Let's Get to Know Some Bookish Newsletters
More bookish newsletters for more bookish reading
Hi readers,
Wow, it is🔥🔥🔥 in Texas and across the South (and almost everywhere in the U.S.) right now!!! You don’t have to tell me twice; I stay inside as much as I can when it’s like this during the summer. I lived in Southern California off and on throughout my life, and it will get hot there in the daytime, but the saving grace is that it normally cools down into the 50s/60s/70s at night. Here in Texas, it’s been in the high 80s/low 90s at 4 a.m. when I get up for work. There is just NO relief at all.
One of my favorite things to do in this newsletter is introduce you to new bookish (and sometimes non-bookish) newsletters I enjoy reading. Sometimes writing on the internet feels like you are shouting into the abyss, and I like to show these newsletters and creators some love by introducing new readers to them. It’s been a few months since recommendations have landed in your inbox, so let’s do this again.
This is a newish newsletter focused on true crime that, in author Tracy Bealer’s words, “tends to be a bit esoteric and highly specific, and will hopefully give the reader a new way to think about books, shows, and podcasts.” I find that I have a hard time describing this newsletter other than to say you need to read it too. She discusses several Netflix series, famous true crime writer Ann Rule, Serial Productions Podcasts, and provides content warnings where appropriate. It’s a unique take on true crime that I haven’t seen before but want more of. Read more about her true crime fascination in part one of her origin story, then subscribe so you will automatically receive part two.
Bookcrumbs I like listening to shortish podcasts, and that translates to wanting to read shortish newsletters that are direct and to the point, and Bookcrumbs fits that shortish profile wonderfully.
started Bookcrumbs a little over a year ago, and in this short time, her newsletter has become a favorite. She writes short reviews of books she’s read and gives a song and a film recommendation that relates to the book in some way. Her reviews always leave me wanting to know more, and her reading tastes are similar to mine, so I know I’ll most likely want to read the book too. I know I just said that I liked shortish newsletters, and now I’ll completely contradict myself when I talk about this newsletter, as this one provides so many book reviews. Jodi Lessner is a voracious reader and writes about many books several times a month. I’m always excited to see which books her latest newsletter will put on my radar. She reads a mixture of recent and backlist books, mostly fiction, with an occasional non-fiction book or two added to the mix. She creates an annual summer reading guide by genre and periodically writes about upcoming new releases she can’t wait to read. I consider her a “book twin” and look forward to adding to my TBR monthly; like I really need more books to read. I’ve followed for quite a while now through this newsletter and the Novel Parings podcast and newsletter she creates with Chelsey Feder, who just so happens to produce her own bookish newsletter on Substack. I upgraded to a paid subscription to FictionMatters in May when Sara released her Paperback Summer Reading guide to paying subscribers only. The summer reading guide and her short Summer Samplings podcasts for paid subscribers made her newsletter a “save it and savor” favorite of mine. She recommends books, shares bookish links, writes about bookish adjacent topics, and shares peeks into her real life and adorable family. Her newsletter is just a delight to read. This newish newsletter by is a “Substack newsletter recommendation” newsletter. She scours the Substack newsletter universe to help her readers find smaller, independent newsletters worth reading that aren’t being promoted by SS or others. There are a lot of really well-known writers on SS, but it’s the smaller, independent publishers creating wonderful stories that need help finding readers and subscribers. Luiza says her weekly newsletter selection will "encompass art, science, history, books, movies, and all other forms of inspiring ramblings typical of Substack.” There is usually at least one newsletter she shares that I’m interested in reading, and you might also find something interesting too. I’m a big fan of BookRiot newsletters and several of the regular writers that publish on BookRiot. Four newsletters I read have transitioned to Substack recently, and one of them is Literary Activism by Kelly Jensen. In looking further, it looks like she’s also started a personal substack called where she says, “she’ll write longer posts here, as well as shorter link roundups, plenty of opinions, and, hopefully, something funny periodically, too.” I am against book banning. I have so many thoughts about what is happening now related to this that I think one of my projects after retirement and getting settled into my new life will be “activism” against book bans. I don’t know what this will look like yet, but I do know that her newsletter provides many articles and links related to all of the nonsense that is going on across the U.S. related to book bans. I discovered this non-bookish, kinda sorta travel newsletter from this creator’s other non-bookish newsletter , and I’m so glad that one led me to the other. are the creators of both of these newsletters, and if you are interested in food, check out DelPaggio’s Cucina. If you live in California or are traveling there soon, be sure to check out California Mishegoss to find fun things to do all over the state, places to go and see once you get there, places to eat and drink, and other links about all things California. I enjoy reading through each newsletter because I used to live there, and I have fond memories of many of the places they write about. Each of their newsletters is great, so instead of trying to pick a favorite to link to, I’ve chosen one with some neat pictures of some of my favorite places in California.
If bookish is what you are looking for, today’s newsletters are chock full of bookish goodness. I know there is something here that will add to your TBR; give one of them a try. Are there some you plan to check out? I’d like to hear about the newsletters that interest you and maybe a little about “why” they interest you. You can tell me in the comments below.
My life is moving fast and furious, both at work training my replacement and trying to go through and get rid of stuff in my apartment so I don’t have to move it. Sometimes I think it might be easier just to put it in a box and then deal with it after I move when I’m no longer working. I’m a master procrastinator, and it’s trying to get the best of me, but I won’t let it. I hope you have a fantastic week. Happy reading!!
Thank you so much for the shout-out! I’m such a fan of your newsletter, so I’m especially honored that you’re enjoying True Crime Fiction. Here’s to consuming and discussing and enjoying more bookish and bookish-adjacent good things!
Thank you so much Gayla for the great recommendation. Patti and I were surprised and thankful for this. You made our day and year.