10 Rules to Read More Books

Ali Abdaal
Ali AbdaalApr 2, 2026

Why It Matters

By turning idle moments into reading opportunities and removing digital temptations, the approach empowers professionals to consume more knowledge without sacrificing productivity, directly enhancing personal development and competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways

  • Keep a Kindle on bedside; charge phone elsewhere.
  • Prioritize reading apps on home screen; hide social media.
  • Use audiobooks during chores or commute to create extra time.
  • Read multiple books simultaneously to match mood and energy.
  • Gamify reading with tracking tools like Goodreads for motivation.

Summary

The video outlines a practical framework for dramatically increasing annual book consumption by reshaping both physical and digital environments. It begins with the "pillow rule"—placing a Kindle on the nightstand and charging the phone outside the bedroom—to eliminate nighttime screen distractions and make reading the default bedtime activity.

Subsequent rules focus on digital nudges, such as positioning the Kindle app at the top of the home screen and removing social‑media shortcuts, thereby turning every phone unlock into a reading cue. The presenter also leverages multitasking by listening to audiobooks during routine tasks like commuting or dishwashing, converting otherwise idle minutes into productive reading time.

Key anecdotes include abandoning a three‑month slog through *Sapiens* in favor of parallel reading, and the advice to "read what you love until you love to read," which encourages starting with engaging, low‑effort fiction before tackling denser works. The speaker also highlights gamification via Goodreads syncing, noting how visible progress metrics boost motivation.

Overall, the strategy blends habit‑stacking, environment design, and technology to create surplus reading minutes, offering a scalable model for busy professionals seeking continuous learning and personal growth.

Original Description

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Hey friends, if you're struggling to read more books (or find yourself doomscrolling instead), this video is for you. I'm sharing 10 rules that have helped me read consistently over the years, from designing my environment to make reading effortless, to giving myself permission to abandon boring books. These aren't about productivity hacks or speed reading, they're about actually enjoying the process and building a habit that sticks. Hope you enjoy xx
🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
📘 The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman: https://geni.us/WoRNUF
📗 Dark Age by Pierce Brown: https://geni.us/tBC6
📕 Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: https://geni.us/fourthwingbook
📙 The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan / Brandon Sanderson: https://geni.us/J55dAN
⌚️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:07 - Rule 01
01:37 - Rule 02
02:59 - Rule 03
05:38 - Rule 04
06:44 - Rule 05
07:31 - Rule 06
09:02 - Rule 07
10:09 - Rule 08
12:08 - Rule 09
13:09 - Rule 10
PS: I donate 10% of my income to charity every year. Would you like to join me? Learn more about the 10% Pledge: https://aliabdaal.com/giving-what-we-can/

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