How Do You Enjoy Your Summer Reading?
Summer is in full swing and many of us are feeling it with the steamy temps across the country. But with summer heat also comes summer reading—hopefully on a beach!
I go through phases of avidly reading and mostly do so my phone these days. For me, the practicality of an ebook is worth sacrificing the joys that come from a printed book. I can read it wherever I am or in the dark, I have instant access to my next book, and I can more easily hold my phone while lounging or eating versus juggling an open book.
So what if I can’t always remember the title of the book I’m reading (since I’m not reminded by the physical cover).
Or, that the library will just yank it away from me, exactly 3 weeks later, whether I'm finished or not.
Or, the pings and notifications that pop up disrupting my reading moment of zen.
Despite my choice of convenience, I still love the printed book. I have several on my shelf that bring back visceral memories of experiencing that story—I miss adding to my physical collection. I love reading that final page, closing the book and sitting with it moments after. When someone passes along a book to me, it feels like something special. And there’s nothing like browsing a bookstore—looking at the covers, picking up the book, interacting with it to decide if it belongs on my “want to read” list.
While digital offers convenience and access—print demands our attention. Digital is practical but print is emotional. It's mere physical presence means this is something important enough to take up space.
Over the last 15 months of our virtual lives, many people have just cut out print. But as we slowly re-enter into the world, is there an opportunity to reconnect with your audience by creating that special, tactile, printed item? If so, I'd love to help.
The Latest on My Shelf
Reading Now
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Other favorites by Jodi Picoult are Leaving Time and it’s prequel novella Larger than Life.
Recently Finished
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Can't Wait to Read
The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker
This is the follow-up to The Gollum and the Jinni—part fantasy and part historical fiction, it came out almost a decade ago and is still one of my go-to recommendations when asked.
Want to see what else I'm reading? You can find me on goodreads. And I'd love to know some of your favorite books.