These blog posts are short, daily ideas on reading deeply, taking notes, and applying the ideas. Each post is written by Eddy Hood with the goal of encouraging readers to pick up a book in favor of technology.
When you read a book, you can approach it passively, letting the words wash over you without leaving a lasting impression. Alternatively, you can engage actively by starting a note-taking system. The distinction between making notes and taking notes isn’t originally mine, but it’s a concept worth exploring. If you’re new to this idea, here’sContinue reading Making Notes vs. Taking Notes
Your reading environment matters. It affects how you feel, your level of motivation, and a host of other psychological patterns. I’m not saying you shouldn’t read a book unless everything is perfect. I read everywhere I go, whenever I can. All I’m saying is that the environment makes a difference. Take some time to craftContinue reading Your Reading Environment Matters
If you’re retired, you can skip today’s message. For the rest of us, read on. It’s Monday. Love it or leave it, today is the start of a new work week. It’s easy to feel “too busy” for the things we love, especially reading. When the boss is knocking with deadlines and customer complaints, theContinue reading Before a Busy Week Starts
We do a lot of things on autopilot from driving cars to eating dinner, scrolling social media, and surviving those weekly team meetings at work. Life is pretty much on coast for a lot of us, and that’s why when we pick up a book, it can be hard to focus. Out of habit, weContinue reading The Decision to Pay Attention
How can I describe what it feels like to read poetry by Walt Whitman? It’s intimate, for sure. He’s right there with you, standing starkly “natural” in the open woods, letting the sunshine breathe on his bare skin. Every word is both private and perfectly natural. He shows you the smallest details, making them biggerContinue reading Reading Walt Whitman
I might be off here, but being able to control where my attention goes feels like the greatest benefit of reading books. All day long, people and businesses are fighting to occupy my mental space. There are ads everywhere, emails piling up, and my kids calling “Dad” all day long. Don’t get me wrong—I loveContinue reading The #1 Benefit of Reading Books
I’ll be in Boston from September 17th to 20th, and I’d love to meet up with any of you who are in the area! How about an evening filled with great food, wine, and bookish conversation? I’m thinking we could start by exploring a local bookshop (if you’re from Boston, I’d love your recommendations), followedContinue reading Book Club Meetup in Boston?
I’ve survived another long vacation and I’m mentally discombobulated. Yep, I’m using that word today. We went to New Orleans for a jazz crawl. I’m not sure if that’s what you call it, but “bar crawl” is a thing, so why not have a jazz crawl? You may not know this about me, but inContinue reading Restoring My Morning Reading Ritual
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Junot Díaz, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and several acclaimed short story collections. During our conversation, something he said resonated deeply with me. When I asked him for advice on improving our reading skills, I expected a detailed system—perhaps a dailyContinue reading Pick Books That are Right for You
Looking at my bookshelves, I often feel a mix of excitement and overwhelm. Choosing the next book to read isn’t always easy, and I’ve learned that being in the right mental space is crucial for enjoying a book. If my mind isn’t ready, I might end up disliking a book that could otherwise be aContinue reading 3 Ideas for Managing Your TBR List