A guest reignited her love for reading in late 2022, leading to a year of intentional reading. They discuss satisfying reading habits, the power of the book community, and diverse book recommendations like 'Boy's Life' and 'Son of Elsewhere'. Delve into the twists of 'Shark Heart' and explore unique love stories in 'Why Fathers Cry at Night'.
Being part of 'the book people network' can enhance the reading experience by providing a sense of community and connection.
Diversifying reading genres can create a well-balanced 'literary diet' that enriches the overall reading experience and fosters exploration.
Deep dives
A Tale of Literary Rediscovery
Julie's journey of intentional reading in 2023 started with a cultural phenomenon on Instagram where everyone seemed to be reading 72 books a year. Inspired by these reading goals, she decided to embark on her own quest to read more. This decision led her to rediscover her love for books, setting a goal of 27 books for the year, which she eventually surpassed, fueling her passion for reading even more.
Memoir Expedition
Julie's deep connection to the memoir 'Son of Elsewhere' by Ellamine Abdulmakhmoom inspired her to explore more memoirs in different formats. She aims to incorporate memoirs back into her reading life and is particularly interested in trying out audio books for this genre to enrich her literary experiences. By diversifying her reading selections, Julie seeks to continue her literary exploration and growth.
Literary Salad Sampler
Julie's eclectic taste in genres, ranging from literary fiction to fantasy and romance, reflects her desire for a well-balanced reading diet. Seeking a mix of dense narratives, surprising elements, and engaging storytelling, she is open to exploring different flavors of literature. By incorporating a variety of genres into her reading routine, Julie aims to cultivate a rich and rewarding reading experience.
Diving into the Unknown
Julie's adventurous spirit leads her to embrace new reading ventures, including delving into fantasy realms and emotionally resonant tales. With an openness to explore Stephen King's intricate storytelling in 'Fairy Tail,' and the whimsical narrative of 'Funny You Should Ask' by Alyssa Sussman, Julie looks forward to immersing herself in captivating narratives that blend humor, love, and fantastical elements.
Today’s guest's love of reading was reignited in late 2022 when she found a path into the bookish zeitgeist by reading a super-popular series. Around the same time, Julie Van Huizen found herself surrounded by her friends' end-of-year reading wrap-ups, which left her feeling inspired, intimidated, challenged, and curious. That curiosity led Julie to declare 2023 her year of intentional reading, and it ended up being an exceptional experience that she and Anne talk about today.
Julie and Anne explore the monthly reading formula that works for Julie, and what makes for a satisfying reading "diet". They also talk about the power of getting plugged into what Julie calls “the book people network” and why she’s so excited about being part of the literary and pop culture conversations. Anne's recommendations today are full of all of the ingredients Julie loves on her shelf.
If you have ideas for Julie, we'd love to hear your recommendations: please leave a comment on our show notes page, where you'll also find the list of all the titles we discussed in today's show. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/421.
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