Are you that person that says “Oh, I love reading.”
But actually, your “reading” is limited to scrolling texts, reading group chat on Whatsapp and flicking through the weekend papers looking for the DJ’s sale?
Me too. I love the idea of being a big reader. Someone who reads so much that it necessitates a pair of sensible-but-chic- spectacles and a reading chair in dappled sunlight at home. But the reality is, I’m crap at making time for it. So I shove all my reads into summer; when there’s nothing but cricket on the tele, and I can finally worm into some great reads.
So if you’re looking for some book-spiration, I crowdsourced my friends, I hassled my book club, and came up some ideas for your summer reading list, and why they’re worth your holiday time.
Then, we made a podcast about them, because sometimes when you close that last page, all you wanna do is yell omg wtf was that discuss in depth the nuances of the book.
In every episode, we dive deep on one of the big reads of 2015. There’s true crime, fiction, self help, prize winners, thrillers, so something for every taste. Like every book club, the idea is you read something you might not have read before.
Subscribe in itunes for all the episodes and come read with me! Think of me as your reading personal trainer. Except I won’t charge you money, or yell at you to go ‘deeper’ into your squat ‘until it burns’. I’ll just gently encourage you to read at your own pace. Awesome.
Here we go:
The Prize Winner – All The Light We Cannot See: Antony Doerr
If I explained to you what this book was about, you’d never believe it won the Pulitzer. Orphaned children? A priceless diamond that holds magical powers? A blind French girl and a German whizkid who fall in love via a secret radio transmission? Oh puhlease. Sounds like something from the pages of a Mills and Boon. But this war-time tome – ten years in the writing – is a masterpiece. Written from the child’s perspective, the themes of light, love, and how against all odds people still try to be good to one another, is stunning. Don’t be put off by the 500-odd pages; Doerr’s light touch means it’s an easy read.
Top Comments
I listened to the mamamia book club podcast for the first time today. On the topic of Marie Kondo's book- the life changing magic of tidying up. (I am a regular listener of other mamamia podcasts but thought I would give this one a go as I have read the book and absolutely loved it (I read it in one sitting). I even bought a copy for my friend, who found the same inspiration, in it that I did. For those who have not read it I totally recommend the book especially if you are looking for that inspiration to get your house or apartment in order. Anyway I started listening to the podcast and though I respect that we cannot all have the same opinions on a book I found it hard listening to Gabe as I found her to be extremely negative throughout the podcast. Maybe I found it so hard because I thought the book was literally life changing. I was just glad that Monique was on the panel to counter balance the negativity.