I'd Rather Be Reading

Alzheimer's disease is devastating across the board -- to the one diagnosed, and to his or her loved ones and caretakers. Today, for our season five finale, we tackle a tough topic, but one that matters: Alzheimer's disease, sometimes referred to as "The Longest Goodbye."

The Longest Goodbye: A Family's Hope-Filled Journey Through Alzheimer's by Shelly Calcagno

I promise this isn't slowly morphing into a music podcast, but this book was too good to not share with you! What does the Billboard Hot 100 chart mean not just to American music, but to American culture? We dig in!

The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music by Tom Breihan

Also, check out "The Number Ones" column on Stereogum!

This one is a BIG DEAL for me -- it's Melody Beattie! The author of perhaps the most well-known self-help and relationship book of all time, Codependent No More, on MY show! Unbelievably cool. Melody has rereleased the book 30 years after its 1992 revision, and 36 years after its original publication. If you've read it, it likely changed your life -- and if you haven't, grab a copy and prepare to close the book changed for the better.

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie

What an absolute delight it was to talk to an American hero -- a former U.S. Secret Service agent who served five presidential administrations, from Eisenhower to Ford. You won't want to miss Agent Clint Hill's stories about traveling around the world with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, chronicled in his new book.

My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy by Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin Hill

We are on a music kick over here -- and today we're chatting about Stevie Nicks.

Mirror in the Sky: The Life and Music of Stevie Nicks by Simon Morrison

Brian Wilson is one of the most influential and iconic artists of the 20th century. What impact has he had on music and on culture, and who is he as a man, not just a musician?

God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and the California Myth by David Leaf

Friendships are a force -- but why are friendships harder to come by as adults? And why do we not find them as important as, say, romance? We delve deep into the power of friendship in today's episode.

Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make--and Keep--Friends by Dr. Marisa Franco

Today, we unpack the impact belonging -- or not belonging -- has on our lives. It's a crucial and critical part of the human experience, and Rachel is lucky to have THE belonging expert, Geoffrey Cohen, on the show to discuss.

Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides by Geoffrey L. Cohen

Also check out The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by a talent we lost far too soon, Marina Keegan

Boundaries are essential to living your best life and feeling empowered -- but, when it comes to enforcing them, the deck seems to be stacked against us, especially if you're a woman.

Brave Boundaries: Strategies to Say No, Stand Strong, and Take Control of Your Time by Dr. Sasha Shillcutt

The twenty-first anniversary of September 11, 2001 is this week -- may we never forget the sacrifices made.

Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY by Brian McDonald