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My 2026 Reading Goals

👋 Hey Reader,

I love setting goals—but when it comes to life as a reader, I’ve realized there are some pretty toxic ideas about what a “good reader” should accomplish.

I used to approach reading like a hustle-culture game. My self-worth felt tied to the number of books I could finish each year. And over time… well, I started beating myself up for not reading enough, for not remembering what I’d read, or for just… struggling to focus.

That’s exactly why I started this podcast and newsletter. I wanted a way to spend time with my books that was mentally healthy, enjoyable, and actually meaningful.

So, with that in mind, here are my 2026 reading goals. Feel free to borrow them if they resonate with you:

1. Be kind to myself as a reader. No beating myself up if I’m not reading enough, don’t understand a book, or can’t focus. I’m not perfect. I’m not a robot. I’m just a curious guy who loves books—and I want to enjoy them.
2. Only spend time with books I love. Every book gets 50 pages to grab my attention. If it fails to capture my curiosity, I let it go. Life’s too short for books that don’t spark joy.
3. Apply at least one lesson from each book. This is the big one. I want every book I read to leave a mark, to shift my thinking, or to change the course of my life in some way. Reading without applying is just… consuming. I want impact.

That’s it. No goals around page counts, daily reading targets, or finishing X books per year. I don’t want reading to feel like a job—I’ve already got one of those. 😜

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

-Eddy

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New This Week:

Book Recommendation Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Listen to the Podcast My #1 Trick I for Remembering Books | EP 120 Book Club Update What We're Reading This Week

Book Recommendation

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

This is my favorite book to recommend—the one I give to family and friends more than any other. Why? Here are a few reasons:

1. It’s a nonfiction book about the value of your time. But it’s not about cramming more into your day—it’s about focusing on the right things that create meaning.
2. It’s packed with thoughtful philosophy (which I love!).
3. Burkeman is a fantastic writer—clear, engaging, and genuinely entertaining to read.
4. This book is a total mindshift. By the end, you’ll stop making excuses for not having the time to do what you love.

With the new year approaching, and many of us thinking about family, friends, and goals, I can’t think of a better book to help someone set up a meaningful year.

Get Your Copy at Edgewater→

Listen to The Podcast

My #1 Trick I for Remembering Books | EP120

I’ve tried every trick in the book to remember what I read—and the one that works isn’t about highlighting or taking notes. It’s about applying ideas. I’ll show how I take concepts off the page and into real life so that books don’t just get read—they get remembered.

Listen on Apple Podcasts 🎧 Listen on Spotify 🎧

Update From Book Club

What we're reading now

Reading Pace: 10 pages / day

Dates: 11/4/2025 to 12/9/2025

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

An Immense World invites readers into the sensory lives of animals, uncovering how they perceive the world in ways radically different from humans. From echolocation to ultraviolet vision, Ed Yong takes readers on a scientific and philosophical journey, challenging us to rethink our place in the tapestry of life.

📚 Join My Book Club for Just $3/Week

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 →

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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