The Read Well Podcast – EP121: My 2026 Reading Goals + 11 Books I Loved Reading in 2025

Host: Eddy Hood
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this reflective and inspirational episode, Eddy Hood discusses his shift in reading philosophy for the upcoming year. He rejects the pressure of "hustle culture" and the race to read hundreds of books, instead embracing intentionality, self-kindness, and deeper engagement with chosen works. Eddy also shares his three key reading goals for 2026 and a detailed list of 11 favorite books from his 2025 reading year, providing both personal reflections and practical takeaways for fellow readers.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Redefining Reading Goals: Rejecting productivity-driven reading quotas in favor of self-compassion, enjoyment, and meaningful application.
• Intentional Book Selection: Choosing books that resonate on a personal level and being unafraid to abandon those that do not.
• Application of Ideas: Taking actionable insights from every book read, making reading a tool for personal growth.
• Book Recommendations: Eddy’s top 11 books from 2025, spanning classics, philosophy, poetry, and contemporary works.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Problem with "Hustle Culture" in Reading

• Eddy opens by contrasting societal pressure to read prolifically against doing the bare minimum.
• Quote:

  “[There’s] a hustle culture system for readers which tells us we should read two or three hundred books a year and then express our superpowers by remembering everything... And then there’s the rest of everybody who says we should quietly quit and do nothing and just do the bare minimum. I feel like... both of these systems have got me completely overwhelmed.” — Eddy (00:00)

2. Eddy’s 2026 Reading Goals

i. Be Kind to Yourself as a Reader

• Release guilt on days when life gets in the way.
• Avoid comparison to high-volume readers or influencers.
• Quote:

  “I’m not going to beat myself up. I’m not going to compare myself to other YouTubers or other readers. I’m just going to simply do my best... to enjoy the books in whatever way I can.” — Eddy (01:52)

ii. Only Read Books You Love

• Give each book a fair shot (his 50-page rule), but don't persist with books that aren't sparking joy.
• Stop putting off books you’re passionate about.
• Quote:

  “Why am I not reading the Hunchback of Notre Dame? I love Victor Hugo. I love Paris. I love classic literature. Why am I not reading that book? So that is what I should be doing now.” — Eddy (03:42)

iii. Apply Ideas from Reading

• Extract at least one actionable idea from each book and integrate it into life.
• Focus is on depth rather than breadth of reading.
• Quote:

  “I’m going to commit this year to trying to pull one key idea out of every book that I can apply to my life.” — Eddy (04:06)

Summary of Goals:

• No book count or daily quota.
• Focus on kindness, joy, and application.

3. 11 Favorite Books from 2025: Insights & Recommendations

1. The Death of Ivan Ilyich – Leo Tolstoy (04:21)

• Short, powerful, philosophical meditation on mortality and meaning.
• Eddy was so moved he bought 100 copies to gift and used it to teach a course.
• Memorable Moment:

  “If you’re looking for a short, powerful, philosophical, meaningful read, check out The Death of Ivan Ilyich.” — Eddy

2. Henry V – William Shakespeare (04:58)

• Rediscovered through a class assignment.
• Appreciates the plot, character interplay, and historical significance.
• Lesser-known Shakespearean gem worth discovering.

3. Leaves of Grass ("Song of Myself") – Walt Whitman (05:38)

• Focus on the transformative poem “Song of Myself.”
• Changed Eddy’s perspective on life and reminds him of “Dead Poet Society.”
• Quote:

  “This poem changed the way I see life... beautifully written, and it reminds me of my favorite movie...” — Eddy

4. Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy (06:37)

• Surprised by the intricacy, psychological depth, and constant intrigue beyond its romantic reputation.
• Quote:

  “It is one that will surprisingly keep you turning the pages.” — Eddy

5. Go Tell It on the Mountain – James Baldwin (07:15)

• Praises Baldwin’s courage in addressing personal and societal challenges.
• Recommends for explorations of religion, identity, and family.

6. The Titanic Survivors Book Club – Timothy Schaffert (08:00)

• Discovered serendipitously; a cozy, atmospheric Parisian bookshop story.
• Noted for its escapism and personal connection (upcoming book club guest).

7. The Myth of Sisyphus – Albert Camus (09:15)

• Finally read through, deepened by taking an existentialism course.
• Reflected in art purchase inspired by the myth (shout-out to the artist).
• Quote:

  “We’re all sort of carrying a version of ourselves and it’s heavy and it’s hard, but we do the work.” — Eddy

8. Emerson: The Mind on Fire – Robert D. Richardson Jr. (11:31)

• Biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson, fuel for his journaling and content series.
• Admiration for Emerson’s copious journals and philosophical impact.

9. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë (12:29)

• Revisited as an adult, found it full of surprise, gothic elements, and enduring appeal.

10. Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism – Amanda Montell (13:18)

• Illuminating study of language, belief, and persuasion.
• Resonated deeply with Eddy’s own experiences leaving a “high-demand” religion.

11. At the Existentialist Café – Sarah Bakewell (14:26)

• Accessible, engaging history of existentialist thinkers and their debates.
• Encourages readers to grapple with uncertainty, meaning, and the human condition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Worth in Reading:

  “There’s a lot of damage that can be done when we measure our self worth by the number of books that we read.” — Eddy (00:58)

• On Book Selection:

  “I know in my heart of hearts when I pick up a book that I’m really taking a risk. And there are a list of books I know I will love.” — Eddy (02:45)

• On Application:

  “If I’m going to read a book, I’m going to actually take action on one idea in every book I read and try to make my life head in a better direction.” — Eddy (04:06)

• On Poetry’s Impact:

  “Song of Myself... changed the way I see each and every moment of my life.” — Eddy (05:44)

• On Existentialism:

  “Existentialism... can help you come to terms with some of that [fear and uncertainty of life].” — Eddy (15:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Redefining Reading Goals & Rejecting Hustle Culture: 00:00 – 02:15
• Eddy’s Three Reading Goals for 2026: 02:15 – 04:15
• Book Recommendations & Reflections: 04:21 – 15:54
  • Ivan Ilyich: 04:21
  • Henry V: 04:58
  • Leaves of Grass: 05:38
  • Anna Karenina: 06:37
  • Go Tell It on the Mountain: 07:15
  • Titanic Survivors Book Club: 08:00
  • Myth of Sisyphus: 09:15
  • Emerson: The Mind on Fire: 11:31
  • Jane Eyre: 12:29
  • Cultish: 13:18
  • At the Existentialist Café: 14:26
• Recap & Final Thoughts: 15:54 – 16:45

Tone & Language

Eddy’s tone is warm, sincere, and highly relatable—balancing philosophical reflection with practical tips and infectious enthusiasm for books. The episode encourages gentle self-improvement without pressure or guilt, staying true to the podcast’s ethos: “Read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas.”

Summary & Takeaways

This episode is a thoughtful guide to recalibrating your relationship with reading. Eddy’s honest self-reflection and impressive book list invite listeners to read for meaning, not metrics, and to let books transform their lives piece by piece. Whether you’re seeking reading inspiration, or permission to put aside unread tomes without guilt, this episode will resonate deeply and provide a trove of recommendations for the year ahead.