EconTalk Tyler Cowen on Reading
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Apr 18, 2022 
Tyler Cowen, an economist at George Mason University and avid reader, shares his insights on navigating the literary world. He discusses the importance of being selective with reading habits and the emotional connections fostered through rereading. Cowen contrasts classic literature with contemporary works, uncovering a nostalgic love for physical bookstores. The conversation also explores reading strategies and the profound influence of literature on personal growth, addressing key historical narratives and their biases.
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Maximize Reading
- Read as much as possible, focusing on diverse sources like review copies, classics, and academic papers.
- Prioritize rereading classic literature, especially those foundational texts in the Western canon.
Changing Relationship with Books
- Russ Roberts used to be thrilled about receiving free books but now struggles with book accumulation.
- He's realized his children don't want his books, changing his perspective on collecting.
Sample and Share Carefully
- Sample every book before committing, reading the beginning to see if it grabs your attention.
- Don't give away books unless you believe the recipient truly needs to read it.