107
" Bookish enthusiasm is contagious, but it isn’t sufficient—not if I want to find the books that are truly right for me, and for you to find the ones right for you. It’s easy enough for me to say, “I liked that book,” or “I didn’t,” but I often struggle to explain why. I’m constantly surprised at how difficult it is to articulate my thoughts on what I’ve read in a way that is coherent, useful, and enjoyable, whether I’m sharing a five-thousand-word formal review or a twenty-word text message. But I feel I owe it to my fellow readers to try, because my comments help others decide what is worth reading and what should be read next. "
― Anne Bogel , I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
108
" When I'm book bossy, I want to see myself as helpful, or knowledgeable, or loving, or smart. But what I'm doing is making judgments, delivering reading recommendations for books that will never be read, not because they weren't on point, but because of how they were delivered.
When I'm book bossy, nobody reads what I recommend—even if the book is a perfect match for a reader, even if she thinks her life will be better for reading it. And I don't blame her. I feel this way too. I suspect we all do. "
― Anne Bogel , I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
110
" I'd like to think I can access my inner four-year-old—curious about the world, skeptical of her little brother, innocently kind, occasionally cruel, always trusting. My inner seven-year-old—full of imagination, turning the creek bed behind my house into a fantasy kingdom ruled by mice. My inner seventeen-year-old—falling in love for the first time, feeling very grown-up making decisions for her future, and at the same time, very young. And now, when I occasionally have moments when I glimpse what I might be like at forty-five, or sixty-eight, or ninety-two, or any of the years to come.
I'd like to add an addendum to Madeleine's theory. Just as I'm all the ages I have been, I'm all the readers I have been. "
― Anne Bogel , I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
116
" Being a responsible adult is the most underrated form of self-care. Yes I mean: live within your means, make dentist appointments, save money, plan meals, wash your face before bed, go for walks, cook for people, keep your house clean, go to bed at a decent hour, all that boring stuff. Routines make everything in your life better and this is absolutely the most overlooked and underestimated form of self-care. "
― Anne Bogel , Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life