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Are You too Cynical as a Reader?

👋 Hey Reader,

​
Are you too cynical when you read a book?

​Rita Felski, the John Stewart Bryan Professor of English at the University of Virginia, thinks so.

She argues that we’ve developed a hard, critical edge as readers—that somewhere along the way, we lost that sense of enchantment we had as kids.

I think she’s right, for three reasons.

1. As adult readers, we’re usually after entertainment (which is different from enchantment) or self-development.
2. We want to learn something. We read with a goal in mind—a checklist. Finish the book → cross it off.
3. We’ve been taught that enchantment is for children. Adults are supposed to grow up, get serious, and focus on what pays the bills.

But I think we’ve lost something in that trade.

Let’s try a quick test.

I’m going to show you a single image—just see what it stirs.

Ready?

The bookmobile used to come to my school once a month. It was one of the most magical moments of my childhood.

And the best part? They still exist in parts of the country.

Now try this:

Pick up the book you’re currently reading—but don’t open it.

Ask yourself one question:

Does this book bring you enchantment?

No?

Then find a better book.

In this week’s recommendations, I’ll share ten books that genuinely enchanted me.

I hope you enjoy.

📚 Until next time, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.

-Eddy

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New This Week:

Book Recommendation Scroll down to see the 10 recommendations! What Happening in Book Club this Week The Picture of Dorian Gray Update on My Novel I'm Looking for 10 Beta Readers

Looking for More Enchantment?

10 Book Recommendations

​Beartown by Fredrik Backman​
A small town, a hockey team, and the kind of moral pressure that reveals who people really are.

​Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee​
Waning: This isn't a nice book, but it's one that transports.

A quiet, unsettling story about consequence, dignity, and what happens after a fall from grace.

​Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier​
A young woman enters a grand house haunted by the memory of the wife who came before her.

​A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles​
A man sentenced to spend his life in a hotel discovers that a small world can still hold a full life.

​Red Rising by Pierce Brown​
A rebellion begins when a young man infiltrates the ruling class to tear it down from within.

​11/22/63 by Stephen King​
A man travels back in time to stop an assassination and discovers the past doesn’t change easily.

​Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel​
After a pandemic collapses the world, a group of artists carries what remains of culture forward.

​Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman​
A reminder that our time is limited—and that trying to optimize all of it is the wrong goal.

​Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey​
A collection of stories and reflections on recognizing the moments when life opens up and moving with them.

​How to Live by Sarah Bakewell​
A guide to living well through the life and thoughts of Montaigne.

Update From Book Club

What We're Reading:

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Edition: Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Fingerprint! Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 978-93-5440-217-3

Reading Pace: 15 pages / day

Dates: 4/14/2026 to 4/28/2026

Online Meetings Held: Tuesdays at 8:30 EST – [Click here to join]​

The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the story of a young man who trades his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Oscar Wilde’s novel is a gothic tale of vanity, corruption, and moral decay.

Three questions to consider while you read:

1. How does Wilde explore the relationship between beauty, morality, and identity?
2. What role does art play in shaping Dorian’s worldview and fate?
3. How does the novel critique Victorian society and its values?

📚 Ready to Join Book Club?

If you want to read deeper, remember more, and meet people who love late-night philosophical conversations as much as you do… come read with us.

You get:​
✓ All weekly notes
✓ All recordings
✓ Access to our live Tuesday discussions
✓ A thoughtful community of readers

📚 - Join us here →

Update on My Novel

I'm Looking for 10 Beta Readers

Title: Sinners in the Orchard

Genre: Adult sci-fi (soft)

What It's About: A devout woman helps create a religion that stops aging and death, but when she discovers a disturbing truth about its rituals, she must be killed to protect the faith.

Length: 80,000 words (roughly 280-330 pages in a finished book). The beta copy will be longer due to standard manuscript formatting.

When: This book has been a long time in the making, and I’m planning to have it ready to send out to beta readers by April 18.

I'm looking for a small group of honest readers who are willing to help me see what’s actually working—and what’s not. Your feedback will help make the story better before I send it to literary agents.

Want to Help? Here’s what I’m looking for:

1. You love (and regularly read) fiction, especially science fiction or dystopian novels.
2. You’re open to a short call to talk through what didn’t work for you.
   • I enjoy compliments as much as anyone, but what I really need is clarity on where the story falls apart, drags, or misses.
   • If you’d rather not call, a short write-up (1 page or less) works great too.
3. You’re comfortable reading a PDF (and uploading it to your Kindle or e-reader if you want).
4. You can finish the book and send feedback by May 30.

That’s it.

👋 If you’re interested, just reply to this email and let me know. I'm looking for 4 more readers.

I’m excited—and honestly a little nervous—to get this into your hands. 🙌🏻

Hi, I'm Eddy. How Can I Help? Feel free to respond to this email. Let me know how I can make your experience in our reading community better, or if you have questions, I'm all ears. As always, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas. -Eddy

Got Questions?

Reply to this email with your questions. I respond to each and sometimes make a podcast or video to answer your bookish questions.

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