In this summer episode of The Ritual of Reading, I take you along on a gentle walk through one of Paris’s most beloved parks: the Luxembourg Gardens. Our literary companion is Elvire de Brissac, whose book Le Long du Luxembourg paints the history of the gardens not through timelines, but through stories—anecdotes, characters, and quiet moments that bring centuries to life.

As we walk, we meet Marie de Médicis, trace the legacy of the palace she built, and reflect on how reading can change the way we experience the world around us. This isn’t just about history—it’s about how a book can shift your perspective, even on a familiar path.

✨ Download your free Summer Reading Ritual guide → https://theritualofreading.com/the-summer-reading-ritual-2025/
A seasonal companion full of literary pairings, florals, and slow rituals to enrich your summer—both on and off the page.

—

If you enjoy this literary walk, consider following the podcast for more episodes that blend books, beauty, and creative living.

#BookWalk #TheRitualofReading #LuxembourgGardens #ParisPodcast #SummerReading #ElviredeBrissac #LiteraryTravel #ReadingInParis

July arrives like a soft breath in the middle of the year — slow, shimmering, and in-between. In this episode of The Ritual of Reading, I’m sharing the inspirations shaping my summer: early morning walks in Paris, quiet rituals that soothe the heatwave, and books that bloom like gardens on the page.

You’ll hear about the reads accompanying me this month — from Penelope Lively’s meditations on gardening and memory, to a historical novel steeped in the history of the Luxembourg Gardens, and the ever-delightful Diary of a Provincial Lady. There’s also a hydrangea named Hortense, a seasonal quiche recipe, and a gentle reflection on how to create moments of joy even when you're not on vacation.

If you’re staying home this July, this episode is your invitation to notice beauty where you are — to read slowly, walk gently, and build a summer you don’t need to escape from.

Links mentioned:
– The Summer Reading Ritual (free guide): https://theritualofreading.com/the-summer-reading-ritual-2025/
– Courgette, Mint & Feta Quiche Recipe:
– July Literary Mood Board (blog post):
– Say hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/

What role does reading still play in our modern, screen-saturated lives? In this reflective episode of The Ritual of Reading, Alexandra explores that question through the lens of Jojo Moyes’ bestselling novel The Giver of Stars. What begins as a search for mountain-side escapism turns into a deeper meditation on literature, empathy, and the quiet magic of stories that shape us.

We’ll talk about the power of books to build compassion, the reasons why some people resist reading, and how sharing stories—even casually—can open new worlds. Whether you're a lifelong booklover or just curious about why reading still matters, this episode offers a gentle and thoughtful take on the enduring ritual of books.

📚 Featured Book: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
📝 Mentioned: The Summer Reading Ritual (free guide at theritualofreading.com)

—

If this episode moved you, consider sharing it with a fellow reader—or someone who might become one.

#TheRitualOfReading #BookPodcast #ReadingLife #JojoMoyes #TheGiverOfStars #SummerReading #BookLovers #LiteraryPodcast

Welcome, summer. 🌞 In this special solstice episode, I share the story behind The Summer Reading Ritual — a free digital guide I created to help you shape your midsummer mindset through books, small seasonal pleasures, and soft joy.

You’ll hear about the rituals that anchor my own summer days, why I once thought summer wasn’t for me, and how reading can become a gentle form of presence this time of year.

✨ Download your free guide here: https://theritualofreading.com/the-summer-reading-ritual-2025/
Perfect for slow afternoons, golden evenings, and quiet chapters under the sun.

Whether you’re heading to the beach with a book or simply dreaming of stillness, this episode is an invitation to make your summer a little more intentional — and a little more literary.

#TheRitualOfReading #SummerReading #FreeGuide #LiteraryLifestyle #SlowLiving #SeasonalLiving #SummerSolstice #ReadingRitual

In this episode of The Ritual of Reading, I invite you to join me for a walk along the windswept beaches of Normandy and into the world of Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures. Part travel reflection, part book meditation, this episode explores how the quiet presence of the sea, the act of noticing, and the overlooked lives of women like Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot can inspire our own daily rituals.

We’ll talk about fossils, solitude, green tea that tastes like seaweed, and the invisible threads that guide our reading journeys. Whether you're listening from the coast or the city, let this be a gentle moment of literary escape and coastal wonder.

✨ Includes a reading from Remarkable Creatures
📖 Perfect for lovers of historical fiction, slow living, and mindful reading
🌊 Bring your tea and your curiosity

As the clay courts of Paris come alive for the 2025 Roland Garros tournament, this episode serves up a tribute to the spirit of tennis. I share three compelling non-fiction book recommendations that explore the sport’s beauty, discipline, and psychology—paired with personal reflections on what tennis means to me. Layered with the ambient sounds of the courts, this is an immersive listening experience for anyone who finds poetry in a rally, tension in a tie-break, and magic in the red clay.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, join me in celebrating the game behind the game.

Reading isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way to come home to yourself. In this episode of The Ritual of Reading, we explore how books can become a sanctuary in the midst of busy, noisy lives. If you’ve ever felt too distracted, overwhelmed, or guilty to sit down with a book, this is your gentle reminder that reading should never feel like a chore. I’m sharing my ten commandments for a relaxing reading experience—a personal guide to reclaiming reading as a source of peace and pleasure. From creating a calming environment to embracing slowness and letting go of expectations, this episode offers a quiet space to reconnect with the joy of reading, just as you are.

In this heartfelt episode of The Ritual of Reading, I’m sharing six books that became anchors for me during some of life’s toughest seasons. From Deepak Chopra’s The Book of Secrets to Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, each of these works offered comfort, courage, and a renewed sense of hope when I needed it most. We’ll explore the wisdom of vulnerability with Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly, the gentle encouragement to rest and heal found in Katherine May’s Wintering, the empowering practices of manifesting from Gabrielle Bernstein’s Super Attractor, and the life-changing affirmations of Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life.
Whether you’re in the midst of your own storm or simply gathering tools for the journey ahead, I hope these reflections offer you a moment of calm, connection, and inspiration.

Let's read through the storm—together.