Unhustled Archives Hello Reader, How many books did you read last year just because you wanted to? With no pressure, no book club, no “everyone says this is a must-read.” In 2024, I read more than 100 books—a goal I set only after I’d read 40 or 50 books half-way through the year. But that's not what I'm most proud of from my reading last year. My biggest accomplishment was broadening my scope. For instance, during my Cold War spy spree, I sought out female authors, and even found a Black...
9 days ago • 3 min read
A Weekly Newsletter Celebrating the joy of reading without the pressure—exploring books that entertain, inspire, and enrich your life. Happy New Year! 🤦🏼♀️Yikes! Apologies for the email earlier today. Was supposed to have been the version I sent myself for proofing. Ugh. The only thing different from this one? Correctly formatted. You probably haven’t been hitting refresh a dozen times a day waiting for my list of favorite 2024 books—and if you have, bless you. But let’s be honest, the...
16 days ago • 5 min read
Unhustled Archives Hello Reader, Sometimes, you’re just not feeling a book. It’s not the book’s fault (well, sometimes it is), but more often, it’s you. Your brain isn’t cooperating. Life is doing its thing. And the idea of forcing another chapter feels like eating steamed broccoli when you could be having a chocolate chip cookie. That’s why I have a pause stack—it feels less permanent than my “Did Not Finish” folder. This year, I’ve gotten very good at recognizing my “good book, bad timing”...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Unhustled Archives Hello Reader, Sometimes a book is so bad, it’s almost… entertaining. Whether it’s absurd plotlines, cringe-worthy dialogue, or over-the-top drama, these “hate reads” somehow kept me turning the pages—if only for the snark factor. This week, I’m diving into the worst books I read in 2024, complete with the highlights (or lowlights) that had me rolling my eyes and laughing out loud. Featured Book: Never by Ken Follett This book promised a gripping political thriller. What I...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, What's already on your 2025 reading list? Are you heavy in a particular genre or author? A few of the 30ish titles in my 2025 reading folder My 2025 book folder is a mix of biographies, fiction, and an ambitious literary classic or two. Some are about personal growth, but most of what I read next year will be just for fun—because I've learned that a lot of growth happens when I stop trying so hard. Especially when it comes to reading. Studies show that reading for pleasure reduces...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Links may be affiliate links which might earn me a percentage if you buy. At no additional cost to you. Hello Reader, Today’s my birthday! And since I was about 12 or 13, I’ve kept a small but meaningful tradition: every year, I read about JFK. I was born in a small Northeast Arkansas town — less than 24 hours after President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. I think about that a lot—the timing, the strange closeness to history. The events of that day were enough to send my mom into...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Unhustled Reading Issue 12 Reading List Edition: A curated collection of books that spark curiosity, offer pure enjoyment, and are perfect for your next reading adventure. Hello Reader, If you’re anything like me, sometimes life just...spirals. Whether it's busy-ness, health concerns, or global angst, sometimes we just need to pause, take some deep breaths, and immerse ourselves into stories that offer a gentle and temporary escape from the chaos. Last week, we explored gratitude and the...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Unhustled Reading Issue 11 Book Notes Edition: A fresh look at a book that inspires, entertains, and might even reignite your passion for reading. Note: This newsletter contains an Amazon affiliate link, which means I may receive a commission if you buy through it. It doesn’t cost you extra, but it does support my work. Hello Reader, What if gratitude didn’t have to be forced? This week, we’re cracking open a surprisingly small, refreshingly guilt-free book that explores gratitude from a new...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Unhustled Reading Issue 10 A Weekly Newsletter Celebrating the joy of reading without the pressure—exploring books that entertain, inspire, and enrich your life. Note: Books are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you buy through it. It doesn’t cost you extra, but it does support my work. Hello Reader, Going through some really old books from a family member, I found a gem — the second story in the classic Hardy Boys Mystery series. Copyright 1927. 🙀😍 Remember...
3 months ago • 2 min read