#29 Why We Read
Mon Jan 26 2026
What I learned from The Reading Life: The Joy of Seeing New Worlds Through Others' Eyes by C.S. Lewis
Most conversations about reading today are obsessed with speed, volume, and efficiency. C.S. Lewis thought this completely missed the point.
For him, reading was not about finishing books but about escaping the narrowness of a single life. It was learning to see through other eyes, feel with other hearts, and inhabit other centuries without losing yourself.
In this episode, we explore Lewis’s quietly radical vision of reading: why great books enlarge the mind, why rereading matters, why some stories change us forever, and why the deepest purpose of books is not information but transformation.
To read well, Lewis believed, is to become a thousand men, and return more fully yourself.
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Official Sponsors of Uncommon Excellence:
Readwise helps me retain the most powerful ideas from every book, article, and highlight, so I can apply them, not just admire them. If you’re serious about learning at the level of the greats, Readwise is non-negotiable. Start your free 2-month trial at Readwise
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Uncommon Excellence AI: If you’re tired of settling for average and ready to build something extraordinary, Uncommon Excellence AI is your ultimate tool. Designed to think like a founder, it’s trained on the lessons, books, and mindset that fuel the world’s greatest builders and thinkers. Whether you’re refining a business idea, breaking down a strategy, or tackling your next big move, this AI challenges you to think sharper, act bolder, and unlock your next level. Stop following the crowd, and start creating the future. Click here to try Uncommon Excellence AI now
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What I learned from The Reading Life: The Joy of Seeing New Worlds Through Others' Eyes by C.S. Lewis Most conversations about reading today are obsessed with speed, volume, and efficiency. C.S. Lewis thought this completely missed the point. For him, reading was not about finishing books but about escaping the narrowness of a single life. It was learning to see through other eyes, feel with other hearts, and inhabit other centuries without losing yourself. In this episode, we explore Lewis’s quietly radical vision of reading: why great books enlarge the mind, why rereading matters, why some stories change us forever, and why the deepest purpose of books is not information but transformation. To read well, Lewis believed, is to become a thousand men, and return more fully yourself. _________________________________________________ Official Sponsors of Uncommon Excellence: Readwise helps me retain the most powerful ideas from every book, article, and highlight, so I can apply them, not just admire them. If you’re serious about learning at the level of the greats, Readwise is non-negotiable. Start your free 2-month trial at Readwise Uncommon Excellence Merch: This isn’t about clothing, it’s about what it represents. A commitment to never settling, to chasing greatness, and to living with purpose. Every piece is a reminder of the standard we hold ourselves to: uncommon effort, uncommon ambition, uncommon results. Wear it as a symbol of the mindset that builds legacies. Click the link to join the movement. Uncommon Excellence AI: If you’re tired of settling for average and ready to build something extraordinary, Uncommon Excellence AI is your ultimate tool. Designed to think like a founder, it’s trained on the lessons, books, and mindset that fuel the world’s greatest builders and thinkers. Whether you’re refining a business idea, breaking down a strategy, or tackling your next big move, this AI challenges you to think sharper, act bolder, and unlock your next level. Stop following the crowd, and start creating the future. Click here to try Uncommon Excellence AI now Join the Uncommon Excellence Notes for my notes for every podcast episode and my Top 10 Highlights of each book.