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.
I love personality tests. I’m always curious to know which type of “human” I am. That’s why, when I came across The Four Types of Readers by Samuel Coleridge, my curiosity spiked. Coleridge was an 19th century English poet, critic, and philosopher which helped the Romantic Movement, and was a member of the Lake Poets,Continue reading The Four Types of Readers
For the past few days, warblers have sung from my trees. The tulip bulbs my daughter planted last fall sprouted and the grass turned from pale yellow to hopeful green. Yesterday, I dug out the sunscreen and flip-flops to do some work in the yard. It was glorious. And now it’s snowing. This happens everyContinue reading Oh, Darn.
If you’re interested in reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau, feel free to review my book notes before you get started. I’ve collected 19 of the best direct quotes from the book including: P.7 – “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.” P. 286 – “IContinue reading Annotated Notes on Walden
On August 31, 1837, a speech was delivered to the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard University that would become famous. The address was titled, The American Scholar, and it was given by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He challenged the students of Harvard, along with all future thinkers (which include you and I), to realize thatContinue reading Dear Reader, What Do You Think?
Since the pandemic, the comfortable “Hoodie” has become my clothing of choice. That changed a few weeks ago when my wife and I started a new Apple TV series titled The New Look. It’s the story of Christian Dior, the French fashion designer. I love the series, but I also love that he goes toContinue reading Wear a Tie When Reading
I’ve been reading Walden again, and Thoreau reminded me of the value in doing nothing. Thoreau would paddle his boat to the middle of Walden Pond, pull the oars in, and then lie on his back across the seats until the boat eventually drifted to shore. This would take hours, and in that time, whatContinue reading The Value of Doing Nothing
I was a terrible student until I entered college, and even then, the first two semesters were a disaster. I believed I wasn’t smart because I couldn’t keep up, especially in math class. I loved learning, but what I didn’t understand was that learning is a skill. It’s not about having a high IQ orContinue reading The Deliberate Practice of Learning
Rock climbers are crazy. What on earth drives a person to crawl up the face of a 1,000 foot cliff? I understand that the view is breathtaking and the rush of doing something impossible is rewarding, but I can think of other ways to experience reverie without dangling precipitously over my death. And yet, everyContinue reading Sieze the Sunday
I feel guilty when I read. My “dad-sense” kicks in, whispering that I should spend more time with my kids. Part of me thinks that one day, when everyone grows up, the guilty feelings will vanish and I’ll be able to sit in my reading chair without remorse. But I know that’s not true. MyContinue reading The UnSelfish Act of Reading
In Walden, Henry David Thoreau built a cabin in the woods that he might live deliberately. He wanted to get rid of the unnecessary claims on his attention so that he could focus on the act of being human (80). It struck me yesterday that we’re all looking for our personal Waldens. There’s a forceContinue reading I Will Live Deliberately