“I call myself a reader but I haven’t read a book in months” - 3 ways to get your next literary fix

By Karolina Zentrichova

Crazy deadlines, friend group drama and other life-related nuisances can leave a self-proclaimed passionate reader feeling guilty, as they realise they haven’t read anything in months. After a long day of uni-related reading, it’s completely natural to reach for your laptop and a few sneaky episodes of Brooklyn 99 rather than the 500+ page novel that has been recommended to you by multiple people... that just screams commitment. So what do you do if you miss reading but find it hard to make time for it? Here are some solutions that will provide you with your literary fix, but also leave enough time for your life and Netflix commitments.

Podcasts:

These days everyone and their mother seem to have a podcast, making it easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of episodes that are out there. However, this also means you are certain to find something that suits you, there’s something for every niche literary interest, with podcasts from Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, (this studies each chapter in the Harry Potter book as if it were the Bible or the Quran), to Black Chick Lit, focusing on books by black female authors.  The best part is that (most) podcasts are completely free and accessible within seconds, so you can happily indulge without having to weigh up which one is worth splurging on.

If you want to keep up to date on contemporary works, New Yorker has a great series of podcasts that offer behind the scenes looks at pieces being published in the literary magazine. The New Yorker Poetry and Fiction podcast series invite authors to read and discuss their own pieces: a goldmine for those of us who love audiobooks but don’t want to break the bank. Offering a slightly different experience, Slate has hosts read and discuss a different book every episode. Its laid back vibe means that you essentially get the experience of having attended a really entertaining book club meeting without actually having to go through any social interaction.

Youtube:

Far away from the myriads of gamers and daily vloggers, there is a little, often unknown corner of YouTube, where the self-named ‘BookTube’ community engage with videos about all things bookish. Those who have a fondness for Young Adult fiction will feel at home here, as many of Booktube’s biggest names focus on this genre, among them Christine Riccio (@PolandBananas20), Jesse (@jessethereader)  and Kat O’Keeffe (@Katytastic).

Don’t be too quick to dismiss YouTube though, leaving it to teenagers and their books - there are numerous channels that offer thoughtful insight into adult fiction, new releases, classics or the publishing industry in general. Some favourites include Jen Campbell, who balances making videos with being a published author, poet and a myriad of other side hustles and Ariel Bissett. Ariel has been on Booktube since its early years in 2011 and is a great example for the way ‘Booktube’ has grown from its young adult origin: she has gradually moved away from discussing YA releases and recently created #poetry, a beautifully made documentary about the way modern media has changed the way we write, read and engage with poetry. 

Live Events:

Reading can often be a very solitary affair and, whilst this is certainly part of its charm, this makes times when you can share your excitement and thoughts about literature with others more special.

Wherever you are, chances are that there will be some sort of book-related event that you can attend. These can range from more informal affairs, like a local book club, to author signings, which can feel more like attending a rock concert than a book reading when at their most extravagant (I’m looking at you, Salman Rushdie). Both ends of the spectrum are equally appealing for very different reasons, but I would definitely recommend keeping an eye on the authors coming to you in the future. Nothing quite beats the feeling of being in the same room (or even face to face) with the genius who created the world of your favourite book. That being said, you shouldn’t wait until the next Stephen King book tour to leave your comfortable bed, as there are probably many literary geniuses living closer to you than you realise.

For those of you in Edinburgh at the moment, finding your next literary fix shouldn’t be hard at all – PublishEd is once again solving the problem as the release date for the newest issue of The Inkwell is just around the corner. We will be having a launch party, so be sure to come meet some of our talented writers before they blow up and tickets to their next reading sell out faster than a Beyoncé concert.

If leaving your bed and the warmth still seems too unappealing (and who could blame you with the cold and dark winter at hand), the autumn/winter Inkwell issue will also be released online and has poems and short stories that will remind you of your affinity towards literature without taking up more time than a Netflix episode.