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.
In my book club, we’re reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, one of the Stoic philosophers. (Technically, he wasn’t a philosopher. He was a Roman Emperor whose journal is now a popular Stoic text.) In our discussion last Tuesday, someone mentioned how refreshing it was to read the words of a politician who cared and wasContinue reading Reading the Stoic Philosophers
I’m a bit emotional right now. I love bookstores. I’m getting ready to open one, but this post isn’t about that. This post is about a world where we only buy books from Amazon because it’s $4 cheaper and so darn convenient. I no longer have to go through the effort of getting into myContinue reading Imagine a World Without Bookstores
I’ve been thinking a lot about my role as a reader. When I spend time with a book, it’s clear that what I get out of it mirrors what I put into it. The more effort I put into my notes, the more the book reveals its secrets. Then I thought, what are the mostContinue reading 3 Questions to Ask When Reading
I have a short but necessary message for readers today: Every book has a speed limit. Some books can be read at 70 MPH while others start to rumble and shake if you go faster than 10 MPH. To read Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics is very different than to read Dennis Lehane’s Mystic River. So, whenContinue reading This Book Has a Speed Limit
I hate to admit it, but some days the motivation to read isn’t there. Now, should I read, even if I’d rather take a nap or watch a movie? Let’s discuss. For me, reading takes effort. It’s not a casual, lounge around the house activity (unless I’m reading my beloved fiction at night). Usually, I’mContinue reading Find Your Motivation to Read
This morning, I sat down at my desk and was immediately faced with a slew of meetings. With no time to read, I felt a familiar frustration—a common occurrence for a business owner. But I recalled the wisdom of William Shakespeare: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” These wordsContinue reading If Your Day is Too Busy to Read
Today, I’m taking action on my dream. When I was 14, I conjured up Edgewater Bookstore in my head. Don’t believe me? Ask my wife. I was dating her back then, and we’ve talked about it from day one. Here’s the problem: Making a bookstore financially viable is quite the challenge. The retail space, inventory,Continue reading I’m Starting a Bookstore
I’m thrilled to announce that the acclaimed author Junot Díaz will join me on the podcast on July 31st! Junot Díaz, known for his remarkable works such as This Is How You Lose Her, Drown, Islandborn, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, will share his insights and experiences. Special Opportunity for Book Club Members: IfContinue reading Exciting News: Junot Díaz on the Podcast!
Let’s go on a reading field trip. Our guide is Tom Lutz, an American author and the founder of The Los Angeles Review of Books, and he’ll be teaching us about The Cloud of Unknowing – a useful tool for discerning readers like yourself. First, a disclaimer: The audio link (see below) from Tom canContinue reading Getting Lost in Books
I’ve been away from my desk. If you must know, I’ve been surfing in O’ahu with my family. It was a great vacation, and now I’m back, jet-lagged and happy to see my reading room. When I packed for the trip, I wanted to fill my bag with several books to study during my downtimeContinue reading I STOPPED READING BOOKS (FOR 7 DAYS)