The ability to pay full attention and get absorbed in a book is built over time. It may be hard at first (especially if you are rusty), but it gets easier. Eventually, it becomes enjoyable. Be patient and stick to it. It’s worth it.

There is a big difference between passive reading (being read to) and active reading (being in conversation with). The latter promotes further absorption in the material and more associative thinking and subsequent creative insight.

Random thoughts will pop into your mind: emails to write, groceries to get, conversations to have, ideas for your next big project, etc.

Jot these thoughts down so you do not lose them but can offload your brain from trying to hang on to them. Then, get bac...

• When you read physical pages there are no distractions, which e-reading and audiobooks inherently invite.
• The brain retains information better when it’s associated with tactile experience.

It takes time to get into a groove.

It’s similar to exercise. There is nothing wrong with doing 10 push-ups here and there (actually, it’s great) but that’s not the same thing as a focused and deliberate workout.