Hey, folks! Since it's the last Sun. of the year, I thought it'd be nice to check in and see how all our literary lives went this year. So, what were the best things you read in 2024? If you set any, did you attain your reading goals? And, if you have any, what are your reading goals for 2025? Last one: are there any books, or bookish events, you're looking forward to this year? If you're interested, LitHub compiled a list of the "best books" of 2024, according to a bunch of other best of lists: https://lithub.com/the-ultimate-best-books-of-2024-list/ BookRiot gives their readers a Read Harder challenge each year; here's a link to their 2025 challenge, if you want some ideas: https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2025/ Some of my favorites this year included: Doppelganger by Naomi Klein The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. How about you?
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Hey, folks, this is just a quickie, since it's been a minute since we've had a Lit. Talk. So, let's keep it basic: What did you most recently read? What are you reading now? What are you reading next? Do you have or need any book recs?
Happy New Year, Readers! It's the first LSLT of 2023! As we begin a new year, it's nice to take a moment to reflect on what we read in the previous year, as well as our plans, hopes, goals as readers for this year. So, what was the best thing you read in 2022? What was the worst? What did you discover in your literary life in 2022? If you set any, did you attain your reading goals? If you have any, what are your reading goals for 2023? And, are there any books, or bookish events, you're looking forward to this year? And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, folks, it's been far too long since we've done one of these. So, how are your literary lives these days? What are you looking forward to reading over the winter? And, as always, please tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, folks, it's that time of year! Let's take this LSLT to focus on Gothic, horror, and/or thriller books. So, what's the best scary book you've read lately? And what scary book(s) are you looking forward to reading soon? And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, readers! It's been a minute. Let's talk lit. Labor Day weekend means the wrapping up of summer life for many folks (if not summer weather). So, let's review our summer reading and think about our fall reading plans. As always, here's the bittersweet song that always pops into my head 'round this time of year. Now, let's get into it: 1) Did you meet your reading goals for the summer, if you had any? (Remember, if you didn't, that is OK! This isn't a chance to beat up on yourself, ya hear?! Just a chance to check in. 😊) 2) What were some of your favorite books of this summer? 3) Are you setting a fall reading goal? If so, what is it? 4) Are you changing your reading as the seasons change? Do you notice yourself drawn to anything different or new? And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looki...
Hey, readers! It's been a minute! I hope your reading has been going well. I've def. slowed down these last few weeks. But I picked up a few books the other day and I'm looking forward to getting stuff reading some more books before summer is truly over. How about you? Tell us all about it! 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, readers--I know it's late in the day but I def. owe GT a Lit. Talk so here we go! And, if you don't get here until Mon. or Tue., that's ok, too! Let's do it. 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here? 5) A quick, no pressure check in: if you set a summer reading goal, how are you doing on achieving that? (And, if you didn't, that's cool, too!)
Hey, beauties--it's time to talk books. Since it's Pride month, I thought I'd share a few lists for folks who are interested in reading more works by and/or about the LGBTQIA+ community. There are some fantastic looking books on these lists! I'm not usually a romance reader, but I might even pick up a romance book? What is this magic?! ( The Romantic Agenda looks goooo-ooood!) So, y'all know I love BookRiot. Every year, they put out a "Read Harder" list, with unexpected subgenres/requirements to fulfill. This June, they've put out a Pride Edition list of books by/about queer folks, that will also help you fulfill the requirements of the year's challenge. You can find that here: https://bookriot.com/read-harder-challenge-pride-edition/ NPR has a suggestions for Pride month reading here: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/07/1101832632/what-to-read-pride-month GoodReads user has a MEGA list (72 titles!) here: https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2299-t...
Hey, folks--it's about time to be compiling summer reading lists. And tons of places have their summer reading recs out. What are you most looking forward to reading this summer? A thriller? A celeb memoir? A juicy romance? That essay book you've been meaning to get to, and now you finally have the time? Come tell us all about it. If you need help, BookRiot's always a great place to start: https://bookriot.com/best-summer-reads-2022/ And, of course, as always, be sure to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your TBR list? 4) Do you need any book recs? Let us know! Do you have any book recs? Share 'em! (P.S. Sorry if the formatting is weird on this one, y'all. I've been fighting with the stupid formatting for a dang minute. :/)
Hey, folks! Yesterday was Independent Bookstore Day. I figured we could share some favorite indie bookstores for people to shop. So, do you have a great indie bookstore near you, or have you visited one while traveling? Is there an indie bookstore you've always wanted to visit? Here's the place to tell us! This is a picture of President Obama (although, he was just a candidate at the time of the photo) visiting Prairie Lights, an iconic indie that I grew up near. It's in the heart of Iowa City, a block or two away from the University of Iowa, home of the Writers' Workshop. Anyone who's anyone has had a reading there, and they host all kinds of up-and-comers, too. They also have a nice cafe upstairs. ;) How about your favorite indie? And, as usual, be sure to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have ...
Hey, folks, it's been too long since I've put up one of these and it. is. time! For this LSLT, I thought it'd be fun to talk about favorite literary settings. So, what's a book you read that made you wish you could magically move into its setting? And why do you think you're so drawn to that literary world? And, of course, as always, let us know: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, folks, it's been too long since we've had a Lit. Talk, so I wanted to make sure I got one up today. Only... I am not feeling super-inspired to come up with a theme. So, let's keep it basic: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here? I'm excited to hear what everyone's been reading!
Hey, folks, with Valentine's Day approaching, I thought it'd be a good time to shine a light on romance novels 🧡🕮🧡🕮. I will fully admit that I'm not much of a romance reader, so I probably don't give them their fair due in our LSLT posts. Today, that changes! So, tell us, what are your favorite romance novels? Or, heck, if you have some favorite romantic non-fiction, why not share that, too? (Meanwhile, I'll be in my corner, reading books about depression and murder, lol. 😉 Maybe there are even some dark, murdery romances to be found in this list! Exciting!) And, as always, please also tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, booklovers of GT! It's the first LSLT of the new year! As we begin 2022, it's nice to take a moment to think about what we read in 2021, as well as our plans, hopes, goals as readers for 2022. Let's do that here. So, what was the best thing you read in 2021? What was the worst? What did you discover in your literary life in 2021? If you set any, did you attain your reading goals? If you have any, what are your reading goals for 202? Does anyone here do reading challenges? Do you have one in mind for 2022? Are there any books, or bookish events, you're looking forward to this year? I mentioned this last year, but BookRiot always has great challenges. Here's their 2022 Read Harder Challenge, if anyone's interested: https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2022/ And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking fo...
Hey, folks, it's been too long since I've done an LSLT, so we're definitely due for one! Since the days are getting shorter, I thought it'd be nice to check in on your winter reading plans. So, what do you normally like to read when winter comes? Do you have any books you've been holding onto, especially for winter? What's your ideal winter reading set up? In bed? On the couch? Coffee, tea, wine, something else? And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, folks! Last time we did "scariest book I've read this year." This time, as promised, in addition to our regular reading check in, we're sharing scariest books of all time (I'm excited!!!). So, what is the scariest book (or 2 or 3) you've ever read? And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here? (No pressure for these to be scary, of course ;)
Hey, folks, it's my favorite time of year: Halloween! This month, let's talk about favorite Gothic, horror, and/or thriller books. Heck, we could even throw in some nice, creepy true crime for measure! This time around, let's do the best scary books you've read this year. Next LSLT, we'll do scariest books of all time. Sound good? So, what's the best scary book you've read this year? And what scary book(s) are you looking forward to reading this year? If you're looking for some inspiration, I always love BookRiot rec. Here's their 2021 scary books list . Of course, if you have a list you've been checking out for scary book recs, do let us know! And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next on your "to be read" list? 4) Are you looking for any book recommendations? Do you have any recs for the rest of the readers here?
Hey, folks, I've owed y'all an LSLT for a minute, so here I am, catching up. I only ever update my GoodReads on LSLT days, so I know it's been too long when I'm like, Oh, crap! I have to add 3 books, no! 4 books to my read list! 😁 Since summer is coming to a close, I thought we'd talk about summer reading goals, favorite summer books, and plans for fall reading. In honor of the season change, here's the bittersweet song that always pops into my head 'round this time of year. So, let's get into it! 1) Did you meet your reading goals for the summer, if you had any? (Remember, if you didn't, that is OK! This isn't a chance to beat up on yourself, ya hear?! Just a chance to check in. 😊) 2) What were some of your favorite books of this summer? 3) Are you setting a fall reading goal? If so, what is it? And, as always, don't forget to tell us: 1) What book did you most recently finish? 2) What book are you currently reading? 3) What's next o...