How to think like a bookseller, vibes to adopt for your reading year, recipes for your home bookshop cafe, printable reading tracker, and bookish accessories! Brought to you by Book of the Month.
AMEN! I loved this note, especially the section about raising readers. I haven't been able to push my little one to be one, but I'm eying these books to help in my mission. This year, I want to work on helping her fall in love with books. Wish me luck :)
Oh, yay, thank you for sharing, Sara. And you are already doing one of the most important things for her, modeling a love of reading and a reading life. 👏 I hope one of these books helps give you some extra tools for your toolbet so you can share a love of books together.
I love everything about this! I'm most looking forward to Ann Patchett's newest, WHISTLER, coming out in June. I clicked that pre-order button so fast. 😂
Wow, wow, wow - this was packed with good recommendations!
I start a new job soon that will include a 40 minute commute 3 days a week. And I immediately thought "How will I keep up with my reading?!" I'm going to try to become an audiobook girl, but admittedly I struggle with them at times! I feel like I'm missing bits of details. And I just overall love reading a physical book and feeling the pages in my hands!
YES, fill that time with audiobooks!! 👏👏 And car karaoke 😂
I struggled with audiobooks initially, too; my mind tends to wander very easily if I'm not involving my eyes. Memoirs were the gateway for me; they have a podcast-like vibe to them, which made it easy to dip in and out and makes them engaging. Toying around with speed is key too. I start off low and slowly inch the speed up so my brain can acclimate (I also prefer a faster speed that matches teh way my brain reads). And non-fiction books are great to start with too, similar to the sentiments on memoirs. Here are some of my fave audiobooks and other tips: https://brittanyviklund.substack.com/p/all-about-audiobooks
I'm not an audiobook listener either, but I am trying to make use of the free audiobooks on my current Spotify subscription (for the 3 months that it's cheap lol). I can only listen to non-fiction on audio, for whatever reason, I'd just rather hold a fiction book in my hand. Memoirs are really fun, esp if they are read by the author!
I absolutely love the idea of treating your home like a bookshop. I just got a new bookcase for my office, and thought about getting some stands so I could display current reads cover-out like they do at bookshops or the library. This feels like a sign to make that happen!
I’m trying to get back into reading more this year. I’m also participating in a yearlong slow read of War and Peace on Substack. I’m still hesitant but it takes less than ten minutes a day.
Wahooo!! Love this! Also, I’ve been reading out loud to our son since he was born but just added reading out loud at nights with my husband to my new year intention list! Love that reading aloud is good for us across stages of life ❤️
Right?! I was so pleased to learn that from The Enchanted Hour. I read aloud to my husband on road trips 😂, which we have been doing since our early years together. Love that intention for the year, how cozy.
So fun and so many great ideas! I’ve been a reader my whole life, but rediscovered it after college and it’s been so fulfilling. This year I’m challenging myself to read more new releases and to seek out community to connected and discuss books with! I started a bookclub here on Substack and it’s brand new but it’s already been a blast. My husband and a couple irl friends have joined me, and I’m so excited to see it grow as the year goes on 🥰
Oooo I love this energy around gathering with others to read. And yes to new releases, I am very focused on backlist books in my collection but having a new release to dive into each month will keep things fresh and fun, plus it makes for great book discussions with others, which I love.
That’s exactly my thinking too! If I have a fun new book to start each month, then I’m more likely to pick up a library book or something already on my shelf for the rest of the month. I’m hoping it gives me a good mix, since I don’t typically read new releases 😊
What amazing tips for digging more into reading! Our family has found that if the books are everywhere, there's always something to pick up besides your phone. I've given up on cleaning up the books and embraced their presence instead.
I always have a long list of books I want to read both fiction and non-fiction. I hope to read some more Freida McFadden. I read several of hers last year! I'm always up for more suggestions for mysteries or YA books!
I have not yet read one of hers, but I have a copy of The Housemaid that my mom gave to me, and with the adaptation, I need to make some time for it and then watch it.
Very excited about this post! I’m inspired to add some book ledges in *my* bedroom and I think I’ll make a list of 10 books for the year. Starting with Hekate the Witch by Nikita Gill- doing a buddy read with my sisters!
YAY for buddy reads, how fun. And yay for adult book ledges. ☺️ If you think about it, pop back by and share the 10 books at the top of your list-- I always love to see what others are reaching for.
Oooo! What a fun reading year you have in store for you. I’d LOVE to read The Joy Luck Club this year too. And the first Vera Wong. Tom Lake is a fave! Happy reading!!
Such a good one! Have you read Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman? I have read it in January for the past 2 years, and I'm craving another re-read. I could see you appreciating it.
Some great tips here and I always love zooming in on your pictures to see what’s on your shelves! I’m reading that “Winter Tales” one to my daughter at the moment and she’s got 3 of the other ones on the same picture as well (brown bear wood, little witch hazel, brambly hedge) 🩷
I’ve always been a big reader (it would be very unusual for me to read under 100 books in a year, the most I’ve read since I’ve been tracking is 169) but I don’t have any particular tips, it’s mainly just because I am a fast reader, don’t watch a lot of tv and only have one child 🤣 I haven’t read much yet this year though because I’ve been busy catching up on/sobbing at Stranger Things and the Eras Tour doc. I’m currently reading A Gentleman in Moscow which I’m enjoying and planning to reread the Cazalet Chronicles next!
I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one zooming into other people's bookshelf pics. 😂 All such cozy books. I am including some other anthology books in an upcoming post; you might enjoy that. :)
I'm very envious of your fast reading abilities. I am a slow reader (though I've gotten much faster over the years) and so wish I could read more, too many books, so little time.
Ahhhh I know Eras Tour Doc and Stranger Things are the top 2 things I'm dying to watch. I've started both, but I'm even slower with watching shows than reading books. 😂 This is partially because I watch shows with my husband (though I'm about to go solo with the Eras doc, lol), and he watches a LOT of sports.
I have Rules of Civility by Towles on my shelf to pick up someday, then maybe I'll get to A Gentleman in Moscow. I hear such great things about his books.
Gosh- this post is amazing! I have challenged myself to strictly read “the classics” this year. I made a list of some that I’ve read (for high school/college English 😅) and a majority I haven’t. I made a list of the seasons they flow with and am excited to challenge myself! (I also already have FOMO for all the other more current books I won’t be reading- but…. we will overcome!! 🥴)
WOW! What was your motivation for the challenge? I'm so timid about classics, I still have some lingering feelings from my educational experience around them (even though some I think of fondly!). I stumbled upon Tristian and the Classics on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@tristanandtheclassics6538) last year, though, and he has warmed me to reading the classics; I just need to rip the band-aid off and do it. I'd love to know what some of the books on your list are. Reading some classics this year sounds so rewarding and a fun way to spice up your reading life!
I have wanted to re-read several that I remember really enjoying all those years ago, but get distracted by “more exciting” ones every time. So, I just decided to take the more exciting ones completely off the table (I’m a very black & white thinker, unfortunately) Some of my repeats will be Crime and Punishment, East of Eden, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anna Karenina, Wuthering Heights, etc, all those I’ve had to write books reports on at some point. But I’ve also included some like: Animal Farm, 1984, My Antonia, Beloved, Gone with the Wind. So many have an accompanying movie- so that will be my reward. 😊 And thank you for the YT recommendation- I’m excited to hear what he has to say!
Holy cow! This post is chock-full of great tips. I've incorporated so many of your tips over the years, especially adding ledges so our books face out. I made my "analog" bag over the weekend to keep beside my bed. I have all my journaling supplies, some magazines, and my Kindle or current book in there!
I love seeing and hearing about what is inside people's analog bags, such a fun trend! Also-- have you seen the NYT puzzlemania book? I got a gift card for Christmas and used it on that, and I feel like it woudl be your jam!
AMEN! I loved this note, especially the section about raising readers. I haven't been able to push my little one to be one, but I'm eying these books to help in my mission. This year, I want to work on helping her fall in love with books. Wish me luck :)
Oh, yay, thank you for sharing, Sara. And you are already doing one of the most important things for her, modeling a love of reading and a reading life. 👏 I hope one of these books helps give you some extra tools for your toolbet so you can share a love of books together.
I love everything about this! I'm most looking forward to Ann Patchett's newest, WHISTLER, coming out in June. I clicked that pre-order button so fast. 😂
SAAAAAME! We get a new Ann Patchett and a new Elizabeth Strout this year, and I can hardly contain myself.
Wow, wow, wow - this was packed with good recommendations!
I start a new job soon that will include a 40 minute commute 3 days a week. And I immediately thought "How will I keep up with my reading?!" I'm going to try to become an audiobook girl, but admittedly I struggle with them at times! I feel like I'm missing bits of details. And I just overall love reading a physical book and feeling the pages in my hands!
Any audiobook-specific tips?
YES, fill that time with audiobooks!! 👏👏 And car karaoke 😂
I struggled with audiobooks initially, too; my mind tends to wander very easily if I'm not involving my eyes. Memoirs were the gateway for me; they have a podcast-like vibe to them, which made it easy to dip in and out and makes them engaging. Toying around with speed is key too. I start off low and slowly inch the speed up so my brain can acclimate (I also prefer a faster speed that matches teh way my brain reads). And non-fiction books are great to start with too, similar to the sentiments on memoirs. Here are some of my fave audiobooks and other tips: https://brittanyviklund.substack.com/p/all-about-audiobooks
I'm not an audiobook listener either, but I am trying to make use of the free audiobooks on my current Spotify subscription (for the 3 months that it's cheap lol). I can only listen to non-fiction on audio, for whatever reason, I'd just rather hold a fiction book in my hand. Memoirs are really fun, esp if they are read by the author!
Thanks Sydni! What have been your favorite audiobooks so far?
I absolutely love the idea of treating your home like a bookshop. I just got a new bookcase for my office, and thought about getting some stands so I could display current reads cover-out like they do at bookshops or the library. This feels like a sign to make that happen!
Please show us what you create, I know it will be magical and make me wish I could come shop your home 😂👏
Oooooh, I love this so much! There are some things I already do, but also some handy new tips. Thank you! 🙏🤍📚
👏👏 Yay! That’s the perfect combo, so glad you were affirmed and inspired!
I’m trying to get back into reading more this year. I’m also participating in a yearlong slow read of War and Peace on Substack. I’m still hesitant but it takes less than ten minutes a day.
Kate! I LOVE this concept. Are you doing this with a friend or group!? I feel inspired.
I’m doing it through Substack. https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com/about#%C2%A7footnotes-and-tangents-slow-reads-of-great-books
Wahooo!! Love this! Also, I’ve been reading out loud to our son since he was born but just added reading out loud at nights with my husband to my new year intention list! Love that reading aloud is good for us across stages of life ❤️
Right?! I was so pleased to learn that from The Enchanted Hour. I read aloud to my husband on road trips 😂, which we have been doing since our early years together. Love that intention for the year, how cozy.
So fun and so many great ideas! I’ve been a reader my whole life, but rediscovered it after college and it’s been so fulfilling. This year I’m challenging myself to read more new releases and to seek out community to connected and discuss books with! I started a bookclub here on Substack and it’s brand new but it’s already been a blast. My husband and a couple irl friends have joined me, and I’m so excited to see it grow as the year goes on 🥰
Oooo I love this energy around gathering with others to read. And yes to new releases, I am very focused on backlist books in my collection but having a new release to dive into each month will keep things fresh and fun, plus it makes for great book discussions with others, which I love.
That’s exactly my thinking too! If I have a fun new book to start each month, then I’m more likely to pick up a library book or something already on my shelf for the rest of the month. I’m hoping it gives me a good mix, since I don’t typically read new releases 😊
Love this thinking!! We got this 👏👏
What amazing tips for digging more into reading! Our family has found that if the books are everywhere, there's always something to pick up besides your phone. I've given up on cleaning up the books and embraced their presence instead.
100000% YES! Exactly. What is within reach will be reached for! I love this sentiment about embracing it, how beautifully put.
Reading is my favorite hobby. Adore this post for more ideas and tips 💖
👏👏👏 Isn't it just the best?! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Rachel.
I always have a long list of books I want to read both fiction and non-fiction. I hope to read some more Freida McFadden. I read several of hers last year! I'm always up for more suggestions for mysteries or YA books!
I have not yet read one of hers, but I have a copy of The Housemaid that my mom gave to me, and with the adaptation, I need to make some time for it and then watch it.
Very excited about this post! I’m inspired to add some book ledges in *my* bedroom and I think I’ll make a list of 10 books for the year. Starting with Hekate the Witch by Nikita Gill- doing a buddy read with my sisters!
YAY for buddy reads, how fun. And yay for adult book ledges. ☺️ If you think about it, pop back by and share the 10 books at the top of your list-- I always love to see what others are reaching for.
Here’s what I came up with. I look forward to seeing how many of these I actually read— so many books, so little time! :)
- Hekate the Witch by Nikita Gill
- Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- Still Life by Louise Penny
- The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
- A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
- Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping by Jesse Sutanto
- Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Any Book by Emily Henry I haven’t read yet
- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
- Tom Lake by Anna Patchett
Oooo! What a fun reading year you have in store for you. I’d LOVE to read The Joy Luck Club this year too. And the first Vera Wong. Tom Lake is a fave! Happy reading!!
Looooved the first Vera Wong. Hope you give it a try!
I just finished stolen focus!!
Such a good one! Have you read Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman? I have read it in January for the past 2 years, and I'm craving another re-read. I could see you appreciating it.
I did! I feel like you have really lived his teachings.
Some great tips here and I always love zooming in on your pictures to see what’s on your shelves! I’m reading that “Winter Tales” one to my daughter at the moment and she’s got 3 of the other ones on the same picture as well (brown bear wood, little witch hazel, brambly hedge) 🩷
I’ve always been a big reader (it would be very unusual for me to read under 100 books in a year, the most I’ve read since I’ve been tracking is 169) but I don’t have any particular tips, it’s mainly just because I am a fast reader, don’t watch a lot of tv and only have one child 🤣 I haven’t read much yet this year though because I’ve been busy catching up on/sobbing at Stranger Things and the Eras Tour doc. I’m currently reading A Gentleman in Moscow which I’m enjoying and planning to reread the Cazalet Chronicles next!
I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one zooming into other people's bookshelf pics. 😂 All such cozy books. I am including some other anthology books in an upcoming post; you might enjoy that. :)
I'm very envious of your fast reading abilities. I am a slow reader (though I've gotten much faster over the years) and so wish I could read more, too many books, so little time.
Ahhhh I know Eras Tour Doc and Stranger Things are the top 2 things I'm dying to watch. I've started both, but I'm even slower with watching shows than reading books. 😂 This is partially because I watch shows with my husband (though I'm about to go solo with the Eras doc, lol), and he watches a LOT of sports.
I have Rules of Civility by Towles on my shelf to pick up someday, then maybe I'll get to A Gentleman in Moscow. I hear such great things about his books.
Gosh- this post is amazing! I have challenged myself to strictly read “the classics” this year. I made a list of some that I’ve read (for high school/college English 😅) and a majority I haven’t. I made a list of the seasons they flow with and am excited to challenge myself! (I also already have FOMO for all the other more current books I won’t be reading- but…. we will overcome!! 🥴)
WOW! What was your motivation for the challenge? I'm so timid about classics, I still have some lingering feelings from my educational experience around them (even though some I think of fondly!). I stumbled upon Tristian and the Classics on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@tristanandtheclassics6538) last year, though, and he has warmed me to reading the classics; I just need to rip the band-aid off and do it. I'd love to know what some of the books on your list are. Reading some classics this year sounds so rewarding and a fun way to spice up your reading life!
I have wanted to re-read several that I remember really enjoying all those years ago, but get distracted by “more exciting” ones every time. So, I just decided to take the more exciting ones completely off the table (I’m a very black & white thinker, unfortunately) Some of my repeats will be Crime and Punishment, East of Eden, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anna Karenina, Wuthering Heights, etc, all those I’ve had to write books reports on at some point. But I’ve also included some like: Animal Farm, 1984, My Antonia, Beloved, Gone with the Wind. So many have an accompanying movie- so that will be my reward. 😊 And thank you for the YT recommendation- I’m excited to hear what he has to say!
East of Eden is the best. I’m so lucky my high school class read it.
I love this plan, keep me posted, I'm eager to hear how it goes!
Holy cow! This post is chock-full of great tips. I've incorporated so many of your tips over the years, especially adding ledges so our books face out. I made my "analog" bag over the weekend to keep beside my bed. I have all my journaling supplies, some magazines, and my Kindle or current book in there!
I love that!! Books make the best decor hehe.
I love seeing and hearing about what is inside people's analog bags, such a fun trend! Also-- have you seen the NYT puzzlemania book? I got a gift card for Christmas and used it on that, and I feel like it woudl be your jam!