The Read Well Podcast Too Many Books to Read, Too Little Time | EP 114
Oct 20, 2025
Feeling overwhelmed by a towering reading pile? Discover why we often fall behind and the mental toll it takes. Learn effective tips to get back on track without guilt. Explore how bookstores and book clubs add to our reading burdens. Dive into the value of reflection and understanding your reading habits. Embrace the idea of a permanent to-be-read list and find joy in reading at your own pace. Plus, get inspired by a recommended book that reshapes your reading experience.
41:56
Reader Overwhelm From Extra Content
- Eddie Hood shares that a community member said they were behind in reading and couldn't take extra newsletter content.
- He decided not to add paid sections to avoid giving readers more to read and causing overwhelm.
Bookstore Overwhelm And Guilt
- Eddie describes getting overwhelmed in messy bookstores and leaving without buying anything.
- The sight of unread books at home triggers guilt and avoidance instead of joy.
You'll Never Be Fully Caught Up
- Eddie observes that publishers release far more books than any reader can handle.
- He argues readers should accept they'll never be fully "caught up."
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Intro
00:00 • 50sec
Why am I behind in my reading?
00:50 • 2min
What is my current reading situation?
02:59 • 1min
How do bookstores and publisher catalogs contribute?
04:00 • 2min
How do book clubs affect reading load?
06:21 • 2min
How does school add to reading demands?
07:59 • 3min
Ad break
10:44 • 4min
How does work contribute to reading obligations?
14:29 • 57sec
What personal unread books am I carrying?
15:26 • 2min
How does being behind feel mentally?
17:20 • 4min
How does reading-from-behind change reading habits?
20:57 • 2min
What is the value of the space between books?
22:42 • 2min
What mindset helps accept perpetual unread lists?
24:30 • 44sec
How can an envelope system limit book intake?
25:13 • 3min
When should you stop reading a book?
28:30 • 1min
How can deep reading one paragraph reset your brain?
29:54 • 10min
What book do I recommend about reading well?
39:51 • 57sec
Outro
40:48 • 1min
#1887
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
The Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro
The Remains of the Day is a novel told through the first-person narration of Stevens, a long-serving butler at Darlington Hall.
In the summer of 1956, Stevens embarks on a six-day motoring trip through the West Country, which becomes a journey into his past.
The novel explores Stevens' memories of his service during and after World War II, his relationship with the former housekeeper Miss Kenton, and the decline of the English aristocracy.
It delves into themes of regret, repression, and the consequences of dedicating one's life to professional duty at the expense of personal happiness.
The story is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the reliability of memory, and the human cost of maintaining a rigid professional persona.
#653
• Mentioned in 36 episodes
The Genealogy of Morals
Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche's "On the Genealogy of Morality" is a critical examination of morality's historical development.
Nietzsche challenges traditional views of good and evil, arguing that they are not objective truths but rather power dynamics.
He traces the origins of morality to resentment and the will to power, suggesting that morality is a tool used by the weak to control the strong.
The work is divided into three essays, each exploring different aspects of morality's evolution.
Nietzsche's analysis is complex and provocative, challenging readers to reconsider their own moral values and beliefs.
His work continues to spark debate and inspire new interpretations.
#2094
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
Gravity's Rainbow
Thomas Pynchon
Published in 1973, 'Gravity's Rainbow' is a sprawling narrative that delves into the secret development and deployment of the V-2 rocket by the Nazis.
The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including Lieut.
Tyrone Slothrop, an American working for Allied Intelligence in London, who becomes embroiled in a mysterious connection between his erections and the targeting of incoming V-2 rockets.
The novel is characterized by its complex and diverse prose, incorporating elements of history, philosophy, psychology, and science fiction.
It explores themes of paranoia, the impact of technology, and the blurring of lines between reality and fiction.
The novel won the National Book Award for fiction in 1974 and is widely regarded as a literary masterpiece.
#506
• Mentioned in 44 episodes
The Myth of Sisyphus
Albert Camus
In 'The Myth of Sisyphus', Albert Camus delves into the concept of the absurd, which arises from the conflict between humanity's desire for meaning and the apparent indifference of the universe.
Camus argues that this absurdity does not justify suicide but rather requires a revolt against it.
He introduces Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology condemned to eternally push a boulder up a mountain only for it to roll back down, as the ideal absurd hero.
Camus suggests that Sisyphus's acceptance of his fate and his continued effort to push the boulder up the mountain, despite its futility, exemplify the human condition and the possibility of finding happiness in the face of absurdity.
The essay also discusses other examples of absurd lives and includes an appendix on the works of Franz Kafka.
#52
• Mentioned in 181 episodes
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy.
The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom.
The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State.
The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.
#5452
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Annihilation
Jeff VanderMeer
Annihilation is the first volume of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy.
The story follows the twelfth expedition into Area X, a coastal region that has been cut off from the rest of the world for decades.
The team consists of four women: a biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor.
Their mission is to map the terrain, record observations, and avoid contamination by Area X. As they delve deeper, they encounter strange and unexplainable phenomena, including hybrid vegetation and creatures, and uncover secrets about the previous expeditions and the true nature of Area X. The novel explores themes of control, mystery, and the transformative power of the unknown environment.
#13939
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Acceptance
Emi Nietfeld
In 'Acceptance,' Emi Nietfeld recounts her harrowing journey from a dysfunctional childhood marked by foster care and homelessness to achieving success at Harvard and Google.
The memoir exposes the complexities and costs of upward mobility, challenging the notion that grit alone can overcome all hardships.
Nietfeld's story is a powerful critique of meritocracy and the societal expectations placed on those who have endured trauma.
Despite her achievements, she reflects on the psychological costs and the ongoing struggle to find contentment and acceptance in her life.
#2258
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
Reader Come Home
Dr. Marianne Wolfe
#5344
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Authority
Nathan Barry
In 'Authority,' Nathan Barry provides a detailed plan for researching, writing, and selling a book.
The book emphasizes the importance of establishing a consistent writing habit, teaching what you know to establish expertise, and implementing effective marketing strategies.
It includes practical advice on finding an audience, writing epic blog posts, and pricing your book based on the value it delivers.
Barry also discusses post-launch strategies, such as maintaining sales through continuous teaching and writing, and managing updates and refunds.
#72
• Mentioned in 158 episodes
Traction
Get a Grip on Your Business
Gino Wickman
In Traction, Gino Wickman provides a systematic approach to achieving business success through the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).
The book focuses on six key components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction.
It helps business leaders clarify their vision, align their leadership team, solve common business problems, and foster healthy communication and discipline within the organization.
The EOS system is designed to help businesses overcome frustrations such as lack of control, people issues, insufficient profit, hitting the ceiling, and feeling stuck.
The book offers practical tools, real-world examples, and actionable strategies to drive sustainable growth and improve business operations.
#1072
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
The stranger
Albert Camus
Published in 1942, 'The Stranger' tells the story of Meursault, a Frenchman living in Algiers, who is characterized by his emotional detachment and apathy.
The novel begins with Meursault's indifferent reaction to his mother's death and follows his journey through a series of events, including a senseless murder, which leads to his trial and sentencing.
Camus uses Meursault's story to illustrate his philosophy of the absurd, highlighting the lack of inherent meaning in life and the importance of accepting and living with this reality.
The novel also explores the tensions between French colonialists and native Algerians, reflecting Camus's own experiences and critiques of colonialism.
I’m behind in my reading. Does that ever happen to you? Let’s chat about why it happens, how it messes with the brain, and how to get back on track without all the reader’s guilt and drama.
In this episode, I share:
- Why we get behind as readers
- How it weighs on us mentally
- Tips for getting back on track
- A book recommendation
I also take a moment in the middle to talk about some of the coffee that I sell at my bookstore. I love this stuff, as it fuels my reading day.
This Episode’s Sponsor: Edgewater Bookstore Coffee
The Deep Read (dark roast great for espresso) - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/collections/cafe/products/the-deep-read
Anthology (Medium roast great for french press and pour-over) - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/collections/cafe/products/anthology
Prose (Light roast from Ethiopia) - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/collections/cafe/products/prose
Plot Twist (Light roast that changes monthly) - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/collections/cafe/products/plot-twist
Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions
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