I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of The Reading Life by Anne Bogel
This was a wonderful, quick little read that truly had me falling in love with reading all over again.
I’ve followed Anne Bogel’s blog Modern Mrs. Darcy for a few years now and often enjoy her recommendation lists. When I saw an email that she was writing a book herself, one all about a reader’s life, I knew I had to have it, and I’m so glad I purchased it. It is a nod to everyone of us who is thinking about the book we are currently reading, just finished or is next on our list.
It is a small volume of essays about books and reading, all of the wonder you gain from reading and finding that next book, to some of the dilemmas. One such dilemma of a bookworm that I completely related to is having a to-read list that will most likely never be finished in your lifetime, but you will try your damnest anyway.
I loved that Anne Bogel took quotes from other avid readers as it showed so many of us have similar thoughts, opinions, or situations. She had sections about organizing your bookshelves (basically you will reorganize multiple times in your life), being book bossy, confessing literary sins and finding those once-in-a-million stories at the exact right moment in your lifetime when you needed them.
One of my favorite takeaways was in the portion of “Confessing Your Literary Sins”. The most common literary “sins” were not reading a popular book, or, *gasp*, hating those most beloved books, and other bookworms have confessed the same! So really, it’s okay and you shouldn’t be ashamed, it’s not a sin because each reader is different and you are never alone in your opinion!
It was heartwarming and really so relatable to anyone who loves to read. I would definitely recommend it as a quick read to remind you why you love to read so much in the first place.
Synopsis: For so many people, reading isn't just a hobby or a way to pass the time--it's a lifestyle. Our books shape us, define us, enchant us, and even sometimes infuriate us. Our books are a part of who we are as people, and we can't imagine life without them. In this collection of charming and relatable reflections on the reading life, beloved blogger and author Anne Bogel leads readers to remember the book that first hooked them, the place where they first fell in love with reading, and all of the moments afterward that helped make them the reader they are today.