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.
Dr. Michael Huemer is considered one of the most prolific living philosophers today. Yes, there are living philosophers, and yes, I got to interview him! I’m currently editing this interview and will post it next week on my YouTube channel, but there’s a quote from the show I have to share today. Dr. Huemer said,Continue reading Editing My Interview with Dr. Huemer
I get a lot of comments from readers across my blog, YouTube channel, podcast, Facebook, and Instagram. One of the most common remarks has always been, “I can’t focus.” If you feel the same, let’s do a quick mental exercise. First, consider the fact that your focus is a skill you need to develop. FocusContinue reading Create a Focus Routine
You really are what you read. Let’s explore… If you only read poetry, you’ll probably dabble in poetic verse yourself. You may walk a little slower, smell the flowers, and write about them before you go to bed tonight. If you only read cookbooks, you’ll spend most of your time in the kitchen throwing doughContinue reading You Are What You Read
There’s never enough time to read. That’s the point. Reading is an activity of expansion. It adds to your life and makes it better, rather than something that must be done to avoid pain. It falls in the category of “should” tasks. I should go to the gym. I should call my mother. I shouldContinue reading Do You Need More Time to Read?
In 2002, Steven Pressfield published The War of Art, a book that explores the very real problem of Resistance in our lives. He approached the topic as a writer, but I’d like to apply his ideas to reading books. Let’s start with a great quote from the introductory pages. “There’s a secret that real writersContinue reading How to Slay the Reading Resistance Monster
You protect what you love, and you love what you understand. That’s human nature, and that’s why reading makes you a better person. When you read a book, you improve your understanding of something. You move outside your self-centered focus to explore new and challenging ideas. 📚 Read about different cultures and you’ll overcome prejudice.Continue reading Reading Makes You a Better Person. Here’s How.
If you want to retain what you read, write a one-paragraph summary of the book. I’m going easy on you here – one paragraph is nothing. I would prefer you write an entire essay arguing the main points of the book, examining what you agree and disagree with, and then connecting those ideas to otherContinue reading Try This for Better Reading Comprehension
Let’s start today’s post with a chiasmus (kai-AZ-mus) that’s been rattling around in my head. “It’s not the words in my books; it’s the books in my words.” Let’s break that down. It’s not the words in my books – This means that I’m not interested in reading lots of words for the sake ofContinue reading Why I’m Reading Books in 2025
I’m reading about the philosopher Simone du Beauvoir who struggled at the beginning of her career to get her thoughts in order. “One day, somewhere around the time of the 1948 Berlin trip, Beauvoir was sitting with pen in hand, staring at a sheet of paper. Alberto Giacometti said to her, ‘How wild you look!’Continue reading Not Sure What to Read? Try a Steamy Romance.
I just finished a great book, and now the real work begins! I love this part. After reading slowly, the next step is to take notes. All of my favorite passages have been marked. Now I get to go back, review the best ones, and make notes I can use throughout the rest of myContinue reading When I Finish a Great Book