Reading for pure escapism means something different for every reader. Some of us turn to puzzle-like mysteries, some of us immerse ourselves in fantastical worlds. Today’s guest stays away from doom scrolling by reading lots and lots and lots of romance. “Recovering English major” Jenna Lowenstein still enjoys the occasional literary fiction read, but these ... Show More
Sep 30
Ep 496: Warm and inviting stories of hearth and home
When the world feels heavy, many of us reach for books. Today's guest is looking for a specific style of comfort reads. Jemima Welsh is joining Anne today all the way from Brisbane, Australia, where she lives with her family and her pets, including four chickens named for the Mar ... Show More
53m 57s
Sep 23
Ep 495: Fall Book Preview sneak peek
,The team at MMD HQ has always been enthusiastic about fall reading. We shared our first Fall Book Preview back in 2019, and last week we released the seventh annual edition. Today, we’re sharing a sneak peek into this year's event that concludes with Anne describing the first th ... Show More
37m 9s
Jun 2024
Raising Readers In 2024: Episode 471
From e-readers to audiobooks, graphic novels to good ol' paperbacks, the methods may have changed, but the essence of reading remains timeless. Today Jayme and Joanna dive into the wonderful world of raising readers in 2024. We share personal anecdotes and insights into our own r ... Show More
55m 50s
Feb 2024
4 Early-Year Book Recommendations
The early part of a year can mean new books to read, or it can mean catching up on older ones we haven’t gotten to yet. This week, Gilbert Cruz chats with the Book Review’s Sarah Lyall and Sadie Stein about titles from both categories that have held their interest lately, includi ... Show More
34m 29s
Jun 2024
Your Guide to Completing the Pro Book Nerds 2024 Reading Challenge
On today's episode, Emma and Joe share some tips and tricks to completing your 2024 Pro Book Nerds Reading Challenge. They also discuss the prompts they've completed and what books they read. Finally, they offer some suggestions for, perhaps, some harder to complete prompts. Let ... Show More
54m 22s
Mar 2024
Books That Make Our Critics Laugh
Earlier this month, the Book Review’s staff critics — Dwight Garner, Alexandra Jacobs and Jennifer Szalai — released a list of 22 novels they have found reliably funny since Joseph Heller’s landmark comic novel “Catch-22” came out in 1961. On this week’s episode, they tell Gilber ... Show More
30m 33s
Mar 2024
🔒 Native English Conversation: Is reading fiction a waste of time?
Subscriber-only episodeE193: 🎙️ Welcome to the Plus Member bonus episode! Join me, Anna, and my special guest, Nick, as we delve into the fascinating world of reading and the evolution of our relationships with books. From childhood memories of exploring the colourful shelves of ... Show More
10 m
Apr 2024
Simple Thing, Felt: Nina LaCour on Unwrapping a Moment
"I spend a lot of time trying to hope that I'll remember little things and how a certain simple thing felt. … Writing is one way of trying to capture that feeling, even if I'm fictionalizing it still.” - Nina LaCourIf Nina LaCour were a drink, she would be a cozy cup of tea. You’ ... Show More
37m 57s