Ep 453: How to host a cozy reader retreat

Summary

Episode Summary: Ep 453: How to Host a Cozy Reader Retreat

Date Released: November 5, 2024

In episode 453 of "What Should I Read Next?", host Anne Bogle welcomes guest Dana Reams to delve into the enchanting concept of hosting a Cozy Reader Retreat. This episode offers invaluable insights for book lovers seeking to create a warm, inviting space for fellow readers to gather, share, and immerse themselves in literature.

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1. Guest Introduction: Dana Reams (03:51)

Anne Bogle introduces Dana Reams, a stay-at-home mom from Southern Indiana with a passion for reading, baking, and community building. With two young daughters and another on the way, Dana balances her love for literature with family life and hobbies like learning new languages, specifically Spanish and Swahili.

Dana Reams (04:03): "I have always loved to read for as long as I can remember. I am a third-generation fan of Anne of Green Gables. I enjoy a wide range of genres, from historical fiction to fantasy, that immerse me in different worlds and offer seamless learning experiences."

2. Dana’s Reading Life and Book Clubs (05:01)

Dana shares her lifelong passion for reading, highlighting her involvement in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club since 2019 and her own in-person book club for fellow moms. These clubs serve as vital spaces for connection, fostering a sense of community among busy parents.

Dana Reams (05:53): "I started my own little in-person book club with other moms. We meet every other month, sometimes combining playdates with book discussions. It’s been wonderful to connect with other readers in person."

3. Concept of the Cozy Reader Gathering (07:38)

Dana presents her idea for a Cozy Reader Gathering, designed to create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for readers to focus on their literary interests. Scheduled for later in November, the event aims to combine comfortable reading spaces with engaging activities.

Dana Reams (08:00): "I would invite readers over to my home, create a welcoming atmosphere with snacks like pumpkin scones and hot beverages, and set up cozy reading nooks filled with candles and blankets."

4. Creating the Perfect Atmosphere (09:04)

Dana envisions various cozy elements to enhance the reading experience, including:

• Decor: Table runners made from old book pages, inspired by nostalgic books like The Babysitter's Club.
• Activities: Bookish crafts such as Harry Potter coloring books and DIY sprayed book edges.
• Reading Spaces: Multiple nooks with comfortable seating, perfect for individual or group reading.

Dana Reams (08:53): "I made table runners out of old book pages. It was a bit sad to take them apart, but it added a unique touch to the decor."

5. Activities and Interaction (11:09)

Dana outlines a blend of structured and spontaneous activities to foster interaction and creativity among attendees. This includes crafting sessions, communal reading, and opportunities for personal reflection.

Dana Reams (11:38): "We might start with a craft session, like making bookmarks, and then invite everyone to find a cozy spot to read. Those who want to chat can stay together at the table."

6. Book Recommendations for the Gathering (18:57)

Dana shares a curated list of cozy reads perfect for the retreat, encompassing both fiction and non-fiction:

a. Fiction:

• "Witch Hat Atelier" by Komome Shinohara (18:57): A middle-grade manga featuring Coco, a girl who dreams of learning magic through an art-based magic system.

  Dana Reams (18:57): "The magic system is enchanting, based on drawing with pens and sketchbooks, making it a visually immersive experience."

• "Grace of Wild Things" by [Author Unspecified] (25:08): A fantasy retelling of Anne of Green Gables, blending nostalgic elements with magical adventures.

• "Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia to Fairies" by Heather Fawcett (22:46): A fantasy exploring nature and academia through the protagonist’s research on fairies, rich with watercolor imagery.

• "The Teller of Small Fortunes" by Julie Leong (31:30): A cozy fantasy about Tao, a fortune teller who offers small, everyday fortunes to avoid heartbreaking predictions.

b. Non-Fiction:

• "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott (21:18): A reflective guide on writing that emphasizes how writing enhances reading and encourages mindfulness.

  Dana Reams (21:18): "Anne Lamott's hospitable voice and practical writing assignments make it an approachable and inspiring read."

• "Devotions" by Mary Oliver (27:35): A poetry collection celebrating nature and everyday miracles, perfect for communal reading and creative activities.

  Dana Reams (27:35): "Mary Oliver's poems inspire reflection and a deeper appreciation for the small wonders of life."

7. Hosts’ Additional Recommendations (30:26)

Emma and Anne add their own cozy book suggestions, expanding the pool of perfect reads for the gathering:

• "Legends and Lattes" by Travis Baldry (30:26): A high-fantasy, low-stakes story about an orc opening a coffee shop, blending whimsical elements with heartwarming interactions.

• "Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village" by Maureen Johnson (35:44): A tongue-in-cheek guide to cozy mysteries, ideal for adding humor and light-heartedness to the retreat.

8. Final Thoughts and Anticipation (39:23)

Dana expresses her excitement for the upcoming gathering, hoping it will inspire others to host similar events. She emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where readers can escape, connect, and rejuvenate.

Dana Reams (39:23): "I'm excited that it's going to happen and I hope everyone has a great time. It would be wonderful to see others host their own reading parties inspired by these books."

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Key Takeaways:

• Creating Atmosphere: Utilize cozy decor, comfortable seating, and thematic elements to enhance the reading experience.
• Engaging Activities: Incorporate crafts and communal readings to encourage interaction and creativity among participants.
• Curated Reads: Select a mix of fiction and non-fiction that aligns with the cozy theme, offering diverse yet complementary reading experiences.
• Community Building: Foster a sense of belonging and connection among attendees, allowing for both individual reflection and group discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Dana Reams (08:00): "Create a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere where people can focus on their reading interests for a day."
• Dana Reams (18:57): "The magic system is enchanting, based on drawing with pens and sketchbooks."
• Dana Reams (21:18): "Anne Lamott's hospitable voice makes writing approachable and inspiring."
• Dana Reams (39:23): "I hope everyone has a great time and maybe inspires others to host their own reading parties."

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This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for readers looking to organize their own cozy reader retreats, blending practical tips with inspirational book recommendations to create memorable literary gatherings.

Transcript

[Ann Bogle]

Hey readers, I'm Ann Bogle and this is what should I read next? Welcome to the show that's dedicated to answering the question that plagues every reader. What should I read next? We don't get bossy on this show. What we will do here is give you the information you need to choose your next read.

[Emma]

And I love the way we are doing that today. Readers, if taking care of your health.

[Ann Bogle]

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[Emma]

Readers gathering she is hoping to hold. Actually, I now know intends to hold.

[Ann Bogle]

Later this month and our team instantly.

[Emma]

Wanted to RSVP yes. Since we can't all gather at Dana's.

[Ann Bogle]

House this season, we thought we'd do the next best thing and invite Dana to share all about her delightful concept.

[Emma]

For this gathering while discussing books with.

[Ann Bogle]

Cozy vibes that her guest may enjoy grabbing to peruse in one of the many candle and blanket filled reading nooks with a hot cup of tea or cocoa or something else cozy that Dana intends to set up around her home for this event. I can't wait to hear more about how Dana creates richly textured, immersive reading.

[Emma]

Experiences both for herself in her own.

[Ann Bogle]

Reading life and in times like these when she seeks to offer other friends and readers a sense of community and belonging in a season that could use a little boost of coziness. Let's get to it.

[Emma]

Dana, welcome to the show.

[Dana Reams]

Thank you Emma. Glad to be here.

[Emma]

Oh well, I'm so excited to talk.

[Ann Bogle]

Dana, would you tell us a little bit about yourself? We want to give our readers a glimpse of who you are.

[Dana Reams]

I'm from Southern Indiana. I'm currently a stay at home mom. I have a daughter who will be two in just about a week or so and then we have another one on the way, another girl expected in March. So a few things besides reading that I enjoy. I like to do some baking, just going on walks or bike rides, connecting with family and I also enjoy trying to kind of learn some languages a little bit. I hope to do some traveling in the future if possible.

[Emma]

That's fun. What languages?

[Dana Reams]

Primarily Spanish. There's a woman who moved here recently who speaks Swahili or Kiswahili and I always actually kind of wanted to learn that. So I think that would be fun. Maybe some Japanese.

[Emma]

Okay, we'll see a sampling.

[Ann Bogle]

Dana, tell us about your reading life.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, so I have always loved to read for as long as I can remember. I am a third generation fan of Anne of Green Gables. My mom and my grandmom love those books too. Like all kinds of books from historical fiction, sci fi, fantasy, poetry, literary fiction, and just really enjoy a book that kind of just immerses me in the world. And maybe I learned something in a really kind of seamless way. So one thing that I've really enjoyed in my reading life the last few years is actually being a part of the modern Miss Darcy Book Club, which I joined back in 2019 after I saw you interviewing Celeste Ng at a local library event. Since we're in the same area.

[Emma]

I remember that. That was such a great night.

[Dana Reams]

It was a good one.

[Emma]

I wish we could have met then. And I'm glad that modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club is working for you.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, I also recently, this past year I started up my own little in person book club. And it's with some other moms in the area who like to read. And we'll kind of meet up about every other month. Sometimes just the moms, sometimes the moms and the now toddlers. And then it's more of like a play date and a book club. So that's been really fun, getting to connect just in person with other readers. So I think because maybe I'm a pretty like imaginative person and so when I'm reading books, like it really gets my imagination going and I think I sometimes have a desire to even bring it to life even more. So maybe like there's a certain food mentioned in the book, so it could be fun to pair that or even one of the books I'm. I think I'm going to talk about later. When I read it, I could just kind of see it as this like watercolor image. So I thought it'd be fun, you know, making something like that or I've seen like those book nooks online. I think that's really cute. Like where you could create like a book nook, you know, just something.

[Emma]

I don't know what a book nook is.

[Dana Reams]

Okay, well, there's one woman that I've specifically seen on like Instagram. I think it's June's book nooks. And so she'll make. It's. They're almost like shoebox size. Like they would fit in between your books on your bookshelves. So maybe it's like a little scene from like Harry Potter or just like a cozy reading corner. And so I just really like the whimsy of that.

[Emma]

That's so cool. I didn't know that that was a thing that people were doing and Sharing online. What caught our eye in your submission that you sent in in response to our team's request for fall themed and.

[Ann Bogle]

Seasonal ideas was a plan for a.

[Emma]

Cozy reader gathering that sounded like such a delight. Would you tell us all about it?

[Dana Reams]

So my idea for the cozy reader gathering is that I would just invite some other readers over into my home and hopefully just create a really, just welcoming, relaxing atmosphere where people can take some time to focus on their reading interests for a day. So for the fall, I'd hope to maybe have some yummy snacks available for everyone, like pumpkin scones, maybe a charcuterie board or some soup. Of course, some hot beverages like tea or cider or hot cocoa. And I'd hope to maybe have some, like, bookish decor. I actually from another little party I had made these little table runners made out as like some old book pages so I could bring those back out.

[Emma]

Table runners out of old book pages?

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, I think it was. It was like a babysitter's club book book that I made them out of. It was kind of sad taking it apart but then put it back together.

[Emma]

So I don't know.

[Ann Bogle]

I mean, I know that Anna Martin.

[Emma]

Is not the only one who wrote all those books, but I can't imagine that she would be sad to have her works used in that way. Although I can see myself sitting at the table trying to read every bit of the story. Like, which one is this? Do I remember?

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, they got a little disjointed. They don't all go in order, but so it makes extra tricky.

[Emma]

I love the picture you painted, how you'd welcome people into your home and you'd invite your reader guests to read in any of the cozy nooks that you'd set up throughout your home or to do bookish crafts like Harry Potter coloring books or DIY your own sprayed book edges, which are all the rage right now. Say more about that. It never would have occurred to me to do my own. I do. I am aware that there are tutorials online and yet I'm intimidated. You're not. Say more about this.

[Dana Reams]

Oh, well, I've never done it myself, but I do think it sounds really fun, like something we could try together and see how it. See how it goes as a group or like some people I think I've seen like where they almost like paint it, you know, like really finely. So people could just give that a try if they wanted.

[Emma]

I just realized though, is this a.

[Ann Bogle]

Bring your own book situation?

[Emma]

Do you have a bunch of old ones? Do I need to send you a box.

[Dana Reams]

I guess if you wanted to DIY it, you'd have to probably bring your own. I don't know if I'd let people experiment from our bookshelves for that or not.

[Emma]

That's fair. Books are very personal. I wouldn't write in your book, so I'm not going to spray your book edges either.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, or maybe if people just wanted to make their own bookmarks or book journaling or something like that, just have some supplies set out so they could just do whatever strikes their fancy.

[Emma]

I'm picturing you said you'd have the fireplace going and lots of candles lit, plenty of blankets around, a plethora of bookish activities, places to read, an invitation to peruse bookshelves for a new book to borrow.

[Ann Bogle]

That sounded lovely. Would this be with your existing book club or a broader gathering of readers?

[Dana Reams]

I went ahead and reach out to the other women in the the Mama Book Club. We did pick a date for later in November to all get together. So it's going to happen, which is really exciting.

[Emma]

Okay, it's going to happen. And today we're going to see about providing some books for this gathering. I would love to hear, like, how you're envisioning people interacting with your space and maybe with each other, if you feel like that applies too.

[Dana Reams]

Yes, I think it would be kind of spontaneous. I'm imagining probably people would come inside, hopefully make them feel welcomed, could grab some snacks if they wanted. I imagine we'd probably maybe do some kind of craft first. One girl in the group had mentioned, like, she loved crafting and might have some ideas for making bookmarks. And then I was just thinking, you know, I could invite people to bring their own book and find a cozy spot to go read and just have some time to themselves. Or if they want to stay at the table and chat some more with other readers, they could do that.

[Ann Bogle]

That sounds lovely. Dana, you mentioned that you were passionate.

[Emma]

About finding ways to create community and bringing different people together, and also that you found yourself longing for a welcome into someone's home, for a comforting reading location where you get to get out of the house but you're not in public either, and that you thought it'd be so lovely to provide that for others. And I, as a reader who really tracks with what you're saying there, I just think this sounds lovely. So, of course you need some potentially cozy reads to go with this cozy environment you're setting up. When you think of a cozy read, like, what does that mean to You. Where does your mind go?

[Dana Reams]

One of the places my mind goes is if a book has, like, some yummy, like, really appetizing sounding foods in it or like they're making some hot tea or coffee. That is going to add to the coziness factor for me and maybe it'll make me want to, like, you know, make something to go along with the reading. I think definitely some lovable characters that you enjoy spending time with is going to make it cozier. I think just the writing itself, if you have great sentences and descriptions, that'll help you just feel really present in the reading experience. I think for the fall especially, I really enjoy, like an academic setting. You know, maybe some back to school vibes. Gives you that nostalgia from when you were in school. So enjoy that. Also, I think maybe seasonal or nature or weather imagery, especially if it went along with the fall or maybe the winter season coming up. I would hope that cozy read would have minimal trigger warnings or tragic moments. No gratuitous violence at least. I think maybe kind of like how I mentioned before, I really enjoy just if there's a whimsical or playful elements, maybe a sense of humor that's really just gonna like, add to the bringing it alive in your imagination. And one other thing I was thinking, I really enjoy writing where it maybe takes like, everyday moments and just really brings those to life. You know, shows you some of the wonder there, helps you slow down and focus on something that maybe you miss and just like the rush of everyday life.

[Emma]

Okay, that sounds lovely.

[Ann Bogle]

I'm imagining that not just in the.

[Emma]

Fall, but year round. It sounds like you're really drawn to lush descriptions where you can really picture things happening and where you feel like many of your senses are engaged because of the words on the page. Does that sound like you?

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, I think so. I do have a bit of a. I guess you could call it a problem where, you know, I was trying to do more book journaling this year, but I was capturing so many quotes that I just loved or, you know, maybe it gave me an idea for something. But then, you know, I had to return these books to the library and so just capturing all those quotes. But yeah, because there was just so many images or descriptions I enjoyed and just wanted to gather them up.

[Emma]

Okay, I'm gonna ignore the problem part, although I do find that very relatable and just notice that you really enjoy a richly textured experience. And so when you capture those details, you feel like you're adding those layers of texture.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah.

[Emma]

Okay.

[Ann Bogle]

Well, Dana, today we thought it would.

[Emma]

Be fun to try something a little bit different. You mentioned that you may want to put out cozy reads for your guests to choose from, and I love the idea of a thoughtfully curated assortment of books that a reader that I know is putting in front of me and say, Ann, I chose these with you and your fellow readers in mind. Check them out. That sounds like such a gift and such hospitality. But you brought a few cozy reads that you might recommend and share at this gathering and I did the same thing and I'm so excited to hear what you have in mind for your readers.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, I'm excited to hear what you'll have to share as well.

[Ann Bogle]

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[Emma]

What are you thinking about laying out in late November?

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, so the first one I have is, it's called the Witch Hat Atelier by Komome Shinohama. And this one is actually a middle grade manga, which I thought that that could be really fun for this reading party because it's something you could potentially read within just a couple hours or get through most of it. See if you want to take some more of the series home with you. The main character in the story, her name is Coco and she has always wanted to learn to use magic, but she didn't think that was going to be possible for her. But eventually she goes to study at this witch atelier, which means kind of like a workshop or studio with a few other girls and they're just learning how to put their magic into action. And so I thought that gave it some of those kind of back to school vibes a little bit, which was fun. She has a really genuine and just like enthusiastic personality, so it's a joy to just follow her on her adventures. I thought the magic system in this one was really enchanting. So it's primarily based on the art form of drawing. So instead of wands, they have pens and they have kind of almost like these little like pocket sized sketchbooks that they might use to draw their little symbols on that then creates the magic. And there's even at one point where they all go on this field trip to this like magical stationer shop, which I thought sounded wonderful. And then just like the artwork in the manga itself is really well done and just kind of makes it feel like somewhere you might want to go visit.

[Emma]

That sounds like something great that you could slip into a little cozy reading nook in your home and enjoy for a bit.

[Ann Bogle]

Is this the kind of thing that.

[Emma]

You could read in one sitting?

[Dana Reams]

I think so, yeah. Maybe a couple hours.

[Emma]

Okay, so maybe not during the whole of your Cozy Readers gathering. Yeah, but you could get a good taste. Well, that sounds lovely I was so intrigued by some nonfiction that you put on your list.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah. So I included also Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. I really enjoy reading books about writing and just writers talking about their craft. I really especially enjoy in this one, Anne Lamott also emphasizes how writing and working on your writing can also make you a better reader. And she talks about how a lot of writers started out as, you know, big time readers. So I enjoyed that aspect of it that she talks about. And she also discusses how writing can help you kind of pay attention to the world around you, maybe in a different way, and kind of help slow you down, which I think is just kind of a cozy sort of aspect. And she also just really has a very hospitable kind of voice to how she shares about it. You know, she's very down to earth. She has a great sense of humor. A few times it's making me laugh. And she shares kind of some ideas of maybe like little assignments, ways you could approach your writing. It's not overwhelming or anything like that. It makes you feel like you can just start wherever you're at and jump into some writing.

[Ann Bogle]

Is it the reflective, contemplative approach here.

[Emma]

That makes you feel like it's a good, cozy, gathering fit?

[Dana Reams]

I think so, yeah. She also kind of just talks about life in general a little bit and reflects on, you know, some different memories. She draws a lot from memory to draw ideas for writing. Another book that I want to share, it's by Heather Fawcett, who I feel like in, in general, is a pretty cozy author to read. So this one is called Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia to Fairies. This one's a fantasy. The main character in this series is a really academic individual and she's out on a research expedition in this, like, remote, wintry country. So this is the one where I was talking about. I could just kind of see, like, the watercolor imagery, great descriptions of the setting that just really stuck with me and just, you know, had that strong sense of place where I felt like I was there. And I guess the format of this one, it's written like it's Emily's journal and she has all these little footnotes scattered throughout where she's maybe sharing bits of her field where they study the fairies and just little notes for the reader, which felt really just like playful as well as kind of academic.

[Emma]

That sounds lovely.

[Ann Bogle]

Now, you did say that you were.

[Emma]

Debating between two different books, but would you please tell me about the Anne of Green Gables fantasy retelling? Because I did not know about this.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, she has a fantasy retelling of Anne of Green Gables. It's called the Grace of Wild Things. And this one is also more of a middle grade book. It's a little similar to the witch hat one in which the main character, she really wants to do magic, but she's grown up in this orphanage, so people are kind of, you know, a little nervous about any, you know, unusual things that she, you know, brings about. But eventually she goes to this. This, like, witch's home has a little bit of, like, Hansel and Gretel vibes. And she kind of strikes up a deal with her where she's. She's going to try and like, complete all these, like, books of spells.

[Ann Bogle]

How much did your history with Anna.

[Emma]

Green Gables play into your reading experience with this one?

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, so it was really fun to see. You know, she had some of those little details where you can see, like, oh, this is alluding to Marilla, or like the raspberry cordial with Anne, like, there's something, you know, kind of similar but different. And just how she used, you know, more of a fantasy style to, like, bring some of that to life. She definitely, like, makes like, her kindred spirit friends along the way. It's set out in the woods where the witch's home is, so there's a lot of that nature imagery and just playing. And the magic system in this one was really cool too, where it was almost kind of poetic the way they would have to try and figure out how to meet the spells, like getting, you know, a drop of moon. And she would use like, some, like the moonlight on the river or something like that.

[Ann Bogle]

That sounds lovely.

[Emma]

Thank you for indulging me. What else do you think you might set out for your readers?

[Dana Reams]

I also had a poetry collection by Mary Oliver, so it's called Devotions. It draws from some of her different poetry books that she's written over the years. I think the poems in this one, they just feel really accessible and approachable. And I feel like she really does a great job of taking these little moments out in nature and just really bringing some of the wonder alive. It seems like she has a really slowed down way of living and she kind of helps you slow down through the poems and it helps you just focus on, you know, maybe just this little singular moment, like watching a snail climbing a trellis in the morning that you didn't expect to see almost like these little miracles. And I think she has just, like, really great imagery in her poems. You know, you can kind of see it in your mind's eye. And I thought for this one it could be fun to maybe even read a few of the poems aloud with the other readers as kind of a communal activity. And if people wanted, because it's so imagery heavy, if they wanted to like, you know, maybe try and recreate something that they can kind of see to go like accompany a poem, you know, maybe paint a little image or something, I thought that could be fun as a bookish craft idea.

[Emma]

That sounds so fun.

[Ann Bogle]

I love those readers. I find that living for the season I'm in makes the long dark days of winter feel a little more manageable. For me, that means cozy reads, hot tea and coffee and cocoa, and warm and soft sweaters. And with Quince, I can bring fresh joy into my life without spending a fortune. Quince has become a go to source for affordable products that feel like splurges. I have a whole stack of their sweaters in my closet, all made from premium fabrics like mongolian cashmere and 100% organic cotton. The sweater I wear the most is their Mongolian cashmere fisherman sweater. I love it so much. I own multiple colors I'm constantly wearing and they make so much more than clothing. Check out their sheets and blankets like their chunky knit weighted blanket for the ultimate in winter self care. As much as I love Quince's clothing and home goods, I'm equally impressed with their business values. They only work with factories that use safe, ethical and responsible manufacturing practices. Treat yourself this winter without the luxury price tag. Go to quince.com readnext for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com readnext to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quints.com readnext readers if you are in the depths of winter, you may be looking for any excuse to cocoon yourself in cozy indoor clothes. Fortunately, Bombas makes the socks, slippers and underwear you need to do exactly that. Bombas crafts their footwear and clothing from the softest fabrics, but what really sets them apart are all the small details. They removed itchy tags, fixed annoying toe seams, and made sure everything fits just right. No more slouching socks or scratchy tees. And their slippers are the ultimate in winter warmth, featuring ultra soft Sherpa you'll never want to take off. But the best thing about Bombas is they're not just here to make comfortable slippers, they also donate one item for each one purchased. These donations go to people facing homelessness. And over the years They've donated over 150 million items thanks to purchases like yours. So when you invest in your comfort this winter, you're also helping someone in need feel a bit more comfortable too. So try Bombas. Now head over to bombas.com readnext and use code readnext for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M B-A-S.com readnext code readnext at checkout.

[Emma]

I had fun imagining what I might set out in such a situation. Not that it would have occurred to.

[Ann Bogle]

Me to host one.

[Emma]

So thank you for the idea where I got to let my imagination run wild. It was interesting how, like, my brain first went to cozy fantasy, which so often has those elements of the whimsical and the playful. And when you were just talking about how you love food and books that you can actually consume as part of your reading experience or to follow up your reading experience and hot drinks, I was thinking of Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldry. You've probably read this.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, I thought I was thinking about this one as well.

[Emma]

Okay, good. That makes me feel like I'm on the same wavelength. It's about an orc who retires in the mercenary life and has time on their hands and decides to open up the very first coffee shop in the area. And so we have these fantastical characters.

[Ann Bogle]

I think Baldry describes this as high.

[Emma]

Fantasy and low stakes. We have these fantastical characters who are ironing out their cinnamon roll recipes and wowing each other by introducing their pals to the concept of a latte for the first time. I haven't read Bookshops and Bone Dust, the more recently released prequel yet.

[Ann Bogle]

Have you, Dana?

[Dana Reams]

I haven't. We did get a copy of it, but I haven't read it yet.

[Emma]

Okay, but I always like to know there's more to come when I really enjoyed a book. And then for our patrons who were at Fall Book Preview, we talked about a couple cozy fantasies then. And one of them was the Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong.

[Ann Bogle]

And this is just out.

[Emma]

It might actually be a publication day of this episode November 5th, but it's a great cozy fantasy for your fall reading. It's another low stakes story with a happy ending. It's got a glimmer of romance. It has cats, which I feel like is often a cozy cue. But it's about this young woman named Tao who's always been a loner. She travels the countryside telling people their fortunes, but she's learned that when you tell people big fortunes with life changing implications, that can really bring heartbreak. And she doesn't want to break anybody's heart.

[Ann Bogle]

So instead she tells them little things.

[Emma]

Like what you're going to have for dinner next week or who you're going to bump into.

[Ann Bogle]

Ooh. And in that way it reminds me.

[Emma]

Of Sarah Addison Allen a little bit for those who want a specific North Carolina set. Kind of coziness. I think that word applies to her. But through her travels she picks up a few companions that she wants to stick with. So this really becomes a story of found family, and they're unlikely companions. There's a baker whose products are ugly but delicious, which is how my mom always described her grandmother's cooking. So I always I felt right at home. I felt cozy reading that little bit a reformed thief and a naughty cat and decides, you know, maybe the solitary life isn't what it's all about after all. So it's got eclectic characters, a really earnest tone, and just cozy vibes throughout. And then I was not planning on.

[Ann Bogle]

Sharing this one, but when you mentioned.

[Emma]

That you really love stories in which the author can bring everyday moments to life and inspire a sense of wonder and help you focus on something that you may not miss in the daily.

[Ann Bogle]

Hustle and bustle, I thought immediately of.

[Emma]

Harry's Trees by John Cohen. We had him on the podcast a long, long time ago. We are in our mid-400s episode wise, and I think he was in the mid-100s.

[Ann Bogle]

So 300 divided by 50 weeks.

[Emma]

This was many, many years.

[Ann Bogle]

But this is a grown up kind.

[Emma]

Of fairy tale that does have sad things in it. Characters are brought together because they are grieving terrible things. When you're seeking cozy reads, you're looking for books that don't have a lot of content, warnings, and the backdrop here is great grief. So I would want readers to know that. But you also get in this story redemption and forgiveness and joy. And it's all set amidst the beautiful Pennsylvania Forest in the fall and wintertime.

[Ann Bogle]

And something I remember John Cohen saying.

[Emma]

About this book is that there's not really true magic in this story because there's nothing here that couldn't actually happen. And yet it feels magical and whimsical and definitely not the stuff of everyday life. And it has the things that just feel so heartwarming, like there's unlikely friendships, there's intergenerational friendships which always make me feel just all warm and fuzzy on the inside a book within a book. There's like a fairy tale that features prominently in the story. There's a battle to save the local.

[Ann Bogle]

Library, and there's this mysterious good Samaritan.

[Emma]

In the story who's traveling the region. He becomes known as the Susquehanna Santa because he's leaving piles of gold outside some Pennsylvania's home. And so there's this air of like, magic. I don't need to find a better word than magic. And this can be sentimental, but there's a strong sense of humor throughout, which I think keeps it from becoming like, twee.

[Ann Bogle]

And then when you said humor, I.

[Emma]

Thought of this book that I would not call cozy, but I would call cozy adjacent. It's by the mystery writer Maureen Johnson, and it's called your guide to not getting murdered in a quaint English village. And I really like the idea of having something like this for your gathering because it's a little gift book. It's like just a little bit bigger than the size of my hand. It's thin. It's illustrated with really funny, almost, but.

[Ann Bogle]

Not truly gory illustrations.

[Emma]

I mean, like, well, my kids are older now, but I wouldn't be like, keep that away from the kids. Oh my gosh, they'll be like, scarred. It's not like that. The text is kind of large. Like it's. It's laid out for display, not for compactness of text. You could probably browse through this in 10 minutes, take it into your book nook, read your book, maybe not even finish your cup of tea in the time that it takes you to read this.

[Ann Bogle]

But it's this really fun overview of.

[Emma]

The common tropes in the cozy mystery genre. It's a send up.

[Ann Bogle]

It's just funny. It's tongue in cheek, and it kind of walks you into a charming English.

[Emma]

Village and then points out how and why and what to look out for. Because if you've read cozy mysteries, like.

[Ann Bogle]

Yes, it's like, sweet, it's charming, it feels so hospitable and wonderful.

[Emma]

And also, people get murdered all the time. So it's really fun.

[Dana Reams]

Those all sound really great.

[Emma]

I'm glad to hear it. Dana, why don't you tell us about one more?

[Dana Reams]

Okay. It's called the welcome to the Hunam Dong Bookshop by Juan Borum.

[Emma]

Oh, I love that. It's perfect here. I mean, you made the rules of your cozy gathering, and I can see how it totally fits.

[Dana Reams]

So this one, it takes place in South Korea, and as you can imagine, it primarily takes place in this neighborhood bookstore by this woman who's always dreamed of starting One, a lot of the characters in this book had previously been living in, like, high pressure or, like, high stress jobs. It seemed like work culture was pretty intense here, and they're all kind of, like, seeking some rest. And a lot of them find that in the bookshop setting that she's creating. Also in the title, you know, it says welcome, so it has those welcoming vibes. There's a barista who's really working on his craft, so you got those warm coffee feelings. And there's this woman who comes in to, like, knit for hours, which he's welcome to do. Also, like you said, the intergenerational friendships. There's this high school kid who's just, like, pretty apathetic about everything, and his mom wants him to go to the bookshop. It starts to kind of affect him. Him. Yeah. So it was just fun seeing, like, some of the behind the scenes of running the bookshop. Definitely see, like, the power of books in this story. And there's actually a quote in the author's note that I thought was just really fitting that I'd like to share. And she said when she was writing this book, she hoped to create a space that we can escape to and a refuge from the intensity of daily life where we can't even pause to take a breather. A space to shelter us from the harsh criticisms whipping us to do more, to go faster. A space to snuggle comfortably for a day. A day without something siphoning our energy. A day to replenish what's lost. And I thought that just went perfectly, you know, with the atmosphere of the reading party and just some of these other books we're talking about.

[Emma]

That is an amazing quote.

[Dana Reams]

I love it.

[Emma]

Okay, well, I can't add to that. We have to leave it with Hoang Borum's words. Although I will say you mentioned that this book had warm coffee feelings. I feel like I need, like, a new subgenre shelf of books with warm coffee feelings, because that is a vibe that I adore. Dana, do you have any parting thoughts on your cozy reader gathering?

[Dana Reams]

I'm just excited that hopefully it's going to be coming to fruition, and I hope everyone has a great time. And I'd be curious to see if anyone else decides to host some reading parties if they pick up any of these books.

[Emma]

Oh, please do tell us. Our comments are always open. What should I read next?

[Ann Bogle]

Podcast.com or you can write us at.

[Emma]

[e-mail] we would love to hear. And Dana, you know, we'll keep you in the loop.

[Ann Bogle]

Thank you so much for a wonderful.

[Emma]

Conversation and wishing all the good things for your Cozy Reader Gathering. Thanks for talking books and book plans with me today.

[Dana Reams]

Yeah, thanks for having me.

[Ann Bogle]

Hey readers, I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Dana and I'd love to hear what you think she might want.

[Emma]

To offer her readers at her Cozy Readers Gathering.

[Ann Bogle]

Find Dana on Instagram at Literary Gleanings and peruse the full list of titles we talked about [e-mail] make sure you're.

[Emma]

Following along in Apple Podcasts, Spotify Overcast.

[Ann Bogle]

Pocket Casts wherever you get your podcasts. You may have heard from podcasters or.

[Emma]

Read in the news that the state of the podcast landscape is a little tenuous these days. Following along, subscribing, downloading each episode the week it comes out. Those are things that are so helpful to our sustainability as a small, independently produced podcast.

[Ann Bogle]

Thank you so much for that. Giving us a five star rating, especially.

[Emma]

A review where you say a sentence or two about what you like about.

[Ann Bogle]

The show on your podcast platform, especially Apple Podcasts is also so very helpful.

[Emma]

It's good for morale and it also practically helps helps us pay the bills. So thank you in advance for that.

[Ann Bogle]

If you like book email in your inbox. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Do that at what Should I read next? Podcast.com newsletter thanks to the people who make the show happen. What Should I Read Next? Is created each week by Will Bogle.

[Emma]

Holly Wilkachevsky and Studio D Podcast Production readers.

[Ann Bogle]

That's it for this episode. Thanks so much for listening.

[Emma]

And as Reiner Maria Rilke said, ah.

[Ann Bogle]

How good it is to be among people who are reading. Happy reading everyone.