DogEared Book Club

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEE!! I frickin' love my birthday—and what an honor it is to sit with you, and share the love of books.

I am so happy I recorded this on THE DAY. I got the birthday energy, and all that jazz.

I literally thought of what to talk about on the episode this AM... lol. I'm so here for it!

Head to https://bookshop.org/shop/dogearedbookclub or Thriftbooks, or any local bookstore, and online bookstore that supports second-hand or local bookstores.

So, here are the books that changed my life!!!

1. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
2. Toni Morrison: Song of Solomon, Beloved, Jazz and The Bluest Eye
3. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
4. Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
5. Think and Grow Rich for Women by Sharon Lechter
6. The Self-Acceptance Project: How to be kind and compassionate toward yourself in any situation
7. The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck, MD
8. Oneness by Rasha
9. Wild by Jay Griffiths
10. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Follow me @dogeared.bookclub and head to https://www.dogearedbookclub.co/

I don't think I will ever get enough of this guy! He's my frickin' favorite. Robbie McInerny is the CEO and Founder of WillBo, a lifestyle brand that celebrates natures playgrounds—specifically, in California. He is a dear dear friend from Laguna Beach High School. He is also a human, leader and creative that I deeply admire and continuously look up to.

Check out WillBO at https://willbousa.com/

and follow WillBO on Instagram at @willbo

Bookshop.org book list: https://bookshop.org/shop/dogearedbookclub

Sponsors:

Libra Collective. Use the code DOGEARED21 to get 15% off the Brand Kit, to build, revamp and bring your vision to life! Go to https://www.libra-collective.com/ & Follow Ashley Munson at @ashleymunson and @libra.design.co

Chapter Six Jewelry. Use the code bebejewels10 to get 10% off any online purchase. Support sustainable, jewelry with a magical purpose. Go to https://chaptersixjewelry.com/ & follow Gemma @chaptersixjewelry

Episode Show Notes 

• 11:10 Are you currently reading something, and what is it? How do you like it?
• 14:00 Do you have a favorite author and genre? Are they symbiotic?
• 15:58 What is your earliest memory of reading?
• 19:40 What are your reading habits? 
• 23:52 What moves you in a work of literature?
• 26:35 What has been the book that has motivated you in terms of your creativity, success and journey?
• 39:30 If you could have an author write about your life, who would it be?
• 43:20 What role has reading played in your life?
• 45:52 What books are on your to-be-read list?
• 1:05:50 If you could gift someone a book, what would it be and who would it be to?
• 1:07 what makes you dog-ear a page?
• 1:09 Why do you read?
• 1:14 What book would you recommend for me to read?

Books mentioned in the podcast

• Shoe Dog by Phil Knight 
• Harry Potter series 
• This is Not A T-Shirt by Bobby Hundreds
• Greenlights by Matthew Mcconaughey
• Let My People Go Surfing Yvon Chouinard 
• The Overstory by Richard Powers 
• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Head to https://www.dogearedbookclub.co/ to learn more about DogEared, the Leaders, and more! If you haven't already, subscribe to my newsletter to get the zoom link for his Group Leader Seminar.

Follow me on Instagram @dogeared.bookclub

Meet Hannah! That absolutely sweetest human. I adored every minute of speaking with her! Get cozy as we discuss our love of books (obviously....), why publishers NEED to listen to the bookstagram community, what makes certain authors and writing styles powerful, what brings us joy, and so much more. Follow her on IG at @hannahlouisefranklin

Go to https://www.dogearedbookclub.co/ to read more about the leaders, my story and values, and find your next read!

Follow me on Instagram @dogeared.bookclub

Episode Show Notes

Intro message, mission and introducing Hannah Louise Franklin (@hannahlouisefranklin) DogEard’s January Bookish Series. 

• 8:00 What inspired you to create your book account?
• 9:22 Did you have any inspiration or direction for your aesthetic? Or did you just show up? 
• 13:14 What is your earliest memory of reading?
• 14:20 What are you currently reading?
• 20:27 What is your favorite genre, and does that tie into your favorite author? 
• 26:42 What is your favorite book habit, or tradition, that you’ve continued as you’ve grown up or ones that you developed during the pandemic?
• 30:57 Chapter Six Ad!! Use the code bebejewels10 to get 10% off any online Chapter Six purchase. https://chaptersixjewelry.com/ Follow on IG at @chaptersixjewelry 
• 35:30 Libra Collective Ad!! Use the code DOGEARED21 to get 15% off (that’s $300 off!!!) the Brand Kit to start building your personal brand, current company or new vision! Go to https://www.libra-collective.com/
• 37:50 We’re back!
• 39:15 What is your bookish pet peeve?
• 43:44 What is a book you think everyone should drop now and read?
• 50:53 If you could gift someone a book, what would it be, who would it be to and why?
• 55:49 Why do you read?

Head to my Bookshop.org affiliate page to find the books mentioned on the pod!

https://bookshop.org/shop/dogearedbookclub

Books Mentioned 

• Ariadne by Jennifer Saint 
• Circe by Madeline Miller 
• Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 
• Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante
• Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney 
• Beautiful World, Where Are You? By Sally Rooney
• Pretending by Holly Bourne

You can hear the insane energy I have… 

When I’m talking to Kirstin, my soul truly lights up. She is easily one of the kindest, purest and SWEETEST humans I’ve had the honor of meeting. I actually met her through Alia Manetta, our October Leader! I’ve only met her twice, but I truly feel so connected to her. I cannot wait for you guys to get to know her. 

Kirstin Pfieffer, Ladies and Gentlemen… 

Kirstin Pfeiffer is an actress, writer, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA. She is the host of Imperfect with Kirstin Pfeiffer, a podcast dedicated to personal development, mental health, relationships, and activism. She is passionate about empowering others to be healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually so that they can help and empower others. Kirstin is a human rights activist who works to bring awareness to human trafficking and social issues through her films and podcast. She is an alumna of UCLA, where she graduated magna cum laude in Communication Studies and Film.

Episode Show Notes

Intro message, mission and introducing Kiristin Pfeiffer, our DogEared Leader for January 2022!

• 7:11 What book are you currently reading and how did you come across it?
• 9:30 Who is your favorite author and does that tie into your favorite genre? 
• 14:00 (Not a question), but discussing the Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty, the importance of ‘taking a beat,’ resting, etc. Giving yourself time.
• 16:15 What is your earliest memory of reading a book?
• 20:15 How do you read in terms of habits, rituals, etc. 
• 23:25 What books are on your nightstand?
• 25:00 What moves you in a work of literature? 
• Kirstin dives into script reading vs. book reading, the story on screen vs. the story you read. It’s really gorgeous!
• 33:25 What has been a book in terms of motivating your success or creativity in your career path?
• Please excuse us as we discuss manifestations and living aligned. 
• 42:28 If you could have an author write about your life, who would it be?
• 48:30 If you could gift someone a book, what would it be and who would it be to?
• 50:25 Why do you read?
• 51:50 What book would you recommend me to read?

Books Mentioned in Episode 

• Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown 
• The Bible
• Author: Malcom Gladwell 
• Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron 
• Respect for Acting by Author / Acting Coach, Uta Hagen
• The Hollywood Commandments by DeVon Franklin 
• Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

INTRO

Do you get frustrated when you don’t understand a passage?

Or when someone asks you, “What’s your book about?” your mind goes completely blank… 

Have you been judged in the past by the way you read, what you read, and how you read? 

In general… have you ever felt anxiety when it comes to reading?

Well, I’m so happy you’re here. This is your space and place to feel accepted, loved and no longer judged by your reading. 

This is The Anxious Reader Series, hosted by… Me! Alexandra Shelly.. CEO, Founder of DogEared Book Club and host of my podcast, DogEared Book Club. 

Every Tuesday, this is where I’ll share tips and tricks on how to get through these reading anxieties. Whether that be having a hard time focusing, feeling lost with a passage, disliking a book, reading slowly, not having time to read, oh the list goes on! 

As someone who has diagnosed anxiety, depression and ADHD, these reading anxieties are more than prevalent in my everyday reading practice. I’ve gotten better over the years, but I’m far from perfect. And neither is everyone else. 

Episodes will be available on an exclusive feed on Apple Podcasts, along with show notes, blogs and links to books mentioned. The Anxious Reader will also have books of the month, reading meditations, live streams and more, all on Mighty Networks

If you’d like to dive deeper into the DogEared Community and join the club, go to dogearedbookclub.co, ‘Memberships’ and join today!

Again, all you anxious readers. You are seen, heard, loved and I am so happy to have you here. 

LAUNCH: TUESDAY, JANUARY 4TH

@dogeared.bookclub

https://dogearedbookclub.co/

Episode Show Notes

Intro message, mission and introducing Dr. Lisa Rayburn, the perfect and amazing December Leader. 

• 8:00 Is there a book you’re currently reading? How did you come across it? 
• 10:45 What is your earliest memory of reading?
• 12:41 What is your favorite genre, and does that tie in with your favorite author? 
• 16:20 What are your reading habits, rituals that you do, and that you’ve carried with you overtime?
• 19:20 What books are on your nightstand, coffee table or bookshelf 
• 21:05 What moves you in a work of literature? 
• 25:15 What has been the book or books that have really inspired your path and your journey? (cont’d on 28:10)
• 30:50 What is your book-candy, guilty pleasure?
• 35:20 If you could have an author write about your life, who would it be and why?
• 36:50 What books are you looking to read in 2022 (This year.. AH)?
• 39:10 Why do you read?
• 41:10 If you could gift someone a book, what would it be, who would it be to and why?
• 43:30 What book would you urge or encourage humanity to read right now? 

Books Mentioned in Episode

• Circe by Madeline Miller 
• Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 
• Le Morte d'Arthur (The story of King Arthur, Knights of the Roundtable, Holy Grail)
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Siddhartha by Herman Hesse 
• The Great Work by Thomas Berry 
• The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius 
• The Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandella 
• The Time is Now by Joan Chittister  
• Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser 
• The Spirituality of Imperfection by Ernest Kurtz
• Author: John Grisham 
• Author: Dan Brown 
• The Universe (coffee table book)

Connect with Lisa on Instagram at @detentefoundation or @lisarayburn

Head to https://detentefoundation.org/ to learn more about her work. If you'd like to connect with Lisa further, please email Taylor Arbuckle at [email protected]

Episode Show Notes

Intro message, mission and introducing Esther Fung (@estherfung) DogEard’s November Bookish Series. 

• 8:12 Why did you create your bookstagram account?
• What inspires your bookstagram account? (aesthetically, etc.)
• 11:23 What do you want people to see when they come across your page? 
• Gallup Strengthsfinder Test
• 13:18 What is your earliest memory of reading?
• 14:40 What are you reading currently? How did you find it? Love or hate it?
• 17:20 Who is your favorite author and/or genre (if they are coupled) and why?
• 20:06 How do you feel about super hyped books?
• 21:18 What are your bookish/reading habits? (Dog-ear, highlight, tab, bookmark, only read at X time, etc.)
• 22:45 What is your biggest book peeve?
• 25:40 What is a book that you think everyone should drop everything that they're doing and read right now?
• 27:49 What's an unpopular book opinion that you think you'll get hate for?
• 29:25 What book would you give someone—what, to who, and why?
• 31:13 Why do you read?

 Did you hear my little surprise announcement at the end??!!

Stay tuned for January 4th, the Anxious Reader Series. These are member-exclusive bonus episodes. Let's start 2022 with our head and books high!

Follow Esther on Instagram at @estherfung. Explore her amazing book reviews, her cozy desk vibes for bedroom/desk inspo and just appreciate her in general. She’s amazing. 

If you’d like to explore the full booklist and dive deeper into the DogEared Book Club membership, go to dogearedbookclub.co today and become a member! Get access to bonus episodes, full booklists, Group Leader Seminars, early-ins on discounts, events and more. 

Habitual Risk Taker, Joe Burke

Episode Show Notes

Intro message, mission and introducing Joe Burke, DogEared’s November Leader.

• 5:35 Hello! Let’s begin
• 6:34 The DOWN LOW on Double and Triple dog-ear. Here is your new dog-ear method and DogEared Book Club rating system for books
• 9:30 Elaborate on your first memory of reading and dive into your love of Shakespeare 
• 13:50 Repeats soliloquy and breaks it down briefly 
• 17:50 Have you gotten back into reading again? (Last time we met, he was in the middle of editing/publishing his book. And guess what! Just because you take a break from reading, doesn’t mean you’re not a reader)
• 18:12 Joe dives into the second book and his current book,The Anatomy of Yes. 
• 22:35 Dives into Ollyball, his patented toy company. 
• 23:48 What moves you in a work of literature?
• 26:10 What has been a book that has motivated you in terms of your success or your creativity?
• 28:07 Explains how famous films are connected to classic literature (Clueless, 10 things I hate about you, Legally Blonde, are adaptations of classic stories)
• 29:16 DROPS A BOMB: He casually mentions that he has the life rights to an untold story… you guys. Unbelievable. Gives us a small, small nugget. Are you down for another seminar?!
• 32:44 Reads the first chapter of his book: Why does the parent die in the first 15 minutes of every Disney movie?
• 32:53 Brief intermission! DogEared community, I am thanking you in advance for your support and patience. I will be working on reframing and restructuring the business with content and memberships. Second, for now, members, go check out my 3 bonus episodes available on Mighty Networks! And third, go snag a copy of Joe’s book, The Anatomy of Yes. Available on Thriftbooks, eBay, Barnes and Noble (online). Yes, it’s available on Amazon, but definitely try to shop local and second-hand to support the book love!
• 34:52 Why do parents die in the beginning of Disney stories, children’s stories and most powerful stories?
• 36:25 “Storytelling is about survival. If there’s two things that every great story has, it’s fear and enlightenment”
• 36:50 Reveals an amazing fact about Moana!
• 40:42 If you could have an author write about your life, who would it be?
• 41:50 If you could pick up a book right now, and sit back and read it, what would it be?
• 44:15 “Life is a dangerous adventure, or nothing” said by Hellen Keller
• 46:00 What makes you dog-ear a page?
• 47:27 If you could gift someone a book, what would it be and who would it be to?
• 50:43 Why do you read?
• An original Joe quote: “For every 100 pounds of knowledge I get an ounce of wisdom”
• 53:24 What book would you recommend for me to read?
• 56:50 Joe literally makes me cry like what… “This generation needs you.”
• 58:14 Joe asks ME a question/activity: Write the date then “I, [name] am willing to make the necessary sacrifices to _______” The blank is up to you. 

Links and where to find his work

• Grab your copy of the Anatomy of Yes. Link here to

Seriously wow. Episode number 7 y'all. I hope you enjoy sitting down with Antonella on @shitshereads. We go a little off topic, but not even? We discuss our shared love for Stephen Graham Jones, how book twitter goes off, asking, "why do you hate books?" (hate is a strong word?), her legendary quote, “my habit is having no habit,” our tiny hands and rooting each other on for reading horror books (because it was my first dip in the water). 

She has become one of my favorite people. I freakin' love Antonella and being connected with her on bookstagram! Follow her at @shitshereads to keep up. Stay tuned for her IG takeover this Friday, October 29th and her booklist release coming this Wednesday, October 27th. 

Intro message, mission and introducing @shitshereads (Antonella), DogEard’s October Bookish Series. 

• 4:35 We begin!
• 8:45 Why did you start your book account and what was its inspiration?
• 11:28 What was your aesthetic inspiration?
• 12:42 What is your earliest memory of reading?
• 18:13 What are you currently reading and how did you find it? Love it or hate it?
• 22:30 What’s your take on reading a horror book and a horror film?
• 32:15 Intermission! Check out the beautiful bonus episodes on the membership platform, Mighty Networks! Ep #1: Books that promote mental health. Ep #2 Reading habits that you should adopt ASAP. Ep #3 Thoughts and feelings on Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (recorded and filmed!)
• 35:30 Who is your favorite author, and does that collide with your favorite genre and why?
• 44:32 What are your reading habits; do you highlight, tab, bookmark, dog-ear, read multiple books at a time?
• 61:00 What is a book you think everyone should drop everything, and read immediately and why?
• 67:52 What book would you gift someone; who would it be to, why and what would it be?
• 70:55 Why do you read?

Books Mentioned in the Podcast:

• Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes
• My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones 
• The Last Good Indian by Stephen Graham Jones
• A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan
• The Ruins by Scott Smith
• The Ritual by Adam Nevill 
• The Haunting of the Hill House by Shirley Jackson
• Boy Hearts by Eliza Clarke
• IT by Stephen King

Keep up with DogEared! Follow me on IG at @dogeared.bookclub. For inquiries, collabs, questions, sponsorships and more, email me at [email protected]

Sign up for the newsletter! Stay in the loop with episode releases, book lists, reviews, events, announcements and more. Go to dogearedbookclub.co and sign up today! 

HELLO! My beautiful, beautiful peeps. Welcome to the 6th episode of DogEared Book Club. This month, October is blessed with the face, the smile, the brain of Alia Manetta. Not only is she one of my dearest and best friends, but she's an absolute badass.

She is the CEO and founder of AM Studios LLC, a global community of artists, luminaries, and friends who share a passion for art, culture, and giving back to underserved populations and patients. Alia has painted MULTIPLE murals. One was for WeWork, another was for a house in Silver Lake. Also, in the year of 2020, she donated all of her profits to cancer research (can you be more of an angel?)

She also serves as a board member for the American Cancer Society (ACS) Los Angeles Central Coast, the Steering COME-MIT-TEA for Accenture Ventures National Ambassador Program, and is an active volunteer for BrightEdge Ventures, Sundari Mohan Charitable Hospital, and US oncology policy efforts. AND, her 9-5 is a consultant at Accenture.....  Like, alright. So there you have it folks, an absolute superstar!

Sit down with us as she literally starts interviewing ME (like sister, why are you so kind), discusses the books that moved her, why she reads, the importance of reading etc.

Look out for her full booklist, IG takeover and her Group Leader Seminar coming up mid-October. Members, look out for time slots. Non-members, interested? Join the fun and become a member today!

Episode Show Notes

Intro message, mission and introducing Alia Manetta, DogEared’s October Leader. 

• 6:12 What are you reading right now and how did you come across it? 
• 7:29 What is your earliest memory of reading?
• 8:44 How has your reading grown or evolved, since you’ve grown up (in terms of taste, peeves, interests and habits)
• 9:40 Do you have a favorite author or genre?
• 10:25 Is that book, or are there any other books that have inspired you and your path that you are on today?
• 12:45 Is there a book you think that we need to read right now as a society?
• 15:28 What are some habits and quirks that you do when you read?
• 17:23 What book evoked a visceral reaction or a very intense emotion from you, good ro bad?
• 19:30 What about you, Bebe? What are the books that have impacted you?
• 23:11 What really moves you in a work of literature?
• 24:32 If you could have an author write about your life, who would it be?
• 26:04 Who would write about your life, Bebe?
• 29:07 Intermission!
• 32:12 We’re back!
• 33:00 What are some of your favorite books? (Alia to Bebe)
• 36:40 How has reading been a part of your life?
• 38:42 Are there any other books that are on your list to read?
• 39:48 What makes you dogear, highlight or bookmark a page?
• 43:53 Why do you read?
• 44:58 If you could gift a book to someone, what would it be, who would it be to and why?

Books: 

Originals: How Non-Conformists Change the World by Adam Grant 

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanthi 

Waking up by Sam Harris

The Patient Will See You Now by Eric Tople

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Wild by Jay Griffiths

How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Bossy Pants by Tina Fey 

https://www.dogearedbookclub.co/hidden-leaders-books

IG handle: @aliamanettastudio