Why do some books with heavy topics leave you feeling uncomfortable, while other books tackling difficult subject matter make you feel understood and connected to humankind? Today, guest Mandy Lambert and host Anne Bogel pick apart the ingredients of Mandy's favorite and least favorite books to discover the subtle difference between a hard book that pays off in the end, and a hard book that’s just… hard.
Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/229
You can hear more from Mandy on her blog: thisbrightlife.home.blog
Bonus episodes for you:
Readers, it is a difficult and confusing time. So this past week, we released two bonus episodes on Patreon to meet you where you are, plus some special events.
The first bonus episode is available to everyone. It's a book recommendation that has helped Anne during times of great loss and grief, and we think a lot of readers could use it in their life right now. Give it a listen at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, and feel free to share it with readers and other loved ones in your life.
Second, a patron-exlusive episode recommending 5 happy, hopeful reads, something many of you have written in to tell us you need right now. You can find this exclusive episode at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, along with 31 other bonus episodes and livestream replays!
Finally, if you are looking for bookish community during an isolated time, now is a wonderful time to check out everything happening in our Patreon community. We are holding our quarterly Spring livestream on April 9th, which is a community get-together with Anne and Brenna to chat about what we've been reading off our home bookshelves, and share recommendations with other readers. We hope you can will join us!
Thanks to this week's sponsors:
Rothy’s is the company making stylish shoes and bags for women and girls out of recycled plastic water bottles. They’re stylish, sustainable, comfortable, and even washable—really! Get your own at Rothys.com/READNEXT.Ep 273: Realism, redemption, and reading across generations
Ep 272: I loved the library before it was cool
Ep 271: Because sometimes a 4.75 star rating feels right
EP 270: When you NEED a season of low-stress reading
Ep 269: Your friendly neighborhood literary society
Ep 268: Our team's best books of the year
Ep 267: Lush, beautiful, and a pleasure to read
Ep 266: Ask Anne Anything: Re-reads, reviews, and recommendation regrets
Ep 265: 10 questions to ask yourself about your reading life
Ep 264: Compulsively readable literary fiction
Ep 263: It's okay to quit reading
Ep 262: Books that deliver a little depth, a little distraction
Ep 261: Huggable comfort reads for a cozy reading season
Ep 260: A little free library with a life of its own
Ep 259: The formula for a 5-star read
Ep 258: Reading for peace, joy, and escapism
Ep 257: Let’s build your holiday book list
Ep 256: The perks and pitfalls of omnivorous reading
Ep 255: Spine-tingling reads for a confirmed scaredy-cat
Ep 254: A plethora of political(ish) book recs
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