How did it take me so long to discover the world of podcasting? It's become one of my most favorite things over the past year or two. They're so convenient to listen to. During rides in the car, while I do dishes, when I take walks, etc. And I love learning new things or hearing about books, so it's like a little treat in my day to be able to listen to a podcasts. (I'm also a recent convert to audiobooks for similar reasons, but more on that at another time.)
Today I wanted to tell you about a few of my must-listen-to-every-week podcasts and then some new ones I've stumbled upon in the last few months. I've blogged a few times about podcasts I like here and here so you may recognize some of my recurring favorites.
So, up first are the ones that I listen to every week and often listen to on the day they release.
My Favorites
What Should I Read Next with Anne Bogel
I've mentioned this one before. Anne has a reader on each episode. Readers tell her three books they love, one book they hate, and then what they would like to be different in their reading life. Anne then makes recommendations. Anne doesn't read romance so that's not what she's recommending, but otherwise, there is a wide variety of types of books recommended. This podcast has cost me SO MUCH book money because her descriptions often sell me on the book. General Focus: mysteries, suspense, literary fiction, classics, general fiction, women's fiction, non-fiction BONUS: Safe to listen to with your kids around and she has a very soothing voice.
Get Booked by Book Riot
Similar to the one above in that it's about readers and book recommendations, but the format is a little different. Readers send in questions and the two hosts answer them with recommendations. General focus: all types of fiction including romance (yay!), non-fiction, poetry, short stories, essay collections, etc. BONUS: Special emphasis on diverse picks and feminist books. Warning: No profanity or anything but not always kid-friendly because books with heavy topics are often discussed. They do give trigger warnings, however.
All the Books! by Book Riot
This show goes through the books that are releasing that week. The hosts talk about their recommendations. Very similar in style to Get Booked but no reader questions. It's all about what's out this week and what you should read. Same warnings I gave for Get Booked apply here.
New-to-Me Podcasts I'm Loving
Sorta Awesome with Megan Tietz and friends
This one is hard to describe, but it covers a lot of ground. Below is the description from the website, but it's just a podcast that is fun and full of interesting tips. It feels like sitting down with your girlfriends over wine and discussing life.
"Sorta Awesome is a weekly podcast geared toward women who want to stay current on all things awesome, including culture, media, trending conversations and general girlfriend chat. Each episode of Sorta Awesome begins with the Awesome of the Week. Meg and her co-host share a recent discovery that makes life easier, better or more sparkly. From there, the show delves into topics that are as varied as the team itself. One week, we might confess our popular opinions. The next, we might share tips on organization. Our goal is for listeners to feel encouraged, empowered and excited to find the awesome in the everyday."
Note to Self with Manoush Zomorodi
This one is about the effects of technology in our lives presented in a super interesting way. Y'all know I've been kind of obsessed with this topic since our Device-Free Summer, so this is right up my alley. The host is the author of the new book Bored and Brilliant which I'm reading right now, but the podcasts has a wide range of technology topics.
The Lazy Genius with Kendra, The Lazy Genius
The motto of this show is this: "A Lazy Genius is a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't." So that's exactly what it is. Kendra dedicates each episode to one topic to be a lazy genius about. Simple things like hanging stuff on your walls (and why you shouldn't be scared about it) to creating mental space in your day. These are usually pretty quick and good for a short car ride.
New Ones I'm Trying Out
Recommended by Book Riot
This is a short podcast where authors recommend a favorite book to readers. Interesting stories usually accompany the recommendation because the authors tell you why that particular book meant something to them.
The Simple Show with Tsh Oxenreider
The motto of this one is saying yes to the things that matter and no to the things that don't. The two hosts pick a topic each week (cleaning, TV watching, roadtrips) and discuss what they say yes and no to within those topics. Can take on a religious lean sometimes but it's not a religious show.
The Rewatchables
I just added this one and haven't listened to an episode yet, but I love the concept. It's all about taking older movies and discussing why they are worth a rewatch. I'm excited because they seem to have episodes about a lot of movies I love: You've Got Mail, Clueless, Scream, etc.
If you're new to podcasts, it's easy to get started. Most phones have a native podcast app. Just open the app, search for the podcasts you want, and you can download episodes for free (or subscribe if you want them to download every time a new episode is available.) The native Apple podcast app works fine, but I like the added features of the Overcast app, which is free in the app store.
That's my list for now, what podcasts do you love? Or are you new to the whole idea of podcasts?
