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đź“š Hit the Books
Your doorway to continuous improvement
Zak Graves
September 28, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
You know that reading is an essential process for being equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow, but it can be easy to be discouraged that you won’t be nearly as avid of a reader as you would have hoped to be, or maybe you don’t know where to begin. Time to be encouraged, be equipped, and hit the books!
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” - Plutarch
We’re not reading to stuff our heads with randomness, we’re also not chasing numbers for bragging rights, we’re looking to have a regular diet of reading that enables us to be well equipped for the mission in front of us.
How do we do this? You need a rhythm of reading, and you need a reading list established, and I have a tool that will help you with both!
Rhythm ⏳
Have at least one book you are currently reading.
Have at least one book that is “next up.”
Have a reading list that you can easily add new entries into, and can move around to create an effective queue, to know which book is next.
Establish a baseline reading goal. If you’re just starting, how about 12 books for the year (effectively one a month).
Categories đź“š
Classics - Iliad, Odyssey, Divine Comedy, Etc.
A good rule of thumb is to see what would have been the reading curriculum of great men of the past.
Equipping for Your Field
What helps you grow in your vocation.
This may include multiple categories, for example I read a lot of theology and leadership books.
Developmental / Aspirational
This includes personal development and new skills that you are interested in.
Fiction
Don’t forget fiction! Not only is it good to stretch your brain, but if it’s good fiction, it will sharpen you for your mission and encourage you for the work that lies ahead.
I’ve found that cycling through these categories is helpful (Not in a super strict fashion)! Essentially, if I’ve spent a significant amount of time in one category I ask myself what is needed or enjoyable, and then I move to that new category for a time.
Tools 🧰
Although Audiobooks shouldn’t be your main reading diet, it can be helpful to “read” while commuting. So for sure snag some audio books!
Most libraries these days have ways for you to download audiobooks for free!
You can check a recent T+P entry to get Audible for dirt cheap.
Goodreads - The App for every reader!
Scan book covers to quickly add books to your reading lists.
See what your friends are reading, and add their books to your reading lists.
Create yearly reading challenges.
Track what Page # you are on in every book you’re reading, so you don’t lose track if you’re reading multiple books, or if you want the encouragement of seeing how much % you have completed.
Feel free to follow me on Goodreads!
🌟 TOP PICKS & BEHIND THE SCENES
Top 4 of 2024-2025
Over the past year or so, I would say this list is my top 4! These books have led to deeper contemplation, devotion, encouragement, and they tend to come up a lot as recommendations for others.
The White Horse King - Biography of Alfred the Great; the only king of England to receive that title. The story of his rise to kingship, his challenges, and the sheer enormity of his civic projects that led to a golden age in England.
Planet Narnia - If you have read the Narniad, and ideally also the Ransom Trilogy (Space Trilogy), this book connects the dots to reveal a deep layer of beauty and symbolism in Lewis’ writings.
Leadership & Emotional Sabotage - In an age of instability, what does it look like to be sober minded. Excellent not only for leaders, but everyone.
None Greater - My go to resource for those seeking to understand classical categories for the attributes of God. Adoration and devotion will be stoked.
