What I’ve Been Reading Lately — Cozy Mysteries, Fantasy, Re-Reads & Why Reading Still Matters

With the holiday season slowing things down, this episode turns into a relaxed check-in on what we’ve been reading lately—for fun, for comfort, and for curiosity.I talk about revisiting Bird by Bird and why it remains one of the most honest books about the writing life, alongside reflections on translated fiction like The Taiga Syndrome, cozy seasonal mysteries such as Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year, and rediscovering the magic of Stranger Things through its Season One novelization.We also get into fantasy and romance reads, including Sorcery of Thorns, and why revisiting beloved stories through audiobooks—like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and His Dark Materials—can be a meaningful way to experience familiar worlds in a new medium.Along the way, we talk about:-Reading vs. audiobooks (and why speed-listening and summaries aren’t the same as reading)-Fan-recommended books we hope to get to in the future-Stories from other cultures that expand perspective-Why slowing down with books still matters in a hyper-optimized worldIf you love reading, book clubs, or just hearing how stories land with thoughtful readers, this episode is for you.🚀 Looking for a Creative Collaborator or Coach?Whether you need help launching a podcast, shaping your story, editing a video, or navigating the artist’s life—I’m here to help.✅ Work with me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/collaborate/⁠⁠⁠⁠🔔 Subscribe for movie reviews, creative coaching, and mindset tools for storytellers.📬 Want exclusive breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content?Join me on:• Patreon – ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/philsvitek⁠⁠⁠⁠• Substack – ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://philsvitek.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠🎬 My Films• The Love Market – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#lovemarket⁠⁠⁠⁠• Finding Love in Bogotá – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#bogotatrip⁠⁠⁠⁠• The Arbiters – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/filmography/#thearbiters⁠⁠⁠⁠📚 My Books• Elan, Elan – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#elanelan⁠⁠⁠⁠• Master Mental Fortitude – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#mastermentalfortitude⁠⁠⁠⁠• In Search of Sunrise – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#insearchofsunrise⁠⁠⁠⁠• Hollywood Dreams on a Shoestring Budget – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philsvitek.com/bibliography/#hollywooddreams⁠