Booklovers Rejoice in Bookish Podcasts

So you've got your nose in a book whenever you can, you listen to audio books when exercising or driving, and sneak in a few moments of reading while in the checkout line. For us reading fanatics, not enough, right? Maybe you've just finished that perfect story, and you just can't (don't really want to) rid yourself of that giddy/melancholy/contemplative feeling you got from that special read. Like a rocky breakup, how do you move on?

A great in between - podcasts about books and reading, of course.  I knew they were there, but haven't fully delved in yet. But here we have it neatly handed to us from MJ Franklin of online zine Mashable. Check out their list of ten bookish podcasts ranging from book reviews to story telling. And let us know what you think. We'd love to hear.  Enjoy.

"The 10 Best Short Story Collections You've Never Read" from Publishers Weekly

I've mentioned previously on this site that I really enjoy short stories and can never quite understand the resistance I hear towards them. They're perfect for the ADD type lifestyle many of us lead, as it provides a sense of accomplishment more quickly than most novels.

Cowboys are My Weakness
By Pam Houston

Writer Mia Alvar has written an article in Publishers Weekly providing her recommendations for "The 10 Best Short Story Collections You've Never Read" and her reasons for enjoying the medium.

Fortunately, I've enjoyed two of the collections listed - Joan Silber's In My Other Life, which was an excellent, candid and thoughtful reflection on middle age; and Pam Houston's Cowboys Are My Weakness, which was so intelligent and fun, I've read every Houston book since.


"35 Books Every Designer Should Read" from Fast Company

I've worked with a lot of designers throughout my career with a range of knowledge and expertise. Some have been great talents and some, well, needed a little more time to percolate. The common thread throughout though has been their creative drive expressed in such personal ways. I've loved seeing their individual bodies of work - so much so as to identify their style among others - grow and change as they mature and adjust to each project. And admittedly, I've been envious of their ingenuity.

Everyone needs inspiration; even the most creative among us. There are thousands of design books out there, and Fast Company has compiled a list of some of the top. They've reached out to design schools to get their recommendations for everything from graphic to interior design. It's a fun list. Enjoy, read and create!


10 Books Turned Into Films Released This Summer

The Huffington Post has has provided a list of ten film adaptations of best selling books to be released this summer. Thank goodness we have some quality films in addition to the usual summer superhero/vampire/zombie blockbusters.  Check out more about each book and film on the Huffington Post site. In the meantime, here is a quick list of the books:

HuffPost 2015 Film List.jpg
  1. Far From the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
  2. Heroic Measures, Jill Ciment
  3. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Jesse Andrews
  4. A Slight Trick of the Mind, Mitch Cullin
  5. Dark Places, Gillian Flynn
  6. Paper Towns, John Green
  7. Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert
  8. Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself, A Road Trip With David Foster Wallace, David Lipsky
  9. Black Mass, Dick Lehr & Gerard O'Neill
  10. Every Secret Thing, Laura Lippman

From the Huff Post: 21 Book From the Past 5 Years Every Woman Should Read

Huffington Post has compiled a list of powerful books published in recent years they suggest every woman should read. The list includes Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng, and Swamplandia!, by Karen Russell.

We're only one into the list (Wild), but we here at Beyond the Cover will be catching up on some of these. Let us know which ones you've read and your thoughts on them.

Reading List for Graduates - 21 Books for the Class of 2015

It's that time of year again when a new group of young, eager graduates pass through a major life milestone.  But who will do the cooking now you're not living under mom's roof? Oh, wait, you're able to consider a career of your own choosing? Is there a guidebook for growing up?

BookBub has kindly compiled a list of recommended reading for this year's graduates. The learning never ends.