Am I crazy, or is everybody reading?

Beginning in the stale armpit that was COVID times, I started noticing some trends with my girlfriends. Yes, more drinking. Yes, more experimenting with facial hair removal and dry brushing (whatever the hell that does aside from feeling like a thousand baby shark bites).  But also, so much reading!

Proof that good things did, in fact, come out of that most-depressing viral dumpster fire, so many book clubs and Goodreads profiles were born during and immediately following the height of the pandemic. It was a literary boom bred of boredom and a burning fear the world might end altogether, and, turns out, against all odds, the two make beautiful babies!

Why the rebirth of books?

Every time I chat these days, the conversation comes around to what we’re reading. If I may be so bold as to float a hypothesis into the world wide abyss, I think that, either 1) I wasn’t paying attention to my book-savvy circle, or 2)after a slight break, people are craving deep, rich, heart-melting stories they can get lost in again. There was a brief departure for full-time trolling and scrolling social media, because, sure, 15-second videos in rapid succession are great. But at some point, the soul needs something more satisfying. It needs [insert romance, a thrill, mystery, intrigue, inspiration, instructions, sadness, new ideas to ponder, heartbreak, lust, disgust, beauty].

Now, we have to give credit where credit is due. Whether you loved it, loathed it or loathed yourself for loving it, I know many a reclaimed reader who credits their renewed library card to Colleen Hoover’s twisty love triangle “Verity.” And I’m not here to talk about it. (But did you read the bonus chapter?) I’m only here to say how happy I am for all of us that books, book clubs and book loving is back, louder and prouder than ever.

The pages I love

In the spirit of the Readaissance, I packaged up a list of my all-time favorites, in case you’re looking to add to your stack.

SCARY / SUSPENSEFUL

Sharp Objects
by Gillian Flynn
(The last few pages of this book still haunt me.)

A Slow Fire Burning
by Paula Hawkins

The Push
by Ashley Audrain
(Find someone else whose read it and let debates over the ending ensue.)

NON-FICTION / SELF-IMPROVEMENT

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
by Stephen King

Daring Greatly
by Brene Brown

Rising Strong
by Brene Brown

Braving the Wilderness
by Brene Brown

A turd
by Brene Brown
(Just kidding. But, for real though, if anyone could make the topic enlightening …)

Big Magic
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Carry on, Warrior
By Glennon Doyle

Present over Perfect
by Shauna Niequist

Three Women
by Lisa Taddeo

FICTION

Looking for Alaska
by John Green

The Shack
by William P. Young

The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah

Small Great Things
by Jodi Picoult

Three Junes
by Julia Glass

MEMOIR / ESSAYS / AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Truth & Beauty
by Ann Patchett

Bossypants
by Tina Fey

Yes, Please!
Amy Poehler

The Wreckage of My Presence
by Casey Wilson

The Anthropocene Reviewed
John Green

Yearbook
by Seth Rogan
(You have to go audiobook here.)

Bomb Shelter
by Mary Laura Philpott

SPORTY

Born to Run
by Christopher McDougall

Finding Ultra
by Rich Roll

FOR THE FAM

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

Let me know what I’m missing! The only thing I love more than reading a good book is hearing about the good books other people read and getting excited to read them.