Mark Cuban Reading List

Mark Cuban didn't mince words. In a CNBC interview, he said: "Somebody 40 and over, even 30 and over, if you're not reading, you're f---ed… because you're not expanding your mind." Then he added something that really got me: "Somebody who doesn't read lives one life, somebody who reads an unlimited number of lives." I read maybe one book last year — and I'm not sure I finished it. So that landed. The thing is, Cuban reads more than 3 hours every day. Warren Buffett devotes roughly 80% of his working day to reading. Bill Gates gets through about 50 books a year. According to Time magazine, this is the single habit ultra-successful people share above all others. I believed it. I just couldn't see how it applied to me. Between work, a commute, and trying to cook something that isn't toast, I'm lucky to get through two pages before falling asleep with a book on my face. But Cuban's words stuck. If not reading means living only one life — I wanted more than that. So I tried something different. I downloaded an app called Blinkist and committed to using it every day for 30 days. Here's what happened. Even Apple recommends Blinkist for those who are lifelong learners, naming it one of the best apps in the world. And Apple CEO Tim Cook — himself a Blinkist user — even stopped by the Berlin office to see what the fuss was about. Blinkist gathers the key insights from nonfiction books into 15-minute reads and listens. There are over 9,000 titles across 27 categories including entrepreneurship, management and leadership, and personal development. More than 43 million people are now expanding their horizons with Blinkist. The app is loved by everyone from The New York Times to Forbes.

“Blinkist encourages you to read more nonfiction books. The app contains cleverly written digests — called blinks — where books are broken down into their main arguments.” – The New York Times So, what did I actually find after 30 days of using it? 1. A Book Explained in 15 Minutes — and I Mean Actually 15 Minutes The first thing I noticed: it takes the average person 10 hours to read a book. I knew I didn't have that. What I did have was a 14-minute commute and a habit of staring at my phone during it. With Blinkist, the most powerful ideas from a book are shared in short audio and text explainers. It only takes 15 minutes to read or listen to them — so I started doing one every morning on the way to work. Breakfast, commute, walking the dog. Suddenly I had slots I hadn't seen before. Plus, there are 40 new titles added to the app every month, so even the most voracious reader will never run out of great content. 2. It’s Backed By Science — Which Is Why It Actually Sticks I'll be honest: I was skeptical that a 15-minute summary could replace a full book. But by week two, I was retaining things. Ideas from what I'd listened to on Monday were showing up in conversations on Thursday. That's not an accident. At Blinkist, there's a dedicated team of experts who sift through the millions of books published each year to find the best ones out there. Not just bestsellers — the hidden gems, the timeless classics, the books written for intellectuals, by intellectuals. ‘When we started most apps were for social media or gaming. We wanted to do something different and build an app that would add genuine value to someone’s life’ — Holger Seim, Blinkist co-founder. Once the books are selected, our specialist editors identify the key insights in each book and turn them into bite-sized explainers. The best part? All of the content is created using neuroscientific principles making all the information easy to understand and remember. Take a look — here's the explainer to international bestseller Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari 28 min reading time audio version available Get the key ideas on Blinkist Buy on Amazon 28 min reading time audio version available Get the key ideas on Blinkist Buy on Amazon 3. It Killed My Doomscrolling — Without Me Even Trying Around day 10, I noticed something I hadn't planned for. I'd stopped reaching for Instagram in the gaps. Not because I forced myself — but because Blinkist had quietly taken that slot. You know those moments when you catch yourself endlessly swiping through social media? It's something an alarmingly high amount of people suffer from and it's called "doom-scrolling", a phenomenon that leaves people feeling tired and angry. What happened to me is apparently common. 80% of Blinkist users say they are more likely to spend time on Blinkist than scroll through social media. The idle minutes that used to disappear into a feed were now going somewhere I actually felt good about. Here's what some of them are saying: “This app should be in Essentials category: One of the best app purchased. I have been a member for 6+ years and I don’t think I will ever stop. This is a learning experience that truly enhances my life.” –5 star review on the Apple Store So, say goodbye to mindless scrolling and hello to a new habit that'll feed your curiosity, spark intellectual growth, and help you become a better you. No wonder Apple and many of its users recommend it: “This has been the biggest boost to my productivity / lifelong learning ever. Honestly, I can’t think of a better habit to start than Blinkist.” –5 star review on the Apple Store 4. The Audio Feature Changed Everything for Me By week three, I'd shifted almost entirely to audio. I was listening while making coffee, during my commute, on a walk at lunch. That's when Cuban's quote came back to me — "somebody who reads an unlimited number of lives." I wasn't sitting down with a book for three hours. But I was living inside other people's ideas while doing the dishes. That counts. The app became particularly popular when the audio feature was introduced. It made it possible for big thinkers to listen to every title in the app, which means learning never has to wait until you have time to sit down. Today, listening is the most popular way to consume the packs of actionable insights, with around 70% of users opting to listen to Blinkist. This is no surprise — over 30% of people learn and retain information better when it's heard rather than read. 5. I'm Not the Only One Who Noticed a Difference I thought my experience might be a fluke. Then I looked at the reviews. Blinkist has over 94K five-star ratings across iTunes and Google Play stores — and the pattern in what people write is remarkably consistent. It's not "great app." It's specific moments, specific habits, specific slots in the day that changed. “Perfect for populating your mind with smart thoughts and the latest research. I use the audio format while in transportation.”