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In today’s conversation, Laura chats with Jason Blitman of the Gays Reading podcast about how he went from a non-reader to a passionate book podcaster as an adult. They talk about the joy of discovering books that speak to your identity, the overwhelm of re-entering the book world, and how reading as an adult is different—and better—than it was in school. If you’ve ever said, “I want to read more,” but didn’t know where to start, this episode is for you.

Find Me by André Aciman — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+ | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+ | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

How I Paid for College by Marc Acito — Buy on Amazon | Queer Coming-of-Age, Humor | KU  ❌  / Audio ✅

The Nix by Nathan Hill — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Fiction | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Audition by Katie Kitamura — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel — Buy on Amazon | Speculative Literary Fiction | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Fiction | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson — Buy on Amazon | Family Drama | KU ❌ / Audio ✅

Death of the Author by Aidan Marchine — Buy on Amazon | Thriller |  KU ❌ / Audio ✅

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] - Welcome & Guest Intro: Jason from Gays Reading

[01:00] - Jason's Journey: From Non-Reader to Book Podcasterp

[02:00] - Discovering the Joy of Author Conversations

[03:00]- Reading as an Adult: Freedom, Pleasure & Identity

[04:00] - Overcoming Book Overwhelm with ARCs

[05:00] - Gateway Book: Find Me by André Aciman

[06:00] - First Adult Rec: A Visit from the Goon Squad

[07:00] - A Queer Coming-of-Age Classic: How I Paid for College

[09:00] - Monetizing the Hobby & Becoming a Podcaster

[10:00] - Discovering Genre Preferences: The Nix & Homegoing

[12:00] - Reading with Intention & Author Interviews

[14:00] - Why Knowing Authors Deepens Book Appreciation

[15:00] - Jason’s Favorite Interviews & Unexpected Author Chats

[16:00] - Reframing One-Star Reviews & Reading Timing

[18:00] - DNFs, Emotional Readiness & Soft Restarts

[20:00] - When a Book Gets It Wrong: Knowing When to Stop

[23:00] - What to Expect from Gays Reading This Summer

[24:00] - Where to Find Jason & Gays Reading Podcast

[25:00] - Final Thoughts & Pride Month Wrap-Up

Connect with Jason and Gays Reading Podcast

Gays Reading Podcast

🎧 Want more book recs? Subscribe to the What to Read Next Substack for KU guides, library hacks, and exclusive podcast episodes: wtrnblog.substack.com

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