Lesson: Welcome back to ‘The Focused Reader.’ Today, let’s explore a concept Daniel Goleman introduced: that a wealth of information leads to a poverty of attention. In our world boiling with data and distractions, it’s normal to find focusing difficult. You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed or easily distracted. This is a common challengeContinue reading Day 2 – Attention Poverty and Three Books
Luckily my mind did not wander yesterday. I am nearing the end of a book and enjoying it– though I do not want it to end.
I wondered in the first minute or so but reminded myself that the timer will be my permission to wonder.
My three books are great. So far I am sticking with The Rewire Retirement Method as I am less than three months from retiring!
My mind didn’t wander much at all yesterday. There was the occasional moment in which I went back and re-read a line or paragraph because my focus wasn’t 100%, but those were few and far between.
I have three books I really like, but for now I’m going to stick with Lucretius’s “On The Nature of Things.” My intention is to take a deeper dive into philosophy; “On the Nature of Things” is a book recommended in the Yale open philosophy course.
I started The Covenant of Water and am enjoying it. It’s an engaging read with beautiful writing.
I am enjoying A Covenant of Water
As others have said, the clock was a reminder that I have permission for my mind to wonder in just a few more minutes and that helped me stay focused.
I started reading “The Glorious Cause” last night. It is a history book. I found that my attention wanders when I hit a part where the names are unfamiliar. I did not pick up another book but started back a page or so and re-read, trying to make sense of who the unfamiliar people were.
I started by reading Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín. It was pretty easy to focus for that 10 minutes. The writing is vivid and I was caught up in it immediately. I saw the movie a number of years ago before I knew the book existed and I loved it. Usually I read the book before I see the movie, so I’m curious how this will be.
I am reading Niccolos smile mainly as I read this book before but now will like to take in more information.
I wonder but I also realized this happens because at times I read with a lot of anxiety or restless mind. So just finding that spot usually helps
Funny enough someone here is reading Lucretius on the nature of things. Macchiavelli loved this book. He actually translated for someone (it was really expensive)to buy a book and such opportunity allowed him to make a copy for himself)
I found that my mind did wander more than usual when I started reading A History of Crete. However, I find that when I start a book this usually happens until I get into the rhythm of the author’s prose. I will continue with this book because we will visit Crete again at year’s end. The book of the three that I look forward to reading most is The Iliad because it is a work of classic literature that I haven’t yet read.
1. My mind did not wander at all yesterday. IF it had I would not have switched books. One of my problems now is that I jump to a different. ook too quickly. I often do not finish the book I start with!
2. Of the three, the book I am most interested in currently is “A Philosopher Looks at Science” by Nancy Cartwright (Within the last 70 days I have finished two book in related fields (“Finding Darwin’s God” and “Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark”). This adds to my longtime interest in the history and philosophy of science.
2. I have read for over 30 minutes today.
BTW, I just posted my responses to Assignment two and it is 8:30 pm on Monday August 5, 2025 and the date stamp on my post it August 6, 2024!
Richard
I am currently reading two books while on vacation in Greece. One is the Rise and Fall of Athens, and the other is a novel my wife picked up at the airport called No two persons. They complement each other well. I would say my mind wanders more with the historical book given it takes more focus in general and is a bit more mentally tiring. My mind usually wanders to personal issues and my phone/messages.
I set the timer for 10 minutes! Then read for an hour.
Reading Benjamin Franklin…only wandering was when I encountered a word I was not familiar with. No switching
My mind did not wander. I stuck with Scarcity Brain – as that is a topic I’m interested in and want to learn about.
I’m reading Tough Women. My mind only wandered when I looked up at the TV which was on. (Leonardo Da Vinci) Then I turned it off and continued reading. I chose Tough Women because it has mostly short stories (which will be many small reading accomplishments) recounting solo outdoor adventures by badass female adventurers. I enjoy recreating outdoors but the thought of going at it alone is truly frightening to me.
1) yes my mind wandered a little but not totally sure why because I like my book.
2) I am most looking forward to reading Four Thousand Weeks, the concept really intrigues me.
I found I wanted to look up other books or information I learned – so I started writing that down instead. I am most looking forward to Lost in Thought. The prose is at times really luminous and I love it.
I had a good time and went over the alloted time by an hour or so and I wrote down works I was unable to define.
I was reading the ebook version of The Intellectual Life and my mind kept wandering to “I wish I could find my hard copy of this book” and mentally going through my bookshelves trying to think where it could be rather than reading the copy I had in my hands…
I’m enjoying The Intellectual Life (despite the wandering)…
Well, of course I missed the second day—I’m nothing if not consistently inconsistent. On the first day, my mind wandered in the first few minutes—as it always does when reading fiction—because I was trying to master the characters, setting, and story details. I didn’t switch books because I want to read the one I started. I know what my problem is; I just don’t do anything about it. I’m most looking forward to reading (finishing) Motivational Interviewing because I started it previously and haven’t finished it.
My focus is on Murder at the Manor because I’m hoping to be a better reader of fiction.
I was reading The East Indian. Unfortunately, I was reading in the evening after dinner, and I started falling asleep within 5 minutes. The words got blurry and I kept re-reading them and my brain just wasn’t comprehending the paragraph. Today I will read during the day and see if I can accomplish more.
A few months ago I was having trouble reading anything at all. Nothing could hold my attention for more than a few minutes. This went on for quite a long time. Then I decided on a whim to read some classics and that has helped a lot.
When reading The Iliad yesterday (and today) I find myself skimming over passages of fighting.
I’m most looking forward to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn!
I was glad to begin reading The Spirit of Hope as I had put off starting it, and I had much curiosity about how the author would address the meaning of “spirit” and the essence of the meaning of the word “hope. This is not a “pop” psychology book and requires my concentration. Yesterday I did well enough with focusing. Highlighted a good bit. Today I realized I’ll need to take notes.
Of the three books I have chosen, The Spirit of Hope is the one I most want to read with understanding and application of what I hope to learn. I am troubled by fear related to how a democracy can survive as it is demolished bit by bit. I need to have hope for a better tomorrow in my country.
Reading slowly is new to me. I see benefits already such as taking time to breathe, for example.
My mind didn’t wander yesterday; my reading was smooth. I decided to read “You Are the Mountain” because I’ve been procrastinating a lot recently, and this is something I’ve decided to act on. I did some research and found this book. I really appreciated the first pages, and I hope to apply its lessons right away.
My mind did not wander before the 10 minute mark but, after I did get distracted by my dog and when it started to get cold (I was reading outside). I did not switch books, but, I was reading my fiction book which is probably easier to focus on. I have decided to switch out one of my books for a book called Sophies Story (recommended in one of your podcasts)
forgot to answer the third question: I am looking forward to two things. Reading and finishing my fiction book, and reading DEEPLY the Art of War. I think there are many interesting messages in this book which are applicable to every day life.