Why We Read...Popular Books

Why We (Don't) Read...Or the Power of the DNF

Do you ever feel pressure to finish a specific book? Guilt that you have never read a popular book? Fear that somone will find out that you haven't read every book ever? We have, too! In this episode, Beth and Pearl explore this phenomenom and give you permission to DNF, or "Do Not Finish," a book. Further Reading Singh, S. (2022, June 14). Should you DNF a book? How to decide and next steps to take. Brewing Writer. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://brewingwriter.com/dnf-book/ [https://brewingwriter.com/dnf-book/]

Why We Read...Popular Books

What makes a book popular and why do we feel pressured to read popular books? Join Beth and Pearl as they discuss trending books and how to navigate the popular books shelves.  Books mentioned * Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett * Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens * Twilight by Stephenie Meyer * The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls * All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr * Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid * The Midnight Library by Matt Haig * Outlawed by Anna North * Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Celebrity Book Club Roundup * The Fantastic Strangelings Book Club [https://www.nowherebookshop.com/fantastic-strangelings-book-club] * The Good Morning America Book Club [https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/bookclub] * Reese’s Book Club [https://reesesbookclub.com/picks]

Why We Read...Science Fiction

In this episode, Beth and Pearl discuss Beth's favorite genre: Science Fiction. Explore the difference between hard and soft science fiction, the vast universe of sci-fi subgenres, and all of the wonderful suggestions we have for you to read next.  Book Suggestions Classics -The Time Machine by H.G. Wells -Ten Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne -Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick -Dune by Frank Herbert -Kindred by Octavia Butler -A Wrinkle in Time by Madelaine L'Engle -The Giver quartet by Lois Lowry Contemporary -The Carls duology by Hank Green (Book 1: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing) -The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez  -The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker -Here and Now and Then by Mike Cheng -You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo Series -The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey (Book 1: Leviathan Wakes) -The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers (Book 1: A Long Way to A Small, Angry Planet) -Red Rising saga by Pierce Brown (Book 1: Red Rising) Graphic Novels -Watchmen by Alan Moore and David Gibbons -Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro  -Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples -Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang -Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra

Why We Read...Star Wars

Happy May the Fourth! In this special bonus episode, Beth and Pearl talk about their love of Star Wars and the books and graphic novels you should read if you're a fan. Books to Read Legends (or books that don't match what happens to our main characters in the more recent movies) * The Thrawn Trilogy (Book 1: Heir to the Empire) by Timothy Zahn Young Adult * Asohka by E.K. Johnston * Queen's Shadow, Queen's Peril and Queen's Hope by E.K. Johnston Adult (canon) * Star Wars: From a Certain Point of Few short stories collections * Phasma by Delilah Dawson * Star Wars: The Force Awakens (novelization) by Alan Dean Foster * Star Wars: Thrawn trilogy (Book 1: Thrawn) by Timothy Zahn * Thrawn: Ascendancy trilogy (Book 1: Chaos Rising) by Timothy Zahn Graphic Novels * Star Wars: Poe Dameron Vol. 1: Black Squadron by Charles Soule * Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1: Vader by Kieron Gillen * Star Wars: Darth Vader - Dark Lord of the Sith Vol. 1: Imperial Machine by Charles Soule * Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 1: Aphra by Kieron Gillen

Why We Read...Fantasy

Join Beth and Pearl as they talk about the wide-ranging genre of fantasy. From epic fantasy to low fantasy, from paranormal to afrofantasy, there is something for everyone in this episode.  High Fantasy * Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien * The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien * Mists of Avalon Marion Zimmer Bradley * The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce * Sabriel by Garth Nix * A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin Low Fantasy * The House on the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune * The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Paranormal or Urban * Hollows series by Kim Harrison * Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher Humorous * Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett * Discworld series by Terry Pratchett * Tales of Pell series by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne * The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, The "Good Parts" Version by William Goldman Afrofantasy: Highlights and celebrates African worldviews and mythologies * Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler * The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin * Black Leopard, Red Wolf by James Marlon Middle Eastern-influenced fantasy * The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker * The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson Asian-influenced fantasy * The Poppy Wars by R.F. Kuang * Iron Widow (Young Adult) by Xiran Jay Zhao Indigenous Peoples-inspired fantasy * Trail of Lightning and Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse Duology * Strange the Dreamer duology by Laini Taylor (young adult) * We Hunt the Flame duology (young adult) by Hafsah Faizal * Seraphina duology (young adult) by Rachel Hartman Trilogy * The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen * Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (young adult) * Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness * The City of Brass by S. A Chakraborty Series (more than 3 books) * Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan * The Wicked Years series by Gregory Maguire Standalones * Circe by Madeline Miller * The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Sources VanderMeer, J. (2020, July 16). How Fantasy Literature Helped Create the 21st Century.  Electric Lit. https://electricliterature.com/jeff-ann-vandermeer-modern-fantasy/ [https://electricliterature.com/jeff-ann-vandermeer-modern-fantasy/] Science Fiction vs. Fantasy: How Are Science Fiction and Fantasy Distinct? (2021, September 1). MasterClass.  https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-are-science-fiction-and-fantasy-distinct#what-are-the-elements-of-the-fantasy-genre [https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-are-science-fiction-and-fantasy-distinct#what-are-the-elements-of-the-fantasy-genre] Radcliffe. D. (2020, June 8). Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling's Tweens on Gender Identity. The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/daniel-radcliffe-responds-to-j-k-rowlings-tweets-on-gender-identity/ [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/daniel-radcliffe-responds-to-j-k-rowlings-tweets-on-gender-identity/] Gardner, A. (2022, January 3). A Complete Breakdown of the J.K. Rowling Transgender-Comments Controversy. Glamour. Retrieved April 7, 2022. https://www.glamour.com/story/a-complete-breakdown-of-the-jk-rowling-transgender-comments-controversy [https://www.glamour.com/story/a-complete-breakdown-of-the-jk-rowling-transgender-comments-controversy] Fandom Forward. (n.d.). Meet Fandom Forward. https://fandomforward.org/ [https://fandomforward.org/]