a lifestyle blog for book lovers

Happy Friday, readers! I’m looking forward to a weekend full of outdoor adventures, cleaning my office, and diving into my most-anticipated reads from this fall book preview. I hope you have a wonderful weekend waiting for you.

My favorite finds from around the web:

  • I adore these outdoor planters and am confident I could find a good-looking plant (or two) to pop in them.
  • How Segregation Caused Your Traffic Jam. “For much of the nation’s history, the campaign to keep African-Americans “in their place” socially and politically manifested itself in an effort to keep them quite literally in one place or another.”
  • Why Some People Become Lifelong Readers. I like this reframing: “’When I’m sitting there on my couch, reading a book, and my kids are doing their own thing, I like to think, “I’m parenting right now—they can see me reading this book,”‘ Russo told me.”

Favorite Instagram:

The finishing touches on last weekend’s MMD Book Club retreat setup, including this letterboard with our mantra. Follow me on Instagram @annebogel. I’ll share a post here on the blog about the retreat very soon.

On the blog:

One year ago: 20 books worth your reading time that have been banned at some point.

Two years ago: 7 free and easy ways to support your favorite authors. Putting these things into practice makes a bigger difference than you might realize.

Three years ago: 6 things I learned in September. Here’s a reminder about the correct way to pronounce Liane Moriarty’s name.

Four years ago: When you’re good at overcomplicating things. Clearly I was meant to write Don’t Overthink It.

Five years ago: Say it like you mean it. “Say it with confidence, because if you don’t sound confident, why will anybody believe what you say?”

On What Should I Read Next:

This week we featured our first pair of sisters on the podcast and it was so much fun!

On One Great Book:

Don’t miss today’s brand-new episode of One Great Book. In his final novel Our Souls at Night, Kent Haruf reflects on love, happiness, and the small moments that make up a life; its bittersweet story lingers long after the final page.

Have a great weekend!

12 comments

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  1. Deborah G Ball says:

    Anne your sober curious link made me go find the book I recommended at the retreat. Drink by Ann Dowsett Johnston who I believe is originally British . Your link s full of good info as well, and this is a timely topic for all generations. Still rereading Don’t Overthink It, as it is so good for me this week!

    • Anne says:

      Debbie, I jotted that book down when you recommended it—thanks for sharing it here for all to see. And thanks for the kind words about Don’t Overthink It. I’ve been thinking of you all week.

  2. Katherine Hardee says:

    Thank you Anne for the sober curious link. Great information and offers a timely look at options for an alcohol-free life. Have a great weekend!

  3. Carol Q says:

    I just ordered I’d Rather Be Reading from Amazon. I didn’t order the signed copy since I have hopes that you will make it back to Rakestraw Books and I can get you to sign it then.🤞

  4. Pam says:

    Can one be disappointed and yet extremely satisfied at the same time? Really satisfied to see “Our Souls at Night” featured on your One Great Book podcast this week. Loved that little book! But slightly disappointed because it is One Great Book that I’ve already read. I’m slowly making my way through the unread books that you feature on the podcast. (So far, I’ve only read a couple of them). It’s surprising how many of those books I already own, but have yet to read… And if I don’t own it, I can easily get it from the library. Loving it. Have a good weekend.

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