In Case You Don't Have Enough to Read...
Here are several more bookish (and non-bookish) newsletters that can help topple your TBR and provide hours of reading pleasure
Hi readers,
It’s autumn, and it finally feels like autumn around here. Cooler weather, lots of Halloween decorations in all the neighborhoods, and, for me, lots of time to read and savor books and newsletters.
Speaking of newsletters, it's that time again; it’s time to put some more bookish (and a few non-bookish) newsletters on your radar. Some of these are recent discoveries, and some I've been reading for what seems like forever, and they never get old. There's always something new to discover and read, and I can't wait to share these with you.
Three Great Books written by Katherine Hobsonis a monthly newsletter with book recommendations, “three books at a time.” Some of the books reviewed have a common thread running through them, and others are just reviews of books Katherine has really enjoyed. She reads widely across the genres, and the monthly frequency of the newsletter makes my inbox happy, although a little more often would be o.k., too. She reads new releases and also a lot of backlist books. I appreciate her reviews as they help me know if a book is something I'd enjoy. I've picked up books to read because of her reviews that I hadn't considered reading until then.
Feeling My Shelf is a bi-weekly newsletter about “books, life and well, life with books.” Creator Alexis Reliford is a “Louisiana-bred, Los Angeles-based creative with a penchant for meet cutes and turning matcha into words.” Each newsletter usually has two to three short book recommendations, a book or two she's currently reading, maybe a blurb on what she's watching, and a few links to interesting things she shares with readers. She also does sorta deep dives into things like a bookworms guide to Los Angeles, how she annotates her books, how to know when to DNF a book, and so much more. She just celebrated a year of writing her newsletter, and there are not so many that you couldn't go back to the beginning and get caught up. This is one of my favorites that I can't wait to read when it lands in my inbox.
"What's 4 Dinner?" is a newish newsletter find for me, and I love it. Self-described food TV producer, non-professional chef/non-food scholar, and pro eater & drinker Anthony Underwood and professional chef, food writer, and The OG GrillGirl Elizabeth Karmel have teamed up to write this fun and informative food newsletter. Each newsletter comes with a yummy recipe or two (maybe three or four) and a whole lot of other fun stuff, such as tips and tricks to make cooking fun, cooking product reviews/giveaways, food history and fun facts, and delightful conversations between the two of them. The recipes (I've made a few) are easy enough for the non-cook (me), and the pictures are mouthwatering and Instagram-worthy. Come for the recipes and stay for all the other fun; you won't regret it.
The Soul Minimalist is a relatively new Substack newsletter written by one of my favorite writers, Emily P. Freeman. I discovered her several years ago through her podcast, The Next Right Thing, and have followed her since then. Her short-episode podcast is about making decisions and making a life. She has written several books and a guided journal; her newest book will be published in March 2024. Her newsletter (unfortunately for readers, most are behind the paywall) writings provide space for the “soul to breathe” and the reader to think about their own life, how decision fatigue could be causing problems, and what to do about it.
Martha Anne Toll's Newsletter is an author newsletter full of bookish goodness about books she's read, an occasional bookish interview, some bookish travels, and the behind-the-scenes of her first book, Three Muses. Martha is a writer, a book reviewer (Washington Post, NPR, and others), and a published author, and her second book, Duet for One, will be published in 2025. She recently went to Southern France on a writing residency, hoping to complete her third novel's draft. On the way there, she stopped in Paris and treated her readers to some sightseeing through her newsletters.
Mitchell’s Mind-bending Variety Puzzle Brain Dump is for you if you enjoy solving puzzles and brain-teasers. It's also for you if you want tips and tricks on how to solve some of the most popular games right now, such as Connections and Wordle. The author has published his own books of mind-bending variety puzzles that can be purchased if you want more puzzles and brain-teasers. Give it a try; you might find you like it.
This Week, Those Books looks at books that resonate with the news and developments of the week. Rashmee Roshan Lall is a reader, writer, and news junkie, and has lived and worked in eight countries over the past decade. She says that in reading her newsletter, you will find a deep dive into fiction and non-fiction about the week's big story and/or perfect watercooler convo and dinner party small talk. If you enjoy history or want to know more about something happening in the news, this is a great newsletter to fill in the blanks. Rashmee pairs the current event with one or more books to help the reader understand the history behind what is currently happening.
Book Enthusiastis a newsletter from podcast creator Becca Freeman. Becca cohosts the Bad On Paper podcast with her friend Olivia Muenster, and there is also a podcast newsletter you can subscribe to from the website. I listen to the podcast frequently. Becca is also a first-time author with The Christmas Orphan's Club, just released last month. In her newsletter, I've followed along with her on her road to publishing her first book, and she also writes about books she's read, books she's excited about reading, and in a few newsletters, she's written about her travel and the food and books that made the travel so much fun. If you like reading Christmas books, this one sounds like fun. It is a story of friends and friendship and how their changing friendship might just be what each of them needs for their life.
I’ve written about bookish newsletters several times, and you can find those newsletters here. Many newsletters are referenced through this link of my newsletters to satisfy most readers, along with a few travel, food, and other niche newsletters to provide plenty of reading in the coming days. I hope you find something you are interested in reading, and if you do, I’d love to hear about which ones those are and what you like about them.
Since my life isn’t centered around work anymore, I forget what day of the week it is and have to check the calendar frequently during the week to find out. That’s a good problem to have, I believe. I’ve been reading books like crazy and enjoying most of them. If I keep finishing books at this pace, this will be my highest reading month ever. I’m slowly getting settled and going through my books for Little Free Library and my local library’s Friends of the Library bookstore donations. I hope your week is a great one and you find some pockets of time to read. Happy reading!
Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links. That means that if you click through and purchase anything, I may earn a small commission. This costs you nothing and helps me feed my voracious reading habit, and for that, I thank you.
What a wonderful round up!!
Thank you so much for highlighting my newsletter!