In a world dominated by passive entertainment like streaming shows, video games, and endless scrolling, cultivating a lifelong reading habit as an adult can feel daunting—but it’s one of the most rewarding investments you can make.
Reading demands active engagement, which makes it harder to start than flipping on the TV, yet it delivers profound benefits: sharper memory, better concentration, reduced stress, deeper empathy, and strategic thinking that has fueled some of history’s most accomplished leaders.
From presidents like Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt to warriors like Winston Churchill and General James Mattis, voracious reading was a cornerstone of their success.
This article explores why reading feels challenging compared to passive activities, its superior benefits for relaxation and growth, practical ways to build your lifelong reading habit, and tips for choosing your first book to kickstart the journey.
Historical Figures Who Were Known Readers and a Short Summary of Their Reading Habits
Many of history’s most dynamic leaders were insatiable readers, treating books as essential tools for personal growth, decision-making, and resilience amid demanding lives.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, amassed one of the largest personal libraries in America, with over 6,000 books that formed the foundation of the Library of Congress after he sold his collection to replace volumes lost in a fire.
He read extensively in multiple languages, covering philosophy, history, science, law, and literature, often late into the night.
Jefferson viewed reading as critical for an enlightened mind, famously advising his nephew to prioritize deep study over superficial pursuits.
Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself & all it contains rather than do an immoral act. and never suppose that in any possible situation or under any circumstances that it is best for you to do a dishonourable thing however slightly it may appear to you. whenever you are to do a thing tho’ it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, & act accordingly. Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, Paris Aug. 19. 1785, Monticello.org
Teddy Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was a legendary reader, capable of speed-reading up to three books per day even during his presidency. He devoured a vast range of genres—poetry, novels, history, natural science, philosophy, big-game hunting accounts, and works by authors like Gibbon, Darwin, and Emerson—while maintaining a flexible approach that prioritized personal interest over rigid lists.
Roosevelt integrated reading seamlessly into his hectic schedule, emphasizing enjoyment: “The one test to which I demand that they all submit is that of being interesting.” He believed books should be chosen based on individual tastes and moods, warning against forcing oneself through unappealing “great works.”1
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill treated books as companions for intellectual exploration and mental refreshment. He advocated a exploratory approach: “Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will. Read on from the first sentence that arrests the eye.”
Churchill cautioned young people against reading too many profound books too early, as first impressions are lasting and premature exposure could harden the mind against deeper appreciation later. He also recommended reading in a second language for diversion, as it engages different parts of the brain and provides restful change.2
Contemporary Business Leaders Who Are Known Readers
Many modern executives prioritize reading as part of their daily routines. For instance, leaders like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Elon Musk are known for devouring books on business, science, history, and biography—often starting their days with newspapers, reports, or books to inform decisions. While specific morning habits vary, consistent reading helps them stay ahead in fast-paced industries.3
Contemporary Military Leader: James Mattis
General James “Mad Dog” Mattis, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, built a personal library of over 7,000 books, shipping them between postings throughout his 40+ year Marine Corps career. A lifelong reader, he credited books with ensuring he was “never caught flat-footed by any situation,” providing historical insights that “light what is often a dark path ahead.”
Mattis emphasized studying history and strategy to recognize that “we face nothing new under the sun,” issuing reading lists to troops (e.g., works on Afghanistan campaigns, T.E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and classics like Rommel’s papers). He viewed reading as essential for leadership: “You stay teachable most by reading books, by reading what other people went through.”45
He wrote in his book Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead: “If you haven’t read hundreds of books, you are functionally illiterate, and you will be incompetent, because your personal experiences alone aren’t broad enough to sustain you.”
Some of the favorite books of Mad Dog Mattis include “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius, “Rise and Fall of the Great Powers” by Paul Kennedy, and “Diplomacy” and “World Order’ by Henry Kissinger to name a few.
These figures prove that even the busiest adults can make reading a non-negotiable habit, yielding outsized returns in wisdom and effectiveness.
The Problem: Why Reading Is Hard Compared to Passive Activities
Passive entertainment like watching TV shows, sports, video games, or scrolling social media requires minimal effort—the content is delivered instantly, with visuals, sound, and algorithms designed to hook attention through dopamine hits and low cognitive load. These activities allow multitasking, provide immediate gratification, and demand no sustained focus or imagination.
Reading, by contrast, is an active process: you must decode words, visualize scenes, follow complex arguments, and maintain concentration without external stimulation.
Distractions (phones, notifications) easily derail it, and there’s no instant reward—progress feels slow, especially with dense material.
For adults out of practice, it can initially feel frustrating or boring, requiring discipline to push through the “activation energy” barrier that passive options bypass entirely.
The Data Proves Out that Reading is Hard
Pew surveyed 1,502 U.S. adults in early 2021 and found that 23% of Americans didn’t read a single book (print, ebook, or audiobook) in the past year—the exact same number as in 2014. No progress, no decline.
Men and women have nearly statistically identical non-reading rates. You’re not “behind” as a guy—roughly the same percentage of guys and ladies skipped books entirely. (So if you’re feeling guilty about stacking unread books on the nightstand, half the battle is just being human, not “a guy thing.”)
What actually predicts if a man is a non-reader?
- Education is king: Only 11% of college grads read zero books → jumps to 39% if your highest degree is high school or less. The single biggest gap.
- Income: Guys earning under $30k/year → 31% read nothing. Over $75k → drops to 15%.
- Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic men → 38% non-readers (highest group). Black men → 25%. White men → 20%.
- Age: Older dudes (50+) slightly more likely to read zero than younger ones, but the difference isn’t huge.
- Where you live: Urban/suburban/rural—no real difference.
Bottom line for men trying to level up
If you’re a working-class or blue-collar guy without a degree, the odds are stacked against a reading habit—not because you’re lazy, but because time, money, fatigue, and access all hit harder.
But the payoff is massive: the most successful leaders (Roosevelt, Mattis, Buffett) were all voracious readers despite insane schedules.
Crushing even 20 pages a day puts you in the top ~75% of American men. Start small, pick books that actually interest you (history, biography, thrillers, war stories), and you’ll outpace most dudes without much extra effort.
You’re not genetically wired to skip books—plenty of men don’t. The guys who do read are the ones who decided to anyway.
Benefits of Reading Over Other Forms of Relaxation
While TV or gaming can unwind the body, reading uniquely rejuvenates the mind. It strengthens memory by stimulating brain activity and slowing cognitive decline, enhances concentration through focused mental workouts, and reduces stress more effectively than many alternatives—lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels comparably to yoga or laughter.
Unlike passive screen time, which often fragments attention and increases retention only superficially, reading engages multiple senses intentionally, boosting comprehension, empathy, and critical thinking. Over time, it builds mental resilience and knowledge depth that passive relaxation cannot match.6
There was even an NIH study that found a 20% reduction in mortality was observed for those who read books, compared to those who did not read books – surprisingly regardless of sex, health status, wealth, and education level.
Ways to Start a Reading Habit
Building a reading habit requires small, consistent steps rather than overhauling your life overnight. Key strategies from experienced readers include:
- Start small: Begin with 10–30 minutes or just a few pages daily—consistency trumps volume. Schedule it at the same time (e.g., before bed or during commutes) to make it automatic.
- Replace bad habits: Swap scrolling, TV, or gaming time with reading. Silence notifications, delete distracting apps, or carry a book/e-reader everywhere for “dead time.”
- Choose enjoyable books: Pick engaging titles you genuinely like—don’t force “classics” if they’re boring. Quit books that don’t hook you after 50 pages.
- Create the right environment: Find a quiet, comfy spot free of screens. Use a physical book or e-ink device to minimize distractions.
- Track progress: Use apps like Goodreads for challenges and logging to see wins and stay motivated.
- Read multiple books: Keep 2–3 going (e.g., fiction and non-fiction) to switch when one stalls.
- Make it social/accountable: Join a book club, discuss with a friend, or follow book communities online.
- Be patient and forgiving: Force short sessions at first if needed; the enjoyment grows as the habit forms (often in ~66 days).78
How to Pick Your First Book to Start
Your first book should prioritize pleasure over prestige—choose something short, gripping, and aligned with your interests to build momentum.
Avoid doorstoppers or overly challenging classics initially—success comes from finishing and wanting more.
Fiction lovers: Try page-turners like thrillers (The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown), fantasy (The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien), or modern hits (The Midnight Library by Matt Haig).
Non-fiction fans: Start with accessible biographies, self-help (Atomic Habits by James Clear), or memoirs. Use Goodreads recommendations, “best beginner books” lists, or ask for genres you enjoy in movies/TV (e.g., mystery fans often love Agatha Christie).
Avoid doorstoppers or overly challenging classics initially—success comes from finishing and wanting more.
Appendix
Suggested Daily Reading Schedule for a Busy Dad
As a married father with young or older kids and a full-time job, your day is packed — work, commute, dinner, bath time and bedtime stories, or attending sports activities, and (hopefully) a few minutes with your wife before collapsing. The key to building a sustainable reading habit is realism: aim for small, protected pockets of time that add up without stealing from sleep or family.
Most busy dads who become consistent readers settle into 20–40 minutes per day, which is enough to finish 25–40 books per year.
Here’s a flexible, battle-tested daily schedule you can adapt. The goal is consistency over volume.
| Time of Day | Pocket of Time | Duration | What to Read | Why This Slot Works for Busy Dads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30–6:00 AM (optional) | Early morning (before kids wake) | 20–30 min | Non-fiction, biography, leadership, or theology | House is quiet; sets a calm tone for the day. Many dads (e.g., James Mattis, CEOs) swear by this slot. If you’re not a morning person, skip it. |
| 6:00–6:20 AM | While drinking coffee / breakfast prep | 15–20 min | Lighter non-fiction or audiobook (AirPods in one ear) | Multitasking slot — you’re already awake and moving. |
| Commute (if driving) | Drive to/from work | 20–60 min | Audiobooks only (highly recommended) | Turns “dead time” into reading time. Most dads double their book count with audiobooks in the car. |
| Lunch break | 10–15 minutes at desk or outside | 10–15 min | Physical book or e-reader | Quick mental reset in the middle of the workday. Keep a paperback or Kindle in your work bag. |
| 8:30–9:00 PM | After kids are in bed | 20–30 min | Anything enjoyable — fiction, history, etc. | Your “golden window.” Wife might watch a show or scroll; you read beside her on the couch. This is the slot most dads protect fiercely. |
| 10:00 PM (in bed) | Wind-down before sleep | 10–15 min | Light fiction or short stories | Helps you fall asleep faster than screens. Use a book light or e-ink device so you don’t disturb your wife. |
Realistic Weekly Targets Based on Schedule
| Commitment Level | Daily Minutes | Books/Year (avg. 300 pages) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare minimum | 15–20 min | ~15–20 books | Just bedtime or lunch — still life-changing |
| Sustainable sweet spot | 30–45 min | ~30–40 books | Most busy dads land here (audiobooks + bedtime reading) |
| Voracious (with audiobooks) | 60–90 min | 50+ books | Commute + morning + bedtime — this is how CEOs and generals do it |
Pro Tips Specifically for Dads
- Audiobooks are your superpower Use the commute, yard work, folding laundry, or driving to soccer practice. Services: Audible, Libro.fm (supports local bookstores), or free Libby app with your library card.
- Always carry a book Physical book in the work bag, Kindle/e-reader in the car, phone with Kindle app for waiting at pediatrician or pickup line.
- Protect the 8:30–9:00 PM slot like a meeting Tell your wife: “After bedtime routine, I’m reading for 25 minutes — then I’m all yours or we watch one show together.” Most wives respect and even admire this.
- Read to your kids, then read for yourself After kid bedtime stories, keep the momentum and open your own book.
- Weekend bonus Saturday/Sunday mornings: 45–60 minutes while kids watch cartoons or play. That’s when you can knock out bigger chunks.
- Track it simply Use Goodreads or a cheap habit tracker. Seeing the streak motivates you more than you think.
Start with just 20 minutes right after the kids are down. That single habit, protected daily, is how busy dads go from “I never read” to “I finished 30 books this year” without sacrificing family or sleep.
You’ve got this — future you (and your kids who see Dad reading) will thank you.
Summary of Leaders’ Reading Habits
The following table summarizes the reading habits of the historical, military, and contemporary leaders discussed in the article. These individuals integrated voracious reading into even the most demanding schedules, treating books as essential tools for wisdom, strategy, and personal growth.
| Leader | Era/Type | Key Reading Habits & Details | Notable Quote or Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson | Historical (U.S. President) | Amassed one of the largest personal libraries in America (~6,487–10,000 volumes, sold to form the basis of the Library of Congress); read extensively in multiple languages (philosophy, history, science, law, literature); described a “canine appetite for reading”; read late into the night and in various subjects daily. | “I cannot live without books.” |
| Theodore Roosevelt | Historical (U.S. President) | Read up to 3 books per day (even during presidency); speed-reader; devoured tens of thousands of books across genres (history, poetry, novels, science, philosophy, hunting); prioritized enjoyment and personal interest over rigid lists. | “The books by which I have profited infinitely more than by any others have been those in which profit was a by-product of the pleasure.” |
| Winston Churchill | Historical (UK Prime Minister) | Exploratory approach: fondle books, let them fall open, read arresting sentences; advised against reading too many profound books young; recommended reading in a second language for mental refreshment. | “Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will. Read on from the first sentence that arrests the eye.” |
| James Mattis | Contemporary Military | Personal library of over 7,000 books (shipped between postings); lifelong voracious reader focused on history and strategy; issued reading lists to troops; credited reading for preparedness in leadership and combat. | “Thanks to my reading, I have never been caught flat-footed by any situation… It lights what is often a dark path ahead.” |
| Contemporary Business Leaders (e.g., Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Elon Musk) | Contemporary Business | Bill Gates: ~50 books/year, mostly non-fiction. Warren Buffett: 5–6 hours/day (newspapers, reports, books; up to 500–1,000 pages/day early in career). Elon Musk: Read 10+ hours/day as a child, encyclopedias and sci-fi; broad, multi-disciplinary reading as adult. Many start days with reading to inform decisions. |