I was recently asked by CEO Library to share my thoughts about reading, specific books and how being a reader has changed the trajectory of my career.  Which, no doubt it has.  I’ve always loved to read and can’t imagine not doing it consistently.

How about you?  Are you a reader? Has how you consume books changed? (My habits sure have!)

Here’s a peek at what I was asked and my answers: 

1. What’s your favorite book and why? Business and non-business, if possible.

Favorite business book — Radical Leap by Steve Farber

Favorite non-business book that I would argue can teach you a ton about business leadership — The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

2. Was there a moment, specifically, when something you read in a book helped you? Can you tell me about it?

I’ve always been a voracious reader.  I read to learn.  I read to relax.  I read to cleanse my palette so I can be creative.  I read to find perspective. I read to entertain myself.  I loved reading to my daughter when she was little and as she got older — reading the same book together.

So books have helped me do everything from learn about my mom’s dementia, to keep current with trends that impact my clients, to cope with loss, to raise a daughter to find some balance in my life and by helping me fall in love with characters, places and ideas.

3. What books had the biggest impact on you? Perhaps changed the way you see things or dramatically changed your career path.

I would argue that my favorite books (which I re-read every year or so) in question #1 have had the biggest impact on me.  Neither probably changed my career path but both have helped me be a better leader, be more creative and serve those I care about better.

4. What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why?

  1. Radical Leap by Steve Farber
  2. Becoming a Category of One by Joe Calloway
  3. Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
  4. Killing Marketing by Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose
  5. Waiting for your Cat to Bark by Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg
  6. The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath

Sorry — needed to add an extra.

5. I’m interested in finding out more about your reading habits. How often do you read? What format do you prefer?

I read every day. I have several (both fiction and nonfiction books alike) books going at once.  Some physical books at home, some on my Kindle device, some in Audible.  I read in snippets — when I am on a plane, in between meetings, at night before bed.  When I am getting in my steps. Today, because of the ability to multitask — I prefer audio books.

6. How do you make time for reading?

We make time for what we want to do.  I want to read.  I don’t read as much as I’d like and I rarely can sit and read a whole book in one sitting (I’m a very fast reader when I am not consuming it by audible) but I just do it because I value it.

7. Do you take notes or have any other technique for conquering the torrent of information? 

I email myself notes. Oddly, I introduce myself to me first (Hey Drew, it’s me…)

8. How do you choose what books to read next? 

I have stacks (literal and digital) and just let my mood decide which is next. 

9. Do you prioritize books recommended by certain people? Is there anyone that you consider a book-recommendations guru?

No and no.

10. Last question: what book are you currently reading and what are you expecting to gain from it?

Currently I am reading: 

Subscribed by Tien Tzuo (business book)

The Story Engine by Kyle Gray (business book)

It’s Okay that You’re Not Okay by Megan Devine (book about grieving)

The Fallen by David Baldacci (fiction — mystery/suspense)