The world of reading at the tip of your fingers

As most of my blog readers and friends know I love to read.  I enjoy all types of book and find that a really good novel can be almost like a mini vacation transporting me from everyday life to a th expanded outside world.  As many need to shelter in place or social distance this is a great way to broaden your horizons.   For those who also share the love of reading or may want to learn how to have better access to reading materials please read below:

I just participated in a motivational Instagram group chat hosted by  Gretchen Rubin.  For those unfamiliar with her she is a great resource and authored The Happiness Project and Outer Order, Inner Calm as well as several other books.  I have read many and subscribe to her daily podcast and newsletter.  During the chat, she launched a virtual book club for the listeners and suggested reading  Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckman.   The first date of this bookclub will be April 1.   It was recommended to buy the book at a local bookshop.   She reminded listeners that due to the COVID crisis many small businesses will be forced to close their doors and it important to do our part to help them stay in business.  

Coincidentally this morning I got an email from one of my favorite local brick and mortar bookstores, WellesleyBooks  informing customers that they were temporarily closing but would have online ordering available with easy pickup or mail delivery.  (Likewise in today's Boston Globe there was an article siting area Indie bookstores also offering curbside pickup and delivery.) I went to their website for more information and noted that their monthly lunchtime book club (April 6 which is canceled) featured the book Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver .  After reading about the book description I was inspired to start a virtual bookclub with my Next-door online neighbors.  Since my local bookclub isn't launched yet I went ahead and ordered the Beckman book for now so I can read it by April 1.  

I read both physical and online books.  I always keep a book on my kindle and on my phone kindle app as sometimes I am stuck somewhere and have wait time to read. I am fortunate to have local bookstores near me and often try to buy my physical books through them vs Amazon.  

For those who do not have local bookstores nearby or just prefer to read on a device I thought I would share online ways to read books.  - here are some great apps you can download.

Bookshout, Kindle and Books are apps where you can purchase content.

The Overdrive app connects you with your library to be able to borrow downloadable books.

Libby is the platform the borrowed books can be accessed on as well as various reading apps.

Goodreads is an app building a community of readers where you can make book recommendations and share books you have read.

Lastly we all have books sitting on our shelves at home.  Now is a good time to clean your home and get organized.  Chances are you will find books you forgot you had or never got around to reading.   

No matter the source of your reading materials there are so many books to read.  Think outside your box and try a new genre such as  fiction, non-fiction, professional development , educational material for students, spiritual and motivational books and much more that you haven't had time to read before!! Be an explorer from the socially distanced book resource at the tip of your fingers.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  Like the books she reads, she is only a click away if you have any questions about your local real estate market during this time period.