Don't Just Read Books, Read a Fortress Instead

09 Sep 2026 #books

Read broadly or read about certain subjects or reread the same books?

I’ve struggled choosing a reading strategy. Probably, for years, I read about anything that crossed my path. But I realized I was only reading to chase quantity. Then I switched to read books as needed.

These days, I started Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. It teaches about empathic listening: not just hearing or repeating the last words you hear, but to listen and paraphrase showing the underlying emotion.

While reading about it, I remember that’s precisely one of the habits from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. That made me go back and read that chapter again. Habit #5, if I remember correctly.

Which led me to remember about Anthony Metivier’s idea of building a fortress of books. In of his YouTube videos, he recommends reading books that build on, expand, or contradict each other. You’ll find the same concepts in different perspectives. That’s a better reading strategy.

In case you’re curious, here are my books. Feel free to pick any strategy to read them.