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I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life | Anne Bogel
For so many people, reading isn't just a hobby or a way to pass the time--it's a lifestyle. Our books shape us, define us, enchant us, and even sometimes infuriate us. Our books are a part of who we are as people, and we can't imagine life without them. I'd Rather Be Reading is the perfect literary companion for everyone who feels that way. In this collection of charming and relatable reflections on the reading life, beloved blogger and author Anne Bogel leads readers to remember the book that first hooked them, the place where they first fell in love with reading, and all of the moments afterward that helped make them the reader they are today. Known as a reading tastemaker through her popular podcast What Should I Read Next?, Bogel invites book lovers into a community of like-minded people to discover new ways to approach literature, learn fascinating new things about books and publishing, and reflect on the role reading plays in their lives. The perfect gift for the bibliophile in everyone's life, I'd Rather Be Reading will command an honored place on the overstuffed bookshelves of any book lover.
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Robotswithpersonality
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Mehso-so

Relatable but not revelatory.
Essays on being a reader, bits of memoir.
If you're craving a bit of reader community solidarity, I think it's a supportive, and at turns commiserative 😉, read.
While the author is the creator of the podcast What Should I Read Next, for those who want more in this vein, I'd be more more inclined to recommend the podcast Reading Glasses.

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CatLass007
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@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you so much for all the lovely gifts. I‘d Rather Be Reading (while snuggling with my kitties) is pretty much my personal philosophy. I‘ve never read either of these authors so that‘s exciting too. My friend who‘s staying with me while she‘s dealing with some health issues also loves to read! We might have to flip a coin to see who gets which sleep mask and pillow spray set. So much love for #LitsyLove!

AnnCrystal 🙏📚💝. 2mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m so happy you like everything 💛🤗 hope you both feel better soon! 2mo
53 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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“I can tell you why I inhale books like oyxgen: I am grateful for my one life, but I'd prefer to live a thousand—and my favorite books allow me to experience more on the page than I ever could in my actual life.” -Anne Bogel

I love books about books and books about plants or flowers; so, to me, they are stunning.
#StunningCover
#AboutABook

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 😍 3mo
AnnCrystal 💝☺️👍💝. 3mo
Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks TY 💞🙏🏻🥰 3mo
Eggs @AnnCrystal TY 🧡🙏🏻🥰 3mo
67 likes4 comments
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Karisimo
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I love to gift this one to bookish friends 😘 #aboutabook #yougifted

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 😍 3mo
Eggs Oh yes it‘s wonderful! 3mo
dabbe #stacked! 🤩🤗😀 3mo
33 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Allylu
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I finished the first book from my #ReadYourKindle list! I loved it! Anne feels like a friend because I belong to the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club. There were so many things I could relate to. One chapter talked about the book that made her a reader. Hers was Emily of New Moon, mine was The Little Princess. My sister (10 years my senior) bought it for me and I remember it being the first book I couldn‘t put down - even for dinner. #ReadYourKindle

CBee I love everything about this post ♥️ 9mo
26 likes1 comment
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ShyBookOwl
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Ok, I'm admitting here and now that I'm reading too many books. It's December 24th, and at this rate, I won't finish any of my 4 currents reads by the 31st 😳📚

janeycanuck I have a couple of books I wanted to clear off the ol‘ TBR cart before the end of the year, too, and then I remembered I have 4 library books, only 1 of which can be renewed… so there goes that plan! 11mo
ShyBookOwl @janeycanuck 🤣 book ppl problems 11mo
ChaoticMissAdventures The Last Week Scramble is a real struggle! 11mo
52 likes4 comments
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Susanita
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I would be happy to see just about any books on my new friend‘s shelf, especially books I would want to borrow. #sundayfunday

BookmarkTavern New books to borrow is always a bonus! Thanks for sharing! 12mo
32 likes1 comment
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Smarkies
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Pickpick

A short but delightful read about the enjoyment of being a reader. 😁

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jdiehr
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Pickpick

This was a delightful book about the joys of reading 📚 😊

I don't always like books about books, but this short audiobook captures what it's like to be a book lover.

My favorite chapter was the one about reading the author's notes/acknowledgements. Don't ever skip the notes!

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megnews
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Pickpick

Are you in a #slump? This little book with bite size chapters may be just what you‘re looking for. As Bogel reminisces on her reading journey, you will laugh, you will nod in agreement, you will reminisce over yours, and like me, you‘re likely to kick start your reading again.
This book is a delight.

tpixie Thanks for the review. I love her podcasts but haven‘t read her books. I‘ve been curious though! 1y
53 likes1 stack add1 comment
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megnews
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ShyBookOwl
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😍😍😍📚💕

BookmarkTavern 😍😍😍 2y
79 likes1 comment
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Born.A.Reader
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Adorable. Delightful. Wholly accurate. A book every bibliophile should at least read. At least once a chapter I found myself going, "So it's not just me!" ❤

Karisimo I love the author's podcast! 2y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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cottagelantern
Pickpick

4 stars ⭐️
Such a cute, tiny book about loving books and reading. Anne's voice shines through just like it does in her podcasts that I so love! This was such a cozy palate cleanser after two very heavy books.

7 likes1 stack add
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Eggs
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ShelleyBooksie I dislike the ads so much but I enjoy her podcast. 2y
Eggs @ShelleyBooksie 🙌🏻🙌🏻 2y
46 likes2 comments
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Chrissyreadit
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Taken off IG ( Barbara freethy) because it‘s a total vibe! Whose with me?

Ruthiella 👍👍👍 2y
TheBookHippie OH YES. 2y
Avanders 💯and then a whole bunch more 😫♥️ 2y
See All 15 Comments
ElizaMarie Yes please!!! We need to all rent a cabin, get a chef, read and hot tub :) 2y
Leftcoastzen Oh yes! Oh please! 2y
KristiAhlers Yes, please! 2y
Bookzombie Yes!!💗 2y
bthegood @ElizaMarie yes - a Litsy getaway sounds fantastic!! 2y
sisilia Yessssss 2y
BethM Yes! 2y
BethM @ElizaMarie im going to assume that the chef also@does dishes right?! 2y
StaceGhost I‘m in! Take my money 💰 2y
MicrobeMom Omg yes Chrissy! I am praying this will be my retirement someday. 2y
Mitch Oh yes! My dream life! 2y
Crazeedi That's my idea of heaven!! 2y
97 likes15 comments
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Eggs
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TheLudicReader I love books about books. 2y
Leftcoastzen 👍👏 2y
61 likes1 stack add3 comments
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ShyBookOwl
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Starting maternity leave tomorrow. Watch out TBR piles, I'm coming for you...muahahaha
📚📚📚📚📚

JamieArc That was a fun blog article to read 😆 2y
ShyBookOwl @JamieArc It was! My biggest offenses are Pile 6: The “I BOUGHT IT BUT HAVE TO READ OTHER STUFF AND NOT IT AND NOW IT‘S CRYING AT ME” TBR PILE and the 100% associated Pile 8: The “JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN‘T SEE IT DOESN‘T MEAN IT DOESN‘T EXIST” TBR PILE... ahhh ebooks. I am very trigger happy on the Buy Now button lol

2y
51 likes2 comments
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ShyBookOwl
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It's raining, I'm crocheting, and listening to an episode of What Should I Read Next and adding books they're chatting about to my TBR. Everything is perfect. EXCEPT that I am supposed to be working 😅 I will have to drag myself to my computer shortly (sigh)... but TGIF.

Tamra Beautiful! 2y
ShyBookOwl @Tamra Thanks! Really fun to make too 2y
LeslieO I love using this reading journal. Usually I just list titles. This has made me think about what I‘ve read and helps me remember the book when I look back. 2y
63 likes3 comments
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melissajayne
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1. Yes
2. Currently Reading, Diving In, Reading Glasses, Reading Envy 😢, Sarah‘s Bookshelves (am also Patreon member), What Should I Read Next, Overdue, Book Cougars, Literary Disco, Literally Reading, Literature & History, So Many Damn Books
3. I don‘t know what it would be about; I‘d be more inclined to start a Canadian History podcast that would start from the arrival of the Ingenious tribes up to about the present day. #sundayfunday

vonnie862 Ooh, a Canadian history podcast would be great! 2y
SarahBookInterrupted @ozma.of.oz 1. yes 2. By the book, overdue, book riot and what should I read next 3. I did and it‘s called book interrupted. It‘s a Book Club podcast. www.bookinterrupted.com #sundayfunday (edited) 2y
melissajayne @vonnie862 I‘ve toyed with the idea for the past 5-6 years. 2y
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BookmarkTavern So many podcasts! Thank you for posting! 2y
BookmarkTavern @SarahBookInterrupted Love Book Interrupted! 💖 2y
SarahBookInterrupted @melissajayne thank you! And @ozma.of.oz I‘m so glad. (edited) 2y
melissajayne @ozma.of.oz you should see my history podcast list… 2y
15 likes8 comments
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Susanita
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1. Yes!
2. All the Books and Read or Dead from Bookriot. What Should I Read Next. Strong Sense of Place. The Book Case. By the Book. Also, my library puts out a podcast, but it‘s very intermittent.
3. It would be about mystery series. No standalones allowed!
#sundayfunday

BookmarkTavern We love local library outreach! Even intermittent! Thanks for posting! 2y
she.hearts.horror I 🖤 Books in The Freezer ( horror books). 2y
she.hearts.horror I think I would like a podcast about psychology books ( like “ Toxic Positivity”) 2y
24 likes3 comments
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GatheringBooks
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#ItHadToBeYou Day 1: #JanuaryStats - pretty shabby, I know. Maybe last 3 days of January can improve these stats a bit, but I sincerely doubt it. 😂🤣📚📚📚📚

marleed Often times I remember the details of a book longer when I sit with it after finishing rather than immediately picking up the next book. So there is that! 3y
Eggs Picture books are so satisfying 💞📚👍🏼 3y
GatheringBooks @marleed that is true. I often discuss details of books i am reading or have read with my husband during our daily hour-long walks - making him the most bookish / learned non-reader. Hehehehhe. 3y
37 likes3 comments
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abookishbutterfly
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I still need two more solid recs for this + backups. Please and thank you!

Loves:

~Literay fiction - especially psychological thrillers and contemporary drama, but also dystopian, horror, magical realism, fairytale retellings, and historical fiction.

~Really prefer beautiful writing, thought-provoking content, and/or stories that stir a lot of emotions.

~Fiction recs only, as I‘m a bit more particular about nonfiction.

CBee Not sure if anyone has recommended any yet, but I‘d recommend The Push (just finished it today) and Cloud Cuckoo Land! 3y
See All 22 Comments
TheKidUpstairs Beautifully written historical fiction with some magical realism: 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick This one was a 2021 stand out for me. 3y
jlhammar The Enchanted or The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld 3y
Ladygodiva7 Tender is the Flesh is a great horror/dystopian. 3y
abookishbutterfly @CBee No one recommended The Push yet. Thank you! 3y
abookishbutterfly @TheKidUpstairs Thank you! I actually have the ebook and audiobook of this so it would work out perfectly! 3y
abookishbutterfly @LiteraryinLawrence Thank you! I have a TBR copy of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, but After the Crash sounds really good to me, too! 3y
abookishbutterfly @Scochrane26 That‘s a perfect rec since it‘s waiting on my nightstand for attention! 3y
abookishbutterfly @DivineDiana Despite seeing this on social media often, I‘ve never read the synopsis before. This sounds like it‘s right up my alley! Thank you! 3y
CBee @abookishbutterfly you‘re welcome! 3y
37 likes22 comments
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iread2much
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Pickpick

This book surprised me. It made me think, and think deeply, about myself as a reader and why books have played such an important role in life. This reads almost like a collection of essays, but it is a both a descriptive journey through the author‘s life as a reader and a book meant to help readers think more about reading as an action and as a state of being. 4/5 stars.

Gissy 🐕 ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
Rehesina Let doggo take a nap! He looks sleepy! 3y
Hooked_on_books I came on over to your feed after seeing the delectable chocolate pics from @Chelleo and I‘m staying for your dogs! They‘re adorable fluffballs! 😍 3y
See All 8 Comments
iread2much @Rehesina she hates the camera, but she does take plenty of naps 😊🐕 3y
iread2much @Hooked_on_books thank you! They are my darlings 3y
Rehesina @iread2much she‘s such a cutie! 3y
iread2much @Rehesina thank you 😊 3y
33 likes8 comments
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AutumnRLS
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Completely reorganized my SciFi/Fantasy/Horror section from A - G. I will continue my work tomorrow. This is what happens when I make my annual trip to the Book Barn in Connecticut and it just happens to be their annual sale! 🙃

Sleepswithbooks It looks amazing!!!! 3y
TrishB Looks lovely 📚 3y
charl08 Wow, looks impressive. Always happy when I am reorganizing a bookshelf! 3y
SRWCF So much Y E S in this 📸!!! 3y
AutumnRLS @SRWCF thanks! 3y
23 likes5 comments
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Ms_Ashley

A love letter and recount of those special things that make a reader a reader.

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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A little bedtime reading 📚😴

I hope everyone is having a great week!

rsteve388 I love her podcasts! Can't wait for the review of this book. 3y
TiredLibrarian I love the cover 📚🥰 3y
92 likes2 comments
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RebeccaRoo7
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"Books write our life story, and as they accumulated on our shelves (and on our windowsills, and underneath our sofa, and on top of our refrigerator), they became chapters in it themselves. How could it be otherwise?"

--Anne Fadiman

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RebeccaRoo7
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A warm bowl on chicken noodle soup, a grilled cheese sandwich, comfy blankets and a fun book is the best way to deal with a cold.
#annebogel
#readKY #nonfiction #idratherbereading #summer #sickday

lazydaizee Hope you feel better soon. 3y
RebeccaRoo7 @lazydaizee thanks so much! Already feeling much better :) 3y
11 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
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Eggs
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Pickpick

A delightful book steeped in the magic and wonder of the life of readers! You will find yourself (and other readers you love) within these pages. A quick read. Gifted to me by the delightful @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

LeslieO I‘m a huge fan of Anne. Loved this book. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💗💗 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 4y
81 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Amiable
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How many more years until retirement? 🤔🥺

Mccall0113 Ugh. Too many 4y
LibrarianRyan I get it. To day is my last WFH day. Back to full time in building tomorrow. I am in one day before everyone else because of rotation, but Monday should be interesting. 4y
Ruthiella So true! I need to buy a lotto ticket. I like to keep it in my wallet for a few months without checking the numbers. That way it‘s like Schroedinger‘s lotto ticket: both a winner and a loser and I can dream about not working with my riches! 😀 4y
See All 13 Comments
marleed I really do spend my retirement in pic 1 following 37 years in cubicles. When people ask if I miss working my standard response: in the last couple years I‘ve never once thought, Gee, I wish I‘d spent the last 9 hours in a cubicle! 4y
Bette @Marleed I‘m with you. My 37 years came up right before the pandemic (good timing) ... I‘m surprised at how much I do not miss it. I wish everyone the couch, afghan, book option. 👍 4y
Amiable @Mccall0113 I know— it‘s too depressing to calculate it . 😬 4y
Amiable @LibrarianRyan We‘ve been back in the office since last June. 😖 But I work at a hospital so it can‘t really be helped. 4y
Amiable @Ruthiella Love the Schroedinger‘s reference — we use it in our house for various scenarios all the time! 😄 4y
Amiable @marleed @bette I am aiming to be where you both are! Save me a seat on the couch. 😀 4y
LibrarianRyan It‘s odd we went back full time last June. Then a week before thanksgiving it was determined we had too many people in the building. They could have just spread us out, we have the space. But instead certain depts got a WFH rotation. Then in Dec all depots got WFH rotation for 3 weeks. They went back in Jan full time and everyone else is tomorrow. It was really weird, plus most things were with no notice. 4y
marleed @Bette Too bad we can‘t share a couch, a cuppa, and talk books all day! And a big couch where we save a space for @Amiable! (edited) 4y
Deblovestoread Same...but I have a tiny light at the end of the tunnel with 32 months to go... 4y
Amiable @Kdgordon88 It‘s a good sign when you can start counting it down in months! 👍🏼 4y
78 likes13 comments
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OriginalCyn620
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Pickpick

This was a reread and it‘s just as delightful the second time around!

#bookspinbingo - got a 2nd bingo!
#pop21 - book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!!! 4y
50 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Chelleo
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This weekend was filled with books and #plantbabies. I told myself I wouldn‘t buy any new books for myself but I couldn‘t pass up the deal on these two titles. ($3.99 and $2.99 USD). I also picked up 3 new plant babies, a new plant stand and made a new cutting.

Chelleo I picked up this and the tagged book. 4y
MarriedtoMrT I listened to I‘d Rather be Reading on audio and it felt like a hug. I hope you enjoy it! 4y
Chelleo @MarriedtoMrT — I started it last night and read 3 chapters. Really enjoying it so far. (edited) 4y
Elizabeth2 Love that plant stand! What a lovely photo! ❤️📚🌿 4y
103 likes1 stack add4 comments
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atla
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So excited! Even though I‘ll probably just walk in and out quickly to pick up my holds, it‘s going to feel like such a luxury to be able to just swing by to pick up books without it scheduling an appointment first. 🥳🥳🥳

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rubyslippersreads
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Regardless of politics, I think this describes most of us Littens. 🤣🤣🤣

Smartypants Yes!! I bring my book everywhere! 4y
AmyG Exactly!!!!! 4y
BiblioLitten Thankfully there‘s always a book on my phone. 4y
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eanderson 🤣🤣🤣 if I have my purse, I have my Kindle! 4y
Aims42 Soooooo accurate!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 4y
monkeygirlsmama 😂LMAO This one ties for my favorite version of this meme so far. (The other is the one with him sitting alongside Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob.) 😂 4y
LeahBergen 😂😂 4y
cozypunk His mittens, his posture 😄 4y
riversong153 Yesssss 4y
93 likes10 comments
review
aliasNayNay
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Mehso-so

I found this book okay, I was hoping for more, but the one thing about it, it is a book for every type of reader. It touches on a bit of everything, like bookish problems, book friends, bookshelves, and an abundance of references. A good coffee table book.

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BarbaraJean
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I finished my Goodreads challenge under the wire today... I was so close that I had to “cheat” a little with a novella completed last night and a short MG novel this afternoon. I‘m always fascinated by the statistics Goodreads pulls together at the end of the year. I still want to look at my own goals vs. actual reading (I know I bombed that goal of reading more from my shelves than from the library), but overall it was a good reading year!

La_Cori Great job!! 📚👏🎉 4y
46 likes1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
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Loved this had to share!😂

LeahBergen 😆😆 4y
56 likes1 comment
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ju.ca.no
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A little sign of life - Had a few very busy weeks at work but things should be back to normal tomorrow🙏🏼 So far I‘ve pretty much didn‘t read at all this month. But I started moving my books to our new place and bookshelf (spoiler: all of them won‘t fit😂) and I‘m happy to have more of my books around!

AmyG Looks great! 4y
Kalalalatja Beautiful 😍 4y
kspenmoll Lovely!!! 4y
68 likes3 comments
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MallenNC
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My favorite book blog is Modern Mrs Darcy. My favorite part are the seasonal reading guides/book previews, and I also love the What Should I Read Next? Podcast.

#ForeverNovember

britt_brooke I enjoy her podcast. She has such a pleasant voice. 💚 4y
JamieArc I‘ll have to check out the seasonal reading guide. I do love reading with the season. 4y
MallenNC @britt_brooke The podcast is great. I‘m always trying to decide what my books I love, book I hate choices would be! 4y
OriginalCyn620 I should read her blog more! 4y
MallenNC @OriginalCyn620 It‘s a good one! 4y
32 likes5 comments
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Kshakal
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OriginalCyn620 Awesome! 4y
29 likes1 comment
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Judybskt
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Cute - reading this now; along with a few others.

SheReadsAndWrites I love this cover!! 4y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment