I am lying in a hospital bed inside the staging area of a busy surgery center in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is early in the morning, and yet there is a thrum of activity all around us. I watch comfortable-looking sneakers stream by under the privacy curtain at the foot of the bed. Lisa holds my […] The post Double Vision: A Personal History appeared first on Robert Breen .
I read 40 books in 2025, down from 53 books in 2024. We spent five months in Manhattan this spring and summer, swapping reading for exploring the city. It was a good trade. My reading was split evenly between fiction and non-fiction, with a particular emphasis during the year on the history of Nazi Germany. […] The post My Year of Reading in 2025 appeared first on Robert Breen .
While every day in New York brings something new, life with dogs means every morning begins exactly the same way. The routine offers an opportunity to reflect on our lives in the city and the benefits of immersive travel. The post Mornings in New York appeared first on Robert Breen .
What began as a quiet walk through Central Park became a waking nightmare when my wife suddenly fell ill. This is the story of how chance, timing, and a city full of strangers led us to the right place at the right moment—when everything could have gone so differently. The post Where We Were Meant to Be appeared first on Robert Breen .
We’re off to New York for five months with dreams of traveling light—but ended up packing eight boxes and a blender. Turns out, stuff really does expand to the space allowed. The post Not Exactly Traveling Light appeared first on Robert Breen .
Discover how to keep a private, beautifully organized book journal using Day One and Apple Shortcuts. Log your reading history, notes, ratings, and cover images effortlessly—perfect for readers who want to remember more and track what they’ve read. The post Keep a Book Journal with Day One and Apple Shortcuts appeared first on Robert Breen .
After navigating a profound loss, a retired couple rediscovers a sense of adventure by immersing themselves in the rhythms of New York City. The post These Vagabond Shoes appeared first on Robert Breen .
I finally completed Will and Ariel Durant’s The Story of Civilization, an eleven-volume masterpiece that transformed my understanding of history and human nature. Though the journey took nearly two years, the insights I gained—about civilization’s rise and fall, the patterns of power, and the timeless search for meaning—made every page worth it. The post Reflections on Reading The Story of…
Despite a love for digital tools, I think best with pen and paper. This post shares the analog tools I use along with a surprising new purchase. The post On Notebooks and Pens appeared first on Robert Breen .
After living with some frustrations with Readwise Reader, I looked around for a new read-it-later app. Matter emerged as the top choice for its design, functionality, and unique content discovery features. The post Elevate Your Online Reading with Matter appeared first on Robert Breen .