I got my first film camera in 1998 for $400. It was chunky, gray, and too heavy in my hands. I bought a roll of Kodak film, asked the store owner to load it into the back panel, and then rolled the dial forward to the first frame. “You have 24 frames,” the clerk said.Continue reading Read Like a Film Photographer
I like reading in 30-minute increments for several reasons. First, I get sore if I sit too long holding a book. Getting up and stretching after a 30-minute session makes it possible to keep reading. Otherwise, I end up thinking more about the pain in my neck than the story in my hands. Second, I’mContinue reading The World Can Change in 30 Minutes
Robert Greene, author of Mastery and other psychologically juicy books, shares a powerful tip for achieving a higher level of skill in any field — and it’s connected to how you read. Before I share his secret, let’s figure out WHAT you should master in your life. In the first section of his book, Greene suggests thatContinue reading The Art of Mastery (For Book Lovers)
I just got back from a work trip to Chicago, and now I’m staring down the barrel of a week’s worth of emails, to-do list items, and chaos. I had a small panic attack this morning until I remembered my thinking ritual. It’s a morning routine that keeps me out of anxiety land. If youContinue reading Create a Thinking Routine
Today is a special day. I’ll be interviewing Maryanne Wolf, author of the incredible book Reader, Come Home. Her book is a call to action for anyone frustrated with how the digital landscape has decimated their reading brains. Here’s some even better news! This is a live event and members of my book club canContinue reading Reclaim Your Reading Brain
My morning started off less than stellar. I had to read a 30-page business contract (stressful), redline it for changes (boring), and then send it back to attorneys for an update. My brain is fried and it’s only 9:30 in the morning (shocker). Reading deeply was not in the cards. Normally I would start myContinue reading Do This Before Reading Deeply
Let’s pretend, for a moment, that every time you finish a book, you apply at least one idea from its pages to your life. I’m not talking about remembering a concept, sharing what you learned with friends in a book club, or teaching a class on the ideas – I’m talking about making a real,Continue reading Apply One Idea from a Book
I’m not a virtuoso reader, but I hope to be one day. I was reading Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi this morning, and on page 25, he explains how virtuosos are made. He says: “Like all virtuosi, he must spend many years learning, and he must keep constantly in training. Being a specialist, he cannot affordContinue reading Become a Virtuoso Reader
It’s morning now. I’ve just turned on my espresso machine and I’m holding Sophie’s World in my hands. The air is cooling down outside, just a little, and I can feel that fall tingle on my skin. There’s something great about starting the day with coffee and a book. It’s nice having a ritual thatContinue reading Coffee & A Great Book
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