Business books are entertainment, not strategic tools

Most books are read for entertainment. I've known many people who have read tons of books but couldn't remember most of what they've read. Every once in a while, a book sparks some interest but most will be read for entertainment.

I used to think that a well-read individual was a well informed and smart. No, they just read books for entertainment. It's not a bad thing but let's be clear about that. It's just entertainment.

this is me with media in general i cant remember much of anything i consume

True, but books are also valuable for the subtle ways in which they change you, not just for what you remember.

You can say the same about movies and documentaries. Why is a book any different?

Yes, books have the power to change you but like anything you have to put in the time to study it and put it into practice. Reading a ton of them and hoping they will change you by osmosis does nothing more than keep your mind busy.

I agree with you, however, there is a difference between being well-ready and widely-read. I think one who can recite the essence of a handful of books has more much to say than someone who can list 50 books they read last year.

Reading a lot isn’t just about storing and recalling information—it’s also about shaping the way you think.

The same goes for education. If I measured the value of my university years solely by the information I can still recall, I’d consider them rather inefficient. But the real value lay in learning how to learn and how to think through complex problems.