How Reading Can Refill Your Life When the House Gets Quiet
Manage episode 509119228 series 3551368
We talk with our dear friend Gladys Autry about using books and audiobooks to bring warmth, connection, and joy back into a quieter home. We share narrator tips, light starter picks, and how fiction can make this stage of life feel less lonely while giving you energy to pursue what’s next.
• why audiobooks can soften an empty house and build a reading habit
• narrator and multi-cast tips, with Julia Whelan as a go‑to
• the value of fiction for empathy, imagination and rest
• light, engaging recommendations to restart reading
• time‑split stories and sense of place as “literary travel”
• women authors who write women well versus heavier historical reads
• setting boundaries with thrillers and sleep
• memoirs like Ina Garten’s as models for brave pivots
• parenting adult kids with support instead of control
• practical ways to choose better books and track your reading
You can find Gladys at gladys.autry on Instagram and on The StoryGraph as “glads.” Follow her there to see her top picks! She would love to know what you’re reading!
We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at [email protected] to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer
Chapters
1. Welcoming Gladys and Today’s Focus (00:00:00)
2. Why Reading Fits the Empty Nest (00:01:10)
3. Audiobooks to Fill a Quieter Home (00:03:40)
4. Narrators, Casts, and Staying Engaged (00:04:16)
5. From Teaching to Selling Library Books (00:05:42)
6. Helping Schools Spark Reading (00:07:20)
7. Fiction vs Nonfiction and Feeling Seen (00:09:10)
8. Scary Reads, Boundaries, and Sleep (00:11:40)
9. Starter Recs: Light, Fun Audiobooks (00:14:02)
10. Time-Slip Tales and Beloved Authors (00:17:20)
11. Women Who Write Women Well (00:19:20)
12. Memoirs, Ina Garten, and Life Pivots (00:21:20)
13. Parenting Adult Kids with Courage (00:23:20)
14. Final Encouragement and Where to Follow (00:25:00)
45 episodes