Great recs! Your extremely specific summer reading list from last year is how I found your substack. I would LOVE some tips / tricks on how to read more. I can fly through books at times and then others sit on my nightstand for months. I also have the tendency to pick up multiple books at once. Thank you!!
oh i'm so glad! I talk about it a little in this post (https://coffeewithmaggie.substack.com/p/no-8-a-year-in-books) but mostly I listen to a ton of audiobooks while I'm walking, driving, cooking, passively supervising at the playground, etc. I've also cut down on my social media use pretty substantially in the past two years with an app that bricks my phone and makes most social apps unusable which makes it easier to pick up a book haha.
Ahhh!! I’ve tried audiobooks but for some reason I need a physical book to really see the story lol!! But yes I use an app too and just need to be better about fitting in my reading lol!
My Storygraph just got a slew of 'to read' additions!
I absolutely loved Everyone Is Lying To You, and Notes on Infinity has lingered with me weeks after I've finished it. I'm happy to start seeing it on lists!
How do you decide what books to read? Do you have a Goodreads profile? Do you write reviews (not just synopses) about why you enjoyed the book? I was very excited to discover this list because I struggle with what to read next. I put a bunch of these on hold on Libby and started listening to "social engagement" with zero context. It was not my vibe at all and then I looked at Goodreads.... 2.83 stars! Yikes. So I switched to "All These Beautiful Strangers" but i'm not a YA fan. Even if our tastes are not compatible, I'd love to hear how you choose what to read next!
Oh that’s because I haven’t read most of these yet! This post originally was inspired by my own search for new books to read last summer.
I don’t use Libby for research, just for my own holds system. For this list, I spent about 15 hours scouring release lists, reading summaries and reviews (when available) and pulling titles to look more into, then categorized them by topic or “vibe”. Generally speaking I have found that this works really well for me— at this point I know what I like, or know enough to know that I’ll enjoy a specific topic or perspective based on the blurb alone. I also specifically write my blurbs to make them pretty generic and spoiler free - because I also like to go in blind!
I will also say: I have no problem with a DNF. I usually try to push through if it’s something I can tell will expand my world view or perspective but have no promote bailing if I find the writing annoying or can’t get past specific narrative choices.
ahh so helpful thank you! so there is no magic solution to find a perfect to read next book. i am lazy and was hoping it'd be easier than 15 hours of scouring lol. really appreciate the follow up - happy summer reading!
hi!!! these are great questions. I don't have goodreads, but I do use storygraph (@mvdl) and their star rating system. I write reviews in my newsletter -- usually in the "snooze button" section of regular issues, as well as a monthly reading recap in my monthly digest issue where I cover what I read, why I liked it (or didn't), and an annual end of year reading recap (eg. search "2024 in books" in my newsletter).
as for how I personalyl decide what to read next, a lot of my reads are based on what's available at any given time at the library -- I'm usually pretty discerning about knowing what I would be interested in, and then based on how i'm feeling when my holds lists come available I'll either pick up the hold or set it to deliver later (anywhere from 3 to 30 days). that way if I am interested in reading something eventually but not really in the mood right then, I don't lose my place!
hmm I can't find any of these books listed on your storygraph but oh well.
sorry for being nitpicky but to find books you soley rely on the the libby app to surface books? let's take "social engagement" how did you find out about it? do you feel like reading a blurb and being discerning about knowing what you'd be interested always leads to success?
i say this as someone who reads the same amount but i don't have a good system. i take in a bunch of different recs (podcasts, newsletters, etc) but end up dnf'ing so many books. i admit that i hate to read the blurb up front (i hate watching movie trailers too - i must go in blind) and this leads to dissatisfaction often.
my most tried and true method is to find reviews i resonate with on goodreads and then follow the people who wrote the review (since we seem to have similar taste) but this is still not as foolproof as i'd like.
i use the tags in the Libby app to manage new alerts for new releases, and then I put holds on EVERYTHING and aggressively use the "deliver later" feature when books I want come available so I only have 2-3 reserved at a time and don't lose my spot!
These posts are true masterpieces! Thank you for the work and all the suggestions, would recommend The Three Lives of Cate Kay under Complex Female Characters, loved it
You are so good at these!!! Thank you so much!! I’m moving soon so I haven’t been doing much reading and I’m trying not to buy any more books before we get settled but I am definitely tempted!
I listened to audiobooks while I was packing for our move last summer and it was such a game changer for making it feel fast and (relatively!!!) enjoyable!!!
Well thank GOD I didn’t see this before I went to a new bookstore today or I’d be broke, but I have a ton of physical books on my shelf to read. Currently reading Welcome to Glorious Tuga which feels very summer (isolated Caribbean/Atlantic island with quirky townsfolk) and just picked up The Manor of Dreams which I’m hoping scratches my itch for something eerie.
Hahaha okay that is too real I have had to similarly limit myself to one physical book per month for storage and budget purposes but am fully unhinged on the library holds list 😂😂😂😂 manor of dreams seems very up my alley! Ty for the rec!!!
Great recs! Your extremely specific summer reading list from last year is how I found your substack. I would LOVE some tips / tricks on how to read more. I can fly through books at times and then others sit on my nightstand for months. I also have the tendency to pick up multiple books at once. Thank you!!
oh i'm so glad! I talk about it a little in this post (https://coffeewithmaggie.substack.com/p/no-8-a-year-in-books) but mostly I listen to a ton of audiobooks while I'm walking, driving, cooking, passively supervising at the playground, etc. I've also cut down on my social media use pretty substantially in the past two years with an app that bricks my phone and makes most social apps unusable which makes it easier to pick up a book haha.
Ahhh!! I’ve tried audiobooks but for some reason I need a physical book to really see the story lol!! But yes I use an app too and just need to be better about fitting in my reading lol!
My Storygraph just got a slew of 'to read' additions!
I absolutely loved Everyone Is Lying To You, and Notes on Infinity has lingered with me weeks after I've finished it. I'm happy to start seeing it on lists!
I'm so excited for both to come out! I'm already on my library holds list and they can't come soon enough!
How do you decide what books to read? Do you have a Goodreads profile? Do you write reviews (not just synopses) about why you enjoyed the book? I was very excited to discover this list because I struggle with what to read next. I put a bunch of these on hold on Libby and started listening to "social engagement" with zero context. It was not my vibe at all and then I looked at Goodreads.... 2.83 stars! Yikes. So I switched to "All These Beautiful Strangers" but i'm not a YA fan. Even if our tastes are not compatible, I'd love to hear how you choose what to read next!
Oh that’s because I haven’t read most of these yet! This post originally was inspired by my own search for new books to read last summer.
I don’t use Libby for research, just for my own holds system. For this list, I spent about 15 hours scouring release lists, reading summaries and reviews (when available) and pulling titles to look more into, then categorized them by topic or “vibe”. Generally speaking I have found that this works really well for me— at this point I know what I like, or know enough to know that I’ll enjoy a specific topic or perspective based on the blurb alone. I also specifically write my blurbs to make them pretty generic and spoiler free - because I also like to go in blind!
I will also say: I have no problem with a DNF. I usually try to push through if it’s something I can tell will expand my world view or perspective but have no promote bailing if I find the writing annoying or can’t get past specific narrative choices.
ahh so helpful thank you! so there is no magic solution to find a perfect to read next book. i am lazy and was hoping it'd be easier than 15 hours of scouring lol. really appreciate the follow up - happy summer reading!
hi!!! these are great questions. I don't have goodreads, but I do use storygraph (@mvdl) and their star rating system. I write reviews in my newsletter -- usually in the "snooze button" section of regular issues, as well as a monthly reading recap in my monthly digest issue where I cover what I read, why I liked it (or didn't), and an annual end of year reading recap (eg. search "2024 in books" in my newsletter).
as for how I personalyl decide what to read next, a lot of my reads are based on what's available at any given time at the library -- I'm usually pretty discerning about knowing what I would be interested in, and then based on how i'm feeling when my holds lists come available I'll either pick up the hold or set it to deliver later (anywhere from 3 to 30 days). that way if I am interested in reading something eventually but not really in the mood right then, I don't lose my place!
hmm I can't find any of these books listed on your storygraph but oh well.
sorry for being nitpicky but to find books you soley rely on the the libby app to surface books? let's take "social engagement" how did you find out about it? do you feel like reading a blurb and being discerning about knowing what you'd be interested always leads to success?
i say this as someone who reads the same amount but i don't have a good system. i take in a bunch of different recs (podcasts, newsletters, etc) but end up dnf'ing so many books. i admit that i hate to read the blurb up front (i hate watching movie trailers too - i must go in blind) and this leads to dissatisfaction often.
my most tried and true method is to find reviews i resonate with on goodreads and then follow the people who wrote the review (since we seem to have similar taste) but this is still not as foolproof as i'd like.
I love this whole list.
This is the book list I didnt know I needed. So good. Also, tell me more about this elaborate library holds system. I cant get mine under control 😩
i use the tags in the Libby app to manage new alerts for new releases, and then I put holds on EVERYTHING and aggressively use the "deliver later" feature when books I want come available so I only have 2-3 reserved at a time and don't lose my spot!
These posts are true masterpieces! Thank you for the work and all the suggestions, would recommend The Three Lives of Cate Kay under Complex Female Characters, loved it
yes I recommended that one this spring as well! i really enjoyed it!
🤦🏼♀️
these are my absolute favorite posts
truly the highest of praise coming from you!
I always love your recommendations, my Libby account is about to be *so* busy :') Thank youuuuu!
😘😘😘😘😘😘😘 enjoy!
These are AMAZING. Will be bookmarking!
I love these wow. Ones you don’t see everyday and such a good list!
that was my goal! it's all almost exclusively my personal taste in books which I find I don't see much of in most lists haha
This is the third post I've seen recommending Three Days in June - officially adding to my summer reading list!
Amazed at how many recs you compiled and all the details!
I really enjoy Lisa Jewell so I'll be on the look out for the release of Don't Let Him In!
Using my skills from a former life in academia for summarizing and categorizing sources to be more digestible for the greater good 😂🙏🏼
I also really enjoy lisa jewell (none of this is true was great!), am very excited for that one.
Thank you so much for this! I love seasonal reads!!
You are so good at these!!! Thank you so much!! I’m moving soon so I haven’t been doing much reading and I’m trying not to buy any more books before we get settled but I am definitely tempted!
I listened to audiobooks while I was packing for our move last summer and it was such a game changer for making it feel fast and (relatively!!!) enjoyable!!!
great idea!!!
Well thank GOD I didn’t see this before I went to a new bookstore today or I’d be broke, but I have a ton of physical books on my shelf to read. Currently reading Welcome to Glorious Tuga which feels very summer (isolated Caribbean/Atlantic island with quirky townsfolk) and just picked up The Manor of Dreams which I’m hoping scratches my itch for something eerie.
Hahaha okay that is too real I have had to similarly limit myself to one physical book per month for storage and budget purposes but am fully unhinged on the library holds list 😂😂😂😂 manor of dreams seems very up my alley! Ty for the rec!!!
Thank you so much for this! Where do you suggest beginning?