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Podcast Ep. 37: Why Read Books, What to Read & Tips to Find the Time

ByJami Boys

From my frequent mentions of books on the blog, you probably know that I love to read books, but did you know that Brian does, too? And that sometimes we will read together at night instead of watching TV? (I know – is that heresy in America?) While we’ve talked about books here and there in previous podcast episodes, we’ve never devoted a whole episode to books – and so we remedy that with this episode. And hold on to your hat, we must’ve been just waiting for this opportunity because this is our longest episode to date! You’d never guess that we held ourselves back – we seriously could’ve kept recording.

So join us as we talk about why reading books is so much better than just reading little social media posts. We discuss the different formats (yes, audiobooks count and are sometimes better) and where to get them cheaply. Plus how to find the time to read them all. Then we get into just a brief overview of some of our favorite books (this was so hard to keep brief!). You’ll also find our regular segments: some life updates, a real-life example week of menus ideas, and our cool things.

Books on shelf-why and what to read

You can download this episode fromĀ Apple Podcasts,Ā Google Play,Ā Stitcher, andĀ TuneIn RadioĀ ā€“ or listen to it below right on your computer! Then use this page to check out any links, notes, or photos we talked about in the episode.Ā Note: If youā€™re reading in a feed reader, you might have to click through to the post to see the player.

Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Why Read Books

As you may have guessed from this extra-long podcast, we love books!Ā Here’s that Pew Research on the main reasons Americans give for reading books we talked about.

After growing up reading, majoring in reading-heavy History and English in college, and finding a lot of joy in books, I talked about a time I had a reading dry spell. You can read more about that and how it spurred me on to create reading goals each year here.

Tips to Find Time to Read Books & Where to Get Them

One of my biggest tips on finding time to read involves embracing audiobooks and how to find them free or inexpensively (see more on this below on where to get books). In case you’re not sure if audiobooks is ‘cheating’ here’s just one of many articles that show listening to books is as similar to your brain as reading paper books.

Where to get books cheap or free?

  1. Daily emails of ebooks on sale: Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Great Ebook Deals and BookBub
  2. Library (of course) – Hoopla is the BEST app for audio and ebooks (seriously – there is NO waiting! If it’s there, you can download it right away); Libby is second best if your library isn’t a part of Hoopla
  3. Audibleā€™s Daily Deal email – We have gotten some of our best listens from this! Once you sign up for a free trial (you get 2 credits good for 2 audiobooks) you’ll always have an account even if you don’t continue with the monthly automatic withdrawals (I never have). This was something I didn’t understand, but it’s crucial. You will always keep your account AND the books you purchased and even though you aren’t paying monthly, you can buy anything you want – including the daily sales that are usually between $1.95 and $5.95 a book! Go here to sign up and get your 2 free audiobooks and then go here to read how to sign up for the Daily Deal emails (it’s in your new account section).

Books We Recommend

9 great book covers

Some of our favorite books (we talk about a lot more, but I’m linking to just a few for brevity!):

Brian:

Jami:

If you’re looking for more of my book recommendations, here are the links to the best books I read in the following years:

AND we’d love to know what you enjoy reading. Leave a comment, call the number below or tag us on social media and tell us YOUR favorite books – we’re always looking for good recommendations!

Life Updates

First Makeup-Hair Session

Here’s a glimpse of the marathon hair and makeup session I talked about.

Stacked boulder foundation

Just another visual of the “foundation” we inherited. It’s worth saying again – this has held a 2-story home for 100 years! Amazing, right?

What’s Cooking

June Dinner Menu Ideas - An Oregon Cottage

A simple glimpse into last weekā€™s real-life menu to hopefully inspire you that menu planning can be easy and is a great way to eat healthy and save money:

Monday: Roast beef, gouda, spinach & dried tomato paninis; cut veggies & hummus
Tuesday: Trader Joeā€™s Potstickers; Vegetable Stir-fry with Ground Turkey
Wednesday: Costco Rotisserie Chicken; salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette; Sourdough Artisan Bread (from the freezer)
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Pulled pork (with buns for some); Cumin Lime Slaw; green salad; Peanut Butter Blondies (extended family dinner)
Saturday:Ā Grilled burgers, chips & cut veggies
Sunday: On Your Own (did get taken out for a birthday brunch!)

Find lots more monthly dinner menu ideas here.

This is Really Cool!

To keep with the theme, we chose the books we’ve enjoyed lately!

Brian’s: Books by Tony Dungy:
Quiet Strength andĀ Uncommon

Jami’s: The Saturday Evening Girls Club, Jane Healy

Thanks for listening! If you like this podcast, you can really help us out by telling your friends, subscribing on iTunes, and leaving us a review ā€“ thatā€™s how otherā€™s will find us too.

And if you’d like to ask a question or leave an idea for future podcasts you can callĀ (541) 658-0215 to leave a voicemail and we’ll talk about it on the air!

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Disclosure: affiliate links in this post will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn’t change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

Jami Boys headshot

Since 2009 Jami Boys has helped readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, easy organic gardening and preserving the harvest on An Oregon Cottageā„¢. From baking bread to growing vegetables to preserving them, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done.

She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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9 Comments

  1. The Yellow Pages, it does seem to me like i have read the one, it has been a long time,lol!!! I love reading books of presidents or other men or women in our history, i have quite a few, find them in estate sales through the years. I have Lord of the Rings and i love all information about the bible,would love to go to the museum they have now. I can’t believe your house was on that foundation, maybe they just knew how many it would take for each square foot, i don’t know but,wow!!

    Reply

    1. I know, isn’t that a crazy foundation?! I too, love reading about history – I just finished Abagail Adams and am now listening to My Dear Hamilton, which is a historically based novel from Eliza Hamilton’s perspective. So interesting about our country’s origins!

      Reply

  2. I’m a huge reader and enjoyed your podcast on books. I was surprised to find so many of my favorites on Jami’s list and I want to urge you to read anything by Marisa De Los Santos. The first book of hers I read was Love Walked In. It was recommended by a friend and with such a corny name, I expected a corny romance novel. Instead it was a charming story about quirky, imperfect people finding their way. It left you at the end feeling good and wanting more. And, thankfully, the character do appear in later books.
    For Brian, read anything by Erik Larson, particularly The Devil in the White City. It’s a true story and transports you to Chicago in the 1890s when the city is both trying to stage an impressive Exposition and deal with a serial killer.

    Reply

    1. Oooh, I love these recommendations, Dorothy! I’ve wondered abut Maria De Los Santos for awhile, but wasn’t sure (like you I feared cheesy romance…) – now I will grab it from the library. And I will pass that along to Brian – that sounds fascinating!!

      Reply

  3. wow — where to start. I was beginning to read before kindergarten and I’m “a few years” beyond you so I’ve had lots of time to read lots of books. (and know that there will never be enough time to read all of them that I’d like to)
    First, I agree with you that Shakespeare is better when given life by actors that really get it. However, when I was teaching in a high-poverty, high-crime area of Los Angeles, I discovered No Fear Shakespeare. And my kids totally took off on it. I ordered some class sets of Romeo and Juliet (can’t believe the school board required this for 9th grade; the kids loved being in on all the racy stuff), MacBeth, Othello, and a couple of others. I feel sure Will would give the books and website (where you can read the vernacular versions alongside the originals for free) and hearty “huzzah”!
    For Brian, are you familiar with Jack Chalker’s books? He wrote something like 80 of them and he is one of my very favorite science fiction authors. The Saga of the Well World series is a must.
    Jami, I tend to go in focus on a specific author for weeks/months lately (of course, I’m usually reading at least two books concurrently). And among my most recent are Fiona Veitch Smith’s Poppy Denby series (1920’s), another 20′ series by Jacqueline Winspear featuring Maisie Dobbs. And Laurie R. King’s Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell series (Brian might enjoy these as well). For flat-out funny, read Joan Hess. Her characters are hysterically funny and you (or I do) hope to heaven you never actually run into them! Also love Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series (ancient Egypt archaeology in late 19th century; funny and smart; and I want to be Amelia Peabody Emerson when I grow up!)
    Finally, for both, has to be Destined to Witness by Hans Jurgen Massquoi. https://www.npr.org/2013/01/26/170281062/ebony-editor-began-life-black-in-nazi-germany
    I caught an interview (one of many that have resulted in phenomenal books) on Terry Gross’ Fresh Air shortly after he passed away, I believe. This is most definitely a book I will reread, probably soon. And, like you Jami, that’s not something I’m known for.
    Have I written a book yet here? Love your podcasts! I can give them ONLY four stars? Most unfair šŸ™‚
    So happy to hear that work is progressing on the farmstead’s foundation (and I’m wondering if your farmhouse predates even 1908).
    Love and prayers,
    Beth

    Reply

    1. What a great story – I love when classics are reinvented to appeal to a new audience! I’m passing your recommendations an to Brian and I’m adding these to my list – thank you. I’ve never heard of Joan Hess and you make me want to put down what I’m reading and find one of hers.:)

      Hopefully we can find Destined to Witness as an audiobook – it sounds like one to read together and talk about. Thank you so much, Beth – you are so encouraging to us!!

      Reply