We explore how books and reading are part of self-care, including our favorite snacks, our ideal reading experience, and how parenting and reading for self-care intersect. Here are some of our favorite books to reach for when we are in need of a self-care reading experience:

• The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
• Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
• Still Life and other Inspector Gamache novels by Louise Penny
• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• Ella Enchanted and other Gail Carson Levine books
• The Wedding Date and other Jasmine Guillory novels

And if you’re looking for thoughtful commentary about romance novels in our culture, check out Hot and Bothered, a new podcast by Vanessa Zoltan and Ariana Nedelman.

Life lately

Sarah shares happy news about her health.

Abby laments her children’s inability to sleep through the night.

Reading lately

Sarah was inspired by The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon. Abby enjoyed Spinning Silver by Naomi Novak.

Eating lately

A friend of Abby’s made Chocolate Nemesis for her enjoyment.

Sarah experimented with buckwheat flour using this pancake recipe.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

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