Before I Abandon My Crumb-Filled Laptop for the Summer: 7 Newsletters I Can't Stop Recommending
May I recommend
Some Newsletters
Well dear Méli-Mélo’ers I’m hanging up my newsletter quill (crumb-filled laptop) for the summer. We’ve had a lovely year together and I want to thank you so much for your comments, support and interest in my writing (remember if you like it and want more, I’ve published FOUR books you can buy or get from your local library!).
Before I take off for a summer of fretting about my potato tower (NOT PRODUCING THE POTATO YIELD I THOUGHT IT WOULD), honing my pickleball backhand and swimming in some lakes and rivers, I thought I’d leave you with a list of lovely OTHER newsletters I enjoy that you should check out if you’re looking for summer reading material delivered to your door (inbox):
Strong Sense of Place - I’ve recommended their travel and literature podcast before, but it’s worth subscribing to their newsletter too, because Mel does an amazing round up of interesting bookish/travel-ish articles and has thoughtful takes on all sorts of fascinating topics - Welsh manor houses! Bavarian castles! Enchanting bookstores on faraway islands!
Butt News — Author Lindy West courted controversy this year with her memoir about polyamory, but her true oeuvre and lasting legacy is Butt News, where she writes long, hilarious takes on old movies. I’ve recommended it before and I’ll do so again. Worth the read!
Screen Skills — this is kind of out of left field, but I stumbled on this newsletter and find it very helpful. Alexander breaks down useful things you can do to your various screens to make yourself more efficient, safe and reduce your time on them. It is little bite sized computer 101 courses (I took a Comp Sci 101 class at university that was known as “Chips for Dips” and that’s kind of what this is). It’s very handy!
Ministry of Pop Culture - An opportunity to nerd out about pop culture with other smart people. It’s a newsletter run by five smart writers (including the wonderful Kirthana Ramisetti, who not only writes great books but is a bonus lovely person). Fantastic for thoughtful takes on all things pop culture.
Two Bossy Dames — another smart exploration of pop culture by (confusingly) three bossy dames.
Songs that Remind you of Feelings - monthly thoughtful takes on a variety of subjects — stand up comedy, The Pitt, cool moms — by a talented and funny novelist.
What’s a newsletter you love? Share in the comments below and let’s expand this list!
Substack Links
Article Roundup!
Oprah Magazine did a roundup of 58 dreamy hotels from around the world, in case you need some glamorous inspo (or daydream fodder) for your summer planning
I’m Jessica Fletcher, and I don’t even Feel Anything Anymore When I find a Dead Body
The title tells you everything you need to know!
I enjoy the Tudors (Just read Philippa Gregory’s latest - the Boleyn Traitor — RECOMMEND) although I am more of an Anglo-Saxon fan girl. Still, I love the idea of NEW historical information popping up and the feast that researchers will now have incorporating the latest info into their understanding of history. Yay new discoveries!
The New York Times Summer Reading Bucket List
This is a fun idea — not so much telling you WHAT to read, but what types of books to read. I’d be game to give it a whirl, but I need an accountability buddy — anyone up for it?
Thanks for reading my weekly newsletter.
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P.S. One last thing
If you’re looking for a wonderful summer crime read, my friend Katie Tallo has written a propulsive, page-turner (which I got as an Advanced Reader Copy!) and it’s great. Where Her Secrets Lie features a fabulous, feisty septuagenarian who drinks too much, swears too much and CARES too much (I wrote that schmaltzy line, not Katie or her publishers!) Her grandson gets into some deep trouble and Lenny rides in to (try) to save the day, always hoping no one goes sniffing around her backyard… where — oh yeah — a body is buried.
It’s out in August, but you can pre-order NOW, or ask your local library to bring it in! You will not regret it!
Don’t forget I’m a novelist
- buy my books!
Thank you a million times for the shout-out! Have a great summer! XO