The Long and The Short Of It 381. Books
Jan 13, 2026
Pete and Jen dive into the world of reading, tackling the guilt of unfinished books and how to liberate ourselves from them. They discuss unique methods like reading to the punchline and using Gretchen Rubin's freedom to quit rule. Discover how podcasts and curated lists can guide your reading journey. Jen highlights the magic of indie bookstores and the joy of serendipitous finds. Together, they emphasize the importance of decluttering shelves and setting intentions for a more enriching reading experience.
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Permit Yourself To Quit Books
- Quit books that do not engage you instead of feeling obligated to finish them.
- Calculate your remaining reading years to prioritize high-value books and free yourself from meh reads.
Read To The Punchline
- Read nonfiction until you get the punchline and then stop if you've already absorbed the idea.
- Use this shortcut to consume many books efficiently and avoid slogging through repetitive sections.
Use Podcasts As Book Samplers
- Use author interviews on podcasts to sample books and decide which to buy.
- Keep a running list (Jen uses Things) and batch-purchase books to stay intentional.
