Podcasts about diversebooks

In this episode of The Inclusion School Podcast, Simone & Julie welcome Doctor Jasmine Moses, an expert in anti-bias early childhood education. They dive deep into her journey, the importance of incorporating anti-bias and anti-racist practices from a young age, and the transformative power of honoring children's voices. They also discuss amazing resources and books that can help parents, caregivers, and educators feel confident in these crucial conversations. Tune in to learn how we can all contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future for our children.  Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/ 

Welcome to this week's episode of the Inclusion School Podcast! Simone and Julie are diving into a fresh and exciting conversation about inclusion in the advertising world with a special guest, Crystal Foote. Crystal is the founder of Digital Culture Group, a groundbreaking advertising and technology company that focuses on authentic, inclusive marketing strategies. She's on a mission to promote diversity and foster innovation in her field. We'll delve into how inclusive advertising can impact families and kids, spotlighting companies that are getting it right, like Disney and Pixar, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Plus, we'll hear Crystal's insights on teaching children about inclusivity and her work as a children's book author. Get ready for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.  To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/ 

Notes:Though we don't directly mention them by name, these previous episodes are connected with this series:- Episode 31: Writing diverse characters- Episode 188: Neurodivergence and Creativity Part 1- Episode 189: Neurodivergence and Creativity Part 2- Episode 190: A panel on neurodiversity and creativity- Episode 202: Language affects perception- Episode 239: Writing with Disabilities- Episode 240: Writing Characters with DisabilitiesAs part of this discussion, we use the CDC's definition:- “A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).”- “There are many types of disabilities, such as those that affect a person's: Vision, Movement, Thinking, Remembering, Learning, Communicating, Hearing, Mental health, and Social relationships.”- “Although ‘people with disabilities' sometimes refers to a single population, this is actually a diverse group of people with a wide range of needs. Two people with the same type of disability can be affected in very different ways. Some disabilities may be hidden or not easy to see.”Here are a few articles we consulted in preparation for this series:- DisabilityinKidLit.com Article “Interview with Leigh Bardugo about Six of Crows”- CDC Disability and Health Overview Website - “What is a Disability?”- ADA (Information, Guidelines, and Training on the Americans w/ Disabilities Act) Website Guidelines for Writing About People With Disabilities- NEA.org Article “What to Know About Invisable Disibilities”- PenguinRandomHouse.com Article “Beloved Book Characters With Disabilities”- TheGuardian.com Article “The disabled villain: why sensitivity reading can't kill off this ugly trope”- DiverseBooks.org Article “How Stories About Disability Help Create Empathy”- Mariam-Webster.com Definition of Empathy- GreaterGood.Berkely.Org Article “What is Empathy?”- BookRiot.com Article “On Imperfect Representation vs. No Representation”- TheMighty.com Article “8 Movie Characters That Show These 6 Classic PTSD Symptoms”- TheMighty.com 22 Fictional Characters People w/ Anxiety Relate To- Modcast.blog Article “Ranked: Deaf Characters in Fiction”- Yahoo Insider Article “'Bridgerton' fans are praising the disability representation in season 3, including an 'autistic-coded' character”- DisabilityHorizons.com Article “20 books with a disabled character as the lead or focus of the story”- BurlingtonCountyTimes.com Article “Dyspraxia, Daredevil and disabilities in fiction”- LaneWilliam.wordpress.com Article “Disabled Characters Who Rock”Books and Films Mentioned:- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - Crooked Kingdom: A Sequel to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Music from: https://filmmusic.io ‘Friendly day' by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Notes:Though we don't directly mention them by name, these previous episodes are connected with this series:- Episode 31: Writing diverse characters- Episode 188: Neurodivergence and Creativity Part 1- Episode 189: Neurodivergence and Creativity Part 2- Episode 190: A panel on neurodiversity and creativity- Episode 202: Language affects perceptionAs part of this discussion, we use the CDC's definition: - “A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).”- “There are many types of disabilities, such as those that affect a person's: Vision, Movement, Thinking, Remembering, Learning, Communicating, Hearing, Mental health, and Social relationships.”- “Although ‘people with disabilities' sometimes refers to a single population, this is actually a diverse group of people with a wide range of needs. Two people with the same type of disability can be affected in very different ways. Some disabilities may be hidden or not easy to see.” Here are a few articles we consulted in preparation for this series:- CDC Disability and Health Overview Website - “What is a Disability?”- ADA (Information, Guidelines, and Training on the Americans w/ Disabilities Act) Website Guidelines for Writing About People With Disabilities- NEA.org Article “What to Know About Invisable Disabilities”- PenguinRandomHouse.com Article “Beloved Book Characters With Disabilities”- TheGuardian.com Article “The disabled villain: why sensitivity reading can't kill off this ugly trope” - DiverseBooks.org Article “How Stories About Disability Help Create Empathy”- Mariam-Webster.com Definition of Empathy- GreaterGood.Berkely.Org Article “What is Empathy?”- BookRiot.com Article “On Imperfect Representation vs. No Representation”- TheMighty.com Article “8 Movie Characters That Show These 6 Classic PTSD Symptoms”- TheMighty.com 22 Fictional Characters People w/ Anxiety Relate To - Modcast.blog Article “Ranked: Deaf Characters in Fiction”- Yahoo Insider Article “'Bridgerton' fans are praising the disability representation in season 3, including an 'autistic-coded' character”- DisabilityHorizons.com Article “20 books with a disabled character as the lead or focus of the story”- BurlingtonCountyTimes.com Article “Dyspraxia, Daredevil and disabilities in fiction”- LaneWilliam.wordpress.com Article “Disabled Characters Who Rock” In this series, the Verbivore talks about her experience with learning about dyspraxia and mentions that she'd never even heard the word until several years ago and that it's a type of neurodivergence that's not as well known. Here are some of the resources that she‘s found helpful in her journey:- Dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk Article “Dyspraxia at a glance”- YouTube Video "Rewiring Dyspraxia from the Brain | Farah Nanji | TEDxLuxembourgCity”- YouTube Video “Dyspraxic and Fantastic! | Ellie Madeira | TEDxCCGrammarSchool”- Attitudemag.com article “What is Dyspraxia? Clumsy Child Syndrome”- TheUnwritten.co.uk article “How the Media Discusses Daniel Radcliffe's Dyspraxia is Outdated and Damaging”If you'd like to learn more about neurodiversity, here are a few articles and videos to get you started:- ChildMind.org Article “What Is Neurodiversity? And how can parents support kids who are neurodivergent?”- MedicalNewsToday.com Article “What to know about autism in girls”- PsychCentral.com Article “Masking in Autism: The ‘Why' Matters”- Ted-Ed Video “What is dyslexia? - Kelli Sandman-Hurley”- YouTube Video “Autism is a difference, not a disorder | Katie Forbes | TEDxAberdeen”- YouTube Video “Unmasking the Stigma Behind Autism in Females | Emmy Peach | TEDxUGA”Music from: https://filmmusic.io ‘Friendly day' by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

In this week's episode of the Inclusion School Podcast, hosts, Julie Kratz and Simone Morris, are thrilled to welcome a very special guest, Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins, an award-winning speaker, publisher, and children's book author.  Her latest book, "What's Worrying Darwin?", co-authored with her young son, addresses autism through the story of a child named Darwin who learns to understand and appreciate the differences in others. Bridgett shares her insights on promoting inclusivity and understanding for children on the autism spectrum, emphasizing the importance of people-first language and understanding neurodiversity. This conversation is packed with valuable information for parents, caregivers, and educators looking to foster inclusive environments for all children.  Pick-up your copy of "What's Worrying Darwin?" on Amazon or Barnes & Noble online. Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/ 

In this week's episode, hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz are joined by a very special guest, Denise Hendershot. Denise, along with her husband Brian, co-hosts the DiverseLuv podcast, which explores their experiences as an interracial couple navigating a myriad of social challenges through courageous, authentic conversations. Denise shares deep insights into how embracing diversity in thought and culture has strengthened their relationship and the importance of having open dialogues about difficult topics such as race, parenting, and inclusivity. Denise's powerful personal anecdotes and proactive approaches offer invaluable lessons for parents, caregivers, and educators alike.  Connect with Denise at www.diverseluv.com or on Social Media @diverseluv Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/ 

Simone Morris and Julie Kratz welcome the inspiring Keylonda Wheeler to this episode of The Inclusion School Podcast. Keylonda, a passionate speech therapist and children's book author, shared her heartwarming journey to diversify kids' literature, honoring her friend and empowering children with disabilities. She offers ways to use more inclusive language such as: "non-speaking" over "nonverbal", reminding us how everyone has something to say. Discover more about Keylonda's mission to make every child feel seen and heard, and join us on this ongoing journey of creating a world where everyone belongs.  Connect with Keylonda @keylondawrites.com and on Instagram @keylondawrites Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/   

Julie & Simone are excited to welcome Micaela Benn, an inspiring children's book author and founder of a company dedicated to coaching and marketing support for picture books promoting early literacy through culturally diverse stories.  Micaela shares her journey behind her book "Little Mister Fix-It" and how it captures the essence of a positive family environment. Together they dive into an enlightening conversation with Micaela about inclusivity in children's books, the richness of educational diversity, and the possibilities that open up when we nurture our children's inherent curiosity and willingness to engage with the world around them.  Listen to the full discussion for a thought-provoking episode that challenges us to reflect on inclusion, representation, and the power of positive thinking in shaping young minds. Connect with Micaela on Instagram @micaelasbenn or on her podcast, The Children's Book Marketing Podcast. Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/ 

In this episode of The Inclusion School podcast, Simone and Julie are joined by the passionate and knowledgeable Jandy Flores, who is a professional development specialist for educators and specializes in bilingual and cultural awareness, and early literacy. Jandy shares insights into the importance of language, culture, and heritage in education. They explore the nuances of being a bilingual teacher, fostering an inclusive environment for students from diverse cultural backgrounds, and the significance of integrating cultural elements into the classroom. Jandy also provides practical tips and reflections for educators and parents and discusses the lack of resources for young adult books that represent diverse cultures. Listen in to gain valuable perspectives on creating an inclusive and enriching learning environment for all children. Connect with Jandy on Facebook & Instagram @TheReadingBehavoirist Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/ 

In this week's episode of the Inclusion School Podcast, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris are joined by author and parent liaison, Jeni DeGregorio. Jeni opens up about her journey as a parent of a child with sensory processing difficulties and autism, sharing her experiences and insights. She discusses the inspiration behind her children's books, which aim to make sensory exercises more fun and less like work for children. Moreover, Jeni sheds light on the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodivergent individuals in various settings. Listeners also gain valuable tips on advocacy and support for children with different cognitive abilities. Jeni's passion for creating a more inclusive world shines through, offering valuable resources and guidance for parents, caregivers, and educators. You can connect with Jeni on Instagram at @hayden_place and learn more about her nonprofit, Neurodiversity Place, at neurodiversityplace.org. Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/ 

Join Julie & Simone for an inspiring conversation with Black History Application Specialist, Ernest Crim III.  Ernest uses Black History to empower and educate families.  He shares stories about the people who inspired him to take the path he is taking and small steps we can take to learn Black History all year long.   Some of the books that Ernest recommends are:  "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race" by Beverly Daniel Tatum "More Than Peach" by Bellen Woodard and fanny Liem "My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies" by Resmaa Menakem MSW LICSW SEP, Cary Hite, et al. You can find more resources on his website: ernestcrim.com You can reach Ernest on Instagram and Linked In @mrcrim3 Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/. To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com  Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/   

In this episode, Julie & Simone welcome author and memoirist, Nefertiti Austin to the Inclusion School podcast.  Nefertiti's critically acclaimed book, "Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America", addresses the lack of diverse voices in motherhood.   She talks with Julie & Simone about the experiences that led her to write her book and shares her thoughts and advice about raising her children as a black Mom of black adopted children. Don't miss this inspiring and honest episode. You can find Nefertiti's book wherever you purchase your books and you can reach her on social media @nefertitiaustin. Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/ . To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com   Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/    

Back by popular demand, this week Simone & Julie get "real" with one of their Real Talk episodes.  They delve into some of the hot diversity topics in education today including book banning and CRT. They share thoughts on opportunities to educate yourself and ways to talk with younger children about tough topics, meeting them where they are in their learning and understanding. Share your feedback and thoughts for more topics you would like to hear about with Simone and Julie by emailing them @ talktous@inclusionschool.com  Listen to this and other episodes at https://inclusionschool.com/ . Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/  

In celebration of Women's History Month, Simone and Julie welcome children's book author, Eve Nadel Catarevas to the podcast. Eve writes picture book biographies about little-known women in history whose stories are not often told.  She shares how she discovers these stories of forgotten figures in history and brings them to life for children.  They are fascinating stories about amazing women! You can learn more about Eve and her books on her website: https://www.evecatarevas.com/ Listen to the entire podcast at https://inclusionschool.com/  To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com   Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/  

Julie & Simone are delighted to welcome Brytani Cavil, founder of The Brown Book Box to this episode.  She shares why she felt it was important to find and share books that have diverse characters for children to read.  Her mission and enthusiasm is inspiring. Be sure to listen to the full episode at https://inclusionschool.com/  You can follow Brytani on Facebook and Instagram @thebrownbookbox or visit her website https://www.brownbookbox.org/  To reach us, email talktous@inclusionschool.com   Grab resources mentioned in the show at https://inclusionschool.com/resources/  

In this episode, we are joined by Swedish author and entrepreneur, Marcus Tallberg. Tune in for a discussion on authentic representation of marginalized characters in fiction, why Marcus felt compelled to write from such a young age, and why it's so vital for everyone to have the opportunity to see their experiences represented. Find more information about our podcast, including links to our guests' books here. If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit kobo.com/writinglife. 

Monsters or humans? There's a war and Debroah Falaye wants to break your heart with love and cruelty. She's giving us a glimpse of Nigerian culture through her book Blood Scion, and we can hold your hand, (for the scary parts) but no gurantees it won't be broken by the time we're done.  

Publishers are missing out on a marketplace that is ripe for profit. The problem is, they don't recognize it. Best selling author Dhonielle Clayton, however, realized the gap in the marketplace and is making it her mission to convince publishers that have more diversity in books is good for the readers and the companies. Adam Schroeder and Naresh Vissa talk with Dhonielle about what the numbers say, how her organization helps authors, and the Netflix original series based on her book Tiny Pretty Things. Dhonielle Clayton is the New York Times Bestselling author of The Belles series, the co-author of Blackout, and the co-author of the Tiny Pretty Things duology (now a Netflix original series). She is Co-Founder of Cake Creative and COO of We Need Diverse Books, which seeks to increase representations of marginalized groups in children and young adult literature, and also the host of the podcast Deadline City. Website: www.DhonielleClayton.com www.CakeCreativeKitchen.com www.DiverseBooks.org www.Patreon.com/WorkFromHomeShow www.WorkFromHomeShow.com

In many ways, Emi Kim is what you might consider a typical 9-year-old. When she grows up, she wants to be a scientist or president of the United States, but for now, she loves to swim and sketch — and fight racism.   And fight racism she has.    When Emi noticed that her school library was lacking diverse books, she decided to do something about it. She led her whole family in hosting a lemonade stand to raise money to buy books with diverse characters for her school library, and her first lemonade stand raised more than $750!   “I'm changing the world one lemonade stand at a time,” Emi said.   Emi's commitment to anti-racism is nothing short of inspiring. To hear of someone so young making such a big difference gives me the chills, but even more than that, it gives me hope.   Our kiddos are going to change the world, and if we do our part now to raise them to be anti-racist and inclusive, they are going to change the world into a much better place.   Listen to the episode to hear all of Emi's story. I can guarantee you'll leave fired up and ready to follow Emi's example to make a positive change.   Ally Elementary  Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."    During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action. Click here to invest in Ally Elementary for your family! Free Class! Ally ABCs: 3 Simple Ways to Embed Anti-Racism Into Your Family Culture   If you're ready to reignite your fire for anti-racism or deepen your commitment to the movement this class is for you, and Tuesday, Nov. 2, is your last chance to catch it! During this free online class we will work together to create a plan that you can use to bring your kiddos along on this anti-racist journey. Click here to choose a time that fits best with your schedule and sign up today!  Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN

Representation matters, especially in children’s literature and stories that represent Native American people. In this episode, we focus on Heartdrum, an imprint about stories by Native American creators who publish stories with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country, and on the strength of young Native American heroes. Author-curator Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek), author and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, Ellen Oh, and HarperCollins editor Rosemary Brosnan discuss how the Heartdrum project came to fruition and a sample of the beautifully diverse stories now available to young readers. To learn more about Heartdrum, visit Diversebooks.org/programs/heartdrum Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time! [:01] In her book, Jingle Dancer, Cynthia Leitich Smith depicted Native American girls and women, who are underrepresented in children’s literature. [5:01]The books by authors of color that impacted Cynthia and Ellen as children. [7:40] In her series, Indian Shoes, it was important to Cynthia the characters be in contemporary, urban settings. [10:57] When publishers shifted away from multiculturalism and inclusion, Cynthia successfully pivoted and created paranormal stories including the Feral series. [13:23] The progressive ideas that fuel We Need Diverse Books make the organization much more than a hashtag. [15:42] Ellen, Cynthia, and Rosemary Brosnan instigated the creation of Heartdrum, the first native imprint at a major publisher. [21:36] The Sea in Winter by Christine Day is one of the first books published by Heartdrum. [26:14] Current trends in contemporary children’s literature and future opportunities for Heartdrum. [29:44] Ellen describes her motivation for writing her very personal latest book, Finding Junie Kim. [32:02] Ancestor Approved is a collection of stories and poetry that showcases the diversity within Indian Country and pairs new and established authors. Continue Your Journey: Cynthia Leitich Smith Ellen Oh Books We Need Diverse Books HarperCollins Remember Reading Podcast @ReadingPod on Twitter

Author Ismée Williams discusses her latest contemporary young adult novel, This Train is Being Held. The inspiration for this book came from a ride on the NYC subway, the same subway line that she took every day to go to work at the hospital where she was a pediatric cardiologist. This Train is a Being Held is a romance with characters of Latinx identity, and it shows a slice of NYC life. Ultimate, it's a story about expectations—about who you are versus what your family, friends and society expect you to be.

Representation is critical for all children in all spaces. Children can’t be what they can’t see, so they all need to see and experience people of many different backgrounds leading happy and successful lives. This week on the podcast I have the opportunity to interview Mijha Godfrey, the founder of Jambo Books. Mijha is a former affordable housing developer, lawyer and founder of Jambo Books. Jambo, which means both “hello” and “welcome” in Swahili, is a book subscription service for children aged 0 – 13 where all the books feature lead characters who are children of color.  The stories in Jambo Books focus on the beauty of childhood, the joys of friendship and family, the thrill of new adventures, the wonderful tapestry that is the life of a Child of Color.     Mijha is passionate about helping parents raise children who won’t need to be taught how to tolerate people who are different from themselves because they will expect and enjoy healthy inclusion. Jambo Book Club members will recognize the same humanity in those who may not share their experiences that they see in those who do.    During the interview we discuss: The origin story behind the Jambo Book Club The power of representation for all children  The importance of reading books about Children of Color that do not focus on race/social justice and just depict children leading everyday lives The balance between teaching children about the realities of racism while also giving them opportunities to experience joy and just be kids    Click here to check out the Jambo Book Club! Jambo Books on Instagram  Jambo Books on Twitter   Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood   

Author Valerie Bolling discusses her debut children's picture book titled, Let's Dance. This rhythmic, rhyming picture book showcases dances from all over the world and features children of diverse backgrounds and abilities tapping, spinning and boogying away. Valerie's aim in writing this picture book was to ensure that diverse children were reflected in her work, and she believed that dance was the perfect background for doing so—because dance is a way in which we can all connect with one another.

It’s summer! And that means it is time for summer reading. This may be the time where you’re spending more time than ever with your family and you just need a break with a book! I get so many questions about how I read so much, what books I recommend, that I wanted to put together a whole resource episode with absolutely everything - my best tips, the tools I use, the sites I read, the books I recommend for your business and for your summer. Usually I talk about running a business and mindset and once a month I share what I’m reading, but here’s the truth: I’m recording this ahead of time before it’s even June, so I can’t tell you what I read in June. And I’m taking a break from the podcast to spend my summer with my foster kids and with lots of books and the pool. But no fear! You’ll still get episodes every single week, because I planned WAY ahead! What better way to go into the summer than to talk about what I love best about summer, which is ALSO the number one key to building my business: books! Everything I know about my business I learned through trial and error and experimenting and I figured out what to try and how to experiment from books. But I know a lot of us struggle with reading more, so today I’m going to help with that! We’ll talk about how to read more, how to find a book you’ll like, and resources of my favorite book lists, (including the best books for your business, mindset and mental health). Summer and books have been linked in my mind ever since I was a kid and participated in the library reading challenges - did you have these? The library would publish cards like a game board and you’d fill it in with the books you read, and then you’d win prizes. And do you remember “The Pizza Hut Book It!” program? I had to look it up because it was such a huge part of my childhood - winning PIZZA for reading (and getting the fabulous holographic pin) was really the highlight of my year, and also just about the only sport I ever competed in! While I was writing this episode, I went to look it up and Book It! is still around! Their website has tons of good resources - reading trackers, activities -  for you and your kids! You can sign up for the Summer Reading Program and get weekly emails with reading suggestions and projects. I record this it’s late May and I’ve already read more than 75 books in 2019. I often get asked: How do I read so much? A few years ago I put together a guide: How to read 100 books a year. How to read more The key to reading more is to read what you like, always have plenty of books on your list and on your shelf and to stop when you want. The thing so many adults struggle with is to read what you like - give yourself permission to read what feels good, even if it’s not what you think you “should” be reading. Maybe you love YA fantasy, maybe you love romances, maybe you love comics. It really doesn’t matter, reading anything gets yourself into the habit, and you can use that habit to read more of the books that will educate you on what you want to learn (ie. business or psychology). You also have to have ENOUGH books, so that you can immediately pick up the next one. That means enough on your To Read list and enough in your actual home (or on your Kindle). If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I bring home anywhere from 5-15 books at a time from the library. In the rest of the episode we’ll cover how to find more books for your list, how to keep track of it, and how to find more of what you like. And finally, you really need to let yourself stop when you want to. Maybe you put the book down for just a few days, or you wait until your more awake, or you just don’t like it and you stop altogether - life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy! How to find books you’ll like Did you know your library has a Reader Advisory? They can suggest books, if you know what you like. They also published lists of books that are like other books, or that are on a topic you wanna learn more about! There’s also a great online resource, through your library, called Books and Authors. (I think your library has to have hooked it up for you to access it. Check your library’s website. You can look up any book and it will tell you other books like it. Even if it’s been years since you really liked a book, if you can identify even one, you can find another! Another way to find the books that YOU are likely to like is to find reviewers you like and read what they suggest.  on Goodreads (look at reviews of your favorite books, click on the profile of a review you particularly like and then read a few other reviews by them. If you agree and/or you like they’re writing, check out their most recent reviews and you will find some new books you’ll like!). I like Emily May. in papers (NY review of books, LA Times, etc) Check out lists! I highly recommend Anne Bogel’s Summer Reading Guide at Modern Mrs. Darcy Read along with a challenge, like the Read Harder Challenge. Check out the massive list of resources for Diverse Books at DiverseBooks.org. I share my favorite books of the month every month - you can search my site for “reading” or find a direct link to ALL of my reading posts, going back 6 years here. I have put together lists and lists of books on different topics - you can find all the lists at https://www.amazon.com/shop/taraswiger I have my favorite Business Books, my favorite trauma and mental health books, my favorite parenting books, and a lot more. How to find books for kids? Help your kid(s) identify what they like in a story. Start with 3-5 stories they’ve loved (movies, video games) and help them dig into the aspects they liked best. This is a great way to help them find the words to talk about books and stories, too! Check out nonfiction! If your kid nerds out about ANYTHING (even movies and video games!) there are books about it! Comics count!  Comics are a great way to get a reticent reader to read! You can find “graphic novels” which are the collected issues of a storyline of a comic, at your library! Once you know you like a comic, you can start buying it (or the graphic novels) at your local comic shop. And if you don’t have a comic shop, you can get it on your Kindle comics with a Comixology subscription. A few of my faves that are appropriate for anyone 10+: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl LumberJanes (written by Noelle Stevenson new creator of She-Ra) Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman Mile Morales: Spiderman - there is a novel, and a comic (esp if you loved Into The Spiderverse) Ask me on Instagram! I LOVE helping you find books, I not-so-secretly really want to be a librarian (if only I can do it from home?) - tag me on your post, I’m @taraswiger or send me a DM! (Maybe I need a book recommendation podcast? Hmmm.) How to keep track of it all? Tools I use: Goodreads - I use it mostly to track books I want to read. It’s great to track books I have read, but the way I use it nearly daily is to add ANY book I’ve heard of that sounds good to my list. I’m not worried this is every going to be too big. I want it to be as big as possible, so I never run out of books that I’m excited about. Library holds & requests - A few times a week (usually when I’m waiting somewhere or need a break from work), I open up my GoodReads To Read list, open up my library catalog and place a hold on a few books (Holds top out at 15 books and a lot of times this spring I topped it out. I read more than ever, but it stresses me a bit, so I’m keeping it under 10 at a time now). What about books your library doesn’t have? I just discovered the “request book” page on my library site and now I request that the library buy the books I want! This is great for new books that haven’t been released yet - by requesting it you get at the front of the line on the holds (great if a book is going to be on hold to like 20 people). I’ve also requested some quilt books and instead of buying them, my library borrowed them from another library (not one that’s connected in our catalog) Libby - get ebooks and audiobooks from your library, all from your phone. Book of the Month Club - if you want new books before they’re released AND you want to own your books, you can’t do better than Book of The Month - you get access to brand-new books, each month. You can skip any month you want. (If you sign up from this link, I get a free book!) Other reading bits and bobs Favorite book podcasts: What should I read next Reading Glasses My own summer To Read List This summer I’m focusing on the newest books - from Anne Bogels list - and those that I already own. This list is only those I currently have, or have on reserve at the library: Nimona, by Noelle Stevenson Station Eleven, by Emily St John Mandel Still Life, by Louise Penny Bird King by G. Willow Wilson Life after Life by Kate Atkinson (and maybe her fourth Jackson Brodie novel, Started Early Took my Dog, because she has a new book coming out this summer) Before She Knew Him, by Peter Swanson Waiting for Tom Hanks, by Kerry Winfrey The River, by Peter Heller The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth,  Maybe You Should Talk To Someone, by Lori Gottlieb The Better Sister, by Alafair Burke Anything by Megan Abbott   Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast264

*SPOILER WARNING* Did I mention there are spoilers in this episode? Still here? Cool. If you've watched Luke Cage S2 Episodes 2-4, then come listen to us chat about it. If you haven't seen them yet, come back after you watch! Please remember to subscribe and rate the show! #BlackComicsChat intro/outro beatbox by Afua Richardson

In this exciting episode we speak to Angela Marie Spring, founder and owner of Duende District, a mobile bookstore focused on reaching Hispanic, black, immigrant and other communities of color throughout D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. We talk about stocking diverse writers, how an author or brick and mortar bookstore could benefit from a pop up shop or event, and what a pop up bookstore is, for those of you who don't know! We also delve into Angela's experience as a bookseller and floor manager for Politics & Prose, one of our authors most-requested bookstores for signings and events. What did she tell authors about how to get an event in their store? Listen to find out.You can find Duende District at www.duendedistrict.com.As always, for more book marketing and book publicity tips, please visit www.smithpublicity.com, Smith Publicity on Facebook, and @smithpublicity on Twitter and Instagram.Host/Producer: Andrea Kiliany Thatcher

In this exciting episode we speak to Angela Marie Spring, founder and owner of Duende District, a mobile bookstore focused on reaching Hispanic, black, immigrant and other communities of color throughout D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. We talk about stocking diverse writers, how an author or brick and mortar bookstore could benefit from a pop up shop or event, and what a pop up bookstore is, for those of you who don't know! We also delve into Angela's experience as a bookseller and floor manager for Politics & Prose, one of our authors most-requested bookstores for signings and events. What did she tell authors about how to get an event in their store? Listen to find out.You can find Duende District at www.duendedistrict.com.As always, for more book marketing and book publicity tips, please visit www.smithpublicity.com, Smith Publicity on Facebook, and @smithpublicity on Twitter and Instagram.Host/Producer: Andrea Kiliany Thatcher

Frederick L. Jones of Saturday AM comics is in the house. Listen up. It's another long one but it was a great talk. Tipsy Thelonious was in rare form! Check out Saturday AM at http://www.saturday-am.com/ BlackComicsChat Beatbox theme by Afua Richardson