The importance of reading

We may be biased because the currency we deal in is reading and writing, but it is easy to get caught up in digital reading and forget the importance of tangible books. It is no simple theory that reading non-digital books is important- according to a study by the National Endowment for the Arts, “There is a general decline in reading among teenage and adult Americans.Most alarming, both reading ability and the habit of regular reading have greatly declined among college graduates. These negative trends havemore than literary importance.” Further, the study claims that “the declines have demonstrable social, economic, cultural, and civic implications.”

We all know the famous Dr. Seuss line, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Even Confucius weighed in about reading, saying, “No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” But reading is more than simply cramming your brain full, it is about becoming more than you already are. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader,” said Margaret Fuller, which sums up what we are opining today. Read the news, read it diligently and read as many blogs and articles you can get your hands on, but don’t forget to buy a tangible book and step away from the computer screen from time to time.

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18 recommendations from other agents

We asked our readers what books they believe every agent should read and which books have impacted their lives. Below are the covers of 18 of their recommendations (not listed in order of importance):

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1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
2. The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell
3. Less Blah Blah More Ah Ha by Ken Brand (AGBeat columnist)
4. The 7 Levels of Communication by Michael J. Maher
5. We’re All Weird by Seth Godin
6. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
7. The One Minute Salesperson by Spencer Johnson
8. The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
9. What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis
10. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
11. Excuses Begone! by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
12. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann
13. Sell With Soul by Jennifer Allan
14. The Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller
15. Shift by Gary Keller
16. The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
17. Endless Referrals by Bob Burg
18. The Greatest Salesman in the World OG Mandino

We encourage you to visit your favorite bookstore (support local booksellers!) or if you must, go online to order any of the books above or below – simply jot down the name and pick it up at your convenience. We are not linking to any book source so as not to directly sell any book over another or any seller over another.

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