pleasure reading

Softer Sounds
  • 5.0 (2)
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pleasure reading

a podcast about the pleasure of reading, featuring curated book lists, author rankings, tiny book chats and more. hosted by amelia hruby, phd.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    🌟 My 2025 5-Star TBR

    My intention for 2025 is to read fewer books and to read better books. Basically, I *really* want more 5-star reads this year, and I think I have to change up my reading habits to make that happen! So to kick off my year in reading, I've collected 25 books I already own that I think will be 5-star reads for me. I'm calling this MY FIVE-STAR TBR (yes, that's all-caps), and in this episode I'm introducing all 25 books to you and explaining why I think they might be 5-star reads! Tune in to hear the list, or head straight to my bookshop to find them all at your convenience.  More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    38 min

  2. 12/27/2024

    🏆 2024 Reading Faves & Flops

    Today I'm wrapping up our year in reading by sharing my four favorite books of 2024 and my four biggest flops — not the books I hated but the reading habits and routines that really did not work for me this year. Tune in to hear why I loved the books I loved best and what went ... horribly wrong on my TBR over the past twelve months.  My Fave Reads of 2024:🛣️ Instructions for Traveling West by Joy Sullivan🍋 Body Work by Melissa Febos🍷 The Pairing by Casey McQuiston👹 Come Closer by Sarah Gran   More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    26 min

  3. 12/26/2024

    ⏱️ 30-Second Reviews of All 150 Books I Read This Year

    Somehow I managed to read 150 books this year (?!) and in honor of this wildly unrealistic accomplishment, I decided to record a mega-episode reviewing every single one of them! Tune in to hear my 30-second recap + review of all these books, featuring lots of popular romance, thriller, horror and literary fiction. 📚 And click here for a list of every single book I mentioned in this episode!    More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    1h 17m

  4. 12/06/2024

    🎄 3 Christmas Romances I Actually Like

    As an avid holiday romance reader, I've experienced the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the genre. 🙃 So in this episode, I'm curating the three books that I think actually live up to the Christmas romance hype!  Tune in to learn why these three are my faves and to hear about a few honorable mentions that I recommend for certain kinds of readers. And be sure to click the (affiliate) links to gift yourself or your fave friends a copy.   Books recommended in this episode: ❄️ THE CLASSIC ROMANTIC ONE — One Day in December by Josie Silver 🎁 THE BRAND NEW ONE — Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake 🌶️ THE SEXY SERIES — A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone 🎄 HONORABLE MENTIONS — Set the Record Straight by Hannah Bonam-Young, Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle, The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling, Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot  More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    16 min

  5. 11/29/2024

    🎓 5 Dark Academia Recs [adult fantasy edition]

    We’re heading back to school this week with five magical dark academia reads. ☠️ Each of these books features a clever cast of students facing out-of-this-world challenges — and the educational settings range from southern gothic mansions to murderous-monster-schools, including Yale University, a dragon-wielding war college and the mythical Library of Alexandria. Tune in to hear about these eclectic, intellectual fantasies, and grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase your own copies!  🎓 Dark Academia Recs: An Academy for Liars by Alexis HendersonA Deadly Education by Naomi NovikNinth House by Leigh BardugoThe Atlas Six by Olivie BlakeFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 📓 Also mentioned: The Secret History by Donna TarttIf We Were Villians by M.L. Rio 🎬 Youtube videos to watch: The Book Leo on Dark AcademiaThis Story Ain’t Over on Race in Dark Academia   More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    26 min

  6. 11/22/2024

    🔑 7 Memoirs & Self-Help Books by People I Adore

    Today we dive into other peoples’ lives with this list of seven memoirs and self-help books by people I adore! Tune in to hear how these amazing folks and their books have changed my life for the better. Then find the (affiliate) links below to purchase. These all make great gifts!  🔑 Memoir Joy Enough by Sarah McCollSitting Pretty by Rebekah TaussigHow to Be Alone to Nicole AntoinetteRust Belt Femme by Raechel Ann Jolie 🔑 Self-Help You Belong by Sebene SelassieFeel Something, Make Something by Caitlin MetzInner Workout by Taylor Elyse Morrison  More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    17 min

  7. 11/15/2024

    🍱 My Top 8 Nonfiction Reads for Foodies

    This week, I’m sharing my Top 8 nonfiction reads for foodies — which includes a wide range of nonfiction genres from memoirs to essay collections to cookbooks and more! Tune in to hear about a few delicious reads, and find the (affiliate) links below to purchase. These all make great gifts! 🍴Top 8 Nonfiction Reads for Foodies An Everlasting Meal & An Everlasting Cookbook by Tamar AdlerBurn the Place by Iliana ReganCrying in H Mart by Michelle ZaunerNo Meat Required by Alicia KennedyEat & Flourish by Mary Beth AlbrightSalt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin NosratWhat Goes with What by Julia TurshenUnreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara  More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    22 min

  8. 10/25/2024

    💀 13 Creature Features for the Girlies [with Spooky & Not-Spooky Recs]

    This week, I’m sharing 13 (!!) books featuring monstrous creatures of all kinds. And I'm calling it creature features *for the girlies* because these books are all authored by non-cis-white-male writers, and they feature a diverse cast of main characters human and not-so-human. Tune in to hear about a few fantastical reads, and grab the (affiliate) links below to purchase! 💀 Spooky Recs The Return by Rachel HarrisonOur Wives Under the Sea by Julia ArmfieldThe Ancestor by Danielle TrussoniThe Woods All Black by Lee MandeloNight’s Edge by Liz KerinNightbitch by Rachel Yoder 👻 Not Spooky Recs The Deep by Rivers Solomon with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson & Jonathan SnipesBride by Ali HazelwoodSo Thirsty by Rachel HarrisonHunt on Dark Waters by Katee Roberts  🖤 Next Up TBR Chlorine by Jade SongBull Moon Rising by Ruby DixonFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros  More from Amelia:📖 Follow what I'm reading on Storygraph📝 Send me a message📚 Shop my used books

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

a podcast about the pleasure of reading, featuring curated book lists, author rankings, tiny book chats and more. hosted by amelia hruby, phd.

Information

  • Channel
    Softer Sounds
  • Creator
    amelia hruby, phd
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 amelia hruby, phd

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