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20 Harsh Truths for Readers

Hello Reader,

I want to start by saying that these "Hash Tips" are pointed at me. I'm not suggesting I've got it all figured out--just that I'm working on them. Reading well is a practice.

1. Stop saying you don’t have time. You have time—you’re just choosing Netflix over growth.
2. Quit reading aimlessly. A hundred random books won’t help if you don’t know what you’re trying to learn.
3. Re-read the hard stuff. If you didn’t understand it the first time, that’s exactly why you need to go back.
4. Stop collecting books you’ll never read. Your library isn’t a trophy case—it’s a toolbox. Use it.
5. You don’t need the perfect system. Stop procrastinating with fancy note-taking apps. Just pick one and do the work.
6. Stop hiding behind “I’m not smart enough.” You’re not behind because of IQ—you’re behind because of discipline.
7. If you only learn what you agree with, you’re not really learning. Challenge yourself. Get uncomfortable.
8. You’re not too old. The best time was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now.
9. Don’t confuse scrolling with studying. Endless podcasts and YouTube videos aren’t learning unless you wrestle with the ideas.
10. Stop talkinb about what you'll read "someday." We all have a TBR list. Start reading it.
11. Learning without reflection is useless. If you don’t take time to think, you’re just stuffing your brain with noise.
12. Reading harder books won’t kill you. Stop dumbing everything down. You grow by struggling.
13. Quit waiting for the right mood. Study when you’re tired. Read when it’s inconvenient. That’s how it sticks.
14. If you can’t explain it simply, you didn’t really learn it. Go deeper until you can teach it.
15. Don’t worship speed. A book a week means nothing if you remember nothing. Slow down.
16. Stop letting your phone ruin your focus. If you can’t give an hour of deep attention, you’re not serious.
17. Learning is supposed to feel hard. If it’s always easy, you’re not actually learning.
18. Stop comparing your learning journey to others. The only competition is who you were yesterday.
19. Don’t just consume—create. Take what you learn and do something with it. Write. Teach. Share.
20. Admit when you’re making excuses. “I’m busy,” “I’m tired,” “I’ll start later”—these words are destroying you.

👋 Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

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New This Week: ​

This Week's Book Recommendation The Death of Ivan Ilyich Watch the Podcast Reading Used to Be Magical. What Happened? | EP103 Watch the Show I LOVE this Book (So I Bought 100 Copies) ❤️📚 Join Us for Book Club How to Get Started (And Why)

This Week's Book Recommendation

The Death of Ivan Ilyich

I’ve been talking about this book a lot lately, and for good reason—it’s short, punchy, and busting with philosophy.

What makes The Death of Ivan Ilyich so powerful is that it feels like both fiction and nonfiction. On the surface, it’s the story of a dying man trying to reconcile his life with meaning. But through his suffering and self-reflection, he discovers what it truly means to live authentically—and in the end, he finally finds real happiness.

I love books like this. They’re the kind you can take on long walks, talk about with friends, and carry around in your head for days.

Here are a few of the questions it’s left me wrestling with:

• Do I value appearances over authenticity?
• When I die, will my contributions have mattered?
• How do I live well—right now?

It’s a tiny book—just 53 pages—but don’t rush it. I'd suggest 5 pages a day and then take a walk and do some journaling.

🎉 p.s. - I'm teaching a deep reading course in November on this book. If you want to go deeper, join us! There are 93 seats left in the class.

Reserve Your Seat

Listen to The Podcast

Reading Used to Be Magical. What Happened? | EP103

As a kid, I used to read by flashlight under my covers—completely absorbed, completely amazed. Somewhere along the way, I traded that sense of wonder for utility. In this episode, I talk about what happened and how to get it back. I’ll share one book that lit the fire again and offer a few tips for reclaiming a deeper, more joyful experience of reading.

Listen Here →

Watch the Show

I LOVE this Book (So I Bought 100 Copies) ❤️📚

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In this week's episode, I’m sharing why The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy is one of the most powerful things I’ve ever read. It’s only 53 pages, but it a goodie. Why? Well, let's chat about it in today's video.​
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Watch the Video

Want to Join the Book Club? Have you been thinking of joining us for book club? It's just $12 a month. Get access to our private community, weekly meetings, reading notes, and more. We start reading The Power of Myth by Jospeh Campbell on July 29th! ​ Click to Learn More

"The research the community contributes alongside the reading is priceless." -Anna Fields

"I love book club. I’m getting so much more out of this book than if I had read it alone." -Heather Scofield

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

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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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