Episode 18: Read This, Not That

04/08/24 • 33 min

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 18, “Read This, Not That.”

In this episode, Jillian and Erin are having a "Read This, Not That" book conversation. Read This, Not That is all about sharing book substitutions—recommending books for each person’s reading taste. It's about acknowledging that not every book is for everyone and offering alternatives that might resonate more with listeners. There’s a lot to learn when you don’t like a book and hopefully, by the end of this episode, you’ll feel less dismayed when you close the cover on a 2-star read and feel excited to get to the heart of what didn’t work for you so you can make another choice for your next read.

If you have a “Read This, Not That” book recommendation, tag Jillian and Erin (@jillianfindinghappy and @medium.lady) on Instagram!

In This Episode:

A staple of every episode, the ladies check in with each other to see how their reading is going.
The ladies dive into the meat of the episode discussing what Read This, Not That means to them.
Jillian & Erin share their process for rating a book they don’t feel great about.
Why is it important to consider substitutions when reading a book you didn’t love? The ladies both answer this question.
It’s time to dive into the substitutions that Erin and Jillian are recommending. Each woman shares 2 books they didn’t love, and 2 they’d recommend instead.
The ladies share what they learned about their reading tastes in planning for this episode and the books they mentioned.
What would Instagram make you buy? Erin and Jillian share what Instagram is influencing them to buy or do.
Jillian mentions that she wants a hammock for her birthday, this is the one she wants.
Finally, Erin and Jillian share what is on their library holds list.

Books Mentioned:

Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Homecoming by Kate Morton
The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patti Callahan Henry
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
The Best Lies by Sarah Lyu
Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson
Drive Your Own Darn Bus by Julia Kristina
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 18, “Read This, Not That.”

If you have a “Read This, Not That” book recommendation, tag Jillian and Erin (@jillianfindinghappy and @medium.lady) on Instagram!

In This Episode:

A staple of every episode, the ladies check in with each other to see how their reading is going.
The ladies dive into the meat of the episode discussing what Read This, Not That means to them.
Jillian & Erin share their process for rating a book they don’t feel great about.
Why is it important to consider substitutions when reading a book you didn’t love? The ladies both answer this question.
It’s time to dive into the substitutions that Erin and Jillian are recommending. Each woman shares 2 books they didn’t love, and 2 they’d recommend instead.
The ladies share what they learned about their reading tastes in planning for this episode and the books they mentioned.
What would Instagram make you buy? Erin and Jillian share what Instagram is influencing them to buy or do.
Jillian mentions that she wants a hammock for her birthday, this is the one she wants.
Finally, Erin and Jillian share what is on their library holds list.

Books Mentioned:

Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Homecoming by Kate Morton
The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patti Callahan Henry
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
The Best Lies by Sarah Lyu
Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson
Drive Your Own Darn Bus by Julia Kristina
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland

Previous Episode

Episode 17: Library Etiquette and Why Dear Abby Got it So Wrong

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 17, “Library Etiquette and Why Dear Abby Got it So Wrong.”

In this episode, Jillian and Erin are diving into the realm of library etiquette and why it’s essential in fostering a positive reading environment. Libraries are sanctuaries for book lovers and many others within our communities, and understanding proper etiquette ensures that everyone can enjoy their time there to the fullest. However, sometimes people can take that etiquette too far... listen to this episode to learn more. Be sure to tag them (@jillianfindinghappy and @medium.lady) on Instagram, and tell us what you think about libraries and library etiquette.

In This Episode:

A staple of every episode, the ladies check in with each other to see how their reading is going.
Erin and Jillian discuss what library etiquette means to them, and how it’s changed through the years.
Have you ever wondered why library etiquette matters? Erin and Jillian discuss why in this episode.
Each woman shares some etiquette violations that you should be aware of.
Erin shares some things you should expect when you go to the library so that you can manage your expectations.
Ready to debunk some misconceptions? Jillian and Erin go through this list of things a librarian wrote to Dear Abby to share how one should behave in the library. Do you agree with any of these?
If you like to reminisce, join Erin and Jillian as they spend some time discussing memories from their own childhood library experiences.
If you’re someone who reads books because of the best-seller listing on the cover, you’re going to love this week’s hot takes.
Finally, the women check in with each of their holds lists

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Funny Story by Emily Henry
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

Next Episode

Episode 19: Checking In On Our 2024 Reading Goals

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 19, “Checking in On our 2024 Reading Goals.”

In this episode, Jillian and Erin are checking in on how their 2024 reading goals are progressing and how it’s impacting their reading. Back in episode 14, Erin and Jillian listed off some of their reading goals for the coming year, and now it’s time for a check-in!

Jillian and Erin would love it if you checked in on how your reading goals were going, tag them on Instagram, Jillian is @jillianfindinghappy and Erin is @medium.lady!

In This Episode:

As is the norm, the ladies check in with how their reading has been going.
Jillian shares a new goal she’s setting for herself for the remaining months of the year.
Erin reminds readers of what her reading goals were for 2024.
And, then Jillian reminds readers of what her reading goals were for 2024.
Both of the ladies reflect on their goals for 2024 and how things are going.
Medium Lady Reads Episode 14
Currently Reading Podcast
Erin shares how she’s going to adjust her goals for the remainder of the year.
Jillian shares what she’ll do to adjust her goals this year
Hot Takes is up next! Wondering what the topic is, be sure to tune in and listen.
The episode wraps up with the ladies discussing their library holds list.

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
The Sun and All Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Break the Good Girl Myth by Majo Molfino

Medium Lady Reads - Episode 18: Read This, Not That

Transcript

Jillian, I did want to ask you, like how do you feel when you close a book and you're like, oh, I won't be rating this very high.
What's the general emotional vibe? - My first reaction is, oh, God, this book was, I don't want to say, I usually don't say terrible, but oh, I did not enjoy this book and that's my first reaction.
But then I automatically start thinking of the author and I think about leaving a negative review for the author to see.
And it makes me sad because just because