This episode is part of a #podcollab with the Reading Women Podcast. This week both of our shows are releasing an episode about social reading. We think Friendlier listeners will love hearing from Kendra and Autumn as they “reclaim half the bookshelf” and discuss books by or about women. Be sure to listen to their episodes, follow their beautifully curated Instagram feed, and subscribe to their show! Life lately

Abby is thankful the snow has finally melted, while Sarah regrets that she caused a glass casserole dish to explode in her kitchen.

Reading lately

Abby listened to, and highly recommends, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, a YA novel about a white police officer shooting and killing an unarmed black teenager during a traffic stop. We also discussed this book during our reading round-up episode in December.

Sarah read Heating and Cooling: 52 Micromemoirs by Beth Ann Fennelly, which she found through Anne Bogel’s episode of The Best of Both Worlds.

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Social Reading

Do you consider reading to be a solitary or social activity? We discuss our experiences in book clubs–both virtual and in-person, how we use social media as it relates to reading, and what we love about talking with friends about books.

Books we mentioned in this episode:

• Bossypants by Tina Fey
• Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

We also have an exciting announcement: We are launching the Friendlier Reading Experience! If you would like to join a virtual book club of your very own, fill out this form. We’ll group you with four or five other listeners and give you a virtual book club guide with information to help make your club a success. We can’t wait to connect you all with each other. (Special thank to listener Allison for encouraging us to develop this idea!)

Eating lately

Sarah is buying pistachios and blueberries for HP’s lunch in an effort to make it more enticing.

Abby ate countless sugar cookies and has no regrets.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

Life lately

Sarah’s family is currently showerless as they undergo a bathroom renovation.

Abby’s daughter started preschool this month. Her perspective on Plum’s new adventure reminded Sarah of this post by Jen Dary.

Reading lately

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Sarah read another Celeste Ng novel, this time her most recent one: Little Fires Everywhere. She cannot recommend it highly enough.

Abby finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion and found it to be a delightful romantic comedy in book format.

Cultivating creativity

Do you see yourself as a creative person? In this episode, find out which one of us identifies with that label, and hear more about our creative lives, how we prioritize creativity, and where we look for inspiration. (Hint: We both love Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic.)

Eating lately

Abby made saag/palak paneer in the Instant Pot and is loving the extra insert she got for Christmas.

Sarah enjoyed eating a shrimp and corn risotto (similar to this one), as made by her mom on a recent trip to Missouri.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

Life lately

Abby recounts a recent social evening and Sarah is obsessed with Scandal.

Reading lately

Abby listened to Almost Sisters Joshilyn Jackson–a light read with depth.

Sarah read Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay, which was a powerful read about her experience living in a super-morbidly obese body and ways society responds to different types of bodies.

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New year’s intentions

We reflect back on 2017, how well our words for the year held up, what words we chose to guide us 2018.

Eating lately

Sarah dined on sushi from Sushi Kashiba on a recent trip to Seattle. While Abby devoured Christmas toffee.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!