What book helped Allie quit her job? What book adaptation is Allie in love with?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allie is from New York and is a host on Shortform’s YouTube channel<\/a>. She enjoys reading a mixture of historical fiction and nonfiction, and she’s even made some major life changes based on what she’s read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Recently, we had a chance to interview one of Shortform’s YouTube hosts. Here’s what Allie had to say about her reading tastes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite fiction book is Running Out of Time<\/em> by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I read it in third grade and then five more times after that. The story is paced perfectly. It\u2019s just as good every<\/em> time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite non-fiction book is The Art of Happiness<\/a> <\/em>by the Dalai Lama. I read this during a time in my life when I felt lost, and it motivated me to find my purpose again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I read The Storyteller\u2019s Secret<\/em> recently, and it was absolutely beautiful. I’ve been reading The Light Between Oceans<\/em> for longer than I\u2019d like to admit\u2014I wish I had more time to read! And I\u2019m not sure what\u2019s next on my reading list, but I\u2019m going to make sure it\u2019s something I already own. Buying a new book is always tempting \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I listened to R. L. Stine on a podcast once, and I loved every second of it. His sense of humor is amazing. Then maybe Jodi Picoult because I love her books and we’re from the same hometown. Lastly \u2026 maybe Anne Frank? When I was a young Jewish girl trying to understand the world around me, she meant a lot to me\u2014and she still does! I think we\u2019d have really interesting conversations together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Historical fiction, forever and always. History was always my favorite subject in school, and I miss studying it in that capacity. Reading historical fiction always feels a bit like coming home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do poetry books count? I’ve always wanted so desperately to like poetry, but I just can’t do it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n On a Kindle at the beach during the summer. Chef’s kiss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bible. Not even for religious reasons\u2014I\u2019m not religious\u2014but simply because there are so<\/em> many biblical references that went over my head until I had to read some of it for English class in 12th grade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire Harry Potter<\/em> series. Honestly, kind of for the same reason as above. It\u2019s such a cultural cornerstone, and people miss out on references if they haven\u2019t read it. Also, it\u2019s HARRY POTTER! Who doesn\u2019t want to read that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I feel like there are so many more that should be on this list, but I’ll leave it there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jodi Picoult’s writing is so beautiful, as is Kristin Hannah’s. I just feel like I can relate to so many of their characters. They also always manage to suck me into their stories pretty quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve leaned more toward non-fiction over the last three to four years than I ever thought I would! I guess my pre-frontal cortex is developing …<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Magic Treehouse <\/em>series! Specifically, the Pompeii one for some reason. It was so fun to imagine myself in those historical situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smile<\/a><\/em> by Raina Telgemeier. It\u2019s a graphic novel that’s definitely geared toward younger readers, but the story is so cute and quick to read. If I ever have trouble sleeping, I\u2019ll pull it out and read the whole thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Power of Habit<\/a><\/em> by Charles Duhigg digs into habit-building at a societal level\u2014I thought this was interesting. He says that successful social movements rely on three triggers: 1) the social habit of friendship, 2) the social habit of peer pressure, and 3) the development of new social habits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Art of Happiness <\/em>helped me quit my teaching job back in 2021. Now I get to do what I love every day, and I’ve truly never been happier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart” (Anne Frank, The<\/em> Diary of a Young Girl<\/em><\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Greta Gerwig’s Little Women!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sorry, let me chill out. I just love that version so very much. Incredible screenplay, incredible cinematography, and incredible performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sky’s the Limit: One Man’s 70,000 Mile Journey Around the World<\/em>. I read this during the peak of COVID when we couldn’t leave our houses, and it made me feel like I was traveling right next to him. It’s a reminder that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I exchanged some messages with the author on Instagram, and he is so<\/em> nice and helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I haven’t dealt with this too much. But, in my videos, I try to make it known that I don’t agree with them. I’ll maybe add a funny jab or two or just make a questionable face. I want to remain as neutral as possible, but, sometimes, I just can’t do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like, I just filmed a video on Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life<\/a><\/em>. There’s no way<\/em> I can just say that information without critiquing it. In extreme situations like that, it’s important for me to distinguish myself from the takeaways of the book. Thankfully, I work with really awesome people whose views normally align with mine, and I always feel super safe voicing things that may feel uncomfy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eat That Frog!<\/a><\/em>! My goodness, I think about that book every day. I was so confused about what the book was about when I first read the title. But, now I tell everyone<\/em> about it. I even have a reminder in my to-do list<\/a> once a week that tells me to “eat that frog,”\u2014a.k.a., do something on my to-do list that I have<\/em> to do but really don’t want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I loved The 5 AM Club<\/a><\/em> so much that I did a vlog on it. The concepts are insane, but it’s a great book to help you check in on how your body operates. I also love The Wim Hof Method<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOut Interview With Allie<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What’s your favorite book?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What’s on your reading list these days?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
If you could have a dinner party with any three authors\u2014dead or alive\u2014who would they be and why?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What’s your favorite genre? Why does it intrigue you?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Are there any book genres or tropes that you dislike or refuse to read? <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What’s your favorite way to read a book? <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What books do you think everyone should read in their lifetime? Why?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Who are your favorite authors? Why?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
How have your reading tastes changed over the years?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Was there a specific book that sparked your love of reading? How so?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Do you have any guilty pleasure books?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What’s an interesting fact that you learned from a book recently? <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Have any books you\u2019ve read caused you to make any life changes or to develop any habits?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s your favorite quote from a book or an author?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What are your favorite book adaptations and why?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Are there any lesser-known books that you\u2019ve read that you want others to know exist? What makes them stand out?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
At Shortform, how do you go about working on a book that has viewpoints you don\u2019t agree with?<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Are there any books you had to read for Shortform that you thought you wouldn\u2019t like and ended up loving? <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
What are your favorite books in the Shortform library and why? <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Allie’s Recommended Reading List<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
About the Series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n