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Why Read?

The greatest minds are avid readers.

Reading the best books is a super power. For instance, reading auto-biographies from people such as Michelle Obama or Richard Branson allows readers to peak into their minds and learn from their experiences.

In life, readers see opportunities and avoid mistakes that others may miss.

The words of the smartest people are waiting to be consumed. They may introduce us to new ideas. We can learn what they did right (and wrong). They can teach us what habits they had and why.

Books may change the trajectory of one’s life. If one has the patience, they can hear the scientific thoughts of Albert Einstein, the engineering approaches of Elon Musk, and the life lessons of Michelle Obama.

The reading of all good books is like conversations with the finest people from the past centuries.

- Descartes

We can be picky readers. Available reading material is basically unlimited and we can only read a few 1000 books in a lifetime. For this reason, seek the best books and read them first. You never know where they may lead you.

I intend to put up with nothing that I can put down

- Edgar Allan Poe

One habit is found across centuries and borders that distinguishes great minds. They read often and widely over many topics. Being multi-disciplined gives them a large framework of the world. They can make better decisions because they’ve seen the mistakes and successes of 100s of great people. They lived 100s of lives in the books they read.

This superpower is for the taking.

Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true

- Ruth Badar Ginsbury

When I wasn’t working, the weekends would usually find me alone in an empty apartment, making do with the company of books.

- Barack Obama

I was raised by books. Books, and then my parents

- Elon Musk

Read the best books first, or you may not have a change to read them at all.

- Henry David Thoreau

One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years. To read is to voyage through time.

- Carl Sagan

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.

- Frederick Douglas

From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books.

- Benjamin Franklin

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life.

- Walt Disney

I hope you enjoyed these quotes. Follow me on Twitter for more thoughts on books and life.