Episode Summary: Ep 465: What's Saving Your Reading Life?

In this special episode of "What Should I Read Next?", host Anne Bogel delves into a deeply personal and communal exploration of what sustains and enriches the reading lives of avid book lovers. Titled "What's Saving Your Reading Life?", the episode emphasizes the importance of identifying and nurturing the elements that keep readers engaged, inspired, and grounded in their literary journeys.

Introduction to the Special Episode

Anne Bogel opens the episode by introducing a concept borrowed from her long-running blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, where she annually reflects on what's saving her life. This year, she brings the conversation to the podcast, focusing specifically on what salvages the reading lives of her community and herself. To facilitate this intimate discussion, Anne welcomes Shannon Malone, the show's Patreon Community Manager and Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club co-host.

Exploring Patreon and Community Engagement

Before diving into the core topic, Anne and Shannon discuss the vibrant activities on their Patreon platform. They highlight various types of bonus episodes released every Friday, catering to different patron interests:

• Matchmaking Episodes: Where patrons share their favorite books, dislikes, and current reads, allowing Anne to recommend new books tailored to their tastes.

• Industry Insights: Episodes that shed light on the broader literary landscape, helping listeners understand trends and behind-the-scenes aspects of the book world.

• Book Style and Themed Episodes: Shannon mentions an upcoming themed episode focused on books about money, aligning with the tax season, showcasing their adaptability to current events.

Shannon excitedly shares plans for a starter guide for the romance genre, featuring their resident romance expert, Lee, to answer patron questions and delve into the nuances of romance literature.

What's Saving Anne and Shannon's Reading Lives?

The heart of the episode revolves around Anne and Shannon sharing their personal strategies and tools that sustain their reading habits, complemented by insights from their Patreon community.

Anne Bogel’s Lifelines for Reading

1. Good Books and Family Dramas:

   • Quote [19:43]: “I love good books, especially family dramas. These are my favorite that make me feel like my experience is seen and normalized.”
   • Anne finds solace and connection in family dramas, appreciating how these narratives reflect and validate her own experiences.

2. Audiobooks and Walking:

   • Quote [20:17]: “Audiobooks and walking go so nicely together. It's been true for like, probably my entire life.”
   • This combination allows Anne to multitask, enjoying literature while staying active.

3. Morning Reading Routine:

   • Incorporating reading into her morning routine helps Anne engage with reflective nonfiction at a manageable pace, enhancing her overall reading experience.

4. Dabbling and Curiosity:

   • Quote [20:29]: “I like to find out about new stuff and read about what's fascinating and have something thought-provoking to latch my mind onto.”
   • Anne emphasizes the joy of exploring diverse genres and topics to keep her reading life dynamic and engaging.

5. Embracing Flexibility:

   • Flexibility in both her physical and mental routines allows Anne to adapt her reading habits to changing circumstances, ensuring consistency even during challenging times.

6. Practical Tools:

   • Reading Light: Transitioning from Kindle to physical books was made easier with a book-hooked reading light, enhancing her comfort during evening readings.
   • Ember Mug: A temperature-controlled mug provides Anne with soothing hot beverages, pairing comfort with functionality during her reading sessions.

Shannon Malone’s Lifelines for Reading

1. Reflection and Journaling:

   • Quote [17:37]: “Reflection is what saves my reading life as well as my non-reading life. Journaling makes a huge difference.”
   • Shannon underscores the importance of introspection and documenting thoughts to deepen her reading engagement.

2. Reading What Truly Resonates:

   • Quote [18:00]: “Reading what I really want to read in the moment has been very interesting and I'm loving it.”
   • By prioritizing books that genuinely interest her at any given time, Shannon maintains enthusiasm and commitment to reading.

3. Reading Light for Physical Books:

   • Similar to Anne, Shannon uses a reading light that attaches to books, facilitating nighttime reading and reducing reliance on digital screens.

4. Minimalism in Reading Choices:

   • Quote [25:42]: “Turning down the volume on reading resolutions, number goals, and just focusing on only reading what really works for me.”
   • Shannon’s approach involves setting realistic reading goals, such as focusing on quality over quantity, exemplified by her commitment to reading 25 five-star books this year.

5. Utilizing Audiobooks:

   • Audiobooks serve as a versatile tool for Shannon, allowing her to enjoy literature during various activities and enhancing her reading flexibility.

6. Influence of Financial Literacy:

   • Shannon discusses how books like Ramit Sethi’s "I Will Teach You to Be Rich" and "Money for Couples" have not only improved her financial confidence but have also positively impacted her overall life organization and focus.

Community Insights: Patron Contributions

Anne and Shannon share and discuss a selection of insightful comments from their Patreon patrons, highlighting the diverse strategies readers employ to sustain their reading habits:

• Liv's Approach:

  • Quote [25:42 Shannon]: “Turning the volume down on reading resolutions, number goals, and just focusing on only reading what really works for me.”
  • Shannon adopts Liv’s philosophy to prioritize meaningful reads over sheer quantity, adjusting her Goodreads challenge accordingly.

• Cheryl’s Volunteer Work and Surprising Books:

  • Quote [27:52 Shannon]: “Volunteer work with our friends at the library and our senior center, but mainly a few really good books that were a big surprise.”
  • Cheryl finds joy in unexpected literary discoveries and the fulfillment derived from serving others through books.

• Emily’s Deep Reading and Audiobooks:

  • Quote [30:44 Anne]: “She did what you want. But this sounds so immersive to me, and I just said how much I love audiobooks for multitasking.”
  • Emily explores the integration of audiobooks with traditional reading, enhancing her immersive experience.

• Elise’s Digital Detox:

  • Quote [31:00 Anne]: “Getting off social media has been the best decision for both my reading life and my mental health.”
  • Elise highlights the benefits of reducing digital distractions to bolster reading productivity and mental well-being.

• Barbara’s Book Over TV:

  • Quote [32:23 Shannon]: “Books are always a lifeline for me, as they are right now. However, keeping TV turned off has helped me to control the content in my life and more books.”
  • Barbara emphasizes the importance of limiting television consumption to make more time for reading.

Interconnectedness of Reading and Non-Reading Lives

Anne and Shannon explore how sustaining a fulfilling reading life positively influences other aspects of their lives:

• Shannon’s Balance:

  • Quote [36:56 Shannon]: “My reading life is a microcosm of my non-reading life and vice versa. Turning down the volume on expectations is saving my reading and non-reading life.”
  • By managing expectations and focusing on what truly matters, Shannon achieves harmony between her literary pursuits and personal well-being.

• Anne’s Personal Strategies:

  • Quote [44:26 Anne]: “Hot tea with honey... and the ember mug will keep your tea hot for an hour.”
  • Anne shares how simple comforts, like a warm beverage, provide emotional and physical support during her reading sessions, intertwining her literary and personal lives.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Anne extends her gratitude to Shannon and the Patreon community for their invaluable contributions. She encourages listeners to reflect on what sustains their reading journeys and invites them to share their insights via the podcast’s website, blog, or social media channels. Anne underscores the timeless relevance of the question, "What's saving your reading life?", emphasizing its significance in fostering a thriving and supportive reading community.

Final Quote:

“As Rainer Maria Rilke said, ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading. Happy reading everyone.”
— Anne Bogel at [45:36]

This episode serves as both a reflection and a guide, offering listeners a rich tapestry of personal anecdotes, community wisdom, and practical strategies to enhance their own reading lives. Whether you're seeking to deepen your literary engagement, find balance, or discover new reading inspirations, Ep 465: What's Saving Your Reading Life? provides a thoughtful and inspiring roadmap.