I am a reader. It’s one of the ways I define myself. Sometimes I read to escape. Sometimes I read to grow. Sometimes I read to laugh. Sometimes I read to cry. Given the opportunity, I’d rather be reading than doing many other things. I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy is somebody who definitely lives in this sentiment as well.
If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you probably recognize that this is not the first time Anne Bogel has made an appearance here. In fact, this is the third time…I first talked about Anne when I had the opportunity to be on the launch team for her first book Reading People in September 2017, and talked about Anne again in November 2017 when I had the fun of being a guest on her podcast What Should I Read Next.
I really enjoy and respect Anne’s point of view when it comes to one of my favorite things – great stories. So it was a no-brainer to jump at the chance to be on the launch team for her latest book I’d Rather Be Reading . Once again, Anne Bogel did not let me down!
I’d Rather Be Reading; The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life, is a collection of essays that is like a love letter to avid readers everywhere. Without question it is among the prettiest of books I’ve ever had in my hands…
Beyond being gorgeous, it’s also a delightfully satisfying read – a slender volume of essays and musings that celebrate the reading life. If you’re a devoted reader, you will absolutely recognize yourself in Bogel’s words. I know I certainly did a ton of – Yes! I’ve done that/thought that/experienced that! – as I read through the essays.
The book contains a total of 21 anecdotal essays. My favorites are – “I’m Begging You To Break My Heart” (I’m all in on an author who writes well enough to earn my tears ) and “The Readers I Have Been” (I taught myself to read before my Kindergarten teacher got a chance, and have never stopped – I’ve been many “different readers” in the decades since, and all of that has added to who I am today). Readers will see themselves reflected in the pages of these essays. And while I didn’t quite see myself in every essay, I did enjoy each essay. They all read like a good friend telling you a story over a cup of coffee. And who doesn’t enjoy a good friend telling you a story over a cup of coffee?!
We're All A Little Broken 