📚 The art of a great reading experience

Hey readers, A good story, artfully told paints a picture on the page—something that today's guest doubly appreciates! My guest today is Gina Ariko Marioni, an oil and watercolor painter. Gina's here today because she is STUCK in her reading life. Over the years she typically read a wide range of complex stories, but this past year she's been pinging between two extreme ends of the literary spectrum—with no middle ground. Instead of these black and white divisions, she wants to bring back color and nuance to her reading choices. In today's conversation I'll pull from all over the literary landscape to identify stories that spark those feelings of surprise and delight she’s looking for. Learn more about Gina's art and leave your suggestions for what she should read next over on our [show notes page](. You'll also find the full list of the titles we discussed today. 3 bits of bookish delight: 1. Erik Larsen's name pops up regularly in my conversations with guests and our online community's conversations, and [this interview about his creative process]() caught my eye. 2. "Artists envision worlds and possibilities that are not yet known and are better than those we are living in. Artists show us light and beauty." [This excerpt from a recent article]( by March MMD Book Club author Elizabeth Alexander is the uplifting reminder I needed today. (In addition to the March book club pick, Alexander's The Light of the World is one of my [20 backlist favorites from 10 years of the Summer Reading Guide](=)=.) 3. For a lighthearted literary diversion: how many of [these book titles rendered in emojis](=) can you guess? A reading list for right now: Struggling to make sense of the Ukrainian crisis? You're not alone—and the New York Public Library is here to help. They just released [this list of books to help better understand Ukraine's history](. What I'm reading now: I'm thoroughly enjoying my reread of past Summer Reading Guide selection [Musical Chairs](=), in preparation for this week's [MMD Book Club]() event with author Amy Poeppel. We're discussing the serious business of writing funny books—those works that wrestle with real-life topics in a way that brings a smile to your face. (Is it weird to say this one is reminding me of Jane Austen?) I can't wait to learn more about how Amy writes laugh-out-loud fiction, plus get her expert recommendations for funny novels. Happy reading, friends! Anne P.S. If you could use a shot of surprise and delight in your own reading life, just like Gina asks for today, check out my book [I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life](. This collection of bite-size essays will remind you why you love to read, even when life feels heavy. © Anne Bogel | 291 N Hubbards Ln Ste 172-225, Louisville, Kentucky 40207 [Opt out of What Should I Read Next? news only]() | [Unsubscribe from all MMD emails](