June 2022 | TBR

TBR: What it Means and How To Define Your List

A person reading on a bed surrounded by books If you hang around a reader long enough, chances are you’ll hear them utter the acronym “TBR.” What, exactly, is a TBR and why are readers so obsessed with them? TBR stands for “to be read” and it can refer to a literal or metaphorical pile of books you want to read at some point. How readers might define their TBR stacks can depend on what kind of reader they are and how they choose books, and there’s no one way to go about it!Continue Reading

State of Terror Book Club Questions

Book cover for STATE OF TERROR by Hillary Rodam Clinton and Louise Penny When it comes to writing a thriller about international politics, terrorist attacks, and a Secretary of State racing against the clock to prevent more attacks, who better than a former Secretary of State to pen the story? Former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has joined forces with bestselling crime novelist Louise Penny to bring readers State of Terror, a harrowing tale of espionage and betrayal. Read on for some State of Terror book club questions to get your meeting rolling!Continue Reading

Hamnet Book Club Questions

Book cover for Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Even centuries after his death, the life, work, and legacy of William Shakespeare continues to fascinate readers. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell offers a unique and poetic look at the intimate family life of Shakespeare and the devastating loss that had a profound impact on his work, through the eyes of the lesser known people in his life. If your book club has picked up Hamnet, then we’ve provided some questions and resources to help facilitate your successful book club meeting!Continue Reading

6 Ways to Build and Organize Your TBR List

A row of books with their pages facing the camer You might be a hardcore reader if you spend nearly as much time deciding on what to read next and organizing your reading life as you do actually reading! For book nerds, it’s not just about devouring great books, but about the accoutrement of that reading lifestyle—whether that’s your trusty folder of bookish apps, the one go-to source for recommendations, or an old-school notebook where you record your thoughts and TBR! If you’re looking for some ideas to build and organize your TBR list, then we’ve got some recommendations for you!Continue Reading

8 of the Best Celebrity Book Clubs You Can Join Right Now

A collage of book covers from celebrity book clubs Celebrities—they read books, just like us! There’s something really fun and magical about getting together with a group of people and reading the same book, and if you enjoy that book club magic but can’t make a local meeting or want to expand your reach to include readers beyond your immediate community, turn to a celebrity book club! The nice thing about celebrity book clubs is that they are oftentimes more accessible than in-person clubs, they offer exclusive content, interviews with authors, and you can participate around your schedule. Here’s a list of 8 of the best ongoing celebrity book clubs that you can join right now!Continue Reading

The Best Steamy Romance Novels To Read in 2022

couple kissing with the sun behind them Summer is coming, and if you’re looking for the perfect steamy read to match the rising temps, then we’ve got some recommendations of recent steamy romance novels for you! While steaminess may be subjective, these romance picks are guaranteed to have on-the-page sex, tons of flirting, and sexy subtext that will make you swoon! Just be warned in case you want to read or listen to the audiobook in a public place—these romances turn up the heat!Continue Reading

The Neighbor’s Secret Book Club Questions

Book cover for THE NEIGHBOR'S SECRET by L. Alison Heller If your book club loves discussing novels about books and readers, and they love a good mystery/thriller, then The Neighbor’s Secret by L. Alison Heller is the perfect pick! It’s about a close knit community book club who find themselves caught up in a twisty plot that rivals one of their book picks! Check out our ideas for The Neighbor’s Secret book club questions and some tasty snacks to make for your next meeting. Continue Reading

10 Braiding Sweetgrass Book Club Questions

Book cover for BRAIDING SWEETGRASS by Robin Wall Kimmerer Robin Wall Kimmerer is a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, giving her a unique perspective on plants and science. In Braiding Sweetgrass, she delves into the wisdom that plants can offer us, and shares how by reconnecting with the nature around us, we can become more conscientious about the fragile ecology of the world and learn to move through the world more mindfully. This is a wonderful, wise book to dive into if your reading group or book club wants to think more holistically about our planet. Read on for ideas for Braiding Sweetgrass book club questions for your next meeting. Continue Reading

16 of the Best Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Books

A tattooed couple holding hands There’s nothing more devious than watching two sworn enemies finding themselves falling for each other, and when you add in the high-stakes action and breathtaking world-building of the fantasy genre, that romantic dynamic is even better! For readers who love their fantasy plots with a heap of romance and plenty of barbed words, devious scheming, and romantic tension, check out our round up of the best enemies (and sometimes just rivals and competitors) to lovers fantasy books for YA and adults! Continue Reading

The 10 Best Philosophy Books for Beginners

collage of philosophy books for beginner: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche, Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde, Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre, and all about love by bell hooks Asking questions is part of being human, and if you have a lot of questions about the meaning of life, how we spend our time on earth, the power systems and structures we live in, and what we owe each other, then pick up any one of these essential books on philosophy for beginners. We’ve included a range of ancient classics to more contemporary ruminations that will help guide you to think more deeply about life. Because of the nature of this genre, there is a lack of female writers but we tried to balance things out by including editions translated and edited by women. However, if you need some help finding more great philosophy books by female writers, then check out TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, and we can help you out!Continue Reading