In today's episode, Jay is sitting down with fellow Bookstagramer Aleka from @actbookshelf to talk about the journey of getting back into reading after taking a hiatus. Tune in to hear them discuss the books that reignited Aleka's love of reading and the challenges of finding new authors and genres to explore. They also chat about the inspiration behind her new bookish Instagram account.

What we talked about: 

• Episode intro 00:00
• Guest intro and current reads 2:51
• Dyslexia and Aleka's reading journey 19:05
• Exploring different genres 24:03
• Thriller book suggestions 27:32
• Setting reading goals 35:37
• Tracking the books you read 41:47
• Historical fiction books 45:16
• Reading with book clubs 49:08
• Starting a Bookstagram 53:43
• Final book recommendations 58:16
• Lightning Round - There's a book for that 1:04:53
• Final thoughts 1:09:26

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Author Eric Jerome Dickey
• Author Sister Souljah
• Author Zane
• Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
• Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan
• The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
• Power Moves by Sarah Jakes Roberts
• The Power of Moments by Dan Heath and Chip Heath
• You Are Always Mine by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
• We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
• Zora Books Her Happy Ever After by Taj McCoy
• Author Christina Lauren
• The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
• Women Evolve Sarah Jakes Roberts
• Do The New You by Steven Furtick
• The Good Ones Are Taken by Taj McCoy
• Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell by Taj McCoy
• Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
• Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
• Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
• The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D Jackson
• White Smoke by Tiffany D Jackson
• When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
• 101 Essays That Will Change Your Life by Brianna Wiest
• Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop
• The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
• The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
• Transcendent Kingdom Yaa Gyasi
• Hood Feminist by Mikki Kendall
• Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
• Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
• Seven Days In June by Tia Williams
• Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
• A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
• Do The New You by Steven Furtick
• Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
• Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes
• This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
• Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)? by Jay Ellis
• The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin
• Fighting for Our Friendships by Danielle Jackson

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission. 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast Episode - The Personal Librarian Discussion
• The Photograph movie
• The Nap Ministry

Connect with today's guest: 

• Aleka's Bookish Instagram account - @actbookshelf
• Aleka's Instagram account - @naturallyact

Shop Cover Snob:

• Shop current special editions

Final Thoughts: 

• Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs
• Join us on the Geneva App for our September buddy read of Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin.
• For inquiries please email info@jaybraggs.com .
• Don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.