Rise of the Reader: Strategies For Mastering Your Reading Habits and Applying What You Learn

by Nick Hutchison

Are you devouring every personal development bestseller out there but still finding it hard to apply what you’re learning to everyday life? Reading for self-improvement can be powerful as long as you’re effectively implementing the right information. You can become a more successful problem solver and transform your life in as little as 15 minutes a day!

Nick Hutchison, founder of the popular book review site BookThinkers, read over 400 personal development books, but implementing their valuable lessons was tougher than just finishing the next chapter. Nick knew self-help books could help him do things like master his social anxiety and fear of public speaking, opening the doors to a successful career in business. Through trial and error, he developed an easy-to-follow framework to retain the knowledge needed to transform his life completely. Now he’s giving you over 100 habits to implement into your own reading journey and fulfill your dreams.

In this book, you will
With relatable anecdotes and engaging stories, Rise of the Reader will inspire and motivate you to take action and embrace the power of reading. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone who just wants to reach their full potential, this is your guide to self-actualization and embracing change through reading. Grab your copy now and start improving your action today!

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Productivity, Personal Development, Psychology

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Nick Hutchison stands as the visionary force behind BookThinkers, a growing 7-figure marketing agency that seamlessly bridges the worlds of authors and readers.

In just over 7 years, he has organically built a platform that reaches over 1,000,000 people each month. Nick's podcast, BookThinkers: Life-Changing Books, is a global top 2% show that features captivating interviews with world-class authors such as Grant Cardone, Lewis Howes, and Alex Hormozi.

Through the use of his platform, Nick has helped hundreds of authors expand their reach to hundreds of millions of readers and drive significant revenue growth as part of their book campaigns. His services include short-form video production, podcast booking and social media book reviews.

Now, Nick has dedicated his life to helping millions of readers take action on the information they learn and rise to their potential through his books, speaking, and personal brand as a whole. This was the inspiration for his new book, Rise of the Reader, where he dives into the strategies for mastering your reading habits and applying what you learn. Learn more at bookthinkers.com

Reviews

[Sarah (Libros para Cambiar de Vida) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin duda uno de mis libros del año. Lleno de información interesante y útil, explicado de forma concisa y sencilla y accesible para todo tipo de lectores. Ojalá lo traduzcan al español, porque es una joya.
Eso sí, que la mitad del libro sea una lista de hábitos le ha quitado la quinta estrella.

[Justin Stockman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ultimately, this book is light on details and heavy on ego driven sophomoric opinions. It’s a sort of summary of the near modern podcast and self help circuit written by a young man with some opinions and very little actual information to share.

Take, for example, the chapter on note taking while reading. This was at the heart of my intention with this book: to become better at retaining and implementing the information from the books I read. Unfortunately, the author does little other than express his opinion that readers should take notes while reading a book, and then review those notes frequently. For someone new to reading - such as a second grader - this is solid advice. I don’t think anyone who has completed junior high school is going to benefit from the advice “take notes to remember things better.” Yet, that is what the author has on offer.

I also want to point out the defensiveness from which the author writes. There are pages of digressions where he feels the need to defend self help culture and his passion for it from unseen and unnamed critics.

I hope the author continues to try to find his voice. He has the beginnings of some good ideas and a great deal of passion. Ultimately, he needs to develop more wisdom to overcome a very big ego.

[Myinstabookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Hutchison is a book blogger on Instagram his page bookthinkers which has over 100k+ followers inspires many people to read more. His page has made reading more fun and entertaining especially non fiction genre. In reading world where fiction dominates and non fiction readers are not entertained much, through his page nick tries to inspire people to read more nonfiction self help books with which you can transform your life entirely.

This is nick’s first book in which he talks about his reading journey, share his tips and tricks to read more and implement what you read from non fiction books to make your life better. Nick provides tried and tested methods to exercise what you have gained from books and shares many the helpful life changing concepts he has learnt from his reading experience.

In first three parts of the book author talks about personal development, becoming better reader, effective reading , note taking methods, habits and different concepts that he practices to implement better what he reads. In last part which is my personal favourite he talks about habits, he hundred health, wealth and happiness habits which have been tried by him and made his life better. Nick provides his pro tips and correct implementation of these habits.

Overall this book is very good for beginners of self improvement ans nonfiction genre. Not only does it provide a roadmap to become a better reader but also introduces the reader to many concepts that have been discussed in many famous life changing books. A regular non fiction reader might not have many takeaways from this book still getting so much under one roof is really incredible.
A must read indeed.
Well done with your first book nick 👏

[Mr Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book about reading in the sense of all the random ideas in this book were in other books once.A rare non-finished book for me but I couldn't bear the product promotion and chirpy advice to persuade your friends that you, and not they, have the light.

[Matt Hutson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading "Rise of the Reader" felt like rediscovering the philosophy behind why I first fell in love with professional development books. Nick doesn’t just provide speed-reading hacks or surface-level strategies; he digs into the mindset of intentional reading. That was the reset I needed. For me, this book came at exactly the right time, helping me reconnect with the habit of daily, purposeful reading and reigniting my drive to take action on what I learn.

One thing I especially appreciated is that Nick frames reading as a lifestyle of growth, not an isolated activity. Books aren’t just about consumption; they’re a catalyst for experimentation, action, and change.

And I loved the book recommendations sprinkled throughout. They’re strong, practical, and wide-ranging. I’ve compiled those into a separate list that I’ll be sharing in my newsletter.

Key Takeaways & Reflections
1. Mindset Before Mechanics
Nick’s early chapters emphasize intention over speed. Reading without clarity is aimless. By setting a clear purpose before every session, reminding yourself why you’re picking up the book, you transform reading from a passive activity into an act of growth.

📌 Personal Note: This resonated deeply. My intention is to get back to reading vigorously, intentionally, and then turning that into action, the way I used to when I was first discovering the power of books.

2. Books as Life Shapers, Not Just Entertainment
Nick makes it clear: reading without implementation is no different than binging Netflix.

No books + no implementation = no change
Books + no implementation = no change
Books + implementation = change

📌 Personal Note: I’ve seen this myself. Teaching what I read, experimenting, and documenting my progress are what turned reading into a transformation.

3. Practical Tactics That Stick
This book is packed with strategies that I found both actionable and affirming:

-The Rule of 100: Subtract your age from 100 to determine how many pages you must read before deciding to quit a book.
-Book “Sex” and Ideation: Reading multiple books at once can spark surprising connections and new ideas—book “babies.”
-The Implementation Framework: An 11-step system to go from intention to note-taking, to experimentation, to celebrating wins.
-Note-Taking in Two Phases: First read with flow and light markings, then return to extract and rewrite key takeaways into physical or digital notes.

📌 Personal Note: The three-step note-taking system (mark while reading → rewrite in notebook → store digitally) is the process I've used AND know works well.

4. Memory & Retention Strategies
Nick emphasizes that learning only matters if it sticks:

-Repetition leads to retention (Joshua Waitzkin’s “form-to-leave-form”).
-Spaced repetition combats the forgetting curve (Ebbinghaus).
-Reducing takeaways to the top 10–20% ensures focus on what really matters.

📌 Personal Note: I loved the reminder that narrowing down my notes actually helps me act on them more consistently.

5. Mindset Shifts for a Reader’s Life
The book is also filled with big-picture shifts:

-Future Self Thinking: Imagine yourself at 80 years old, what do you wish you’d acted on today?
-Complaint-Free Living: Gratitude and forward action outperform negative focus.
-Relationships Matter: The Rule of 25% (mentors, peers, mentees, yourself) reframed how I think about my circle.
-Fiction Has Value: Even when reading for entertainment, stating your intention (“a serving of fun, a side of creativity”) makes it purposeful.

📌 Personal Note: I found this balance between motivation, tactics, and philosophy refreshing. It’s not just about hustling harder, but about aligning reading with life.

6. Habits Worth Building
The last part of the book is a collection of one-page habits (healthy, wealthy, and happy). Some I already practice (gratitude, journaling, eating the frog, applying the 80/20 rule), while others are worth experimenting with (cold sleep temperatures, wealthy friends, building an emergency fund).

📌 Personal Note: I wasn’t initially a fan of the “one habit per page” format, but a handful really stood out and are worth applying.

Final Thoughts
Rise of the Reader is more than just a book on reading; it’s a manifesto for intentional growth. It’s for anyone who wants to stop treating books as trophies or entertainment and start treating them as tools for transformation.

For me, the biggest value wasn’t just the tactics (though those are excellent), but the way it reignited my own passion for daily, intentional reading.

And yes, those book recommendations were fantastic. I’ve curated them into a separate list that I’ll be publishing in my newsletter, Learning to Learn Well. If you’re looking for a roadmap of what to read next in the world of personal development, that’s where I’d start.

Book #19 in 2025 and #450 of All Time

[Marie Evensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Rise of the Reader, Nick Hutchison challenges us to view reading not only as a form of entertainment but as an education which prompts us to change our behavior and by extension, our lives. The first half of the book is devoted to the process of becoming a Rising Reader, detailing how to take notes, become accountable and develop habits that create progress.

The second portion of this expertly written book outlines the habits that Hutchison has learned and adopted himself. This is where the magic lies and what makes this book both relatable and exciting. We, as readers, begin to realize that Hutchison is speaking from a very personal place. He has up leveled his life in a radical way and if him, why not us? He helps us to see that our potential is limitless if we read with the intent to progress.

The sheer abundance of information in these chapters could overwhelm even the most savvy readers and could be more easily consumed in two or more books.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sue - Recos and Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is a genius marketer as his book was all over my IG feed hence my Kindle purchase for a 99cent bargain. The book is super upbeat and was fascinating reading considering that my husband is now a newly published author so I could relate to much of what was discussed.

The book then takes a turn on self improvement ideas and while I enjoyed reading this part I was kind of left with the impression that this guy must be super human if he lives this path. But then again he is very young so let’s see what he says following a few more life experiences.

[Power In Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Sascha Griffiths · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm writing this book review, to be honest, despite the author telling me to write a review. I originally wanted to not write a review because of that.
The book is only about half about reading, and then there's an assortment of notes about sunlight exposure in the morning and bath salts. This is not an exaggeration. In half of the book, the author forms a coherent narrative about reading and its value for your life with some useful tips about the how to, and then there is an added section (?) or part 2 of the book, which is just health, wealth, and happiness advice from books (but also podcasts, I believe). For some, there is a source for others. There isn't - though, one suspects that it's Andrew Huberman. Some of it might be already debunked Huberman advice, I think.
There's a lot of Ryan Holiday, Tim Ferris, Wim Hof, and Andrew Huberman in this. Sometimes, it's explicit. Sometimes, it's less so. I was about to call the author a bit of a fanboy, but at least when it comes to Ryan Holday, that would be the kettle calling the pot black. And then there's Jim Kwik, Jocko... if you're like me, you get the picture. The author reads 15 minutes in the morning, does cold showers, meditation, ... Although, if you mention Josh Waitzkin and Jocko in the same book, don't you have to mention BJJ? I mean, Matthew Hussey had time to mention the benefits of BJJ in "Love Life. "...
There is some really good advice in this book. However, Hutchison is a habit tracker and if you are trying to become a better listener, improve your relationship or deal with anything that's harder to quantify, it's there's a lot of less useful information in there. I got one good piece of advice for quitting nicotine, but the section wasn't about smoking. I would have loved the author to be more explicit about note taking. He does speak about reading a lot and improving your memory, but the key he says is repetition to retain. I didn't get enough information about how he takes notes from this, though. I do now feel relief that I'm not the only one now combining physical or ebooks with audiobooks. Hutchinson, like me, does a lot of his book consumption in the car. But tbh, how he keeps notes there is left a little unclear. I literally went: "Ok, so I'll have to figure out how to do it now that I know that it's possible." My main problem isn't reading a lot and memorising things; it's finding time for effective note keeping in between.
Overall, it's very mixed. It's sort of what one would expect. On the other hand, one would sort of want more. I mean, there's YouTube content about how people put X into practice after reading a book. Or looking at Ali Abdaal's "Feel-Good Productivity" that would be a good example of a different implementation but a similar kind of book. Hutchinson states that he applies SMART goals; Abdaal also mentions SMART goals, but then explains NICE goals as a better way. If "Rise of the Reader" wasn't, in fact, more of a book about habit tracking, it could probably have done without the discussion of SMART goals.
If you're already into reading lots of self-help, you either can't get much new information here, or you'll be happily nodding along. If you haven't but want to start on self-help ... this is the part where I should recommend this book, but ... then start with Marianne Power "Help Me" and if we're nearing Christmas Jenny Colgan "The Christmas Bookshop". If then you haven't dove head first into "The Secret" or gone onto a Tony Robbins binge, maybe this is a good place to start.

[Blake Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of the Reader emphasizes the transformative power of reading and its ability to enrich individuals' lives in profound ways. It highlights the potential of reading to ignite a journey of lifelong learning, equipping readers with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the world around them.

By cultivating effective reading habits, individuals can unlock a vast reservoir of information and insights, expanding their horizons and fostering personal growth. Reading empowers individuals to retain and apply what they learn, transforming abstract concepts into tangible actions that shape their lives and the world they inhabit.

The transformative power of reading extends beyond mere comprehension; it cultivates critical thinking skills, enabling readers to analyze information, discern fact from fiction, and form their own informed opinions. This journey of intellectual exploration fosters a sense of empowerment and agency, allowing individuals to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to society.

In essence, reading serves as a gateway to personal fulfillment, opening doors to a world of knowledge, perspectives, and possibilities. It is an invitation to embark on a continuous learning journey, enriching oneself with the wisdom of others and shaping one's unique path.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful I stumbled across this book at the right time.

I'm just starting my reading journey and I've been extremely overwhelmed with the amount of information. There's so much I want to read and learn, but I wasn't exactly sure how to apply it and how to remember what I've learned, which discouraged me because I felt like I wasn't taking advantage of all the information that I've learned during the past month.

This book has tips and guides you on how to navigate this journey, and probably the most helpful book I've read so far – after reading it, I will definitely get more out of all the other books on my list.

I related so much of how he described himself in the beginning, it felt like a personal attack. There's no such thing as a personal experience in this world. As I was reading about my own story though the author's words, it was extremely valuable being guided through the beginning of my journey by someone who had been exactly where I see myself now, and makes me hopeful about where I can be in the future.

Another great thing I got out of it was an extensive list of other book recommendations.

Excited to hold myself accountable and create my own action list of things that I want to apply to my life.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got to tell you about Nick Hutchison's book, "Rise of the Reader." Knowing Nick from our podcast chat, his book is exactly what you'd expect from him – insightful, practical, and super motivating. It's all about not just reading self-help books, but actually using that knowledge in real life.

Nick's own journey is a big part of this. He's read a ton of personal development books and figured out how to apply those lessons to overcome challenges like social anxiety. This book is his way of sharing those strategies. He gives over 100 habits that you can start using right away. It’s like he’s giving you the tools to not just absorb information, but to act on it.

"Rise of the Reader" is a solid pick for anyone looking to make real changes in their life. It's like getting a blueprint to turn reading into action. Definitely worth checking out!

- Andy

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of the Reader by Nick Hutchison is a groundbreaking book that serves as a pivotal introduction to personal development. Its insightful approach to self-improvement through reading is both innovative and deeply impactful. The book guides readers on a journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the transformative power of literature. The book's unique blend of practical advice and inspiring anecdotes makes it an essential first read for anyone embarking on their self-improvement journey. Whether you're a seasoned reader or just starting out, Rise of the Reader equips you with the tools to harness the wisdom found in books, effectively setting the foundation for a lifelong habit of growth and learning. This book is not just a guide; it's a catalyst for change, encouraging readers to become the best versions of themselves through the profound act of reading.

[Kyle Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been following Nick from @bookthinkers for a long time and have always admired the passion he exudes for reading. Nick is clear in his message that we can grow our lives exponentially by exposing ourselves to new ideas through reading and learning.

Rise of the Reader explains that reading can not just be used form of entertainment but as an education that inspires us to change our behavior and flourish through experimentation and implementation.

In the second half of the book, Nick outlines his daily routines and how he has applied the lessons from the hundreds of non-fiction books he has read. The perfect book for people who are looking to better their lives!

Thanks for sending, Nick and congrats on your first book 👏🏼

Rating: 4.0 / 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jerry Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Guide in How to Develop Your Best Life

I selected this book because I wanted to learn strategies to better retain what I was reading, but Rise of the Reader offers so much more than that. Sure, there is a chapter dedicated to reading and note-taking tips, but the rest of the book is an entire strategy on how to implement the best practices from personal development books into your life. From how to select the best books to how to make a habit of what you've learned, Hutchinson covers it all in an easy-to-digest fashion. The last half of the book is three chapters dedicated to some of Hutchinson's best habits in health, wealth, and happiness.

Rise of the Reader will be a reference I appeal to often! I highly recommend it!

[Roi Jaho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of the Reader. Whoever is interested or want let's say to develop his skills and be self educated like success people Nick wrote for you one book that will help you more than the title of the book tells you. In my opinion this book must be first book when you start reading habit. Nick gives his experience, how he goes forward in his life, the way how you keep going is simple. Just read this book and wait magic happen. Thank you Nick for every advice you give to me in this book, social media and you are the fastest guy to answer questions when I write to authors for advices. Thanks for everything. Keep it up.
And by the way I am waiting your second book. God bless you friend.

[Efren Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lifetimes in the palm of your hand!

When you pause and think what it is to read—the magnitude of the world’s history, human communication passed down for endless generations and the lessons of amazing lifetimes harnessed into manageable and consumable bites—you realize its true value.

Reading is the greatest, yet the most overlooked, life hack there is! Well, absolutely not overlooked by author Nick Hutchison.

Nick lays out these benefits in a practical yet entertaining way, stoking your drive to plow through your growing reading list and make books not only a priority—but to also implement the ideas behind them with action.

Recommended!

[Srinivasan Nanduri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides strategies for improving your reading habits and applying what you learn from books. The book emphasizes spending 15 minutes daily reading instead of using social media, selecting books with intention, and note-taking techniques to enhance recall. It also introduces over 100 habits to improve various aspects of life, offering actionable advice and anecdotes to inspire readers to transform their lives through reading. The book can be helpful for anyone looking to maximize the benefits of self-improvement reading and implement positive changes. Contains a lots of good references to other Self help books and how to leverage the techniques from these books

[Martí Sala Perramon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is divided in two different parts. The first and more interesting for me talks about reading strategies, to take more advantage about what you read. A concept that I will apply from now on is book sex, that it means reading more than one book at the same time and mixing them to multiply the benefits of what you are learning. 
The second part talks about the main themes of some bestsellers. What I have not enjoyed so much is that the summaries about these books are too general for understanding the main parts. 

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the first impact it can seem a classical self-help book but page after page we can discover that it is totally opposite.
Despite main theme of the book is focus about take best things from reading action and best way to read and retain information, about half of book is centered on good habits to implement in self routine for work and life.
I've take some interesting note form this book to going deeply.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book but was hoping for more detail on taking notes and tracking the activities. I did like that the author provided some of his best takeaways from all of the other books he’s read related to health, wealth, and happiness. Good primer if you’re new to reading professional development books.

[Elizabeth Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to read. I loved the part about taking notes about what you read. I do that but I have been doing it wrong. I will try it this why if I can’t catch on like that I will do it like I alway have done it is pretty easy. I have a reading journal that helps me with my note taking process

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good tips and inspirational

This is a quick read that gives great tips, not just on reading, but on a number of other subjects. It is hard to motivate someone to read with just the written word, but I believe Nick Hutchison has done just that. Just buy the book, read it, take notes and implement what you learn.

[Johnnysbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time reading this. Implementing what I learned, and I learned a lot. The habits in the back were great. I knew several, but I also learned some more that I'll definitely do like doing a happiness mirror by posting happy thoughts on the mirror.

The book will also help you become a more efficient reader.

[Rochelle Pivnik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only part I partially enjoyed was the habits, and even then.. way too much wording: this book could’ve been so much more concise. Felt as though all the author shared was common sense .. nothing riveting or mind blowing to take away. Maybe if the reader is someone who has never read before it would be beneficial, but this is not someone who already reads daily ..

[Kevin Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started a little skeptical, the first few chapters just seemed like a synopsis of all self help literature in the world, lots of cliches and things we’ve all heard before. Ended up enjoying and learning, some good reminders of things I know and some really interesting information and insights into new ideas and practical suggestions. Good writing for a young writer.

[Adam Wilburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new here but I appreciate the author’s enthusiasm. A good summary of a lot of good thoughts and ideas from books he has read. A fun and easy read. Good quotes and compilation of books and ideas he has gained through reading popular books.

[Sean Keet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great synopsis

Very inspiring,I managed to pick up a few new habits and tricks.

A good conversational tone throughout and I read the book in no time. I’ll certainly go back and re-read it.

[Lionel Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

grateful i read this book. as an avid reader, i felt like there could still be some areas to improve. and there was! i took some practices from this book that helps me remember the books i’ve read in the past, now, & in the future. i’m gonna do this for the rest of my life.

[Ardan Stories Cos Mars · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very tiring and unrealistic book. It contains a little bit of everything about self growth. It has a few good ideas. Reading it will confuse you a lot. Let's get real. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. You can't learn everything from just one book.