The Book Blab: Reading for Learning (Episode 9 and Show Notes)

Hey guys! Welcome to The Book Blab Episode 9! We're still figuring out a new groove switching up platforms here, but Amy and I filmed this a few days ago (when it was still September), and I'm happy to be posting this fun episode today. Show notes below!

Show notes:

0:20 - September marks the beginning of a new school year

1:36 - Today's topic: Reading for educational purposes

2:06 - Reading for pleasure vs. reading for information 

3:39 - Pew survey says parents of small children do the more informational reading than non parents

5:35 - If presented in the right way, nonfiction can be just as riveting as fiction

6:15 - A few examples of books that satisfied a specific educational need

7:30 - Biographies vs. memoirs

8:58 - Self-help books 

9:52 - Fictional reading can be educational, too

11:10 - Classic and historical fiction novels are a great way to learn about history

12:52 - The value of writing about literature in a critical way

16:28 - Why there can be educational value to "cotton candy" books

17:45 - The subtle way fiction can actually help you be a better parent, spouse, human etc. and expand your perspective

19:45 - Use reading goals to tackle topics you want to learn more about

21:47 - Two books that helped us learn something new

• 22:06 - Suzanne's recommendation
• 25:38 - Amy's recommendation

28:27 - Conclusion 

Books and links mentioned in the show:

A Disciple's Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell by Bruce C. Hafen (Amy's review)

Beethoven by Maynard Solomon (Amy's review)

Baby-led Weaning by Gill Rapley (Amy's review)  

Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin (Amy's review; Suzanne's review)

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Amy's review)

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Suzanne's mentions it in this post)

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott (Amy's review)

Middlemarch by George Elliot (Amy's review)

Reading goals (Amy's; Suzanne's)

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande (Suzanne's review; Amy's review)

Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt (Amy's review)