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Burnt out to embracing joyous reading + writing
In this episode of The Secret Library Podcast, I am joined by Petya Grady, writer and the creator of
on Substack. Petya shares her unique journey from Bulgaria to the US, including her unexpected career transition from academia to UX strategy and social impact startups. Burned out from the corporate world, Petya turned to her love of books to find solace, leading to a fascinating discussion about 'reading and writing kinks.' We explore the psychological allure of reading and writing, how certain themes and settings captivate us, and why it's important to embrace what truly excites us in our literary pursuits. This episode fully embraces the pleasure principles of reading and writing, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.Chapters:
01:26 The Concept of Reading and Writing Kink
04:01 Exploring Pleasure Principles in Literature
07:44 Personal Reading Kinks and Favorite Authors
11:10 The Joy of Recognizing You Personal Reading Fingerprint
17:08 Preferences Regarding Place and Setting in Books
21:35 Cold War Fascination and Spy Stories
22:12 The Bulgarian Umbrella Case
23:55 Surveillance and Spy Devices
24:49 Cold War Literature and Personal Reflections
26:44 The Relevance of Historical Fiction
28:42 When Life and Literature Meet
36:17 Speculative Fiction and Creative Freedom
About Petya:
Petya K. Grady is the author of A Reading Life, a newsletter exploring books, reading, and the pursuit of intellectual fulfillment. She is currently at work on her first novel, set in Communist-era Bulgaria. Petya lives and writes in Memphis, Tennessee.
Connect with Petya Grady:
Work with Caroline:
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