I just read few non-fiction books.

I wanted to share my experience with you.

After reading few non-fiction books in short period of time I have realized that only a fraction of the information in these books is important.

If we apply the Pareto principle to this:

20% of Non-Fiction book produce 80% value of the book. or

Only 20% content inside Non-Fiction book is valuable.

If that is true, why we bother reading non-fiction at all?

All we need to do is to get important information’s from the book.

How to get only valuable information’s from non-fiction book?

We live in a digital age where it’s easy to find what’s important in any popular book.

We can easily find lot of summaries in different forms: blog posts, videos, slideshare presentations etc.

Here are some great examples of that from popular books:

or

or

http://charlesholmes.net/2013/05/summary-of-rich-dad-poor-dad/

What to do instead of reading non-fiction books?

We actually read entire book thinking that working hard on reading will benefit us in the way we will remember more important information’s from the book.

If we easily get the info’s without facts to support these information’s we will not remember it as important information’s.

I think that I need to focus more on practicing, teaching and writing about important information’s from non-fiction books.

Just reading books, even with taking notes will not do it.

Selective ignorance of information’s

Also great example of nice visual summary of book: 4 hour work week visual summary

I also agree with Tim Ferris about low information diet, but only after a certain age.

I think we should selectively ignore information’s (this includes non-fiction books) which we don’t need today.

Practicing this too early in life can have negative results.

Reading fiction books

I am a big believer that reading fiction books, improve creativity, innovativity and intelligence.

Cognitive psychologist and fiction writer, Dr. Keith Oatley and other researchers have discovered that fiction activates and improves the cognitive functions that allow us to thrive socially.

So I’ll try to read more fiction books in the next period.

If you like this article don’t forget to subscribe to this blog and make sure you don’t miss new upcoming blog posts.