In this installment of the Pushing My Shelf blog series, Katie gets gobsmacked with so many NextReads Newsletters from which to choose.
This month we thought we would do a blog series for the Push Your Shelf Bingo Challenge. The challenge is to complete Bingo squares that “push your shelf.” In other words, read or try something that you might not ordinarily consider; something not typically found on your bookshelf. Find out more here.
To cheer you on some participating staff members* are contributing short blogs that recount their experience completing a Bingo challenge and describing how that square “pushes their shelf”.
* Staff members can play. (Just not win.)
I have a terrible confession to make. In all the years I have worked at the library, I had never seen a NextReads newsletter. It’s shameful, I know. In the spirit of pushing my “shelf” to try something new, I decided to figure out what these newsletter thingies are all about.
Each e-newsletter sends you a list of book recommendations in your chosen category, usually once or twice a month. Looking at the list, I was gobsmacked! I had no idea there were so many to choose from!
The first newsletter that grabbed my attention was “Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise,” because I love discovering new ways to improve my life. My first pick from this newsletter was 
“Investing in Your 20s & 30s for Dummies” by Eric Tyson. I’m trying to get the hang of adulting, so I’m excited to dive into this book that wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise. I also placed a hold on “The Power of Fun” by Catherine Price. I don’t know about you, but these winter months brought me down; I could use some inspiration to have a little fun.
The second newsletter I signed up for was “Teen Scene.” Teen literature has always featured coming of age themes, but today’s teen literature is more raw and relevant than ever. Queer immigrants afraid of AIDS? 
We’ve got that. Incarceration, plague, and neurodivergence? 
We have that, too. But wrapped around these harsh nuggets of truth are captivating stories, loveable characters, and intriguing twists—like the girl who makes a part time job out of raising the dead. 
I’ve decided I desperately need more YA in my life, not just for the necromancers, but also because it’s important to listen to voices that are different from mine. I’m really excited to have this newsletter point me toward gems in our collection.
If you, like me, are clueless about NextReads, I hope you’ll take a look at what we have to offer. Whether you love fiction or non-fiction, horror or hunks, I’m sure you’ll find NextReads recommendations that strike your fancy.
Ready to sign up?
Katie is the office assistant for the Bowman Library