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The FLOW of Reading Well
Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Find Reading FLOW
Hello Reader,
Flow is a fancy way of saying Optimal Experience. You've been there. It's when you're unstoppable, everything works, and your focus and skill are laser tight. Let's talk about how to get into reading flow, or how to have an optimal reading experience.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, author of FLOW - The Psychology of Optimal Experience, says, "The best moments usually occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile" (3).
Let's unpack that.
1️⃣ If we're going to get into reading flow, our minds need to be stretched to the limit. Translation: If we're reading second grade picture books, we're going to get bored. Also, if we're reading anatomy textbooks, our eyes might glaze over. We need to know our intellectual level as readers and be honest with ourselves. The goal is to find books that are at our level or slightly higher, wherein they can push us without melting our brains. 🧠
2️⃣ The work should be voluntary as well. You can get into flow if work or school assigns something for you to read, but it's much easier if you do the choosing. Again, you need to to know yourself well enough to understand your passions and curiosities. If you have no interest in the origin of salt, why are you reading a micro history on the topic? 🧂
3️⃣ Finally, reading takes effort. To read well is to use your imagination, take notes, and apply what you're learning. This stands for fiction as well as non-fiction. If your book can help you accomplish something difficult and worthwhile in your life, then you'll have an easier time getting into FLOW because you care about the outcome. 🏔️
I came across this video which talks about the value of reading in our distracted society. I think we would read more if we could get into flow. What do you think?
It would be great if every reading session was optimal. That's not going to happen. However, if you can choose books at or slightly above your intellect level (be honest), do so with a volunteer's spirit, and use your books as tools to accomplish something meaningful in your life, then yes, more of your reading sessions will be in a state of Flow.
👋 Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
New This Week:
This Month's Book Recommendation
1984 by George Orwell
Listen to the Podcast
6 Books That Helped Me Build a Daily Reading Habit | EP 91
Watch the Show
Is Reading Classic Literature ACTUALLY Worth It?
What's New at Edgewater Bookstore
See What's New for March 2025
March's Book Recommendation
1984 by George Orwell
My book recommendation for March is George Orwell's 1984. I find this to be one of those books people can quote without having read it. That's because its premise is terrifyingly possible - the idea that the government becomes so invasive, that it watches and controls every aspect of life.
When you read this book, I would as you to look out for a few things. First, what are the tools that "Big Brother" uses to keep a thumb on citizens like the main character, Winston Smith? A few are state-sponsored alcohol, rumors of something called the thought police, and even teaching children to act as spies against their own parents.
This book is eye-opening. While it can be heavy to read, I think 1984 is one of the best books ever written for its ability
6 Books That Helped Me Build a Daily Reading Habit | EP 91
Most people want to read more but struggle to stay consistent. I’ve been there. Over the years, I’ve learned a few simple ways to make reading part of my life without forcing it. I’ll share the strategies that worked, the six books that kept me hooked when my motivation dipped, and how to handle common mistakes—like getting stuck in books that feel impossible to finish.
In this episode, I talk about why classic literature is still worth reading, even in our busy lives. These books have lasted the test of time for a reason. They offer rich insights into the human experience, and I’ll show you how reading a novel like Jane Eyre can help you see life from new perspectives. You’ll find that classic literature is not just for scholars—it’s for anyone who wants to understand themselves and the world better.
This month, I'm focusing on the dangers of "Group Think." The goal is to recognize when we're swept away with the crowd and to hit pause and think before we act.
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.
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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.