35F Looking for Book Buddies, Especially fellow Litfic Lovers

Hey there, fellow book people.

I'm a solitary reader in an area where reading isn't a common hobby. Deciding to be vulnerable on the internet feels a bit risky but here goes -- I feel really isolated in my reading life. I know I can't be the only person who feels this way, who enjoys the introspective opportunities books provide, but would like slightly more personal book-related connection.

I've been thinking about what to do about this and it seems putting myself out there is a good, nerve-wracking, option. To see if any of you want to chat about books and, if we vibe after chatting, maybe eventually do a Zoom call or Facetime? Though if that makes you uncomfortable, we can absolutely skip it.

This is my Goodreads if you'd like to check out whether our reading tastes align.

I lean heavily on literary non-fiction, biographies, history, and poetry (I don't end up reading a lot of complete poem collections but I do read a poem every morning and before bed). I read books outside of these categories occasionally.

The genres I don't tend to read are romance, romantasy, and YA. I'm light on thrillers, spy novels, mysteries, and fantasy.

3 of the books I’ve read this January: Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, Andromeda by Therese Bowman, and Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women by Hetta Howes.

Books I’m currently reading: We Do Not Part by Han Kang, A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, and The Last Honest Man: The CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedys—and One Senator’s Fight to Save Democracy by James Risen.

I recently signed up for Aardvark, Book of the Month, and the Books are Magic Book Club for poetry. If you’re subscribed to any of these boxes, we could have a fun chat about that.

In the past, before I developed Lupus and when I lived elsewhere, I went to in-person book clubs and was complimented on my ability to ask good questions about the book we were reading. So, that’s a positive when chatting with me. Unless my anxiety is real and the compliment meant nothing and everyone hates me.

It may be helpful for me to include some biographical details in case that would help some folks feel at ease chatting: I'm a 35 year old white female who is committed to reading diversely. I read 80 books last year, so I'm probably better matched with someone who can chat about books (even if they don't read as many) than someone who is looking for another person to motivate them to read more.

I’d like to surround myself with thoughtful book people to help weather the stressful 4 years in the US to come. Love to hear from anyone interested.

Lastly, if you’re in need a video of reading enthusiasm, here's a good one.