#Our Reading Lives

Our Reading Lives features stories about how books and reading have shaped who we are and how we live.

Conflicting Emotions About Signed Books

Is finding signed books in the used bookstore the same as getting the book signed in person?

My Queer Journey Through Harry Potter

As a teenager, I shipped Draco/Harry (Drarry). I had no idea it would help lead to me coming out as a queer woman.

How Do You Decide Whether to Buy or Borrow a Book?

When do you buy a book and when you do decide to borrow it instead?

Read to Me: Let’s Make Adult Storytime a Thing

Being read to is a beautiful thing at any age.

My Library Book Borrowing Dilemma

An errant borrower of library books confesses to being inexplicably incapable of returning them on time.

Finding the Will to Read When You’re Getting Your Fix Everywhere Else

With excellent story-telling happening in TV and podcasts, where do books fit in?

No, I’m Not Reading Your Favorite Book

Can we all vow to collectively stop harassing other people into reading our favorite book?

Hosting a Book Award: The Most Fun You’ll Have in Your School Library This Year

Hosting a high school book award puts you in touch with great authors, lets you meet new students and teachers, and helps create a buzz around reading.

In Defense of Our Non-Reading Friends

An encouragement to follow John Green's advice and "imagine others complexly," even if they don't read.

The Magic of Reading More Than One Book at a Time

How reading more than one book at once greatly improved the writer's reading life.