Off the Beaten Shelf

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I love it when you ask me for book recommendations!

[image description: A pile of scattered book pages with a yellow banner across them that says “ask a book nerd.”]

Reading is such a personal activity. It’s solitary and since you typically do it alone, I’d even say it’s intimate.

I think that’s one of the reasons I find myself flattered when people ask me for book recommendations. It’s like being invited to be a part of a private conversation.

People are interesting when they ask me, though, because the question is usually accompanied by an apology. Folks will reach out on social media and open with, “Hi, sorry to bother you but…” or “I hope you don’t mind me asking but…” or “No worries if you don’t have time and apologies for the inconvenience!” or any combo of that.

But the thing is I LOVE when people ask me for book recommendations (as long as you’re not trolling me like this one clown did). Few things delight me more than encouraging people to read more, so if you value my opinion enough to ask me for recommendations, I’m going to give them to you.

For this reason, I’m starting a literary advice column called Ask a Book Nerd!

You can ask me for book recommendations or about reading life advice in general. If you want my take on anything related to books and reading, this is the place. Send me your Qs!

I can’t wait to hear from you!

xo

Mandy