The Read Well Podcast

Episode 123: How I Rebuild a Reading Habit After Falling Off
Host: Eddy Hood
Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Eddy Hood opens up about how life events derailed his reading routine and shares a heartfelt, practical guide for anyone struggling to rebuild a reading habit after falling off track. Drawing from recent personal experience—including an ambitious home office and library renovation—Eddy discusses the emotional complexities of "reader guilt," the gradual process of reigniting a love for books, and practical, pressure-free steps to become a joyful reader again.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. When Life Interrupts Your Reading Habit

• Eddy recounts the period of upheaval after attempting to buy a building for a bookstore, which resulted in giving up both his office space and reading habits.
  • "In the sort of craziness of all of this, I lost my reading habit. Life got in the way, and I have not been reading much." (02:09)
• Emotional response to fallen reading routines: guilt and anxiety about unread books, accompanied by a sense of longing and nostalgia.

2. The “Two Kinds of Readers” Paradigm

• Eddy distinguishes between two types of readers:
  1. The Natural Reader: Always finds comfort in books, regardless of life’s circumstances.
  2. The Project Reader (Eddy's camp): Occasionally finds reading turns into a to-do, which can create stress or guilt if the habit lapses.
  • "For those people, reading is something that if not tended to, can start to feel a bit like a project…You might walk into your room of books and look at them and feel almost a sense of shame or guilt that you're not doing enough." (05:00)
• Offers reassurance to others who experience similar feelings.

3. Building a Home Library and Office: A Personal Journey

• After losing his workspace, Eddy converted his son’s former bedroom into his dream home office and secret library, enlisting help from his son Carter during winter break:
  • They designed and constructed bookshelves, a secret bookcase door, redid carpet and lighting; the project was filmed for his YouTube channel.
  • "We built bookcases, we ripped up carpet, we did all of the things...It took about 30 days of maybe 8 hours of work a day." (13:20-15:35)
• The home office project was both fulfilling and exhausting, leaving little energy or time for reading.

4. The Struggle to Return: Reader Guilt, Disconnection, and Overwhelm

• Upon completion, Eddy encountered emotional hurdles:
  • Staring at his collection, he felt gratitude but also the “reader guilt” and struggled to start.
  • "I didn't know where to start because I had not kept up my reading habit. It did not feel natural to open a book and sit down and give myself the time and space to read." (19:18)
  • Temptation to prioritize chores or “productive” work over reading.

5. Eddy's Process: Gentle Steps to Rebuild a Reading Habit

Step 1: Don’t Set Rigid Goals

• "I don't set reading goals. I don't say, okay, I'm going to start a reading habit, so we're going to read 30 pages a day … For me, it's about reading well and reading slowly, taking notes and applying the ideas." (22:02)

Step 2: Simply Hold the Book

• Reconnects with childhood wonder by physically holding a book, rediscovering its potential without pressure to read.

Step 3: Carry the Book as a Companion

• Takes the book everywhere throughout the day, seeing it as a friend, not an obligation; removes pressure and guilt.
  • "I'll carry it with me to the grocery store, I'll carry it with me to Starbucks...just bring it with me like a friend." (25:11)

Step 4: Start Reading—With No Pressure

• When ready, opens the book and reads without demands for comprehension, note-taking, or productivity.
• Accepts initial discomfort—brain is “not in reading mode”—and trusts it will improve.
  • "I read the pages of the book without my reading brain on...my head is full of everything but what I'm reading on the page. Even though the words are coming into my brain and leaving, I am not fully with them. And this is important to understand: It's okay." (29:54)

Step 5: Give it Time—The Reading Brain Returns

• After several days of gentle practice, the ease and enjoyment of deep reading return.
  • "Finally Thursday, this morning I sat down and I read some books...and I forgot everything and I was fully in that text and it feels so good to have that reading brain back." (32:57)

6. Notable Insights: The Science of Reading Habits

• Cites Dr. Maryanne Wolf (“Reader, Come Home”) on how reading is a learned skill and can “atrophy” if not maintained—a scientific validation of Eddy's approach.
  • "Our brains are designed for sound and for sight, but not so much for language. Language is something we have to learn...if we don't consistently keep up with reading, then those connections get a little weak." (31:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reader Guilt:
  "You might walk into your room of books and look at them and feel almost a sense of shame or guilt that you're not doing enough." (05:11)

• On Reading Pressure:
  "I don't force myself to open it. I don't force myself to read it. I just hold it and I remember what it feels like to be that kid again." (23:00)

• On Allowing Time for Reconnection:
  "It took me, you know, four days of consistently showing up and consistently being patient with myself in order for the guilt and the shame to go away and just to dig in and be a reader again." (35:04)

• On the “Secret Book”:

  • The hardest part of the library build: picking a book to open the secret door.
    "I chose The Count of Monte Cristo...it is the book that got my kids to love reading...It's full of secret tunnels and hidden treasure and...if you haven't read it, go read it. It is worth the time." (38:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Life Upheaval & Losing the Habit: 00:00 – 10:19
• Two Kinds of Readers & Reader Guilt: 05:00 – 11:45
• Building the Home Library & Office: 13:20 – 16:45
• Reconnecting: How to Restart Reading: 22:02 – 35:04
• The Count of Monte Cristo & Secret Door: 37:40 – 39:59

Recommendations & Resources

• Book Recommendation: The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas (Eddy’s choice for the secret door opener—an inspiring classic for readers reclaiming their passion).
• Further Reading: "Reader, Come Home" by Dr. Maryanne Wolf—on the neuroscience of reading habits.

Episode Takeaways

• Don't make reading another project or strict routine if it causes stress—rediscover the joy by going slow.
• Give yourself permission to be a “reader in progress;” accept the mental transition back into deep reading.
• Incorporating books into your day, physically and emotionally, helps rekindle the reading brain and defeat guilt.
• The process of rebuilding habits is patient and gentle; the love of books always waits for your return.

Signature Advice:
"As always, until next week, remember to read slowly, take notes and apply the ideas." (41:39)