The Reader's Journey

chevron_right

4. Anne Bogel: How To Make Your Reading Life Fun & Delightful

Jul 15, 2020

Guest

Anne Bogel

Anne Bogel, author of 'I'd Rather Be Reading' and host of 'What Should I Read Next?', dives into creating a delightful reading life. She shares insights on why the 'Book Police' don't exist, encouraging readers to embrace their preferences. Anne discusses the joys of rereading, the benefits of writing in books, and how libraries can transform your experience. The conversation highlights reading as a social activity that fosters deeper connections and emphasizes the emotional impact literature can have on our lives.

33:14

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

No Book Police Exist

There are no "Book Police" who will judge your reading choices or take away your library card.
You can read what you want and still be considered a real reader regardless of the titles or genres.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Right Book at Right Time

Anne read the book Never Split the Difference just before selling her house and applied its negotiation advice.
They sold their home on the first day for over asking price, feeling the book helped immensely.

insights

INSIGHT

Books Let You Live Many Lives

Reading books lets you live many lives by experiencing different worlds or points of view.
This mental transportation offers as much value as actual travel, especially when staying at home.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Art of Book Recommendations

01:47 • 19min

chevron_right

Enhancing Your Reading Journey: Tracking Progress and Engaging with Text

20:51 • 2min

chevron_right

Connecting Through Books: The Social Side of Reading

22:51 • 2min

chevron_right

The Emotional Journey of Literature

24:56 • 6min

chevron_right

Inspiration for Aspiring Writers

30:36 • 3min

chevron_right

The One in a Million Boy

Monica Wood

Monica Wood's 'The One-in-a-Million Boy' tells the poignant story of a unique bond formed between a 104-year-old Lithuanian immigrant, Ona Vitkus, and a troubled eleven-year-old boy, Quinn. Quinn is reluctantly sent by his divorced father to fulfill his late brother's community service obligation of helping Ona. As Quinn spends time with Ona, he uncovers her remarkable history and learns valuable life lessons. The novel explores themes of grief, forgiveness, and the power of human connection to heal and transform. Through their unlikely friendship, both Ona and Quinn discover new perspectives on life and find solace in each other's company.

Ex Libris

Anne Fadiman

Anne Fadiman's 'Ex Libris' is a delightful collection of essays that celebrates the unique relationship between readers and their books. With wit and charm, Fadiman explores various aspects of the reading life, from the joy of browsing bookstores to the challenges of lending books to friends. She delves into her own bookish habits and quirks, sharing anecdotes about her family's bibliophilia and her own experiences as a devoted reader. The essays touch on themes such as the importance of marginalia, the allure of used books, and the emotional connections we forge with the stories and characters we encounter. 'Ex Libris' is a warm and inviting tribute to the enduring power of books and the pleasures of reading.

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].

Moby Dick

Herman Melville

Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature[2][3][5].

Strunk and White

null

William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style" is a classic style guide that has influenced generations of writers. Its concise and clear explanations of grammar and style principles have made it an indispensable resource for students and professionals alike. The book emphasizes clarity, precision, and conciseness in writing, offering practical advice on sentence structure, punctuation, and word choice. Its enduring popularity stems from its accessibility and its timeless wisdom on effective writing. The book's enduring legacy lies in its ability to empower writers to communicate their ideas with clarity and precision.

The writing life

Annie Dillard

In 'The Writing Life', Annie Dillard offers a candid and insightful look into the life of a writer. The book is a series of essays that delve into the struggles, triumphs, and philosophical dilemmas faced by writers. Dillard shares her own experiences, from the isolation and discipline required for writing to the emotional and intellectual challenges of capturing the world in words. She discusses the importance of courage in the editing process, the need for writers to follow their ideas to their limits, and the inevitable gap between the writer's vision and the finished product. The book is both a personal memoir and a guide for aspiring writers, filled with metaphors, anecdotes, and reflections on the nature of writing and creativity[1][4][5].

Never Split the Difference

Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

Tahl Raz

Chris Voss

VOSS/RAZ

This book, written by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss and co-author Tahl Raz, provides a masterclass in influencing others through negotiation. It distills the Voss method, revealing skills such as establishing rapport, creating trust with tactical empathy, and transforming conflict into collaboration. The book is filled with real-life examples from Voss's career, illustrating how these techniques can be applied in both professional and personal life to achieve goals and defuse potential crises.

I'd Rather Be Reading

Anne Bogel

My guest today is Anne Bogel, author of I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life and podcast host of What Should I Read Next?
Anne shares lessons from her book such as the benefits of reading and rereading books, why the Book Police don't exist, why you should consider writing in your books, and more great reading tips.

If you love reading, you'll enjoy this episode.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:49 About Anne Bogel
1:17 What inspired Anne to write a book about reading
2:00 Challenges of giving book recommendations
3:41 There's no Book Police (or why you can read whatever you want)
6:00 Joy of finding the right book at the right time
8:06 Benefits of reading books
9:30 Benefits of going to libraries
11:14 Dangerous of being book bossy & avoiding the word Should
14:45 The rite of passage all reader go through (being a reader post-school)
16:34 Benefits of rereading books
19:03 Why you should write in your books
20:50 Benefits of tracking your reading & using Goodreads
23:08 How reading can be a social activity
25:16 The emotional impact of a great book
26:58 Two books that had a huge impact on Anne
31:02 Two books that influenced Anne to become a writer

Learn more about the author:

Twitter: @AnneBogel
Instagram: @AnneBogel
Website: ModernMrsDarcy.com

***
If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and leave a positive review.

Discover my favorite books: alexandbooks.com/bestbooks

Connect with Alex & Books:

Twitter: @alexandbooks_
Instagram: @alexandbooks_
YouTube: Alex and Books

Home Top podcasts Popular guests