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Tsundoku is my favorite word ever. It is a Japanese word for acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them. Even converting to reading only on Kindle I am collecting books. My current storage on Kindle has over 1700 books. I have always been a reader. I grew up in a small European country. We grew up reading literary masterpieces in native language and limited translations of foreign literary masterpieces. A couple years ago I discovered romance novel genre and I cannot get enough of it. They provide great escapism. I shared with a friend that I am embarrassed when talking to people what I read. She said people watch crap on Netflix and don’t feel bad, so I shouldn’t worry about my reading choices. :) Anyway. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is my favorite romance novel of late. So well done. Great character development, tying in history, and some suspense and anticipation. Highly recommend.

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Hi! I LOVE 'tsundoku' and that I now know that word. I will admit that I'm not big on love stories in particular, but perhaps you'd find some solace in 'LESS,' by Andrew Sean Greer, which was a gay romance of a very particular (and very funny) kind. It won the Pulitzer!

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Ha! Your recommended book is in my Kindle inventory. I will pull it to the front if you promise to look into my recommendation as well. It is a gay romance. The author wrote it post 2016 election.

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As a pretty voracious reader, I both relate to this article & find it to be so helpful! I read the most I've ever read when I had a solid 30 minute, uninterrupted tube journey on my commute. Since that's changed I've slowed down a lot because I lost the ritual/habit- so it was nice to be reminded that I can make that habit again, just at a different point in the day. And I have been struggling with being Far Too Online and feeling hellish for it. So, thank you Phillip!!! Great to have your reading list as well to cross reference with my own. xx

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So glad, and thank you, David!!! Glad you're getting back to it!

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Man you are hitting me at all angles with these posts. Love it! The last book I read was Becoming by Michelle Obama. I’m currently reading Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. My favorite book of all time is probably The Alchemists by Paulo Coello. Still trying to figure out my favorite genre. I like a good balance of romanticism with a sharp bite of realism. I think I’m going to try an audio book for the first time. I have always been a slow reader and have a hard time retaining information. My love of pages, print, cover art, and the musky smell keep me attached to my hard copies. Sometimes you just need something tangible ya know 🤷🏻‍♀️?

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Love that! You might want to try something delicious, like Gloria Steinem's "My Life On the Road" on audio (I'm reading that one next), or another inspiring one could be Janet Mock's memoirs! Sounds like you need something that fills the soul and the mind. Those would do it!

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I loved Redefining Realness! Janet has a lot of power in her words too. Funny you mention Gloria. She is on a wall I keep for creative inspiration. Sounds like the audio book will be my next adventure. Thank you Phillip.

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Thanks for this! I really enjoyed reading it.

The last book I read and loved was The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. My favorite genre is fiction or memoir with some aspect of gayness/queerness. I'd want my next book to make me feel emotional, for lack of a better word.

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The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. It will leave you gutted in the best way possible! Afterwards, try Christodora :) let me know what you think! XX

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I've actually already read both! They're sitting in my bookshelf now. Loved them :)

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Ah got it! Try "Real Life" by Brandon Taylor or "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong

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OK! I love this — first, I'd recommend The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante. I think you'll appreciate the ways in which she builds a world in Italy and travels through time, hinging her storytelling on female friendship. If that doesn't catch your eye, try The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, which is her best book, and blends magical realism during a time of immense political strife. No matter what era it is, this book is always timely. xx

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Haha, thank you!!! I kinda screamed, too.

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...make that 3 of us!

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