What to Wonder Before Reading Any Book

A Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to enhancing your engagement with whatever you're reading

A colorful vintage Disney drawing of a student learning with wonder created using DALLE

Enjoy this Curiosity Q & A of eight Curiosity Questions and Actions to enhance your understanding of any book using Curiosity-Based Thinking before and as you read it!

1. What if the characters in the book have superpowers?

Create your own superhero character and write a short story about their adventures.
Design a new superhero costume for one of the characters.
Create a superhero training program or school schedule.
Write a superhero-themed joke or riddle.
Create a superhero-themed dance routine.
Design a new superhero-themed party based on the book, using your creativity and party-planning skills.

2. What if the plot of the book takes place in the future?

Design a futuristic fashion line based on the book.
Write a news report about an event in the future that is mentioned in the book.
Create a futuristic recipe or menu based on the book.
Write a futuristic fortune-telling game or quiz.
Write a news report about an event in the future that is mentioned in the book.
Design a new futuristic gadget or technology based on the book.
Design a new futuristic city or habitat based on the book.

3. What if the book is set in a different country?

Design a new flag for the country in the book.
Write a travel diary from the perspective of a new character (or yourself) visiting the country.
Create a list of "tourist attractions" for the country based on the book.
Research the culture, customs, and landmarks of that country and create a travel brochure or a presentation to share with others featuring information and images about the setting or culture.
Find and write a letter to a pen pal in the country.
Try a recipe or a cultural activity that is featured in the book.
Design a poster or a collage featuring images and information about the setting or culture.
Create a virtual tour of the setting using Google Maps or other online tools.

4. What if the book has a mystery or puzzle to solve?

Write a list of clues and make predictions about how the mystery will be solved.
Design a new mystery-solving team or agency based on the book.
Write a detective-themed poem or song.
Create a set of mystery-themed trading cards or stickers featuring the characters or events in the book.
Design a new mystery-solving game or app based on the book.
Write a letter to a real-life detective or mystery writer offering your thoughts on the book.
Design a new mystery or puzzle for the characters to solve.
Design a new mystery-solving gadget or technology based on the book.

5. What if the characters in the book are animals?

Create a new ending for the book from the perspective of one of the animal characters.
Design a new habitat or ecosystem for the animal characters in the book so they can fit into the plot and setting of the book.
Write a script for a nature documentary featuring animal characters.
Write a letter to a real-life animal organization or conservation group discussing the themes of the book.
Design a new animal-themed attraction or theme park based on the book. Write a story or a poem from the perspective of one of the animal characters.
Design a new animal-themed exhibit or museum based on the book.
Assign a different real-life animal to every character in the book. Then, create a chart comparing the characteristics of the characters in the book to those of real-life animals.

6. What if the book has a message or lesson you find inspiring or meaningful?

Create a list of quotes or examples from the book that illustrate the lesson and discuss how you can apply it in your own life.
Write a letter to the author expressing your thoughts on the message or lesson and how it has impacted you.
Design a poster or a collage featuring quotes or images related to the message or lesson.
Write a poem or a song about the message or lesson.
Design a board game or a role-playing game based on the message or lesson.
Write a song or a rap about the message or lesson.
Write a letter to a character in the book offering your thoughts on the message or lesson.

7. What if the book is historical fiction?

Design a new historical costume or fashion line based on the book.
Write the script for a scene for a historical reenactment or a play based on the book.
Create a video game based on the historical events in the book.
Research the historical events or figures that are mentioned in the book and create a timeline or a presentation to share.
Write a letter to a historical figure or a character in the book.
Design a new monument or memorial based on the historical events in the book.
Write a review or a recommendation for the book as if it were a historical document.

8. What if the book has a science fiction theme?

Write a list of books the characters in the book might read if the book had a science fiction theme.
Design a new planet or galaxy based on the book.
Create and describe a new job or profession that doesn't exist in our reality, but would in the book if it had a science fiction theme.
Create a list of new scientific discoveries or technologies that are mentioned in the book and research how they might be possible or how they compare to real-life science.
Design a new alien or futuristic creature based on the book.
Write a science fiction-themed poem or short story.
Create a quiz or a trivia game based on the science fiction concepts in the book.
Design a new futuristic vehicle or transportation system based on the book.

Curious why more curiosity is great for whatever you are doing?

Curiosity is a bio-hack. As Dr. Huberman points out, the act of getting curious releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine simultaneously to produce a unique effect on the human body and brain. Learning how to harness and leverage this “hack” gives you a tremendous advantage in getting more done in whatever you are doing and finding greater satisfaction in what comes from it.

Curiosity can be so many things, it is easy to get lost in its power and potential. To simplify things here's a quick list of just some of what we know curiosity can do. Enjoy and stay curious!

Curious people are less anxious
Curious people are less timid
Curious people are not as defensive during initial counters with strangers
Curious people have less aggressive actions to perceived triggers
Curious people have improved conflict resolution skills
Curious people have enhanced motivation to put themselves in another's shoes
Curious people have less attachment to their own ideas
Curious people have an increased interest in others' ideas
Curious people are more likely to receive social support at work
Curious people are more effective at building connections at work
Curious people are more effective at building trust at work
Curious people are more committed to their teams at work
Curious people discover more innovative solutions that increase one's sense of meaningfulness at work

Be sure to follow along with What If Curiosity as I will dive deeper with more specific examples and actions for how you can take a Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to learn, get, and enjoy more out of all you do.

Let's chat to maximize the power of your curiosity!

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