The Read Well Podcast

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas, reading friends!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Here’s to a beautiful new year with great books.

Two things:

1. Every year, it’s a tradition that each person in the family gets a book from dad. I can’t wait until I have lots of grandkids! Just image the stack of books under the tree. 🎄

2. Meet my furry buddies, LuLu and Poncho. They wanted to make your season bright! ⭐️

Enjoy this evening. It’s a magical one.

Until tomorrow, be present with those you love.

-Eddy

23/12/2024

📚SHALLOW READING VS. DEEP READING 📖

Let’s discuss the difference between shallow reading and deep reading. I picked up these definitions from Cal Newport’s book, Deep Work.

🧑‍🏫Deep Work: Activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limits. These efforts create new value, improve your skills, and are hard to replicate.

🧑‍🏫Shallow Work: Noncognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted. These efforts tend to not create much new value in the world and are easy to replicate.

I think there’s a place for both shallow and deep reading. The problem, according to little ol’ me, is that if we read at all, it’s always in the pool’s shallow end. We spend our days reading emails and social posts, and if we manage to open a book, it’s usually a genre-focused fictional book. That’s great! All good – but not cognitively demanding.

🤔What if we were to read a challenging book in a state of distraction-free concentration that pushed our cognitive abilities to their limits?

Want some examples? Right now, I’m knee-deep in William Shakespeare and a ridiculously beautiful book called A Companion to Phenomenology and Existentialism. Why? Because they’re a blast to try and conquer. And why not?!

Set aside some time for Deep Reading and you just might get addicted to it.

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

--------------------------------
🎉 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: Did you like today's post? Join 5,821 other readers and subscribe to my weekly newsletter for ideas on reading deeply at: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter/

21/12/2024

Waiting for some soup to bring home for the kiddos and wife. Always bring a book.

20/12/2024

🤔 Is Existential Overwhelm Real?

This book, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, taught me about Existential Overwhelm. It’s a very real feeling that I get daily.

Here’s the definition: Existential overwhelm happens when we’re faced with too many options for how to spend our time. It’s the idea that you could spend your evening learning to cook, read a book, acquire a new language, or catch Pokemon on your phone. Because you can do so many things, you often feel overwhelmed and do nothing.

It’s the first lesson I picked up from this book. I recently covered this concept and four other lessons from the book on my YouTube channel. Check out the view, and if you like it, please take a moment to help it do well with a like and a comment.

📺 Watch the video at: https://youtu.be/8MxzzQzahcM

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

18/12/2024

I’m just going to leave this here. 😂

17/12/2024

🧠BATTLE YOUR BRAINROT WITH BOOKS 📚

Have you come across the term “Brainrot” yet? It comes from our lifestyle of busy living, screen swiping, and “working in a state of semi-distraction” (Newport 43). We’re swamped with shallow work, the kind of tasks that do little to feed the growth of our brains. We spend most of the day checking email (shallow), multi-tasking (shallow), and moving too quickly (you guessed it – shallow).

We need depth in our lives. We need to work on interesting mental challenges that we can pour our entire focus into for long periods of time. It feels good to work on something important, and by doing so, we not only prevent this new phenomenon called “Brainrot,” we fortify against it. No matter our age or state, we can always increase our intelligence.

Learning to read a book WELL battles Brainrot. Go for it – pick up the kind of books that make you think. Wrestle with their words and concepts. So what if they’re hard – that’s a good thing! Netflix and TikTok are easy, but they’re not helping you – they’re distracting you.

Your brain is craving something important. Feed it with words from Michel du Montaigne, Tolstoy, or Shakespeare. At first, and for a long time, it may feel like you’re reading a different language. That’s because you’re overcoming Brainrot. Stick with those books, and soon, they will not only make sense, but they will far surpass the “wow factor” of TikTok.

One final thought. “When you lose focus, your mind tends to fix on what could be wrong with your life instead of what’s right” (Newport 82). That’s why it’s so important to escape shallow activities. When you tackle something mentally hard, you fortify against Brainrot and you stop thinking about what’s wrong with life in favor of what’s right.

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

—————

Works Cited:

Newport, Cal. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. First Edition, Grand Central Publishing, 2016.

16/12/2024

🎉2024 Has Been a Great Year! 🎉

I was thrilled to get this message in my inbox today. I host my podcast with Buzzprout, a popular platform for distributing podcasts. According to their stats, The Read Well Podcast is in the top 5% of shows for 2024 according to listener support.

That’s you!

You’ve been listening and it shows. Thank you for being there for this community.

NOW…2025 is coming quickly. I’m spending the next few weeks planning content, where to take the podcast, and more. If you have any suggestions on how I can improve the show and our community, please leave me a note below.

Once again, thank you!

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

👋p.s. for anyone new to the community, you can listen to the show at https://audio.thereadwellpodcast.com

15/12/2024

☕️A SIMPLE MORNING ROUTINE THAT FUELS MY DAY 📚

Morning routines don’t work because of their complexity—they work because you show up consistently.

In my new YouTube video, I take you through my simple reading-focused morning routine. It’s not just about setting intentions or clearing my mind—it’s about starting the day with purpose and the things that truly matter.

Curious about how I do it? Let me show you.

📺 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Yyc0gGnRM0E

If the video resonates with you, please like it and share your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback means a lot! 🙌

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

I believe morning routines are meant for books, coffee, and quiet reflection. In this video, I’ll take you through my reading routine, where I enjoy a great ...

13/12/2024

🇫🇷If you go to France, learn this phrase and you'll be just fine.

👉🏻J'ai besoin de livres.

📚Translation = I need books.

13/12/2024

🤔Quick question. Do you think reading speed matters? What's your opinion on how speed influences your comprehension and your ability to enjoy the book?

I just posted my answer on my YouTube channel. 📺https://www.youtube.com/

13/12/2024

🎅My favorite order from today. Happy reading, and enjoy that French press!

11/12/2024

🧦 SOCKS FOR BOOK PEOPLE 📚

I couldn't resist. I had to get these socks in my bookstore. I'm excited to announce that I now have a partnership with Gumball Poodle to bring fun socks to book lovers worldwide.

I have six pairs of each kind. If they do well in the store, I'll get more. What do you think???

🛍️Get a pair at https://edgewaterbookstore.com/collections/relax

10/12/2024

NOTES FOR BOOK CLUB THIS EVENING

👋 Hey friends!
Are you ready for a fun evening with Anna Karenina? I’ve got my notes ready.

🎉Not a member? You can join us here: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Here they are for your reference. Be careful, there are some spoilers if you haven't read pages 140 - 280 yet. See you soon.
-------------

P140 - "Marriages of Convenience and Passion: Inoculating Against Love"

The debate between Vronsky and Anna reveals contrasting views on marriage—whether convenience ensures happiness or if passion disrupts it. Their dialogue highlights societal cynicism toward love and the struggle to reconcile practicality with emotional fulfillment.

P140 - "As Many Kinds of Love as There Are Hearts"

Anna’s reflection on love emphasizes its subjective nature, suggesting that each individual experiences love uniquely. This moment showcases her introspective character and foreshadows her emotional complexity.

P150 - "Silent Whistling: The Disconnect Between Anna and Alexey"

Anna's conflicted emotions are evident as she lies next to Alexey, torn between fear and yearning for connection, while her thoughts linger on Vronsky. Alexey’s obliviousness and physical actions—like the nasal whistle—symbolize their growing estrangement.

P151 - "A Bull Awaiting the Axe: Alexey Alexandrovich's Powerlessness"

Alexey’s internal state contrasts sharply with his public persona as a strong political figure. His passive acceptance of Anna's infidelity underscores the dissonance between societal power and personal helplessness.

P151 - "Desire Fulfilled: Anna and Vronsky’s Emotional Collapse"

The culmination of Anna and Vronsky’s illicit affair is charged with shame and desperation. Their vulnerability exposes the emotional cost of their choices, intertwining passion with remorse.

P186 - "Calm Before the Race: A Philosophy of Preparation"

This quote reflects a recurring theme in the novel: the importance of maintaining composure amid life’s trials. It mirrors broader struggles with control and unpredictability.

P190 - "Pregnancy Revealed: Testing Emotional Depths"

Anna’s confession to Vronsky about her pregnancy tests their relationship's strength. Vronsky's pale reaction and internal turmoil reflect the seismic shift this revelation causes in their dynamic.

P194 - "Unhappiness and Sacrifice: Anna’s Contentment in Love"

Anna challenges Vronsky’s perception of her unhappiness, expressing a paradoxical sense of fulfillment despite the sacrifices and societal judgment she endures.

P203 - "The Fall of Frou-Frou: Vronsky's Emotional Collapse"

Vronsky’s horse race symbolizes his failures and impulsive actions, paralleling his personal life. His anguish over the horse’s injury reflects his broader inability to control outcomes.

P216 - "Confession of Love and Hate: Anna’s Despair"

Anna’s unfiltered confession to Alexey combines vulnerability and defiance, exposing her emotional turmoil and the fractured state of their relationship.

P227 - "Forgetting Oneself: Varenka’s Path to Happiness"

Through Varenka, Anna learns the virtues of selflessness and loving others as a means to inner peace, contrasting with Anna’s self-focused struggles.

P255 - "Labors of Joy: Levin’s Flow State"

Levin’s immersion in farming reflects his discovery of a meditative, almost spiritual fulfillment in work. When he loses self-awareness, his efforts become fluid and rewarding.

P265 - "The Hidden Joys of Motherhood: Darya Alexandrovna’s Perspective"

Darya’s struggles as a mother are offset by small, unnoticed joys, which she likens to specks of gold in sand. This illustrates the bittersweet balance of her life.

P275 - "French Lessons and Sincerity: Levin’s Critique of Darya’s Parenting"

Levin’s disdain for teaching children French symbolizes his broader value of authenticity over societal conventions, while Darya’s reasoning shows the complexities of parenting choices.

P279 - "Reward in Labor: Levin’s Reflection"

Levin finds intrinsic value in labor, detached from its outcomes. This moment encapsulates his philosophical journey toward self-acceptance and purpose.

P279 - "Admiring a Simple Life: Levin’s Realization"

Levin’s envy of simpler lifestyles transforms into a deeper understanding of his own life choices. This marks a pivotal step in his existential contemplation.

As always, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.

-Eddy

10/12/2024

🎭MY SHAKESPEARE STRATEGY FOR 2025 🎭

Yes, I have a Shakespeare strategy. I know, I’m a nerd. He’s a writer who gets even better with discussion, and I’ve always wanted to read him with friends. So, I’ve decided to make 2025 the year of the Shakespeare for myself.

To make this work, I found a college course titled “Studies in Shakespeare” which starts in January. Here’s the course description:

This class is intended for English and Theatre Studies majors and minors seeking a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s work. Students can expect to do close readings of at least five plays and to study such secondary materials as performance histories and artifacts, literary criticism, and historical background.

Sounds pretty good, right? I got registered and emailed the professor to figure out which works we will read in detail during the semester. Here’s the list:

1. Much Ado About Nothing
2. Henry V
3. Measure for Measure
4. Macbeth
5. Cymbeline

Great choices. Next, I’ve always wanted a complete collection of Shakespeare’s works that I’m not too precious about. It seems like every copy sold in bookstores these days is leatherbound with gold-foiled pages. I can’t take notes on that!

I scoured the internet and found this amazing copy. It’s old, perfectly sized (for a book that’s 1,263 pages), and the paper is real paper, not that scriptural stuff that feels like it’s made out of rice water and cotton candy. Anyway, I love this book.

I’m sharing this today hoping that it encourages someone to think about their study goals and commit fully to digging in this year. I’m so excited to read Shakespeare deeply.

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy



--------------------------------
🎉 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: Did you like today's post? Join 5,857 other readers and subscribe to my weekly newsletter for ideas on reading deeply at:

08/12/2024

Now is a good time to write down your thoughts.

08/12/2024

☕️The Pleasure of Sunday Morning

Sunday is quiet. It’s the best time of the week to wake up early, make a cup of coffee, and watch the sunrise. Winter is setting in here, so much so, that my fingers and toes are aching with cold. It feels nice to wrap my hands around a hot cup and feel the steam against my face.

I’m reading now. Anna Karenina. It’s 6:00 AM, all the windows are dark and the kids are asleep. I seem incapable of sleeping in these days, especially on Sunday since I know the house will be quiet and the emails will be silent. Sunday morning is a time for me to reflect on life, the books I love, and what’s most important.

I hope your Sunday morning treats you well. I’m going to spend the rest of mine writing and making a few notes.

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy
--------------------------------
🎉 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: Did you like today's post? Join 5,885 other readers and subscribe to my weekly newsletter for ideas on reading deeply at:

07/12/2024

Editing My Interview with Dr. Michael Huemer 🧑‍🏫

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, “Are you trying to exist in reality, or are you just trying to confirm your existing beliefs? We as humans should live in the truth. Whatever it is, even if it’s unpleasant, we should know it.”

We spent 1.5 hours on this interview creating a masterclass in critical thinking. In the quote above, Dr. Huemer points out that we have a choice regarding how we interface with knowledge. Will we live in bias and oblivion, or will we ask critical questions and think for ourselves, even if the answers we discover are unpleasant?

I’m, very passionate about this topic and was honored to have him on the show. I can’t wait for you all to see this one.

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

06/12/2024

🎓 Masterclass for Readers: Who’s Interested? 📚

Hey everyone! I’ve been thinking about hosting a free live masterclass here on Facebook all about reading deeply and taking better notes. ✍️

Would you join me for an event like that?

If at least 50 people are interested, I’ll create a session packed with actionable tips to help you get more out of your reading. Plus, I’ll answer your questions live!

💬 How to RSVP:

Drop a comment below if you’re in! Share what you’d love for me to cover in the class—any burning questions about reading or note-taking?

I’m excited to see if there’s enough interest to make this happen.

Until tomorrow, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.

– Eddy