For some, it's sacrilege. For others, it's pure magic. Today, we're talking about annotating books, and we're going to demystify it with the fantastic Deshea of Books With Deshea. Whether you're a seasoned annotator or have always been hesitant to mark up your precious books, this episode of We Read Smut will transform your perspective on connecting with your reads. Deshea shares invaluable insights and tips that might just convert even the most annotation-averse readers (like Alesia!).

Deshea is a high-energy first-grade teacher and the creator of Books with Desh, a bookstagram where she shares her love for romance books, annotations, and all things cozy and creative. She’s currently channeling her creativity into making stickers, bookmarks, and launching an annotated book shop, always finding new ways to bring stories—and people—together.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Deshea's adult reading journey and how she first started annotating books in high school.
• The profound benefits of annotating, including deeper connection and improved retention with books.
• Why she views tabbing a book as a valid form of annotation, even without writing notes.
• Practical advice for beginners, from testing pens on the acknowledgements page to starting with beloved rereads or secondhand books.
• How she combines scrapbooking elements, emoji stickers, and even custom annotation keys to make her reading experience unique and fun.
• Her Etsy shop and the various annotation kits she offers, designed to make the process accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
• The importance of maintaining the joy of reading, even when creating bookish content or running a small business.

Ready to personalize your reading experience and connect with your books on a whole new level? Explore Deshea's annotation tips and kits! You can find her on Instagram and Etsy by searching "Books With Deshea". Don't forget to follow, rate, and review the We Read Smut podcast!

CONNECT WITH DESHEA:

Etsy

Instagram

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Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.