The Read Well Podcast

Episode 116: Our Motto: Read Slowly – Take Notes – Apply the Ideas
Host: Eddy Hood
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the core motto of The Read Well Podcast community: “Read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas.” Host Eddy Hood unpacks the philosophy behind this approach, contrasting it with the race to consume as many books as possible, and shares practical guidance on building a meaningful reading habit. He illustrates how these principles apply not only to books, but also to life, and offers several book recommendations to encourage further learning.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Reading Motto and Its Origins

• Eddy’s Frustration with Speed-Reading Culture

  • Eddy describes his initial frustration and guilt upon hearing others boast about reading 100+ books per year, feeling pressured by these high standards.
    • Quote:
      • “I was getting really frustrated with myself as a reader... I would talk to somebody else who was a reader, and it was this sort of badge of honor to say that, you know, I've read a hundred books this year, or this year I'm going for 200 books.” (02:02)

• The Shift to Reading for Retention over Quantity

  • He realized that racing through books decreased his retention, and that reading fewer books well was more meaningful.
  • Encourages listeners to let go of checklist-readership and focus on depth and personal transformation:
    • Quote:
      • “Does it really matter if you read all 100 of those greatest books of all time before you die? Or is it better to read one of them well and go, wow, that changed my life.” (11:36)

2. Read Slowly: The Art of Being Present

• Reading as Mindful Practice
  • Reading slowly means not rushing to finish, but immersing oneself in the present page—a practice applicable beyond books.
  • Life Application Story:
    • Eddy shares a story about calming his anxiety during a stressful real estate transaction by focusing mindfully on a four-minute drive home—“living slowly” as the parallel to “reading slowly.”
    • Quote:
      • “For four minutes I made the promise to myself to do nothing other than be the most present calm driver possible... As I was driving home, I started to experience things I would have normally missed.” (06:36)
  • Applying this approach to reading leads to deeper engagement and retention.

3. Take Notes: Capturing Insights and Ideas

• Active Engagement with Books
  • Notes are essential for both fiction and nonfiction to capture the “conversation” with the text.
  • Practical Tips:
    • Use highlighters or write in books (or use a separate notebook if preferred).
    • Mark or jot down passages that resonate as you read, then move on—don’t get stuck.
    • Book Club Practice:
      • After finishing a book, the Read Well community takes a one-week break before starting the next book to review, expand, and journal about the most impactful passages.
      • Quote:
        • “I would journal about those 20 passages and I would expand those into notes... Give yourself a week of time after a book to process the best ideas in that book.” (16:26)

4. Apply the Ideas: Moving from Reading to Action

• Personal and Practical Implementation
  • Reading only has value if the ideas are used in real life.
  • Literary Example:
    • After reading The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, Eddy reflected on the protagonist's failed relationships, then addressed a sensitive relationship in his professional life—directly inspired by the book.
    • Quote:
      • “I went to that person after I sat down and journaled about the remains of the day and got my thoughts together, I went to that person and I had the conversation, the hard conversation that I think Mr. Stevens should have had...” (20:39)
  • The outcome: improved relationships and a deeper sense of gratitude, exemplifying true application of reading.

5. Building a Reading Habit and Community

• Finding Good Books and Accountability
  • Eddy discusses the challenge of choosing quality books and the benefits of collective accountability in a community.
    • Quote:
      • “Having a group that keeps you accountable so that you can stay on with these great books and build a really good reading habit.” (25:17)
  • He invites listeners to join the Read Well Book Club, emphasizing its supportive, engaged culture.

Memorable Quotes

• On Reading Well:
  • “It’s more important to read well than to be well read.” (01:12)
• On Reading for Depth:
  • “When I slow down and I decide to just be with the book... all of a sudden I start to see things I normally would not have seen and experience things and ideas I would not normally have experienced.” (09:02)
• On Real Application:
  • “This is an example of reading slowly and then taking the notes and then going outside and applying those ideas.” (23:32)
• On Listener Response:
  • “I get emails from readers every day that that concept is refreshing because they are just so tired of being hustled into more and more without the idea of actually retaining what they read and benefiting from it.” (36:54)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction and Motto Origin: 00:00 – 03:24
• Mindful Reading & Living Story: 05:50 – 09:56
• Reading Slow vs Reading for Volume: 09:56 – 13:02
• Practical Note-Taking Process: 13:02 – 18:35
• Applying Ideas in Real Life (with personal example): 18:40 – 24:58
• Book Club & Reading Community Discussion: 25:00 – 26:45

Book Recommendations

• An Immense World by Ed Yong (29:34)

  • A nonfiction book exploring animal consciousness and senses; relevant to philosophical discussions of consciousness.

• The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy (32:05)

  • A short, impactful classic about mortality, meaning, and self-reflection.

• The Titanic Survivors Book Club by Timothy Shaffer (34:45)

  • An engaging, current novel—plus, the author will join an upcoming Read Well club event.

• The Intellectual Life by A.G. Sertillanges (36:15)

  • A classic guide to lifelong learning, notetaking, and scholarly work; highly aligned with the episode’s theme.

Closing Reflections

• Eddy closes by encouraging listeners to pause, be present with their books, and focus on true learning and transformation, not superficial accomplishment.
  • Quote:
    • “With whatever book you're reading right now, I hope you get the chance today to hit pause and to really get the most from the page that you're on.” (37:43)

Bottom Line:
This episode is a rallying call to abandon the “reading race” and to embrace a mindful, intentional, and applicable approach to books. Whether alone or in community, the Read Well motto—“Read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas”—is positioned as the pathway to lasting intellectual and personal growth.