The Ritual of Reading podcast is an immersive and thoughtful audio experience that brings the essence of reading to life. Inspired by the serene and reflective nature of reading itself, the podcast transforms blog posts and literary reflections into calming soundscapes. Each episode offers a deep dive into books, culture, and inspiration, making it the perfect companion for those who love to reflect on the power of stories.
Whether it’s sharing personal reading experiences, exploring different literary themes, or celebrating cultural traditions, The Ritual of Reading invites listeners to slow down, unwind, and savor the written word in a whole new way. With a soothing voice and a passion for storytelling, Alexandra Poppy creates a space where listeners can connect to literature on a deeper level.
It’s not just a podcast about books; it’s about cultivating a ritual of mindfulness, one story at a time. You can expect to hear everything from literary reflections to cultural explorations, all infused with the same warmth and curiosity that defines The Ritual of Reading brand. Whether you’re on the go or settling in for a quiet moment, this podcast is here to enhance your reading journey and offer a little peace along the way.
Latest Episodes
Why Manners Still Matter: From 1920s Rules to Digital Etiquette
by Alexandra Poppy on 8 February 2026 at 16h21
Is etiquette a tool for exclusion, or the secret to social harmony? Join me as we journey through 100 years of American and English manners—from the rigid social blueprints of the 1920s to the digital etiquette of today.In this episode of “The Art of Living Among Others” series, we dive into the fascinating evolution of British and American etiquette. We explore three iconic voices: the “architecture” of Emily Post, the “inner work” of Eleanor Roosevelt, and the witty, modern reclamation of manners by William Hanson. Whether you’re curious about the history of social graces or looking for practical advice on navigating modern life, this deep dive reveals what courtesy actually says about the societies we build.What you’ll learn in this episode:- The surprising “scandalous” history of Emily Post and her vision of “Best Society.”- Why Eleanor Roosevelt believed manners were a form of psychological character building.- How William Hanson (the “clinking glasses” guy) is making etiquette relevant for the Instagram age.- The key cultural differences between UK and US social standards.Connect with the Series: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a comment below! Do you think manners still matter, or are they a relic of the past?Read the full article series here: https://theritualofreading.com/modern-etiquette-and-literature/📚 The Reading List:Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home by Emily PostBuy here : https://tidd.ly/3Mx4ob3 Book of Common Sense Etiquette by Eleanor RooseveltBuy here : https://tidd.ly/4klw0wgJust Good Manners: The Essential Modern Guide by William HansonBuy here : https://tidd.ly/4r58LckMy Policy on Affiliate Links : https://theritualofreading.com/affiliate-policy/CONNECT WITH MEWebsite: https://theritualofreading.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/ Substack: https://theritualofreading.substack.com Pinterest: https://fr.pinterest.com/ritual_of_reading/ SUPPORT MY WORKIf you value this free content, you can support me on Ko-Fi. Every contribution makes it possible to continue sharing these literary reflections.https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading
In Defense of Good Manners: Why Etiquette Is a Form of Modern Freedom
by Alexandra Poppy on 1 February 2026 at 3h00
In this February Literary Mood Board on The Ritual of Reading Podcast, I explore the art of good manners — not as a relic of the past, but as a foundation for modern freedom. Drawing on four books that shaped my thinking — The Downton Abbey Rules for Household Staff, Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Remains of the Day”, Baltasar Gracián’s “The Art of Worldly Wisdom” and Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair” — I reflect on how etiquette elevates character, cultivates dignity and shapes the way we inhabit the world together. From airport queues to quiet acts of consideration, this is a gentle manifesto for living with care, respect and humanity in our fractured age.READ ALONG WITH METhe Downton Abbey Rules for Household Staff : https://tidd.ly/49QcapoKazuo Ishiguro, “The Remains of the Day” : https://tidd.ly/45FyI9SBaltasar Gracián, “The Art of Worldly Wisdom” : https://tidd.ly/4aqHz1SWilliam Makepeace Thackeray, “Vanity Fair” : https://tidd.ly/3Mafu5wMy Policy on Affiliate Links : https://theritualofreading.com/affiliate-policy/CONNECT WITH MEWebsite: https://theritualofreading.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/ Substack: https://theritualofreading.substack.com Pinterest: https://fr.pinterest.com/ritual_of_reading/ SUPPORT MY WORKIf you value this free content, you can support me on Ko-Fi. Every contribution makes it possible to continue sharing these literary reflections.https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading
A Gentle January & The Art of Literary Self-Care
by Alexandra Poppy on 4 January 2026 at 16h38
Welcome to Season 2 of The Ritual of Reading. In this episode, Alexandra explores the “Gentle January” philosophy. We discuss:The serendipity of Marguerite Yourcenar and Emmanuelle Favier.Travel memoirs and Russian mysteries with Lesley Blanch.Winter nourishment through Ayurvedic beetroot soup (get the recipe here)The ritual of the Gratitude Journal.Featured Books: ‘Petit éloge du feu de cheminée’ by Emmanuelle Favier ‘Journey into the Mind’s Eye’ by Lesley Blanch Buy your copy here : https://tidd.ly/45tcrvLMy Policy on Affiliate Links : https://theritualofreading.com/affiliate-policy/Connect with me:Website: https://theritualofreading.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/ Pinterest: https://fr.pinterest.com/ritual_of_reading/ Support me on Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading
A Woman Alone in Paris: Lessons from French Writers in Embracing Solitude
by Alexandra Poppy on 16 November 2025 at 2h30
Have you ever hesitated to go somewhere alone? This episode is about reclaiming solitude as something precious rather than something to apologize for. I take you through my favorite Paris destinations for being deliberately, deliciously alone—a hidden museum, an ice cream parlour, and a tennis stadium—while sharing what French writers have taught me about the courage it takes to disappoint expectations and embrace your own company. A love letter to solitude, Paris, and the freedom of being alone.Connect with me:Website: https://theritualofreading.com Substack: https://theritualofreading.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/ Pinterest: https://fr.pinterest.com/ritual_of_reading/ Support me on Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading
The Women Who Wrote Paris: 5 French Female Authors You Need to Read
by Alexandra Poppy on 9 November 2025 at 2h30
Welcome to The Ritual of Reading podcast.This episode is an invitation to walk through Paris in the company of five remarkable women who refused to wait for permission to write. From George Sand’s countryside tenderness to Simone de Beauvoir’s fierce intellect, from Françoise Sagan’s smoky Parisian nights to Muriel Barbery’s lyrical prose and Clara Dupont-Monod’s historical vision—each of these authors claimed her voice in a culture that didn’t always make space for her.We’ll explore how they lived, what they wrote, and why their words still matter. These are the women who shaped French literature not as muses or footnotes, but as creators in their own right—writing Paris into being, one page at a time.Pour yourself a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s meet the women who wrote Paris.Connect with me:Website: https://theritualofreading.com Substack: https://theritualofreading.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/ Pinterest: https://fr.pinterest.com/ritual_of_reading/ Support me on Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading
November Literary Mood Board: It’s a Woman’s Paris
by Alexandra Poppy on 2 November 2025 at 2h55
November wraps Paris in wool and rain, and this month we’re celebrating the women who wrote this city into being. After a month devoted to French classic authors—all men, as it happens—I’m turning to feminine voices, both contemporary and timeless.I share three very different reads for November: Lucy Foley’s dark, addictive The Paris Apartment, Nina George’s healing Little Paris Bookshop, and Tatiana de Rosnay’s atmospheric The Rain Watcher. We explore the essentials of Parisian feminine style—red lipstick as armour, signature scents that announce rather than whisper, and the scarf as the city’s greatest fashion statement.There’s a playlist of French feminine voices to transport you to a rainy café, and an intimate evening ritual: writing a letter to your younger self, not as a pep talk, but as an honest reckoning with the path that brought you here.Join me as we honour the women writers who claimed Paris as their own, one deliberate page at a time.Episode includes:Three contemporary novels set in Paris by female authorsA curated playlist of French feminine voices (listen here)My three Parisian style essentials (and why they matter)An evening ritual for November: letters to the selfStay in touchWebsite: https://theritualofreading.com Substack: https://theritualofreading.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/ Pinterest: https://fr.pinterest.com/ritual_of_reading/ Support me on Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading