I loved this post and know that some of the best gifts I have ever given have been books.
one tip - I keep a book on my desk throughout the day. When a meeting finishes and I have 10-15 minutes before the next one begins, instead of trying to rush through a task or mindlessly scroll through email, I will pick up the book and read during that time. It is amazing how much reading time it adds to your day.
Todd! It totally slipped my mind to include the recommendations for reading you had sent me a while back. I need to dig up that email because it had so many good suggestions! But the keeping a book handy is one that, after you suggested it, I've totally put into practice. And let me also say thank you for being someone who loves to connect over books with me. It's such a huge gift to do that with you.
Yael, I love this essay! I have certainly bonded with you over books so many times over the years. And generally love books as a way to form deep connections with people. I love giving and receiving books as gifts!! And these pointers about how to read more are so helpful.
I read on the treadmill. Nothing like a good book to make exercise more enjoyable. I also read before bed every night. Helps to wind down. And sharing books with friends is such a great way to connect.
Thank you for sharing! So, this is an interesting dilemma I have--I used to try to read while on the treadmill, but I feel like I can't track the words, given the up-and-down movement of running. How do you manage that? If you can solve this dilemma for me, I might have a chance to up my reading time (no pressure!).
My knees are constantly threatening to revolt, so I’ll keep the silver lining of reading while working out in mind for the inevitable day when I lose the battle.
Thank you for this explanation of why I love reading good stories, now continually consuming them since I retired from a very busy medical practice. I had so little time before, and three children to attend to, so I postponed my love of books (and read medical articles instead :( which were necessary but boring). Now, books do reign supreme!
I love this perspective. Stories have been so helpful to me in seeing female strength modeled and in writing stories they have also helped me process my own experiences in life.
Thanks! Yeah for me it was just this practice of fictionalizing the most doubling experiences from my own life in a way that the characters involved were a little more honest and compassionate and the most vulnerable among them have the confidence and clarity to speak up for themselves in the moment. It was so helpful.
I never thought about it like this, exactly, but I have two good friends, and early in our friendship, one of them learned the other hadn't read the Harry Potter series. The one friend proposed that we read them together. It was a ton of fun, and we bonded a lot and deepend our friendship through texting about the books as we went. Good times!
I loved this post and know that some of the best gifts I have ever given have been books.
one tip - I keep a book on my desk throughout the day. When a meeting finishes and I have 10-15 minutes before the next one begins, instead of trying to rush through a task or mindlessly scroll through email, I will pick up the book and read during that time. It is amazing how much reading time it adds to your day.
Todd! It totally slipped my mind to include the recommendations for reading you had sent me a while back. I need to dig up that email because it had so many good suggestions! But the keeping a book handy is one that, after you suggested it, I've totally put into practice. And let me also say thank you for being someone who loves to connect over books with me. It's such a huge gift to do that with you.
Yael, I love this essay! I have certainly bonded with you over books so many times over the years. And generally love books as a way to form deep connections with people. I love giving and receiving books as gifts!! And these pointers about how to read more are so helpful.
Our connecting through books has always been a way I’ve known we were kindred spirits!
I love, love all of this. Thanks for including me Yael!
Thank you for contributing!!
I read on the treadmill. Nothing like a good book to make exercise more enjoyable. I also read before bed every night. Helps to wind down. And sharing books with friends is such a great way to connect.
Thank you for sharing! So, this is an interesting dilemma I have--I used to try to read while on the treadmill, but I feel like I can't track the words, given the up-and-down movement of running. How do you manage that? If you can solve this dilemma for me, I might have a chance to up my reading time (no pressure!).
I speed walk only! My knees revolt if I try to run. Makes sense that running would make it tough to track the words.
My knees are constantly threatening to revolt, so I’ll keep the silver lining of reading while working out in mind for the inevitable day when I lose the battle.
I loved this! It got me thinking about all the relationships I have that are enlivened by book recs.
Right?! Once you start thinking about it, you realize how true the science of story connection is!
Thank you for this explanation of why I love reading good stories, now continually consuming them since I retired from a very busy medical practice. I had so little time before, and three children to attend to, so I postponed my love of books (and read medical articles instead :( which were necessary but boring). Now, books do reign supreme!
That's amazing that you came back to your love of books once life got a little hectic! (And I hear you on the boring articles--necessary but... yawn;)
I love this perspective. Stories have been so helpful to me in seeing female strength modeled and in writing stories they have also helped me process my own experiences in life.
I love your point about how writing helps us process/make meaning--yes!
Thanks! Yeah for me it was just this practice of fictionalizing the most doubling experiences from my own life in a way that the characters involved were a little more honest and compassionate and the most vulnerable among them have the confidence and clarity to speak up for themselves in the moment. It was so helpful.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I love this so much.
Erin, you are one of my favorite people to get book recs from and to talk about books with!
Likewise! Through your book club you recommended the best book I read in 2024, and so far in 2025 as well!
Ahh, no kidding!!! That makes me so HAPPY!
I never thought about it like this, exactly, but I have two good friends, and early in our friendship, one of them learned the other hadn't read the Harry Potter series. The one friend proposed that we read them together. It was a ton of fun, and we bonded a lot and deepend our friendship through texting about the books as we went. Good times!