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The Best Thing Deep Reading Has Taught Me So Far
Published 17 days ago • 3 min read
The Deep Reading Lesson that WORKS
Hello Reader,
I just got off a cruise ship with my family. We spent the last two days locked in our cabins, sick. I did have a few good days on the boat, though—and the photo above was my view each morning.
At least I’m home now, surrounded by my books.
Lying in that cramped little room, kids coughing all around me, I found myself thinking about you—and what I might write in this newsletter. After years of talking about the art of deep reading, one lesson stands out as the most transformative.
I’ve learned to say “Maybe.”
Before I started reading deeply, I thought I had things pretty well figured out. Politics, religion, the world—I had opinions on all of it. I’d gone to college, raised a family, lived a life. I thought I had the answers.
Now, I’m not so sure—and I’ve come to see that as a strength.
Deep reading has taught me how little I actually know. It's helped me recognize that many of my opinions weren’t built on research or reflection—they were built on emotion, assumption, and repetition.
Books taught me to pause. When I hear an argument or a controversial idea, I don’t feel the need to jump in with a ready-made response. Instead, I say, “Maybe.”
It buys me space to think. To cool down. To examine the idea instead of reacting to it. And so far, that simple habit has made my life better.
👋 Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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This Week's Book Recommendation
Working Days by John Steinbeck
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This Week's Book Recommendation
Working Days by John Steinbeck
Reading this book is like watching Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel. It’s John Steinbeck’s day-by-day journal as he works to write The Grapes of Wrath—one of the greatest novels of all time.
I love this book for so many reasons. First, I’m a writer myself, and I’m fascinated by the creative process. It’s humbling (and encouraging) to see Steinbeck grind through the work with all the doubts, frustrations, and moments of clarity that come with it. Second, it reminds me to stay disciplined. Steinbeck didn’t write for fame—he wrote because he wanted it to matter. That’s what makes this journal so powerful.
Also—Season 3 of my book club starts June 17, and we’re reading The Grapes of Wrath! If you’re joining me, I highly recommend reading this journal alongside the novel.
I read to spend time with people—fictional or not—that make me think, make me laugh, or just feel like good company. In this episode, I talk about why Less by Andrew Sean Greer worked for me, why Artemis by Andy Weir didn’t, and why I give every novel exactly 50 pages to win me over. This isn’t about snobbery—it’s about using your time wisely.
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.
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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Weekly Newsletter on Great Books, Reading Habits, and Literary Appreciation.
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.