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📖 Jane Eyre—Our Next Book Club Read (And Why You’ll Love It)
Published 2 months ago • 4 min read
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Jane Eyre
đź“šOur Next Book Club Readđź“š
(And Why You’ll Love It)
Hello Reader,
Next Tuesday (Feb 25), we’re starting a new book in our book club—Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. If you haven’t read it yet, this is your chance. If you have, it’s time to see it with fresh eyes.
Why Jane Eyre? Because it’s one of the most fiercely independent, thought-provoking novels in literature. At its core, Jane Eyre is about a young woman who refuses to be defined by her circumstances. She’s orphaned, poor, and constantly underestimated, yet she stands her ground. No matter how much the world tries to shape her, Jane insists on being herself.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
đź“– The Benefits of Reading This Book
This isn’t just a love story (though it has one of the most unconventional romances in literature). It’s about self-respect, moral integrity, and the power of saying “no” when everything in the world is telling you to say “yes.”
By reading Jane Eyre, you’ll get:​ ✅ A masterclass in great fiction —Jane is one of the most complex protagonists ever written. ✅ A deep dive into Gothic literature—haunted mansions, hidden secrets, and mysterious figures in the attic. ✅ A philosophical debate on autonomy vs. fate—do we choose our own destiny, or is it chosen for us?
đź’The Big Philosophical Questions We’ll Discuss
Is true love possible without equality?
Can someone be morally flawed and still be a good person?
What does it mean to be truly free?
This is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page. Join us next Tuesday as we dive into Jane Eyre—grab a copy, start reading, and let’s explore this timeless novel together.
Get your copy of the edition we will be reading. Here's a link on Amazon. Don't start reading until February 25th. https://amzn.to/4183eWU​
Clear your calendar for Tuesday evenings. We meet virtually (8:30 to 9:30 PM) weekly.
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👋 Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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New This Week:
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This Month's Book Recommendation
How to Live by Sarah Bakewell
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Discover my curated reading selection for February 2025
February's Book Recommendation
How to Live by Sarah Bakewell
In How to Live, Sarah Bakewell explores the life and philosophy of Michel de Montaigne, the 16th-century essayist who basically invented the art of thinking on paper. One of my favorite lessons from the book comes from Montaigne’s approach to paying attention—to life, to books, and to himself.
Montaigne believed that most of us live on autopilot, skimming the surface of our own lives. He argued that the key to how to live isn’t in rigid rules or grand philosophies but in noticing—truly noticing—what’s happening around and within us. He would jot down thoughts as they came, reflect on his daily experiences, and let curiosity guide his reading instead of forcing himself into rigid interpretations. He teaches us that wisdom doesn’t come from accumulating knowledge; it comes from observing what we already know, questioning it, and being open to where the inquiry leads.
So, what does this mean for us? It means slowing down. It means reading Jane Eyre (or any book) not just to finish it but to notice how it makes us feel. It means listening to our thoughts instead of drowning them in noise. And it means embracing the contradictions in ourselves instead of trying to smooth them out. Montaigne didn’t try to have all the answers—he simply paid attention. Maybe that’s the best way to live.
Shakespeare’s Henry V opens with an unusual request: The Chorus begs the audience to use their imagination because the play can’t capture the full scale of the story. That’s Shakespeare admitting something every reader should remember—fiction alone isn’t enough. In this episode, I explore why even the greatest writer of all time asked his audience to fill in the gaps and why doing the same will make your reading sessions far more rewarding.
If you feel like you forget books as soon as you finish them, you're not alone. Most people never move beyond basic comprehension when they read. In this episode, I break down the four levels of reading, how to work through a book more effectively, and why deeper comprehension matters.
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.
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As always, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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Got Questions?
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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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Subscribe to my newsletter for tips on close reading, detailed note-taking, and applying bookish wisdom to your life. I talk about fiction and non-fiction, interview literary experts, and host The Read Well Podcast. Subscribe today and build better reading habits.