Episode Summary: "6 Books That Helped Me Build a Daily Reading Habit | EP 91" – The Read Well Podcast

Host: Eddy Hood
Release Date: March 3, 2025
Podcast: The Read Well Podcast
Title: 6 Books That Helped Me Build a Daily Reading Habit | EP 91

Introduction: Crafting a Daily Reading Habit

In Episode 91 of The Read Well Podcast, host Eddy Hood delves into the art of establishing a reliable daily reading habit. Hood acknowledges the common struggles listeners face, such as maintaining focus and finding time to read, and promises to share personal strategies that have successfully anchored his reading routine. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the books you choose, asserting, "[...] it's important that you're reading books that you love" (00:00).

Notable Quote:
"Welcome to this week's episode of the Read Well Podcast. [...] I believe it's more important to read well than to be well read." (00:00)

Establishing Consistency: The Foundation of Habits

Hood intertwines his discussion with insights from James Clear’s Atomic Habits, focusing on the significance of routine in habit formation. He advises listeners to dedicate a specific time each day for reading to condition their bodies and minds to expect and prepare for the activity.

Key Points:

• Consistent Reading Time: Hood shifted his reading schedule from early morning to afternoon to accommodate his new project—writing a novel. He emphasizes that consistency, rather than the specific time of day, is crucial for habit formation.
• Positive Association: Drawing from habit stacking, Hood suggests attaching reading to an already enjoyable routine, such as making a morning coffee. This approach reduces friction and enhances the likelihood of maintaining the habit.

Notable Quotes:

• "If you start with maybe 10 minutes a day and just build that up, let your brain sink into it, then that's great." (00:00)
• "If you don't have a problem with that, great. If you do, attach it to making a cup of coffee." (00:00)

Overcoming Challenges: Mindset and Self-Kindness

Acknowledging the psychological barriers that can hinder reading habits, Hood discusses common feelings of self-doubt and distraction. He references Dr. Marianne Wolf’s work on reconditioning the "reading brain," suggesting that persistence over approximately two weeks can help re-establish the habit.

Key Points:

• Self-Compassion: Hood encourages listeners to be gentle with themselves, accepting that imperfection is part of the process.
• Building Resilience: Regularly showing up to read, even when it feels challenging, helps retrain the brain to enjoy and engage with reading again.

Notable Quote:
"Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to not be perfect. Allow yourself to not be the world's greatest reader." (00:00)

Recommended Fiction: Engaging Stories to Sustain Your Habit

Hood presents three fiction books that have been instrumental in maintaining his reading habit, highlighting their enduring appeal and ability to captivate readers without losing momentum.

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Currently featured in Hood’s online book club, Jane Eyre stands out for its compelling narrative and strong protagonist. Hood praises the Penguin cloth-bound Classics edition for its accessibility despite its length.

Notable Quotes:

• "Charlotte Bronte was so incredibly talented. It just blows my mind that her words stand up so well even today." (00:00)
• "Jane Eyre is a book that will just keep you reading and not sort of lose you." (00:00)

2. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Hood lauds Orwell’s ability to address complex political themes through relatable animal characters. The brevity and engaging storytelling make it an easy yet profound read.

Notable Quotes:

• "Orwell is one of my favorite writers of all time, mainly because he wrote about really hard things, but did it in a really digestible way." (00:00)
• "It's like, it feels easy to get into it." (00:00)

3. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Hood regards this novel as his favorite book of 2024, appreciating its emotional depth and ethical exploration. The protagonist’s journey provides an engrossing narrative that keeps readers invested.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's a book about the ethics of medical discovery and what we should be allowed to do to each other and what we shouldn't be allowed to do to each other." (00:00)
• "There’s never a page where I feel like it's slow. I'm just super vested in everything that's happening." (00:00)

Recommended Non-Fiction: Expanding Horizons and Deepening Understanding

Alongside fiction, Hood recommends three non-fiction titles that have profoundly influenced his approach to reading and personal development.

4. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Hood endorses the Robin Waterfield edition for its accessibility and timeless wisdom. Meditations offers profound aphorisms that encourage self-improvement and resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• "If you're always sort of stood on the sidelines of philosophy or stoicism and you thought, boy, that sounds interesting, but I'm really scared to get into it." (00:00)
• "He is writing this book, admitting all of his faults and why life is hard." (00:00)

5. Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Flow examines the psychology behind heightened states of focus and productivity. Hood appreciates its insights into achieving and maintaining these states, despite the book’s dense formatting.

Notable Quotes:

• "Flow describes that process that you've felt in your own personal life when everything just comes together for you." (00:00)
• "You're going to highlight a ton in this book and really start applying things in your life." (00:00)

6. Deep Work by Cal Newport

Hood credits Deep Work with transforming his professional life and aiding in the establishment of his podcast and bookstore. The book’s principles help prioritize meaningful, focused work over distractions.

Notable Quotes:

• "Deep Work was the book that helped me learn to apply the ideas from the books that I read." (00:00)
• "Don’t let that throw you off. Read them, maybe scan them lightly if that's not you." (00:00)

Announcements: March Highlights and Community Milestones

Featured Book for March: 1984 by George Orwell

Hood announces that 1984 by George Orwell will be the featured book in his online bookstore, EdgewaterBookstore.com, for March 2025. He extols the novel’s exploration of dystopian themes and its relevance to contemporary societal issues.

Notable Quotes:

• "1984 is an exploration of how bad that could get." (00:00)
• "If you've ever heard of a character called Big Brother or the phrase Big Brother is watching, that's what this comes from." (00:00)

Community Milestone: 10,000 YouTube Subscribers

Celebrating a significant milestone, Hood shares his gratitude for reaching 10,000 YouTube subscribers. He highlights upcoming live interviews with authors, promising deeper dives into writing and thematic discussions.

Notable Quote:
"Just this week I actually hit 10,000 subscribers on YouTube. I never ever thought that would happen." (00:00)

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey of Reading

Eddy Hood wraps up the episode by reinforcing the mantra that has guided his reading and personal development journey: "read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas." He invites listeners to further engage with resources available on thereadwellpodcast.com, where daily posts and book notes support the community in their quest to read well.

Final Notable Quote:
"As always, remember to read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas." (00:00)

Resources Mentioned:

• Book Club: Eddy’s online book club meets every Tuesday night.
• Edgewater Bookstore: edgewaterbookstore.com
• Podcast Website: thereadwellpodcast.com

Connect with Eddy Hood: Stay updated with upcoming episodes, interviews, and book recommendations by subscribing to The Read Well Podcast on YouTube and other podcast platforms.

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to establish or rekindle their daily reading habit. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, expert insights, and carefully curated book recommendations, Eddy Hood provides listeners with both inspiration and practical tools to make reading a consistent and enjoyable part of their lives.