I’d Rather Be Reading (by Anne Bogel)
I don’t think there’s a book title that better describes my life preferences. ‘I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life’ by Anne Bogel has been on my radar for a while now. Anne resides in Louisville, Kentucky, and hosts the podcast, ‘What Should I Read Next?’ I briefly listened to her podcast years ago when I was searching for a replacement for ‘Books on the Nightstand’ after they ceased recording episodes. Eventually, I stopped listening to podcasts regularly and used that time to immerse myself in audiobooks.
I'd Rather Be Reading is a charming collection of essays that celebrates the joys and quirks of being a book lover. Anne explores the magic of getting lost in a great story, the chaos of overflowing bookshelves, and the personal connections forged through reading. From navigating book hangovers to the thrill of discovering the perfect read, this small book captures the universal passion of bibliophiles with warmth, humor, and insight, making it a love letter to the reading life.
The book begins on a captivating note when Anne recounts her family’s experience of living next to a library and how it positively impacted their reading habits. I appreciate her candid reflections on her growth as a reader and how meeting her reading twin enhanced both of their reading choices. Throughout the book, Anne introduces intriguing topics. For instance, she explores the entertainment value of reading book acknowledgments and provides numerous examples that she finds enjoyable. I value all the insights she shares, as they enable me to connect with her perspectives on reading.
Naturally, there were some topics in the book that I didn’t connect with. I found the chapter on organizing shelves tedious, and I felt anxious when she delved into the math about how many books one can read in a lifetime. I don’t appreciate people obsessing over how large their TBR pile will be when they die. I completely understand the desire to read everything, but it’s depressing and takes the focus away from simply enjoying books and reading.
Overall, I enjoyed learning about her reading habits and her passion for books. I thought the book was good, but not exceptional. I borrowed the audiobook of ‘I’d Rather Be Reading’ from my local library through Hoopla. I appreciate that Anne narrated the audiobook.
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