I Read a Book a Week for a Year, From Zero to 60 and This Is What I Learned

A Late Start to an Unexpected Journey

I’ll be honest with you—I never thought I’d turn into a book lover. Me, a guy who couldn’t sit still long enough to read a paragraph, much less a whole chapter? Sounds crazy, right? But here I am, all these years later, completely hooked.

See, I didn’t start reading until I hit my late 40s. Before that, I was the energetic kid who spent every minute running around outside, getting rid of all the hyperactivity that constantly charged through me. Books didn’t appeal to me as a kid; in fact, I wanted nothing to do with them. My dad, though, had other ideas. He’d hand me a book every summer and say, “Read this!” And trust me, he’d hold me to it in his no-nonsense way.

Back then, I didn’t get it. Sure, I read Battlefield Earth, a few Tom Clancy novels, and some historical books my dad loved, but it felt like a task. I wasn’t soaking in the lessons or finding the meaning he probably hoped I would. And don’t get me started on school and the assigned reading—we were talking about The Classics. Cue the eye rolls. The last thing teenage me wanted to do was slug through one of those.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but maybe it wasn’t that I hated books. Maybe it was how much effort it took me to make sense of them, to absorb the words. I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until I was 49 years old, so a lot of my struggles suddenly made sense later. But back then? It felt like life was always uphill when it came to learning the “normal” way.

I trudged through those years with my “books are boring” mindset and left reading far behind me.

The Big Shift

Fast forward to 47. I’m running a successful business, managing life, but deep down, I’m restless. Some things were clicking, sure, but others felt out of sync. I started working with coaches—smart, driven people who challenged me—and I noticed one recurring theme in their advice. They all read books. Like, a lot of books.

At first, I thought, “Alright, good for them,” but then I started to connect the dots. These were successful, sharp people who weren’t just reading—they were learning, applying, evolving. And there I was, getting by without books but not really breaking through in the way I wanted. That’s when I thought, “What have I got to lose?”

Sitting in my home office—the one with the big, nearly empty bookshelves that stared back at me—I decided to give it a shot. I picked up a book and started reading. What was the first one? Honestly, I don’t even remember. Maybe it was one of Grant Cardone’s 10X books or a quick, bite-sized read to get the ball rolling. What I do remember is that something clicked.

I started devouring books like I’d been missing something all my life and finally found it. Fiction, biographies, self-help, business—you name it, I was cracking it open. Each one became a stepping stone to the next.

Finding My Groove

Books didn’t just become a habit; they became a part of me. I wasn’t sticking to one type of story or one message. I was all over the place, and I was loving it.

Grant Cardone hit me with the big guns. The 10X Rule was the kick in the pants I didn’t even know I needed. Then came Be Obsessed or Be Average. I didn’t read them all at once, but over time, they became my go-to when I needed to refocus on my goals. David Goggins’ story? That guy made me rethink what I thought was possible. And then you’ve got Tim Kennedy with Scars and Stripes, which had me cracking up while delivering some surprisingly deep lessons.

Not every book rocked my world, but that’s the beauty of it—there’s something in every single one. Even a novel like Fight Club blew my mind in a way I didn’t expect. I never saw the movie, but the book had me questioning just about everything. I was all-in on this adventure.

I’ll tell you this, though—when my son handed me Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist as a Christmas gift, it hit differently. Maybe it was the timing or maybe it was the way that book felt in my hands—it was beautiful, like a piece of art. I read it in three hours on a flight and came away changed.

That one stuck with me. A lot of books do now. They aren’t just stories or lessons anymore; they’re reminders. They’re pieces of the puzzle that showed me how to put my life together in ways I didn’t even know I was missing.

Filling My Shelves, And My Soul

That once-sparse bookshelf in my office now tells its own story. Every title is a part of me, a moment in time where something clicked, shifted, or inspired me. When people come to visit and see my collection, they always ask, “Did you actually read all these?”

Yes, I did. And no, I didn’t buy them just to make my house look cozy or intellectual. These books are my mentors, my confidants, my roadmap. If I lost them all tomorrow, the leather covers, the pages it would hurt. However,  what I’ve gained is so much deeper than that.

Books taught me to think differently.  They transformed how I approach my businesses and communicate with people to how I structure my day. They’ve given me new perspectives, ones I never thought I’d find, and they’ve made me better. A better dad. A better husband. A better person.

Why It’s Never Too Late

If you’re sitting there thinking, “That’s great for you, but I just don’t have the time,” I get it. I was you once. But here’s the thing—it’s never too late. Whether you’re 27 or 57, there’s never been a better moment to pick up a book and see where it takes you. And here is a nugget for you, from one of the many books I read: “Schedule Your Time Or Someone Else Will.” 

Now marinate on that for a second! 

All you need to do is start with one. Any one. You don’t need a roadmap, just turn that first page. That’s how it happened for me, and it’s no exaggeration to say it changed my life.

The best investments are the ones you make in yourself. Books are your ticket to a broader mind, sharper skills, and a richer life. They push you past limits you didn’t know you had, and in the process, they help you find your edge.

Take the Leap

My challenge to you? Pick up a book this week. Give it an honest shot. Push past the excuses and just start. Don’t do it because I told you to! Do it because you’re worth the effort.

And if you love it? Share that spark with someone else. Hand them a book, encourage them to start their own adventure. Hold them accountable, not out of duty, but out of hope.

Books have the power to transform not just individuals, but entire communities. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my late start to this unexpected passion, it’s simply this: Knowledge Changes Everything.

Be great and grateful.

— G