I’m fortunate to have had a mentor who changed my life in many ways. One of the key lessons he shared with me, which I now pass along to our community, is the value of writing book reports. It sounds simple, but the exercise carries profound benefits. In prison, I would ask and answer three questions after reading each book:

Why did I read the book?
How will it help me in prison?
How will it help me after prison?

Even though I’ve been home from prison for 15 years, I still follow this exercise.
Hundreds of people in our community do the same. They share their book reports in their release plans, with their families, and many send them to their sentencing judge and probation officer to show their growth. You can’t fake progress and growth—these reports are a step in that direction.

Twice a month, I post a detailed book report and a podcast about a book I’ve read. Recently, it was Pre-Suasion, Think Again, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (essentially a story of good versus evil), and today, Range by David Epstein.

Shortly after posting my podcast and review on Range, a doctor from Atlanta reached out to me, saying, “I’ll never be a doctor again.” (Edited for privacy.)

“I know,” I replied. “But the skills you acquired in becoming a doctor will help you with what you do next.”

He responded, “This book review helped me understand I must start—even if I don’t stick with whatever I do next, I have to start something. And as you say, ‘learn from failure’ and start again.”

I’m speaking with this doctor tomorrow. Whether he hires us or not, I find value in knowing I helped him get closer to starting something new—something that many people with felony convictions must do. Starting over isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.

Click here if you’re interested in listening to my podcast of Range and how it could help a white-collar defendant start over after a conviction.

Justin Paperny