Read the Damn Book – A Love Letter to Readers & Authors

Because honoring an author starts with turning the first page...and finishing the last.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about not just how podcasts are changing, but how we’re watching a transformation unfold across the literary world too. I’m not just talking about publishing—I’m talking about podcasts, author interviews, book recommendations, and the way we interact with books altogether.

In a world where content is literally everywhere, and book recs are delivered in 30-second reels, we’re losing something crucial: depth.

This is happening across industries, but since you know I’m a lover of books, podcasts, and making the world a better place through stories, I’m dedicating the next four weeks of my Substack posts to a new series I’m calling: Read the Damn Book. Steph and I will also be chatting about all of this on Booked & Unfiltered!

We’re seeing more and more voices enter the literary space with flashy lists, perfect lighting, and well-styled stacks of books—without ever turning a single page.
Book talk is everywhere.

Actual reading? Becoming optional.

“Not having time” gets thrown around a lot. But let’s be real—we make time for what we value. I value books and authors. So I make time to read.

And yet somehow, these curated voices are being lifted up as literary leaders.
Meanwhile, the authors—the people who poured themselves into every word—are often treated like props in someone else’s aesthetic.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the “Podcast Video Glow-Up,” and this feels eerily similar: all bells and whistles, with no depth or real investment.

That’s not what I’m about.

When I invite an author onto my podcast, it’s because I’ve read their book.
Not the back cover. Not a summary. The whole book.

I annotate. I sit with it. I ask the questions no one else is asking.
Because when someone trusts me with their story, I believe it’s my responsibility to show up prepared—not just check a box for content.
And more often than not, I’ve DM’d that author mid-read, crying or awestruck by something they wrote.

Podcast hosts interview authors, not books.
So we should read them.

That’s always been my stance. And I know I’m not alone in craving more depth in the way we talk about books.

Real readers want more than surface-level summaries. They want connection. They want to understand what moved the author, what shaped the story, what lives between the lines.

And that starts with actually reading the book.

Listen, I love a good aesthetic too. I create pretty Canva graphics for my “current reads” and reviews, and I enjoy them. But I’m still reading every single page behind those covers.

This isn’t about being better than anyone else. And it’s certainly not about how many books you read.

It’s about being present.

I don’t care if you read one book or one hundred this year. What I care about—and what I believe deeply—is that:

• Authors deserve interviewers who do the work.

• Listeners deserve hosts who show up prepared and engaged.

• Readers deserve book recs from people who’ve actually read the material—not just posted about it.

Let’s make book culture about connection, not curation.

This space?
It’s for the authors who know I’m investing in them with my time.
It’s for the readers who trust me to give them real insights—not fluff.
And it’s for the podcast hosts who want to do the same for their listeners.

My Current Reads

May was tough with way too many end of the school year activities, but I managed to finish 3 books. Contrary to that, we just returned from 4 nights of camping in Yosemite and while there, I got through 2.5 books…so June is shaping up to be much better!

While enjoying the peace and quiet of Yosemite (you should visit if you ever get the chance!) I finished Fired Up by

Shannon Watts

. Speaking of, Shannon will be in San Jose as part of her book tour! I’d be so excited if you all joined me! Tickets can be found here. A big thanks to

Shana McLean Moore

for making this happen for us locals!

Although I was reading along the Merced River, I was taken back to Fire Island thanks to Jane L. Rosen with her latest novel, Songs of Summer. I have become truly invested in the residents of Fire Island and once again found myself looking at real estate listings when I finished Jane’s book…I want to live in a beach community surrounded by these incredible humans! A story of adoption, finding your family and defining what love means at different ages..I loved this book!

I’m in the middle of Our Last Vineyard Summer by Brooke Lea Foster and can’t put it down. We are taken to Martha’s Vineyard (I’ve never been!) and Betsy brings us into her family summer home where we learn about the family dynamics of her and her two sisters along with their Senator father who has passed away and their feminist mother. I’m devouring this book! Get it on your TBR list!

My TBR on my Kindle App is a mile long and here’s a sneak peek at what I have on hand! My husband asked me last week if I might need another bookshelf…well, my birthday is coming up!

My Simplified Life Podcast

I shared last week how I’ve been working on The Political Podcast Guesting Playbook and this week I released an episode about what it is, why I believe it works and why it’s important.

#320 The Political Podcast Guesting Playbook

I had to fly solo this week because Steph was out with COVID (yes, it’s still around!). I’m sharing my Summer reads in this quick episode highlighting who you can also expect on the show!

#321 Michelle’s Summer Reads

While I’m not necessarily a cat person (Norma Desmond Tutu isn’t a fan of cats), I am a fan of Cat Ladies For America (formerly Cat Ladies For Kamala) and I am a HUGE fan of comedian Blaire Postman.

#322 PERSIST. Voices: Blaire Postman on Humor, Activism & Building Cat Ladies for America

If this resonates with you, stay tuned for next week’s post:
“What Makes a Real Literary Influencer?”

Because reading isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am and books are my most prized possessions.