Dearest Reader

Happy Indie Bookstore Day!

Episode 12 is finally here, and this one is dedicated to the places that keep book lovers alive: independent bookstores. 📚✨ In honor of Independent Bookstore Day, Shreya and I are talking about some of the indie bookstores we absolutely love, the ones we’re dreaming of visiting someday, and why these spaces matter so much to readers, writers, and local communities. From cozy little shops that feel like home to shelves that changed our lives one recommendation at a time, this episode is basically a love letter to indie bookstores everywhere. This episode is a little later than planned because life has been… a lot lately. Between hospital visits, health issues, and busy schedules, we needed extra time before sitting down to record. Thank you for being patient with us while we navigated everything behind the scenes. 🤍 So grab your current read, your favorite drink, and come spend some time with us while we talk bookstores, bookish memories, dream travel spots, and the magic of finding stories in places built with love. 🎧 Welcome back to Dearest Reader. Your favorite podcasters, Shreya & Rose 💕 ⁠⁠⁠Follow our Podcast IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dearestreaderpodcast?igsh=NG4xb21uaXRmNm1l&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Shreya on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/caffeinefueledreadingaddiction?igsh=OGg5OTd3cW1xemh5] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/boookish_gal?igsh=MThnZWFnd2JlaGhteg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on Tiktok! ⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@bookish_gal?_r=1&_t=ZP-93hQRVEjUoo]

Happy Arab American Month!

📚🖤 Welcome to Dearest Reader This isn’t your average book podcast. Hosted by two readers who feel everything way too deeply, Dearest Reader is where we unpack the stories that wreck us, reshape us, and refuse to let us go. Expect raw reactions, honest opinions, and deep dives into books that aren’t afraid to explore identity, grief, love, power, and everything in between.  In honor of National Arab American Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting Arab American authors and stories that deserve way more attention. From powerful cultural narratives to unforgettable characters, we’re diving into books that expand perspectives and stay with you long after the last page. If your TBR is already out of control… we’re about to make it worse. 📖🔥 🎧 Press play. Get comfortable. Let’s talk books. Your favorite podcasters, Shreya & Rose 💕 ⁠⁠Follow our Podcast IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dearestreaderpodcast?igsh=NG4xb21uaXRmNm1l&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Shreya on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/caffeinefueledreadingaddiction?igsh=OGg5OTd3cW1xemh5] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/boookish_gal?igsh=MThnZWFnd2JlaGhteg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on Tiktok! ⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@bookish_gal?_r=1&_t=ZP-93hQRVEjUoo]

Happy Poetry Month!

Happy Wednesday, Dearest Readers! Since April is National Poetry Month, Rose (they/them) and Shreya (she/her) are sharing poems that reflect one another and their friendship. So, grab a snack (and maybe some tissues) before you hop into today's episode! As always, follow us on our socials and feel free to give our podcast a review! We love each and every one of you so much! <3 Your favorite podcasters, Shreya & Rose 💕 ⁠Follow our Podcast IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dearestreaderpodcast?igsh=NG4xb21uaXRmNm1l&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Shreya on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/caffeinefueledreadingaddiction?igsh=OGg5OTd3cW1xemh5] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/boookish_gal?igsh=MThnZWFnd2JlaGhteg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on Tiktok! ⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@bookish_gal?_r=1&_t=ZP-93hQRVEjUoo]

1st Quarter Book Favorites!

Dear listeners, We’re officially closing the chapter on the first quarter of the year, and you know we had to sit down and spill all our bookish favorites so far 👀💌 From unforgettable characters to stories that completely consumed our thoughts (and maybe ruined our sleep schedules), this episode is all about the books that defined our reading lives these past few months. Expect passionate rambling, a few strong opinions, and plenty of recommendations to add to your ever-growing TBR 📖🔥 So grab your current read, get cozy, and join us as we gush, debate, and celebrate the stories we couldn’t put down 💕 With love, Dearest Readers 💋

Let's Talk Smut!

Happy Tuesday, Dear Readers! 💌 Your favorite bookish duo, Shreya (she/her) and Rose (they/them), are back at it again—fashionably late, but worth the wait! 📚✨ In this cozy (and slightly cheeky 😉) episode, we dive into why reading smut can actually be so beneficial! From exploring intimacy on the page to understanding how stories help us connect with ourselves and others—this episode gets real, thoughtful, and a little spicy. ⚠️ Content Warning: Discussions of intimacy, as well as mentions of SA and related topics, are included. Please listen with care and take breaks if you need to. Your favorite podcasters, Shreya & Rose 💕 Follow our Podcast IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dearestreaderpodcast?igsh=NG4xb21uaXRmNm1l&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Shreya on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/caffeinefueledreadingaddiction?igsh=OGg5OTd3cW1xemh5] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on IG! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/boookish_gal?igsh=MThnZWFnd2JlaGhteg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rose on Tiktok! ⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@bookish_gal?_r=1&_t=ZP-93hQRVEjUoo] Books mentioned: 1. Breathe with Me by Becca Mack 2. Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver 3. The Arabian Nights 4. The Black family who built America by McKissack family Links for SA & related hotlines: * https://www.helpguide.org/find-help [https://www.helpguide.org/find-help] * https://nomoredirectory.org/ [https://nomoredirectory.org/] * https://www.theamieffect.com/global-directory-of-abuse-helplines/ [https://www.theamieffect.com/global-directory-of-abuse-helplines/] Link for free sex education resources: * https://www.carefortheculture.com/lets-talk-about-prep [https://www.carefortheculture.com/lets-talk-about-prep] * https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest/campaigns/sex-ed-to-go [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest/campaigns/sex-ed-to-go] * https://sexedrescue.com/ [https://sexedrescue.com/]