After years of prioritizing family and career, which limited my reading to practical and purpose-driven topics, I’ve rediscovered the pure joy of reading for pleasure. It’s such fun to peruse the library aisles or explore the cozy nooks of independent bookstores. Even scrolling through Amazon’s endless options has its own thrill. Yet, this freedom to wander in the world of words can sometimes feel overwhelming, resulting in a towering stack of hopefuls—some hits, some misses.
Amidst this exploration, I’ve found invaluable guidance through several resources that have refined my selections and enriched my reading experience. NPR’s Book of the Day has been a revelation, offering intimate author interviews that provide deeper insights into their works. Here, I discovered Defiant Dreams and The Secret Gate, two profoundly moving books that I might never have encountered otherwise.
Another gem is the Friends & Fiction podcast, where authors like Kristin Harmel share their stories and inspirations while interviewing other authors. It’s like sitting in on a chat with your most literary friends, and each session leaves me with new additions to my TBR (to be read) list, including Harmel’s The Paris Daughter, a recent favorite of mine.
Then there’s What Should I Read Next? where Anne Bogel’s book-matchmaking skills come to life. This podcast introduced me to The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food by Judith Jones. This memoir combines my love for food with storytelling, all through the lens of a legendary culinary publisher (think Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking).
Whether I have just two minutes or a whole weekend to delve into a book, these platforms ensure my time is well spent. They’ve led me to page-turners that entertain and expand my horizons, from historical fiction to gripping memoirs. And with every book I finish, my curiosity, along with my To Be Read list, grows because I always discover another book I want to read.
Check out these phenomenal resources—they will captivate you and create a new way to find compelling books. If you have discovered others that help you pick your next great read, please share them in the comments! I am also curious to hear about what you are currently reading.
Two Links Du Jour:
What Should I Read Next? — a delightful podcast, website, blog and newsletter by Anne Bogel. I love her downloadable 100 Book Recommendations based on your mood.
Friends & Fiction — Join New York Times bestsellers Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Patti Callahan Henry as they chat with some of the biggest names in publishing today about the books the literary world is buzzing about. Airs weekly at 7 p.m. ET.
Two Minutes Du Jour 