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Stop Binging on Junk Media: Feed Your Brain
Published 6 days ago • 4 min read
Feed Your Brain with Better Books
Hello Reader,
I need to lose 10 pounds (mostly around the belly) and the process of dieting has taught me something interesting about reading deeply. I know what you’re thinking…that I pull these reading thoughts from strange places, but I promise this will help improve your deep reading sessions. Keep reading.
Ok, back to the diet. I tried eating less food. That makes sense, right? WRONG. By cutting down on calories, I get ravenous halfway through the day and throw my diet out the window. By the afternoon, my self-control is gone and I’m eating entire bags of processed gunk. I behave like the man-eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors. (See the colorful image attached).
Little Shop of Horrors
What’s the solution? I’ve learned that protein is a magical food. If I get enough of it, I’m satiated through the day and my sugar cravings are easier to handle. As long as I start the morning with quality protein and keep that up, I win. Huzzah!
🧑🏫 Let’s apply this to reading deeply. First, our bodies (and minds) crave real substance, not the low-caloric media diet that most social and streaming services provide us. I might argue that many books tend to swim in the shallow pool as well. If we don’t feed our brains with something calorically dense, they will lash out with ravenous hunger, gobbling up all sorts of useless, anxiety-driven information.
QUESTION 1: When was the last time you decided to give your brain a real book of substance? One that makes you think, takes a long time to read, and challenges your ideas, sense of self, etc.? I’m taking stuff like Euthyphro by Plato, The Invisible Man by Ralph Elision, or Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.
QUESTION 2: What if, instead of reading 100 books this year, you studied that ONE book you’ve been Avoiding? 🫣 You know the one, don’t you? It’s been on your shelf for years, waiting for you to overcome the fear of its weighty ideas. You’ve probably pulled it down several times, read the first sentence, and put it back telling yourself, “I’ll read it one day when I can give it the time it deserves.”
The time is now.
If I’m going to lose 10 pounds of junky weight, I have to give my body what it needs: quality food. Not eating is not a solution. If we’re going to do something important with our brains this year, we have to give them something worth chewing on. If you need something quality to read, check out my recommendations list which gets updated each week.
I’m just going to say it! Have courage and read the hard book. You’ll be glad you did.
Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
New This Week:
This Month's Book Recommendation
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Listen to the Podcast
Do I Read Multiple Books at the Same Time? | EP 84
Watch the Show
Can Deep Work Help Me Learn French???
What's New at Edgewater Bookstore
Discover my curated reading selection for January 2025
This Month's Book Recommendation
Deep Work by Cal Newport
If you follow my newsletter closely, you might be thinking, "What a minute, hasn't Eddy already recommended this book?" The answer is yes! Here's what's going on.
I teach the process of reading slowly, taking notes, and applying the ideas. A wonderful member of my book club pointed out that I need to recommend fewer books so that he has enough time to read the ones I do recommend.
I agree!
So, going forward, I am going to be recommending one book a month and then share specific lessons from that book in the newsletter. For this week, you'll find my lesson from Deep Work in the video posted below. I used what Cal teaches to try and learn a foreign language. Giddy-up!
Ever wondered if you can read multiple books at once without losing focus? In this video, I share my personal reading routine and answer a community question about balancing books for study, enjoyment, and discussion. Learn how to follow your curiosity, understand your limits as a reader, and build habits that keep you engaged in every book you pick up. You'll discover:
How I study non-fiction in the morning.
Why I save fiction for nighttime relaxation.
How I approach my book club reads.
My thoughts on annotating, note-taking, and reading for pure enjoyment.
Whether you're juggling books or just trying to stay consistent, this video will help you build a strategy that works for you. 📚
I used the principles of Deep Work by Cal Newport to learn the French language!🇫🇷 🥖 In this video, I’ll explain what Deep Work is, why it’s so valuable for focused learning, and how I applied it to make meaningful progress in the language. If you’ve ever wanted to accomplish something challenging, this book might just change how you approach it.
This month, I'm focusing on focus. From a new custom notebook inspired by Deep Work to tasty brews and teas, check out the curated selection for January.
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.
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.