natgoodmans

[natgoodmans]

truly never getting over the greatest loss streaming services caused: the disappearance of DVD special features. behind the scenes, bloopers, deleted scenes, commentaries, I will never forget you, I will never stop missing you.

[natgoodmans]

I mean to be fair, there's not that many shows in the last five years that have made any kind of impact. I don't think it's perfect either but it's probably one of my favorite musicals in the last few years. It doesn't come close to Hamilton at all which he also said in the tweet. So it's not really something to complain about either. I thought of Hadestown but that was 2019. I went through all best musicals since then and Moulin Rouge is the only one still open and that's a jukebox musical. The other potential winner from last year was probably Hells Kitchen, which is also jukebox. Maybe Suffs, and I guess that was kinda similar to Hamilton. It's still a popular musical and sells out most nights, even if you dislike it and think it's because of fangirls. It's also based on a popular book and movie, and that's what's popular or sells. Even in the upcoming season, they are trying to do The Lost Boys..another male dominated musical so just repeating what's popular. I love that movie too, but can't imagine a musical lol. However I said the same thing for Outsiders and think it's a pretty successful adaptation. The music actually adds something and makes it more about the emotion in the story. I think Lost Boys might have more rock ish music maybe instead of folk, and to me it would probably be more like something similar to Back to the Future, another 80s movie turned musical, which other musical theatre people would also find boring. Florence's Gatsby has potential to be successful like Hadestown though. So maybe you're just unhappy with the direction of Broadway in general and I think it will be a while until anything comes close to Hamilton again either. Hamilton has all the elements of a full actual musical besides just songs in a show and it's been a while since we have had anything similar at all. I'm also just curious what your answer or thoughts would be. I mean I hope it's not the future of Broadway either exactly and Maybe Happy Ending winning this year is kinda promising.

that's my point though — none of the shows in the last five years have made even close to the amount of impact that hamilton has. like, objectively speaking, hamilton breached containment & reached levels of success by every metric (financially, awards, popularity, etc) and it's very unlikely that any of those shows will. if you look at the speed by which hamilton gained it's success, death becomes her, and the outsiders have already surpassed that. i also don't think that we will have a hamilton-level culturally relevant show every ten years — and that's okay.

if i had to choose between the two of the shows mentioned in that tweet (outsiders, dbh) to be the 'defining musical of the 2020s', i'd say it's death becomes her, simply because it's a little more mainstream (thank you tiktok). but that is a very weak case. and i also don't think that either show is particularly revolutionary in storytelling, technical aspects, or anything — and that isn't by no means an insult to either show, but it's just not like ... anything New And Different. i do not think that death becomes her, or the outsiders, will also have a huge impact on shows that come after in terms of style, simply because they aren't very distinct shows in that way. and that's okay! not every show will! but i'm saying that they're shows that are following trends rather than shows that are bringing something new to the table.

rouge is from 2019, hadestown 2019 (and hadestown would win by far between the two of those). suffs is by no means even comparable to hamilton, aside from the plotline, if you look at sales, awards, grosses, how mainstream it got (not at all), etc. i liked florence gatsby a lot, but it is also not headed in that hamilton-level direction (especially given that it is currently ... nonexistent). i'd also argue that you'd have to look at how popular a show is not just in america/in new york but worldwide — and also how it does after broadway (whether international, in the west end, regionally, etc). so i do think that it is too premature to say (like op said in the tweet) but i would argue that gen pop does not know what the outsiders musical sounds like whereas they do know a few tiktok soundbites of death becomes her. i would also argue that most people don't know either show exist, actually.

and yes, i very much am unhappy with the direction broadway is headed and i feel like i have not been quiet about that on here! everything is an adaptation, or a jukebox, or has a stunt cast — or a combination of the three — or it'll close easily. it's part of why i'm so happy about maybe happy ending's success. i'd also say that a show being based off of a book/movie that's popular is not the only thing that will keep it going (the notebook, mean girls, mrs. doubtfire, the time traveler's wife, the devil wears prada, almost famous, hercules, clueless, pretty woman, school of rock, king kong, american psycho — among others). also, i will say that a lot of these book/movie → musical adaptations seem like soulless cash grabs that don't actually further the story better. this upcoming season seems very weak in terms of new works (so far), but very strong with revivals. which really just goes back to my original point like, we're not doing new works, nothing is really substantial or new or distinct or revolutionary — and we're seeing this with movies too where there's an abundance of unnecessary remakes or sequels. i just feel like everything feels very bleak.

[natgoodmans]

hi!!! was wondering if you had any recs or even just heard of any romance books but specifically basketball romance rather than hockey romance? (i mean i love my hockey dont get me wrong but i feel like i see nothing for basketball???)

hello!! i have not read any of these, but i've seen the following around:

the art of catching feelings by alicia thompson

fix her up by tessa bailey

the bromance book club by lyssa kay adams

evvie drake starts over by linda holmes

you should be so lucky by cat sebastian

i thought there was a chloe liese baseball one too but i can't find it so maybe i made it up in my head? i know she has soccer ones and hockey ones, but i thought there was a baseball one too! i'll edit this if i can think of more baseball books too 🤍 hope that helped a little! (and you'll have to let me know if you read any of these/if they're any good!)

[natgoodmans]

cheers to having mixed taylor swift feelings!

when i think about there being an upcoming pop album with an 'off-stage life of a performer' concept that also seems like it will lean into performer visuals a lot i feel very excited because that sounds like something i'd be quite into. but when i tack on 'it's by taylor swift' to the end i'm not nearly as excited anymore.

i feel like if the last few years had happened differently i would be so hyped for this album but honestly the biggest feeling i have about it currently is my sadness about not being hyped about it? it's a bit of weird one. i'm glad that i'm not actually on tumblr or instagram much at the moment because it means that i don't really have to see the world's reaction to the announcement (although i have had a couple of friends text me about not liking the cover, and i do have to agree with them).

at very least, i feel safe in the knowledge that this album cannot possibly cause me more emotional rollercoastering than the eras tour and ttpd and everything surrounding all that did, and i'm glad that i am very outside of whatever is going on in the taylor swift fandom nowadays and she has become just another popstar to me, as opposed to a celebrity that i know far to much about the personal life of. i do feel you on struggling to separate the creative work from the person though. i still feel a bit weird when one of her songs comes up when my itunes is on shuffle.

i'll probably listen to the new album at some point after its release, be it on purpose or just through my cousin playing it when we hang out, but i certainly won't be waiting up for it like i used to.

(and on an entirely different note: hi coco i hope you are well!! <3)

hello mae!! i hope you're doing well too 🤍 i think i'll probably listen to it when it comes out (or the day after, i might be at a concert when it drops) and i'm sure there are songs on it that i'll like, but it is just very hard for me to separate my mixed feelings of taylor swift (person) and taylor swift (brand) and taylor swift (creative) unfortunately. it's also just so weird because like you said, like i know so much about her! i have so many memories with her music! i have this ... vested interest in her almost? but like ...

also i think the cover(s) are deeply ugly ... but that's not the point 🤍

i've been talking to some of my friends about it — like i don't look to pop stars for political ... advice (?) but i do think that it is really cowardly to have such a large platform and to not use it + to stay silent on [gestures vaguely at everything], especially after you yourself admitted that you didn't want to be on the wrong side of history anymore! like you are one of the most influential people on the planet and you're just dead silent about a genocide? about gay rights that are being stripped away? abortion? anything???? like i'm holding her to a standard that ... she set for herself/announced publicly. and it's disappointing and frustrating and it just has made me kind of ://///

[natgoodmans]

Kraken 25-26 Giveaways:

10/9 vs ANA: Kraken Woven Blanket

10/11 vs VGK: s5 Magnet Schedule

11/1 vs NYR: Kraken Luggage Tag

11/15 vs SJS: Kraken Hockey Fights Cancer Beanie

11/26 vs DAL: Kraken Gravy Boat

12/10 vs LAK: Bobblehead #1

1/6 vs BOS: Starbucks Reusable Cold Cup

1/19 vs PIT: Night Light

1/27 vs WSH: Bobblehead #2

3/12 vs COL: Hand Flag

4/13 vs LAK: Fan Appreciation Gift

[natgoodmans]

saying [redacted shows] has the potential to be the hamilton of the 2020s like we are just saying anything these days. next we're going to say that the current production of gatsby on broadway is good.

[natgoodmans]

can't believe i have to log on here and say this but like there is simply no way you are saying [redacted shows] is the 2020's version of h*milton which is like. miles above anything on broadway in recent years in terms of success / cultural impact like ...

just saw a theatre take on twitter so outrageous i had to come on tumblr to subpost about it...

[natgoodmans]

just saw a theatre take on twitter so outrageous i had to come on tumblr to subpost about it...

[natgoodmans]

fsr people love to bring up land back but never actually in context of the canadian indigenous people that started the phrase and movement. also ill see people talking about it and using it basically "im being progressive and antiracist" but also like explicitly using it in a super vague tokenizing way where they dont actually seem to be invested in or care about what land back actually means ..?

[natgoodmans]

Hi! Happy salt air and the rust on your door month! Welcome back and I hope July and taking a break was pretty good for you! I hope you're doing okay and that your family is in good health. It's nice here but has been too hot recently lol. I suppose I'm getting used to it now though. I went to my last concert that I had planned, which was MCR this month too and that was fun and nostalgic too.

Well I don't have Netflix but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think I might like it though and I did hear a few snippets of songs. It seemed pretty popular with people and I know that's just KPOP generally too. I'm excited for her album too but I must say that I like all the alt covers better than the original now that she released them all lol. It has nothing to do with the controversy but the black and white or pink one were personally the best to me. What about you? I also thought waiting everyday for a new track reveal was pretty fun but I'm surprised another song hasn't come out yet. Manchild really grew on me though. What tracks are you most excited for based on title? I honestly can't imagine some titles being sung in a song and some were just straightforward. But Sugar Talking, When did you get hot, and don't worry I'll make you worry and Goodbye seem the most interesting to me. Idk what to expect from these songs. It seems like some will be catchy and fun with her humor but I also enjoy her ballads sometimes.

Ooh I'll try to check out some of your recommendations eventually! I only listened to Renee's new album once so far so I'll have to again but I did enjoy it. It was kinda just a pop album with catchy songs and it did remind me or seem similar to Sabrina and her personality at times. I miss some of the emotion but it did show some range, all the songs were pretty different. I actually haven't heard of a lot of these so thanks! OMG I really really really love the new Hayley songs! It seems like I have a new song in my head everyday and there's nothing I dislike on it. Did you ever hear her other solo music? It's always interesting to me when someone who loves Paramore says they can't get into Hayley's solo music. I think this is like a perfect mix of the two other albums so I would recommend them but it's hard to tell which one I like the most. My sister and I just did our rankings after one week and it was pretty hard to choose favorites since I really loved it all. My sister and I seem to have different favorites too. What were your favorites? Mine are Mirtazapine, Blood Bros, Dream Girl in Shibuya, True Believer and I won't quit on you. Whim and Love me different are also up there as I hear it more and some could be changed In the future since it has a lot of songs with different moods and styles. I also love and appreciate how she always writes and sings about different topics than others and you have to think about it or it could have different meanings. It was also basically like a surprise album that was posted randomly on her website so the freaking out and shock side of it was really fun. That reminded me of Folklore but the collection of songs format kinda reminds me of the Anthology actually, where to her, it didn't have a clear theme or even an order. It's definitely one of my top album or playlist of the year and I'm so happy all of my favorite artists are releasing!

I've kinda been taking a break from it too but I guess the newest thing is that it got leaked that she filmed a new music video last week I think and her label or something kinda hinted or confirmed a new album coming this year so that's really exciting! I think the theme is kinda clear and sound wise might be more pop, similar to Lover or 1989? I've also seen something saying 70s so maybe a sprinkle of Midnights. I could also see some 90s influence and some of Hayley's pop songs I mentioned almost reminded me of Taylor. I honestly hope it would be similar to Hayley's with also a mix of sounds and different topics too. I think it will be October at this point and idk if September is still possible cuz it's so soon but I keep seeing that rumor or people saying that. It would be great but I also have the twenty one pilots album and I agree about new releases. I basically have my listening planned for the next few weeks. I would add Conan Gray and Laufey's albums coming this next week or the one after and then Sabrina and then TOP and hopefully eventually Taylor. Ya..for Lorde and Haim, it just didn't stick with me and I never really went back to it once I heard it a few times but I hope you enjoy the concert. I'm not sure about Maisie yet and there's been Olivia rumors but maybe these aren't until next year. Which is fine, I just don't know, considering Maisie said its already done.

I'm also hoping to add some remaining Broadway Cast albums to my list before then too. I know Floyd Collins and Just in Time just came out or will be. Operation Mincemeat, Redwood, Buena Vista, Swept Away, and Dead Outlaw, which hopefully is out. I'm sensing a theme here lol. I will try to get to a few at least. Ya the Maybe Happy Ending new casting was confusing and disappointing. I know what representation means to all Asian actors without many opportunities in the theater community. Oddly, I just recently watched Andrews movie No Hard Feelings with Jennifer Lawrence which was a pretty funny movie, then the news came out. I hope it doesn't ruin the show and it still stays open for a long time. I do agree about seeing the whole show and how it helps the music connect more. I'm hoping to see them on tour for that reason especially MHE. So hopefully the tour will continue the tradition of casting similar to the OBC for more representation. This is something I appreciated with the Outsiders tour cast getting announced, specifically for Dally and Two bit and they even have a mixed person playing a Ponyboy alternate on some days too. Obviously I'm pretty excited and I hope you get to the movie soon.

I love Rachel so much and have seen clips of her singing so I think she matches the part, similar to her Maria. I originally just thought she was too young at first. A friend on here saw it and did like it and said Rachel was great but was glad she looked up the show beforehand lol. I do wonder when it will even be coming to Broadway but your points are all totally fair and true as well. The jokes about how it's the same as Sunset with a man in blood and underwear were pretty funny but overall I agree. I don't care for his style..like minimal costumes and using technology but I also just know what people say, and some people love it. There was also Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl this last weekend and I had no idea about it. But I watched a few clips and it was interesting. Cynthia Erivo was great as Jesus and thought that was an interesting choice and I liked Phillipa Soo as Mary. It was mostly a concert style and I just watched a few of my favorite songs, but I just thought I would mention it cuz I like those two and how we were talking about representation.

Same for me..I was trying to read everyday this month and I think I will start this week. I'm slowly making progress and started a few new books. It did remind me that it's good to clear your brain sometimes. What book events are you going to? I'm curious if you mean a book club or more like author events but cool..that's fun. Well I try to remind my sister and I think it does help to talk about books with someone too but she doesn't ask me or have as much time for reading. It's hard to set times..before bed doesn't work for me and my sister gets really tired then so we run out of time. It's also easy to forget when you're not always reading physical books so I'm trying to add more to my list. I hope you enjoyed your break but I did miss talking to you! I also told myself this message wouldn't be as long but maybe in the future it won't be..I was just trying to update you. I hope you have a nice weekend! 🩷

helloooo my friend! happy salt air month! i hope you're having a lovely august so far 🤍 i hope you had a blast at MCR — i've heard such great things about this current tour!!

the pink one is so so pretty, and if i didn't get the signed original mbf vinyl, i'd definitely get the pink one! i'm not variant collecting/have taken a huge step back from vinyls so unfortunately the original cover is the only one i'll have ... unless she does a deluxe one ... then ... we'll see. i also have to get emails deluxe on vinyl at some point, but i'm not in a rush for that one! i think based on titles alone, i'm intrigued by we almost broke up again last night, house tour, and goodbye! but all of them i'm intrigue by & excited for. i'm also really intrigued by the dog in the tracklist reveal, and how in some photos the dog was happy and in others it wasn't — wondering if it's coincidence, or if it says something about the tracks. i really love her ballads! i don't think i actually know what your favorite sabrina songs are!

i did listen to hayley's other solo music last year — i think that this 17-song-drop (which ... not sure if there's a name for this project) is my favorite! i think it was really interesting the way that she did this drop (codes emailed out to fans → on website for 24 hours → dropped songs that friday), & how it's not a proper album. just very interesting to me!

i assume this new taylor album will be very sonically rep + 1989, which aren't my favorite sounds of hers, but i'll give it a listen for sure. i'm just feeling a little (a lot) checked out from her lately, but we'll see! i keep seeing 21p stuff on my twitter for you tab, because i guess pilot crave (?) is using hockey player photos for countdowns for the new album? and every time i think of you haha! i really liked wishbone, which i listened to yesterday, and am very excited for the new laufey!

i listened to floyd collins this week and lizzy sounds phenomenal on it, but it really is just a lot of jeremy jordan yodeling haha. not really my cup of tea, but i'm sure better in the context of the show. i'm excited to check out just in time, just because i really like groff and erika! i haven't seen the abf/jlaw movie still, actually, but am not sure that it intrigues me that much! that being said ... oh hi molly gordon logan lerman movie has me intrigued for sure.

i saw that jamie lloyd and alw are having a divorce which is intriguing to me and also equally frightening because i've heard jamie lloyd wants to do sitpwg and i ... very much do NOT want that. and yes! i have seen a few JCS clips and there but haven't actually watched it!

it was romance bookstore day last weekend, so i went to a seattle romance bookstore to celebrate (picked up two books — sounds like love by ashley poston, and a witch's guide to magical innkeeping by sangu mandanna), went to silent book club on monday, and am finishing this ask before going to book bash — local book event! hope you're enjoying your current read(s) and hi to your sister too!

and no worries on asks being long, i always love hearing from you even if i don't get around to replying right away!! 🤍 hope you're well!

[natgoodmans]

books read in 2025 🤍

books read so far: 107 reading goal: 100

as always, askbox + dms are open if have any questions or would like to chat about books! you can find me on goodreads here, and on bookstagram here. 🤍

♡ indicates any new favorites; ⊹ indicates a reread.

january ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. writers & lovers by lily king 2. the art of memory collecting: 15 scrapbook, collage, trinket and zine projects for crafting treasured moments by martina calvi 3. tom lake by ann patchett (audiobook) ♡ 4. our town by thornton wilder ⊹ 5. beloved by toni morrisson 6. promise me sunshine by cara bastone (arc) ♡ 7. days at the morisaki bookshop by satoshi yagisawa & translated by eric ozawa ♡ 8. small things like these by claire keegan (audiobook) 9. beartown by fredrik backman ♡

february ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. the fellowship of the ring by j.r.r. tolkien (audiobook) 2. i'll pretend you're mine by tashie bhuiyan (arc) 3. sense and sensibility by jane austen ⊹ (audiobook) 4. the lonely city: adventures in the art of being alone by olivia laing (audiobook) 5. everything i learned, i learned in a chinese restaurant by curtis chin (audiobook) 6. tiny moons: a year of eating in shanghai by nina mingya powles 7. sorcery of thorns by margaret rogerson (audiobook) ♡ 8. more days at the morisaki bookshop by satoshi yagisawa ♡ 9. mysteries of thorn manor by margaret rogerson

march ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. an enchantment of ravens by margaret rogerson (audiobook) 2. white ice: race and the making of atlanta hockey by thomas aiello 3. lost and lassoed by lyla sage 4. holy terrors by margaret owen (arc) 5. swift and saddled by lyla sage 6. circe by madeline miller (audiobook) 7. a dark and drowning tide by allison saft (audiobook) 8. intermezzo by sally rooney (audiobook) ⊹ 9. my side of the river by elizabeth camarillo gutierrez (audiobook) 10. four weekends and a funeral by ellie palmer ♡ 11. the bell jar by sylvia plath (audiobook) 12. the break-up pact by emma lord 13. love lettering by kate clayborn 14. the partner plot by kristina forest 15. the rom-commers by katherine center 16. emily wilde's compendium of lost tales by heather fawcett (audiobook) 17. dolls of our lives: why we can't quit american girl by mary mahoney & allison horrocks (audiobook)

april ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. you between the lines by katie naymon 2. my not so perfect life by sophie kinsella 3. a quantum love story by mike chen (audiobook) 4. the siren of sussex by mimi matthews 5. the love wager by lynn painter (audiobook) 6. you belong with me by mhairi mcfarlane (audiobook) 7. puck and prejudice by lia riley 8. swept away by beth o'leary 9. great big beautiful life by emily henry (arc) 10. second first impressions by sally thorne (audiobook) 11. i who have never known men by jacqueline harpman ♡ 12. the belle of belgrave square by mimi matthews 13. the kiss countdown by etta easton 14. lovelight farms by b.k. borison 15. the wedding people by alison espach (audiobook) 16. the ex vows by jessica joyce 17. deep cuts by holly brickley 18. remember me? by sophie kinsella 19. here we go again by alison cochrun (audiobook) 20. the most wonderful crime of the year by ally carter (audiobook) 21. mistakes we never made by hannah brown 22. when you least expect it by haley cass (audiobook) 23. pitcher perfect by tessa bailey (arc) 24. the next chapters: an on the same page novella by haley cass (audiobook) 25. on the same page by haley cass 26. it happened one fight by maureen lee lenker 27. hello stranger by katherine center 28. ps: i hate you by lauren connolly 29. the rose bargain by sasha peyton smith (audiobook) 30. out on a limb by hannah bonam-young 31. make the season bright by ashley herring blake (audiobook) 32. flirting with disaster by naina kumar 33. first-time caller by b.k. borison 34. welcome to the hyunam-dong bookshop by hwang bo-reum, shanna tan (translator) 35. funny story by emily henry ⊹ 36. the guest cat by takashi hiraide, eric selland (translator)

may ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. evenings and weekends by oisín mckenna (audiobook) 2. the dragon's promise by elizabeth lim (audiobook) 3. the examiner by janice hallett 4. i want to die but i want to eat tteokbokki by baek se-hee, anton hur (translator) 5. the manor of dreams by christina li (arc) 6. lonely castle in the mirror by mizuki tsujimura (audiobook) ♡ 7. john proctor is the villain by kimberly belflower ♡ 8. the crucible by arthur miller, christopher w.e. bigsby (audiobook) ⊹ 9. in a not so perfect world by neely tubati alexander (audiobook) 10. the vanished birds by simon jimenez 11. time is a mother by ocean vuong 12. promise me sunshine by cara bastone ⊹ 13. straight white men / untitled feminist show by young jean lee 14. before we forget kindness by toshikazu kawaguchi, geoffrey trousselot 15. passion project by london sperry 16. the killer question by janice hallett (arc) 17. the cat who saved books by sōsuke natsukawa, louise heal kawai 18. bibliophobia: a memoir by sarah chihaya (audiobook)

june ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. the manicurist's daughter by susan lieu (audiobook) 2. out of the woods by hannah bonam-young 3. how sondheim can change your life by richard schoch (audiobook) 4. a five-letter word for love by amy james 5. freedom is a constant struggle: ferguson, palestine and the foundations of a movement by angela y. davis (audiobook) 6. the muse of maiden lane by mimi matthews 7. she and her cat: storiesby makoto shinkai & naruki nagakawa, translated by ginny tapley takemori

july ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. the favorites by layne fargo 2. in the weeds by b.k. borison 3. willie: the game-changing story of the nhl's first black player by willie o'ree & michael mckinley 4. sondheim: his life, his shows, his legacy by stephen m. silverman (audiobook) 5. strangers in the land: exclusion, belonging, and the epic story of the chinese in america by michael luo (audiobook) 6. sweet bean paste by durian sukegawa & translated by alison watts 7. the memory police by yōko ogawa & translated by stephen snyder

august ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. my brilliant friend by elena ferrante & translated by ann goldstein ♡ 2. indelible city: dispossession and defiance in hong kong by louisa lim (audiobook) 3. i hope this finds you well by natalie sue 4. sounds like love by ashley poston ♡ 5. us against you by fredrik backman ♡ 6. les misérables by victor hugo (audiobook)⊹

[natgoodmans]

i think this is the first album where i'm not even like, remotely excited for it and i hope that changes as october creeps closer because everyone i know is so excited for it but i am just filled with very mixed feelings because a part of me will always love taylor's music and have such strong ties + memory association with it but i also do not know how to separate taylor swift's creative work (beloved) from taylor swift the person & the corporation (behated) and her silence and complicity is just so disappointing and embarrassing

[natgoodmans]

les mis reread going well

[natgoodmans]

birth of a showgirl life of a showgirl death of a showgirl resurrection of a showgirl

[natgoodmans]

your 2025 reading list is so impressively long can I just ask, how on earth do you read so much?? you get through more books in a month than I do in an entire year

helloooo!! i answered this question in more detail a whileee ago so i just went and reblogged it for you 🤍 wanted to say really quick that it's not a competition either and that i hope you're enjoying your reads! but for me, it's a combination of: knowing what books work for me/what i like, doing a bunch of reading challenges ( i stole kate @acotars' 30 days of romance in april, and that was really fun and am currently working on my library's summer reading bingo card!) /book clubs/buddy reads, not being afraid to switch genres (been doing a lot more nonfiction this year) or put books down when they're not speaking to me (took me six months to finish my brilliant friend — which i loved, but wasn't in the mood for for ... six months), audiobooking a lot (i walk my dog 4-5 times a day, and will usually listen to an audiobook on our walks), a very poor sleep schedule, and this year specifically, reading a lot to escape/deal with grief 🤍 i hope that helps a bit & hope your next read is a good one 🤍

[natgoodmans]

Wow you read a lot!! I'm currently trying to read more myself. Do you have any advice/tips on how I can do this? Thanks!

hello friend!! i wanted to preface this answer with a quick statement for you + anyone reading this — it doesn't really matter how many books you read; what matters more is your own enjoyment 🤍 please don't feel pressured to read more because someone has read x number of books, etc! with that being said, i do have some advice/tips, so let's get started!

know what books work for you. what genres do you gravitate towards? what storylines do you like — or specific ones that you hate? are you more character-driven, or plot-driven? do you prefer fast paced books? short books or long books? do you like books told in first person? do you like reading one book at a time, or do you like juggling multiple books?

personally for me, i know i enjoy contemporary stories more than high fantasy ones! i just don't always have the brainpower for high fantasy/worldbuilding, so i try not to read high fantasy until i'm in the right headspace for it! i know that i like reading multiple books at once, but i usually have a priority read, with the others on the backburner!

don't be afraid to switch things up. if you've been reading a lot of one genre, try switching things up! or if you've been reading a lot of fiction, throw in a non-fiction, or something else just to break up the monotony!

a few weeks ago, i was reading romance after romance trying to find a good book club pick, and guess what? i was completely burnt out of reading one of my favorite genres. i ended up reading a nonfiction instead, and that helped me get back into reading! i'm currently reading some longer / heavier books, so i'm also reading some plays in the meantime!

figure out when is the best time for you to read.

admittedly, a lot of my reading time comes from when i'm unable to sleep or when i'm not feeling very well. like anything else, reading is something you just have to make time for! when i used to commute to work, i had a one hour bus ride (each way), so that was built in reading time for me! since i'm still working from home, i don't have that built in reading time, so i have to be more intentional about my time and when i get to read. i don't really love reading in the mornings before work, because i usually get really sucked into the story + struggle to switch into work mode, so i normally read at night! i also try to read + journal an hour before "bedtime", just so i can wind down for the night, but everyone works differently!

figure out what medium works best for you. do you prefer hardcovers? paperbacks? e-readers? audiobooks? all of those are just as valid options!

sometimes, i have a hard time focusing reading on an e-reader (i just need to not look at a screen), so i'll pick up a physical book! there are books where i just couldn't get through by reading a physical copy, but flew threw the audiobook or ebook.

it is okay to dnf a book. it is 100% okay to put the book down and come back to it later (or never). reading should be something you do for fun. it shouldn't be a chore. if you aren't enjoying a book, you can always put it down! not every book is for every person, and that's okay.

admittedly, i'm not very good at this one — i like to finish books; i'm usually curious to know how things end, and a lot of the time, i'm reading an ARC so i do want to finish it. but i have DNF'ed books before, and am an avid "i'm not in the right headspace for this one; i'll read it at some point" person!

setting reading schedules, goals, or deadlines.

sometimes, i'll set monthly TBRs — whether or not i stick to these TBR lists is a different story, but i feel like it helps me to have an idea of what i want to read so i'm not totally overwhelmed or at a loss for when i do want to read. if i've got a larger book (like les misérables, for example), i'll try to set goals for myself and read the book in chunks, so maybe 5 chapters this week, 5 chapters next... you get the idea. i also try to read most ARCs i get prior to publication date, so i've got a built in "deadline" — but that doesn't always happen!

book clubs, buddy reads and readathons are great.

i find readathons really helpful, because i get to be introduced to new books i wouldn't normally read, or i get to check things off my TBR list! either way, it's a win win! the same can be said for book clubs ( self plug for my own book club, tea time reads, which is a diverse book club held on discord ! ) i'm a very social reader, so i enjoy getting to discuss books with other people — i just naturally conversing, theorizing & analyzing, so book clubs and buddy reads are always something i have fun with.

setting matters. do you read better with noise? do you need it to be completely quiet? where do you like to read?

i used to only be able to read if there was some kind of background noise (preferably music). i like reading in bed, but i also have a very cozy chair that i like to read in! i also enjoy doing facetime reading dates with some of my best friends, where we're both enjoying our own books and just having a good time!

sprint sessions work wonders.

if i'm really struggling to focus, but i really want to read, sometimes i'll ask if any of my friends are down for a quick sprint! we usually do 30 minutes, but we can do longer as well. it's just a nice accountability method!

put your distractions away.

this one is a given, but really, just put your distractions away! i really enjoy focus mode on the iOS, which has a "reading" option — sometimes, i'll put my phone on do not disturb and just read for hours on end!

take care of yourself.

i feel like a lot of these tips are also tips i used when i was studying, and tips i use at work! but really, make sure you're hydrated, make sure you're doing okay too — it's hard to concentrate if your basic needs aren't met.

read what you want.

this one seems pretty given, but really — you don't need to read the most popular book on the internet. it is okay if you don't read it now, or ever. read the books you want to!

reread books.

if i'm in a slump, sometimes i'll reread a book! i really love rereading books; there's something so lovely about reading something where you already know how it ends. i think we as humans like to reach for things that are comforting, and i love going back and analyzing them from a new lens! rereading old favorites — or just books that you want to give a second chance — also just takes the pressure off of it!

hate read.

this one may be a little out of left field, but it really is something that's worked for me in the past. there are definitely books i've picked up with the knowledge that i won't like it very much! there are times where i've been pleasantly surprised, and also times where i've been completely validated. when i go into a book with the idea that it won't be a 4 or 5 star read, it takes a lot of the pressure off and it's just an easy, fun, no pressure book!

annotate.

i loved english class growing up, and i really do miss annotating books + discussing them! like i mentioned earlier, i've been having a blast rereading, annotating & even discussing books from a deeper lens lately. but another thing i've started doing is annotating my friends' favorite books — this gives me a way to either reread a book that means something to the two of us, or the chance to read their favorites! i think exposing yourself to your friend's favorite media is a form of love, and by doing so, i get to learn a little more about my friends in the process. it's just a really lovely project that i've been having a blast with.

i am so sorry at how long this post got! it really just got away from me 🤍 i hope this helped a bit, and i hope you find some books that you love! i'm always here to chat about books (whether you want to just scream about your current read, want recommendations, have any other questions, etc.)! hope you're doing well and staying safe! xx

[natgoodmans]

was looking for another ask and found this one @ anon whoever you are i want you to know i listened to this the other day and really loved it 🤍 thank you for the rec!!

I dont know if you've already listened to it or not but hook me up by the veronicas defined my childhood and I need more people to know and love this album

added to my list!!! 🤍 thank you friend!