Weird, Quirky, And Completely Into It
Meet the #BookStackers, publishers of bookish newsletters here on Substack. When we all first met online for the first time, one of us described the group as only a book nerd could:
“We’re small, we’re quirky, we’re weird.”
We also love books and although we may remain quirky, we are not so small any more. We collectively include thousands of subscribers and each of us are adding more each week. That’s because reading feeds our imaginations, takes us away for a while, brings us back home with new perspectives.
You’ll find some of us here, on Twitter.
I’m honored that Spark is a member of this group and want to share the others with you so you can experience the variety. You’ll find many books in and out of the mainstream: books paired with bread recipes, books that are written by LBGTQ+ authors, “old” books read with new eyes, essays inspired by what we are reading, nonfiction and fiction, author interviews, podcasts, discussions, and, the next read for you or your book club. Without further ado: meet my fellow #BookStackers but check back frequently as newcomers join our ranks. - Betsy
What to Read If… by Elizabeth Held, the founder as well as heart and soul of the #Bookstackers. Every week Elizabeth sends out 1-3 book recommendations curated for those seeking everything from what to read for just about any situation. Love a family saga? Love owls? Want to read somethig just right for the tail-end of a pandemic? You’ll find all that here along with twice-a-month capsule interviews with writers and readers. Founder and member of #Bookstackers.
Spark is a free weekly newsletter by Elizabeth (Betsy) Marro that explores life through the lens of what we are reading and writing. Every Saturday morning, you’ll find a themed issue with essays, book recommendations, interviews, a growing network of resources for readers and writers, and more. Most of all, you’ll find something that makes you think/laugh/wonder and a tribe of bookish folks and writers to talk it over with. Member of #BookStackers.
Tabatha Leggett’s Bookmarked -This newsletter is made for readers who want to absorb place along with story. Tabatha Leggett is reading one book from every country. Here’s an excerpt from her “About “ section. Here, you will also find a list of the 60+ books that she has read along with links to the profiles she wrote after finishing each. Some highlights: searing autofiction from Norway, a touching Wiradjuri story from Australia, and an astonishing cross-genre epic from Zambia,. Member of #BookStackers.
The Austen Connection by “Plain Jane,” a public radio journalist and journalism professor with a “couple of degrees in literature.” The goal: to convene a lively conversation around the stories of Jane Austen, and to uncover the unexpected themes that are hiding in plain sight and have so much relevance to our complicated lives today. Both a newsletter and a podcast, The Austen Connection dives into things with a journalistic approach and invites conversation for all Austen fans “in the spirit of exploration, curiosity, and illumination.” Member of #BookStackers.
Survival by Book by Courtney Cook offers essays on work, love, creativity, & other life-stuff, usually through a bookish lens. You’ll also find Courtney’s memoir-in-progress, “College, A Love Story.” Member of #BookStackers.
Well Read With Anna Bonet - Anna Bonet is a Welsh-born, London-based journalist whose “all-time favourite thing to do is recommend great books.” Two Sundays a month, she sends out a newsletter. The first will feature 3-5 overviews of new books, the second will include books old and new and the theme that connects them. Member of #BookStackers.
Crooked Reads - Ashley Holstrom is a “professional book person who likes to yap about good books and mental health whenever she can.” A designer by day, she writes for both Book Riot and Foreword Reviews by night. Crooked Reads offers three “bite-sized” book reviews a month that are connected by a theme her goal is to focus on the plot and how the book will make a reader feel. Member of #BookStackers.
Books on Gif - Reviews with an infusion of animation. You’ll find reviews of fiction, nonfiction, bestsellers, hidden gems, classics, and graphic novels and “the occasional cookbook.” Member of #Bookstackers.
Reading Under The Radar - Dedicated to sharing books old and new that might slip under the radar. Each Tuesday you’ll find one new recommendation to add to your growing stack of to-be-reads (TBR). It might be an older title or a brand-new one that isn’t getting attention. It might be from a well-known publishing house or from a small indie press. It might be written by authors from historically underrepresented backgrounds and groups. Cassie P. offers a
a quick introduction and she thinks you should read it. Member of #BookStackers.
Good Book/Good Bread. is a twice monthly celebration of excellent books and delicious bread. If you love reading and discovering new (and old!) books, and have even just an appreciation for bread, Good Book/Good Bread will be right up your alley. Every second Friday, Hannah shares a book recommendation, and then bakes a bread that fits with an aspect of the story. Member of #Bookstackers.
So Novelicious - Book lover Gayla Gray serves up the books, authors, and the “book-adjacent” discoveries she’s making as builds her TBR list. Every week, she also shares links to articles or Instagram posts or feeds she has found interesting and valuable. Member of #BookStackers.
Can We Read? By Sarah Miller: You may not have children in your life but that does not mean you should avoid good children’s books. If you are looking for children’s books for the young ones in your life or even yourself, here's a reader's resource that can lead you to books old and new for the young. Sarah Miller, a “lifelong bookworm who has always been crazy for children’s books.” She researches books carefully from her newsletter “Can We Read?” and brings that love to her reviews and suggestions. Her newsletter is “nothing more and nothing less, a love letter to children’s books, old and newer, and the magic of reading them together.” Member of #BookStackers.
Read More Books by Jeremy Anderberg: Every Friday, the founder of The Big Read: War and Peace (see above), sends “What to Read Next” to thousands of readers. He also sends author interviews 2-3 times per month. His suggestions grow from his obsession with reading and a friend’s suggestion to share the books that captivate him with others. Here you’ll find ‘anything and everything: fiction and non-fiction, new and old, over-saturated and virtually ignored. Member of #BookStackers.
Lupita Reads - A clinical researcher by day and #bookstagram influencer by night (or anytime she can squeeze an hour out of the day), the founder of Lupita Reads has created a space to highlight a rich vein of books, old and new, by Latinx authors. Here, you will find reviews, personal takes on the stories she reads and spotlight interviews with new and emerging authors of Latinx books. The newsletter comes out once a week, usually on Tuesdays. Member of #BookStackers.
Books and Bakes by Laura Sackton - For those who like a nibble while they read, writer and “professional book nerd” Laura Sackton offers a newsletter with ideas for you. She fuses together her love of books and cooking to offer three book recommendations a week along with a recipe (with photos) of something delicious she makes to eat. She writes for Book Riot where she also works as a bibliologist for TBR (Tailored Book Recommendations). Her tastes are “eclectic” and her recommendations include fiction, nonfiction, new and backlisted books, graphic novels and more. She also runs a small home-baking business. Member of #BookStackers.
Not Controversial by Nia is not exclusively devoted to books which makes it a fun read if you are looking to explore all kinds of subjects like money, working in today’s “hustle” environment, pop culture criticism, and “spicy lit takes” that champion romance, graphic novels, comics and other forms of literature that encounter discrimination in the literary world. Member of #BookStackers.
All By Our Shelves by Rosalynn Tyo is a twice-a-month newsletter that offers a list of three books, chosen on a theme (not by an algorithm). At least one out of the three will feature a one-parent family—and sometimes all three will. From time to time she will also include links to articles, interviews, profiles, or other fun features. Member of #BookStackers.
Beyond by Jane Ratcliffe. The world can feel particularly hard these days. Places of wonder, comfort, and wisdom are vital. Beyond offers this. Writer Jane Ratcliffe speaks with some of our greatest heart-centered minds; people who have lived through difficult times and found ways to shine, such as Cheryl Strayed, Deesha Phillyaw, Elissa Altman, Esme Wang, and others. Newsletters are published every Thursday and alternative between in-depth, old-school interviews and guest contributors. As Jane says, “I certainly don’t know all the answers, but I’m good at asking the questions.”
Satchel Notes by Resh Susan. This newsletter was created as a pandemic project to serve excellent recommendations that you might’ve missed on your saunter down the internet blackhole. I finally took the leap to Substack in Dec, 2022. In this new space, Satchel Notes will help you find books that make you feel something, or try out a good TV show instead of indecisively clicking through channels. Expect a mix of genres, gothic style boarding school story or awesome Asian aunties who can hide a dead body or climate dystopia; all washed down with a a curated list of the interesting writing on the internet. Member of #BookStackers.
Great Books+Great Minds by Diamond-Michael Scott, a “community of rabid book enthusiasts and readers committed to personal and business lifestyle expansion one book at a time.” Member supported digital publication spotlights some of the most compelling authors, reader profiles, and book industry themes from across the world. Member of #BookStackers.
queerthology book club by Kris
Subverse by Natalie McGlocklin
Martha’s Monthly by Martha
Reading Habits by Arianna Ribolini
Space Wizards Book Club by Chelsea Z, entertainment journalist, college professor, and professional nerd. You’ll find news, reviews, guides, recommendations, and pretty pictures of Star Wars books along with updates on Chelsea’s freelance work, her never-ending TBR stack, and fun stories from the world of academia. Member of #Bookstackers.
Calista Reads by Calista Agoha captures the book reviews, TBRs, and reading notes of Calista Agoha and more. Member of #Bookstackers
Love to be part of this group of book lovers!
Thank you for including Satchel Notes. How lovely to be part of this wonderful list.