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3 Books That Changed My Perspective
Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read
3 Books That Blew Me Away
Hello Reader,
Every once in a while, I read a book that shifts something in me—how I see people, how I think about my work, or how I understand the world. I wanted to share three of those books with you today. These aren’t just books I liked—they changed my perspective in ways I didn’t expect.
1. The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore This one surprised me. It’s the story of a woman who lives with deep prejudice, routines, and a desire to be seen as proper and respectable. But under all that, she’s lonely and full of contradictions. What struck me was how easy it is to become trapped in a version of yourself—especially the version other people expect. Judith made me think about how often we live for appearances, and how destructive that can be when it stops us from actually being ourselves.
2. Working Days by John Steinbeck This is Steinbeck’s private journal while he was writing The Grapes of Wrath, and it’s raw. He wrestles with self-doubt, feels like an imposter, worries he won’t pull it off. Reading it gave me a kind of quiet courage—because if Steinbeck felt that way and kept going, maybe I can too. This book made the creative process feel more human to me, not just some polished thing that always works out in the end.
3. Cultish by Amanda Montell This one made me sit up straight. It’s all about how the language used by cults, companies, fitness studios, and influencers is designed to pull us in. Not with logic, but with community, identity, and emotion. I’ve started noticing this language everywhere since reading it—especially in places that seem harmless. It made me more curious, more skeptical, and a lot more aware of how words can shape belief.
If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear what they did for you. And if you haven’t—maybe one of them will be what you need right now.
Talk soon, Eddy
👋 Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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This Week's Book Recommendation
Cultish by Amanda Montell
I picked this up thinking it would be an interesting read about cults—and it is—but it turned out to be way more relevant to everyday life than I expected.
Montell digs into the language cults use, sure, but also the language we hear all the time in things like fitness programs, MLMs, influencers, corporate culture… even wellness trends. The whole book made me stop and ask, Why am I drawn to this? Is it the message—or the way it’s being said?
It’s not alarmist or preachy. It’s smart, entertaining, and super readable. And once you start noticing the patterns she talks about, you can’t unsee them. I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
If you like books that change the way you hear the world around you, give this one a shot.
How to Actually Remember the Books You Read | EP101
In this episode, I talk about why so many people forget what they read—and how I’ve changed my habits to remember the books that matter. It’s not a trick or a hack. It’s just a way of treating books like relationships. You can’t know someone after one dinner, and you can’t know a book after one reading.
This is episode 100 of The Read Well Podcast, and to mark the moment, I’m sharing the 11 books we’ll be reading together from June 2025 to June 2026 in season 3 of the Book Club. If you’re someone who wants to read more deeply, especially when it comes to philosophy and big ideas, I think you’ll want to see what’s on the list. I’ll also explain how to join us for book club—whether you want to talk, listen, or just read alongside a community.
A deep read requires time, focus, and immersion, and the perfect cup of coffee to match. The Deep Read is our darkest roast, designed to pair perfectly with those long nights of studying important books.With a rich blend of coffees from the Americas, this roast offers comforting flavors of nutty caramel and chocolate, creating a deep, flavorful cup that holds up beautifully for espresso.Whether you're brewing an intense shot of espresso or savoring a slow cup during a thoughtful reading session, The Deep Read is the perfect companion for uncovering the layers of a great book.Key Features: Roast level: 3 of 5 (dark roast) Tasting notes: Nutty, caramel, and chocolate Origin: A blend of coffees from the Americas Perfect for espresso or long, focused study sessions. Brew a cup of The Deep Read, and let its rich flavors fuel your most thoughtful moments.Net Weight: 12 ounces (340 G)
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As always, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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