#Our Reading Lives

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

Do I Like Books Too Much?

I rate most of the books I read highly, and I rave about books others hate. Am I not being critical enough? Am I reading them right?

How a Recipe Saved My Life: a History of the Marian Burros Plum Torte and Me

How one recipe changed a reader's life — and the story behind how the recipe came to be.

Celebrating 40 Years of Alanna of Tortall

As the books celebrate their 40th anniversary (!!), one reader looks back Tamora Pierce's Alanna of Tortall series and what it meant to her.

The Allure of Books About Faeries and the Fae

Faeries have enchanted us for hundreds of years, but why do we find ourselves drawn to their world? One reader explores.

I Don’t Write Negative Reviews, But I Am Trying to Write More Critical Ones

I have learned so much about books from reading thoughtful critical reviews. I simply don't want to write them myself.

An Immersive Experience: How I Read With All My Senses

One reader reflects on the sensory experiences which take reading from a great hobby to an all-encompassing experience.

How Nostalgia Has Crept Into My Reading Life

On the ways nostalgia has creeped into one millennial's reading life through books–and why sometimes that just feels right.

Why Winter is the Best Season for Reading

Is there a best season for reading? One book lover makes the case for winter as the perfect time to cozy up with books.

On the Joys of Having Lifelong Reading Goals

Yearly reading goals are all well and good, but beginning to track my lifelong reading goals has opened up a world of possibilities.

How To Read More Short Story Collections In 2023

Struggling with reading short story collections? One reader shares her experience with how to read more of them in 2023.