#040: Why Fiction Outshines Business Books for Summer Reading

This summer, I'll have fiction books, not business books, by my side.

As an English major in college, fiction has always been my first love in reading. It was a love I found later in life. I wasn’t much of a reader growing up unless you count Sports Illustrated and Pro Wrestling Weekly.

It wasn’t until my freshman year in college, when my English professor assigned me to read William Faulkner’s *The Sound and the Fury*, that my love for fiction was sparked. The worlds that Faulkner and other authors crafted captivated me, offering adventures, mysteries, and insights into the human condition that I wasn’t exposed to while growing up in a small community in Minnesota.

This summer, after years spent primarily consuming business books, I'm challenging myself to dive back into fiction instead of reading the “next great business book.” For me, the lessons I’ve learned from fiction have had a longer impact on my professional life than business books.

Here’s why.

Business Books: Predictable Waves

At this point in my professional career, reading business books often feels like sitting on a beach, watching the ocean. Each wave may break a little differently, but there are rarely any surprises. The frameworks, case studies, and success stories start to blend, each one a slight variation of the last.

While it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends, aggregation tools like X, Google Alerts, and Pocket keep me informed daily without the need for yet another business bestseller.

Fiction: A Mountain of Discovery

In contrast, reading fiction is like climbing a mountain. Each page is a new path, filled with unexpected twists, vibrant characters, and intricate plots—much like the companies and clients I engage with daily. There’s risk, excitement, and most importantly, a multitude of lessons that can be applied to business in ways you might never imagine reading non-fiction.

Fiction adds the “art” to the “science” of business, contextualizing problems in unique ways.

A Summer Challenge: The Count of Monte Cristo

Just last week, my high school and college buddy, Sean, committed to reading Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo with me this summer. At over 1,200 pages, it’s a beast of a book, requiring us to read about 15 pages a day to hit our goal of finishing by the end of August.

Both of us are incredibly busy, working a minimum of 70 hours a week, but we’ve committed. I’m taking this book everywhere with me—the sauna at Life Time, Mila’s soccer practices, and having it ready for those moments when I might be mindlessly scrolling through social media.

The Art of Business: Lessons from Fiction

Fiction teaches us to see problems and solutions from multiple angles, much like the diverse paths on a mountain. Ultimate Hoops wasn’t inspired by a business book. It was born from my lived experiences playing basketball in NYC, connecting with players from all backgrounds, and trusting my artistic instincts. This is the essence of innovation: drawing from a well of diverse experiences and perspectives.

Fiction Inspires Innovation

Data supports that reading fiction can inspire new business ideas. A study published in the Creativity Research Journal found that reading fiction improves creativity and enhances cognitive processes essential for innovation. Fiction allows you to step into different worlds, experience varied perspectives, and cultivate empathy—an essential skill for any business leader.

Take the Fiction Challenge

This summer, I encourage you to pick up a novel instead of another business book. Let the narratives and complex characters inspire you. Embrace the unexpected lessons and let your imagination take flight.

Fiction is not just a leisure activity; it’s a powerful tool that can transform your business mindset and lead to innovative breakthroughs.