Is it too late to say Happy New Year? We don't think so. We hope your year has been safe, happy, and warm so far. And of course, we hope you already have your eye on a bunch of books for your 2022 to-be-read list.
A popular New Year's resolution is to read "more" (whatever that means for you). As booksellers, we know better than most that sometimes, a reading slump can be super hard to shake. The key is not to get stuck on the idea of what you "should" be reading, but instead to follow your instinct and read what you want! Once you have momentum going, then you can try adding something from your "should" list—or you can let it go.
In this email, we're highlighting a few tricks we use to get back in the reading habit: fast-paced genres, graphic novels, audiobooks, and more!
Whether your goal is to read 5 books, 15 books, or more, we hope the tips below will help you find your first favorite read of 2022:
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1) Start short: Poetry and Stories
Carving out a chunk of reading time can be intimidating, but what if you started with just one poem or short story? Try an anthology, where you can sample a bunch of voices and styles in small doses.
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When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Cam Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry |
This landmark anthology celebrates the indigenous peoples of North America, the first poets of this country, whose literary traditions stretch back centuries.
Each section begins with a poem from traditional oral literatures and closes with emerging poets, ranging from Eleazar, a seventeenth-century Native student at Harvard, to Jake Skeets, a young Diné poet born in 1991, and including renowned writers such as Luci Tapahanso, Natalie Diaz, Layli Long Soldier, and Ray Young Bear.
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The Best Short Stories 2021: The O. Henry Prize Winners |
Now entering its second century, the prestigious annual story anthology has a new title, a new look, and a new guest editor. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has brought her own refreshing perspective to the prize, selecting stories by an engaging mix of celebrated names and young emerging voices.
The winning stories are accompanied by an introduction by Adichie, observations from the winning writers on what inspired them, and an extensive resource list of magazines that publish short fiction.
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2) Seek Inspiration:
Sometimes the most engrossing reads are those that encourage us to think deeply about ourselves. Engaging but not dense, books on psychology, spirituality, personality, and other self-help can be a great way to break through a reading rut—and more.
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You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance |
Marrying the historic traditions of astrology with a modern approach, beloved astrologer Chani Nicholas explains the key components of your birth chart in an easy to use, choose your own adventure style. With journal prompts, reflection questions, and affirmations personal to your astrological makeup, this book guides you along the path your chart has laid out for you.
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Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connections and the Language of Human Experience |
In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances--a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection.
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3) Page Turners
One of the many strengths of genre fiction, such as mystery, romance, and sci-fi/fantasy, is a focus on plot. Stuff happens in these books, which makes for can't-put-it-down reading sessions. Speed through these reads and get a book in your "read" column ASAP!
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One night, when the new girl at the Lovely Lady strip club needs a ride home, Samantha agrees to drive: a simple decision that turns into a nightmare when one woman winds up dead, one missing. As the police and other dancers eye their suspects, the story's point of view shifts between dancers, detectives, children, club patrons--and the killer.
Drawing on her experience as a former dancer, Marie Rutkoski immerses us in the captivating world of the club, which comes alive with complicated people trying their best to protect themselves and those they love. Character-driven and masterfully plotted, Real Easy gets to the heart of the timeless question: How do women live their lives knowing that men can hurt them?
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Jesse Strong is known for two things: his devotion to his adoptive mom, Mama Joy, and his reputation for breaking hearts. When Mama Joy unexpectedly passes away, he and his brothers have different plans for what to do with Strong Knits, their neighborhood knitting store. Jesse wants to keep the store open. His brothers want to tie off loose ends and close shop....
Part-time shop employee Kerry Fuller has kept her crush on Jesse a secret. When she overhears his impassioned plea to his brothers to keep the knitting shop open, she volunteers to help. Unlike Jesse, Kerry knows the knitty-gritty of the business, and together they make plans to reinvent Strong Knits for a new generation.
The more time they spend together, the stronger the chemistry builds between them. Kerry, knowing Jesse's history, doesn't believe their relationship can last longer than she can knit one, purl two. But Jesse is determined to prove to her that he can be the man for her forever and always.
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4) Graphic Novels and Manga
Graphic novels, comics, and manga (Japanese-style comics) can certainly be fun, goofy, or quick reads—and they can also be deeply moving windows into real and imagined worlds. A storytelling medium that combines text and images, maybe graphic novels will be your favorite format this year!
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Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland.
It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.
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The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again, Today |
A sweetly comedic manga about a cat who cooks, cleans, and succeeds at adulting more than the woman who expected him to be a pet! When Saku took in a stray black cat, she never expected that he would become the equivalent of a housekeeping life partner.
But Yukichi, a giant cat who towers over Saku, is not your ordinary feline. He takes great pride in his culinary skills, and a good sale at the supermarket always gets his whiskers twitching. Saku may not have her act together yet, but at least she has Yukichi!
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5) As Seen on TV
Loving the latest streaming fantasy series like The Wheel of Time and The Witcher? Diving into books where you already know a bit about the plot can help you read faster and keep your focus. Plus, with multiple books in the series it's a great way to catch up, read ahead, and delve deeper into the worlds and characters before the next seasons hit.
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The Eye of the World: Book One of the Wheel of Time |
The first novel in Robert Jordan's bestselling epic fantasy series follows Moiraine Damodred as she arrives in Emond's Field on a quest to find the one prophesized to stand against The Dark One.
When a vicious band of half-men, half beasts invade the Two Rivers seeking their master's enemy, Moiraine persuades Rand al'Thor and his friends to leave their home and enter a larger unimaginable world filled with dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.
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The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher |
Geralt is a Witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary killer. His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.
But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good...and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.
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6) Audiobooks from Libro.fm:
Reading you can do while doing the dishes? Driving? Taking a walk? Yep, audiobooks are an amazing way to keep up with your reading goals. Set your reading (and audiobook listening) goals and support local bookstores with the 2022 Listening Challenge! Libro.fm is an audiobook service where your purchases and membership support the independent bookstore of your choice.
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7) Challenges and Tracking:
Do lists, goals, and challenges motivate you? Try a reading challenge, or a way to track your reads, like these fun accessories:
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The Ultimate Reading Challenge Kit |
This delightful collection of 25 reading challenges and rewards inspires bookworms to live their best reading life. Each pocket inside this portfolio challenges readers to a literary challenge. Once the reader completes a challenge, they can open the pocket to claim their bookish prize.
Use these challenges to finally tackle your to-be-read pile, check out the books on Bookstagram and Booktok you've been dying to read, or discover new and hidden treasures.
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Bibliophile Reader's Journal |
This literary journal is packed with bookish art by bestselling author and illustrator Jane Mount of the popular Bibliophile line.
The pages include prompts to rate each book you finish and take notes, as well as themed book recommendations to build out your reading list.
A charming analog way to keep track of your reading accomplishments!
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Magers & Quinn Booksellers
3038 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 822-4611
Open Daily 10am - 10pm
Next day pickup 10am - 7pm
Used book drop off 10am - 7pm
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