5 Years of Reading 50 Books a Year: Results, Lessons and Tips 250+ Books Later

Nearly everyone struggles with fatigue, poor focus, and cluttered thoughts at some point. For some high-functioning individuals, these conditions are almost paradoxically regular. Science suggests these issues aren't always purely physical health-related; they can also stem from a lack of intellectual and emotional stimulation. We're not exposed to ideas that ignite us and that is some of what genuinely upsets our bodies and minds.

Our brains crave engagement with big ideas and meaningful human stories. In fact, research shows that certain regions of the brain can underdevelop or even shrink over time when deprived of consistent emotional and cognitive stimulation. Discovering that this is a very real, physical- not just metaphorical- manifestation left a strong impression on me.

While some people may need this kind of mental nourishment more than others, the absence of meaningful intellectual engagement in modern life can profoundly impact our inner world and limit our potential.

Here’s some of what I’ve learned.

1. Stamina

The capacity to read is like a muscle: it strengthens with time and practice.

In 2019, I was reading a book a month, two at most. My interests were (and still are) rooted in politics, history, and literary realism. Today, I find myself also drawn to folklore, futuristic perspectives, and the sociology of work, art, and health. What ties these threads together is curiosity and a belief in the power of multi-disciplinarity.

Some books would captivate me so deeply I'd devour them in days, only to feel overwhelmed afterward. My introverted self needed time to sit with the ideas, to let them settle. But the kind of growth and acceleration I wanted in life required a faster pace; and that faster pace, I came to realize, actually suited me. It might suit others too.

Additionally, I was completely unable to concentrate on audio materials for more than 20 minutes. Now, I find myself able to listen to audio narration for hours. Of course, narrators vary in style and performance, but the skill has drastically improved.

Still, it’s perfectly normal to go through weeks or even months when you simply don’t have the headspace to read. This is especially true when you're awaiting the outcome of a major life event; like moving to another country, hearing back from job applications, or navigating personal transitions. In those moments, give yourself kindness and patience.

2. Habits

Five years into this challenge, very little comes between me and my reading time. That matters because many people feel they don't have the time or mental space for reading. And while that feeling is valid, often we're not protecting our own time the way we should.

I’ve found that reading either right after waking up or right before bed works best for my mental clarity. These are my ideal windows of time for physical books. Meanwhile, audiobooks pair well with time at the gym or while running errands around town, especially as someone who really feels nearly helpless in Amman's traffic.

3. Speaking

Reading improves our ability to speak—not just by expanding our vocabulary, but by helping us shape our thoughts. It offers us new words, fresh ways of observing, and alternative methods of expression. Language becomes a toolkit: different garments tailored for different audiences, moments, and moods.

Here are a few ideas I highlighted from past reads:

• Time management vs. Structuring our waking time, Ego issues vs. Nurturing injured feelings → Games People Play by Eric Berne.

• Meaningless vs. Void, Lack of community engagement vs. Alienation → The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a break sometimes from speaking in 'corporate' or 'professional'?

4. Knowledge

Most of what we “know” is shaped by what and who we’re surrounded by. Reading expands your perspective beyond your immediate circle and the resources around you.

Moreover, let's take this line from A Room of One's Own: “I thought of that old gentleman... who never forgave any woman for educating herself.” The absence of guidance isn’t accidental. It’s generational gatekeeping, too.

The phrase "I don't know what I don't know" becomes real when you consider that someone has already written a book, years or a lifetime’s worth of insight, on exactly that gap or hidden spot. ~350 pages of what you didn’t know and could grant you more personal joy, financial freedom, and knowledge to make life decisions. Wouldn’t you want that for yourself, and the people around you?

5. Imagination

A challenged or an underdeveloped imagination can leave us without answers or solutions. It can stop us from envisioning alternatives and hold us in place. Imagination helps us begin to solve. If you’re especially creative or empathetic, then your imagination is either your mind’s heaven or its hell. And what we feed it matters.

Often, what scares us about the future is not the unknown itself, but our inability to picture it. That's why creating scenarios, whether a part of Futures Studies or a personal life exercise eases what's next while we wait, especially to imagine the paths which lead to contentment, safety, or change.

Think of imagination like importing multiple books, essays, and stories into ChatGPT. Of course the responses improve, so imagine the impact on a human brain, filled with nuance, emotion, and potential. That’s what books offer us.

What This Self-Challenge Is Not

Reading more than the person next to you doesn’t make you an intellectual, and them, simple-minded.

If your challenge is primarily rooted in outperforming others rather than areas of your own self, that imbalance will leak into other areas of your growth and relationships. It's not a good place to be.

It’s great to set a numeric goal, but think of that number as the climbing hold, not the the prize. Otherwise, it turns into a race against time, ego, and emotional bandwidth.

Practical Tips

• Start by doubling your current yearly total. Make it realistic. Leave room for joy, slowness, and deep learning. If you find that you're reading less but more nuanced or diverse books, let it be and enjoy the phase.

• Apps like Goodreads are great for discovering new books, seeing what like-minded users enjoy, and tracking your own progress- especially if gamification helps you stay on track.

• If physical books feel overwhelming or tiring, try audiobooks, visual novels, or poetry.

Closing Thoughts

Will you remember everything you've read? Every book, every idea? No, you won’t—and I used to worry about that a lot. I wanted to hold on tightly to the insights that moved me, fearing they might slip away over time.

Then I came across an Arabic anecdote that stayed with me, though I can’t find the exact source now. A student asks his teacher, “What’s the point of reading and learning if I’m just going to forget it later?” The teacher replies, “You will forget—but it will have already become part of you. It will live in your skin, your hair, your tongue, and your bones.”

In other words, even the knowledge we forget shapes us and becomes a part of us.

Let the journey be about self-growth, enjoyment, and quality time with yourself. Approach it with curiosity, not with insecurity or comparison. Happy exploring!