Money Makeover is the über-practical, 7-step sequal to Financial Peace Revisited that maps out the EXACT sequence of baby steps you need to break free of debt and earn your way to freedom - by personal finance guru, radio host and businessman, Dave Ramsey.
Topics: Wealth & Lifestyle
The Wealthy Barber Summary – David Chilton
1 MINUTE READ | The Wealthy Barber maps out a simple, sure and steady path to financial success that is guaranteed to put you back on track to unlock your financial independence - by author, investor, and TV personality, David Chilton.
Topics: Wealth & Lifestyle
Thinking, Fast and Slow Summary – Daniel Kahneman
21 MINUTE READ | Thinking, Fast and Slow is a ground-breaking, best-selling exploration of the two cognitive systems that shape how we think and the cognitive biases that guide our everyday decision-making and wellbeing - by Nobel Prize winning behavioral psychologist, Daniel Kahneman.
Topics: Growth & Learning
Why We Sleep Summary – Matthew Walker
16 MINUTE READ | Why We Sleep is a fascinating and accessible guide to what sleep is, why sleep matters and how to optimise your sleep habits to live longer, feel happier and set your life up for success - by sleep scientist and best-selling author, Matthew Walker.
Topics: Health & Vitality
Writing Tools Summary – Roy Peter Clark
6 MINUTE READ | Decades of writing experience condensed into 55 highly practical tools that will help you improve every part of your writing process – by writer, editor and writing teacher, Roy Peter Clark.
Topics: Writing
Your Money or Your Life Summary – Vicki Robin
2 MINUTE READ | Your Money of Your Life is a 9-step, ultimate guide to getting out of debt, building good habits, enjoying life with less stuff and investing for maximium financial success - by author, speaker and professional finance guru, Vicki Robin.
Topics: Wealth & Lifestyle
Articles (A – Z):
In the coming years, I’ll be sharing more and more articles on how to read more, how to read well and how to remember what you read. For now, here’s a couple of thoughts to get started.
How Long Does It Take to Read 100 Pages of a Book?
3 MINUTE READ | Question: How long does it take to read 100 pages of a book? Answer: It takes about 1 hour 50 minutes to read 100 pages of a book (assuming 275 words per page and an average reading speed of between 238 and 260 words per minute). Why those assumptions? Here’s the detail…
Topics: Reading
How Long Does It Take to Read 200 Pages of a Book?
3 MINUTE READ | Question: How long does it take to read 200 pages of a book? Answer: It takes about 3 hours 41 minutes to read 200 pages of a book (assuming 275 words per page and an average reading speed of between 238 and 260 words per minute). Why those assumptions? Here’s the detail…
Topics: Reading
How Long Does It Take to Read 300 Pages of a Book?
3 MINUTE READ | Question: How long does it take to read 300 pages of a book? Answer: It takes about 5 hours 31 minutes to read 300 pages of a book (assuming 275 words per page and an average reading speed of between 238 and 260 words per minute). Why those assumptions? Here’s the detail…
Topics: Reading
How Long Does It Take to Read 400 Pages of a Book?
3 MINUTE READ | Question: How long does it take to read 400 pages of a book? Answer: It takes about 7 hours 22 minutes to read 400 pages of a book (assuming 275 words per page and an average reading speed of between 238 and 260 words per minute). Why those assumptions? Here’s the detail…
Topics: Reading
Recommend a Book:
One of my all-time favourite things to wake up to is a really good book recommendation.
If you’ve read something recently that changed your life and that you’d like to share – get in touch. I’d genuinely love to hear from you.
Until then, I hope you found something here today that helped you in your journey.
Good luck, go well, and good reading,
Arthur “Read More and Read Well” Worsley