I don't think reading books is going to hurt and it is not very hard to get motivated to read the BOOKS of own choice (not the textbooks). Self-help books can be helpful and inspiring; of course it depends on the people reading it. Once one can motivate enough to read the interesting books, then that habit will be helpful to discipline oneself to start reading the textbooks. Listening to autobiography can sometimes be helpful too. I may not have get motivated enough but that's my own weakness, but it has only helped rather than harm by reading either these self-help books or autobiographies. I have some recommendation for autobiographies I have listened (you can download in your phone and can listen whenever you're walking, buying groceries, waiting for bus and so on).

shrutisambeg.blogspot.com
- Jhamak Ghimire
- Ani Choying Dolma
- Krishna 'Dharabashi'