Reading for Pleasure
keeping the love of reading alive, even with a career centered on books
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Like many who work in publishing, reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes. There’s nothing quite like that moment when you turn the last page and feel a little lost…wondering what to do next, how to move on from the world within the book’s pages. Being completely immersed in a story, with no distractions, is one of my absolute favorite feelings.
Other book-based joys:
perusing bookstore and library shelves for that perfect next read
recommending a book you can’t get enough of to a fellow reader you just know will love it
frantically searching for a highlighter to savor a sentence, mood, or lesson found on the page
loving a book that was recommended by a fellow reader
adding new additions to your home bookshelf — gifted or otherwise
The fact that I get to make a living surrounded by stories is something I will always be grateful for. But when you work in publishing, reading shifts from a purely personal experience to a professional one, too. You don’t always love the stories you have to immerse yourself in, and sometimes, the books you have to read for work aren’t the ones you would have chosen on your own.
Sometimes, the authors I work with write in genres that don’t align with my personal reading tastes.
I prefer character-driven stories. I love all types of thrillers. I also read a lot of historical fiction, commercial fiction, and very specific nonfiction (when I’m in the mood).
And sometimes, Fablelistik Editions is reimagining a book I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.
But guess what? It doesn’t matter. I have to read them all. There is no Did Not Finish (DNF) option when I’m reading for work.
My reading life is structured in a way that allows me to separate reading for work from reading for pleasure. I usually have two books going at a time: one for work, one for me.
The Work Book
I read for work during the workday. Completing a book is part of my to-do list, so I schedule time to read just as I would for any other task. If I’m commuting, my work book comes with me.
Something to consider about reading as both a hobby and career is the sheer amount of time it takes. I often get messages from writers asking if they can send me their manuscript to see if I can help them. Because my role with authors is primarily focused on branding, I don’t need to read a manuscript before deciding to work with someone. What matters most is synergy with the author; the book itself is secondary because marketing can be crafted around any book, once a brand and audience are in place.
That said, reading manuscripts is part of my signed client process, and soon, I’ll be opening my calendar for limited manuscript reads with marketing advice for non-clients as well(!!).
The Book of Choice
I have one rule: if I can’t immerse myself in a story by page 50, I give myself permission to move on. Reading is my passion, and I don’t need to plow through a book just to prove a point or to say I read a certain number of books in a dedicated amount of time.
Personality edit: Three books became available on Libby all at once this week — books I’ve been so excited to read, and waitlisted to receive for weeks! Reading against the clock is not my forte, but I’m doing my best for the sake of the digital library system.
My mornings start with an hour just for myself, and some of that time includes my book of choice and a warm cup of bone broth.
I also read to unwind before bed, if Rob and I are between shows, or if he’s working late. Weekend reading has taken a bit of a backseat to my newest hobby (needlepointing!).
At the end of the day, even though reading is work, the last thing I want is for it to start feeling like work. Keeping that balance—reading for pleasure, protecting my time, and ensuring books remain a source of joy—is what allows me to continue loving stories, both professionally and personally.
I hope you find this peek behind the curtain interesting!
xx
Jessica Sorentino specializes in branding and marketing for authors, helping them connect with readers and position their work for agents and publishers. With over a decade in publishing, she transforms stories into lasting brands through strategy, connection, and visibility.
