#Our Reading Lives

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

Reading is Good for Your Mental Health: Here’s Why

Many of us already *feel* like reading is good for your mental health - but is it? Science says it is, and we give some examples.

How Having a Local Bookstore Has Changed My Reading

A reader on how moving to a big city with an actual bookstore has changed how she reads.

Why I’m Obsessed With My Goodreads Reading Challenge Tracker

On the siren song of the Goodreads Reading Challenge Tracker.

Help! I Need the Perfect Literary Wedding Reading

A groom-to-be puts out a call for suggestions for a literary wedding reading for the big day.

When You Reread Your Favorites and They Don’t Hold Up

It's its own kind of tragedy.

My Mother-Daughter Book Club Fail

One reader on trying (and failing) to read books with her mother.

On Reading (And Choosing Not To Read) Dark Books

A reader explores her changing response to dark books, and judgment of others who choose to avoid the dark side of literature.

Thank You For Leaving Your Book Behind

A message to the reader who left her copy of THE BELL JAR on an airplane.

Minimalism, Books, And Me

A reader on parting with books that don't bring joy to her life, and making educated, frugal, and minimalism-minded decisions about her ever-moving library.

My Book-Buying Ban by the Numbers

Oh, this old book-buying ban? It's not going so well. Let's take a look at the numbers.