A reading list that works

The difference between a reading list and a graveyard is whether anything resurfaces.

The scenario#

You have a reading list. You have not opened it in four months. Meanwhile you keep saving links.

Set it up once#

1. 1

   One list, not three

   Books, articles and things people recommended all go in one place. Three lists is three graveyards.

2. 2

   Set a review date on it

   Monthly. This is the step that makes the difference. See review a list.

3. 3

   Add the Chrome extension

   So saving takes no effort and you save the selection, not just the link. See Chrome extension.

The rhythm#

Saving: highlight the paragraph that made you want to read it, then save. A bare link tells you nothing in three months.

Monthly: the list comes back through the Review hub. Pick one thing, and delete three. Deleting is the important half. See the Review hub.

Make it yours#

• Tag by kind if books and articles need separating. #book and #article is enough. See tags.
• Sync your highlights if you use Readwise, so what you read comes back as material rather than disappearing. See Readwise.
• Memorize the handful worth keeping rather than re-reading. See memorize.

What this looks like after a month#

The list is shorter than it was, which is the goal and not a failure. A reading list that grows monotonically is a record of intentions. One that shrinks is a system.

Related#

• Review a list
• Readwise