I love most when you give your opinions about what you are reading. I love when you tell why you did not finish a book. I love when your opinions differ from the buzz. I also love when they enhance the buzz. I think you are brilliant and anything that leans into that is gratifying to me as a follower.
I so appreciate all of the thought and time you put into each review. I truly enjoy all of your content but if there was one thing I could do with less of, it would probably be talk about the buzzy books. I've loved all of the backlist you've brought to my attention (reading The Light Years currently!) and that's what I keep coming back for more of! There are so many gems that for whatever reason have gone unnoticed & it's a particular joy to "discover" those through you 💛
I agree. I don't know how this works with income (I assume there's more money in promoting buzzy books than backlist), but I would love more quality backlist recommendations, discussions, and reviews.
I agree as well. I am overwhelmed by all the talk about buzzy books online, and I love finding backlist gems! (I just finished The Light Years, and I never would have picked it up on my own.) And because I do find it overwhelming, I am trying to get off Instagram. So I really look forward to the long-form newsletters and guides, but understand if putting the guides out is not sustainable.
First off, consider me *honored* that you resonated with my recent post - I’m a newer follower of yours but I sincerely mean it when I say that all of your content has become my favorite reads to look forward to in my inbox and in my feed.
What a thoughtful post and list of questions. I will echo what Alice shared above - I appreciate reading about anything *you* are excited to talk about. Selfishly, I do want your thoughts on the buzzy books/books I’ve just read, but I understand the impossibility of keeping up with it all!
I’ve found your deep dives into *how* to read a book, practice close reading, reflect on the reading life, etc. to be most helpful/applicable to my day to day reading. But overall…I’d rather have quality vs quantity, I’m just here to support the type of thought + discussion you bring to this fun book world.
Thank you so much, Alisha! I always want to be reading a balance of buzzy new and backlist books so those reviews won't be going anywhere even if I change up how I share them! And thank you again for the framework for thinking through this. I always appreciate your transparency and authenticity in how you show up here ❤️
I love this meditation, Sara! It’s something I think about a lot, and what keeps me from wanting to create major curated guides - so much pressure and reading for content! I love what you have to say about books and want you to read exactly what YOU want to read. So, read old, new, buzzy, obscure, whatever you desire, and your passion for reading by choice will come through. Go down rabbit holes of your spontaneous interests if that is what strikes your fancy - I’d love to hear about those too!
I love how honest and forthcoming you are Sara! I love your summer reading guide, but I’d be okay without it if instead you were to do smaller posts/newsletters with individual books in the format of the PSRG throughout the year, for example. I really just love the way you talk about books (especially in the PSRG, with the book cover, a category, your review, and the vibe) so I’d be happy to hear about whatever it is you’re reading in other formats! Personally I prefer more long form writing (like in your guides and newsletters) compared to the Instagram posts/reels but I know it’s probably different for everyone. I’ll support you no matter what choices you make and I’m sure the same is true for the rest of your online community!
Shruti, THANK YOU! This was so helpful! I really love hearing exactly what it is you find valuable about the guide. Your comment actually generated a lot of thought on my part and I think it's going to result in a new piece of content that I am REALLY excited about. Thank you so much for sharing this!
There are enough people on the web presenting new releases or Buzzy books in their podcasts. It gets overwhelming as a reader. I appreciate hearing about books that are either new or backlist that are unknown to me. I have gotten a few from you as a matter of fact. I first learned of Caladonia from you and read it and loved it.
I agree with Kathy that “buzzy book” talk dominates the podcasts and internet and that might be the first one to consider trimming. Having said that, I love to see what you have to say about these books of course. I already worry that you are doing so much! That’s the Mom in me❤️
I very much feel you Sara, I’ve been in the same place (on a much smaller level than you). What’s funny is I keep trying to think of new content to create related to books and my reading life, because I do love sharing it and love reading projects—but at the same time struggle with how to make it sustainable and not feel boxed in. It’s a very delicate balance! My main advice is, sometimes what once worked great may not work great now, and that’s ok. Pivoting to make your content work best for you and your reading life will also make it work best for your audience.
Such a delicate balance, Holly! You're so right. And thank you for your advice. I do get stuck feeling like I need to continue doing all the things I have been doing and some of those things might not be working any more.
Thank you for sharing these feelings! I have been thinking about some of the same things, and I don't really have answers yet, but to start I have decided to focus on volume - I can absolutely recommend 3-5 books instead of 15-20 and still bring value to my readers. Especially since I don't want to run out of books! It sounds insane to think I would but when it gets to niche or classic recommendations it might be possible...
Yes!! I've started scaling back lists as well. I know for a lot of readers more is more, but I always find the best books when someone shares a smaller, more thoughtful list like you do, Natalie!
This is some exciting thinking, Sara. I think of it as fuel for innovation - the creative quandaries, creative tension, whatever we want to call it from which something new can be generated. Where my brain goes is “what if we threw out the categories of “buzzy” and “backlist?” Your readerly voice, preference, and taste is so well-honed and you have created a consistent and trustworthy space for reading, I think there is a way you can let your reading drive your content (and not the other way around). For me, for instance, I don’t need you to read all the books coming out in the next season to curate the 20 best (or however many), but I’d be very interested in the 5 or 10 you have your eye on and why. That’s enough curation for me. I’m also more interested in a “Fiction Matters” filter than a “new or backlist” filter. I’ll take any books you think are worthy of reading anytime! (There is another conversation to be had about what the market wants because it’s a business.)
You’ve got my brain going this morning! I also wanted to say that my favorite content is the monthly Ranked Reading Recap. I am eager to see what you read and how you felt about it.
What you’ve created is such a gift to readers! It will be wonderful whatever direction you want to take it, and we will all benefit. TY!
100% agree with my friend! I am here for your taste - which is different from my taste! But I trust and know you as a reader enough to be able to hear what worked or didn’t for you and then interpret that to my own reading. I absolutely adore the paperback guide and continue to pull from it throughout the year. For me, that and the book club (and COMMUNITY you’ve built, my goodness!) are the reasons I stay. The book club picks are hit or miss for me but I love that they start out as something you’re interested in reading that fits a mood.
I also stay with the newsletters for the random fashion reccs because I love your comfy and classic style. But I know that’s absolutely NOT why we’re here. 🥰
My favorite new bit of content is our Wednesday lunch dates where I watch your Instagram reel about what you’re reading.
Oh and we are all very glad you took some time away and off of the internet and newsletter, content creators deserve rest, too.
The community is the best!!! Knowing you and Torrie talk books IRL and that others are doing the same is the best thing that's come out of this space. And these details are so helpful! I'll keep the reels and occasional fashion recs coming!
Torrie, you always know how to put things in a way that blows my mind and gets me thinking deeply. Thank you so much for this comment and for telling me the Recaps are your favorite content. This is all incredibly helpful in planning!
Sara! I think about this every time you post about your two big guides. You started off as a mood reader and now you actively have to read outside of your moods and I always feel so bad :( I'd have to agree with Alice - I think most who follow you / subscribe to your work appreciate more the 'how' of what you do than the 'what'. I think if you are picking something to go - while I love fall reading vibes - because of the nature of the PSRG a lot of the books carry into many other seasonal moods and is honestly sufficient for a whole year.
Taryn, it is so kind and says so much about you that you have already been thinking about this!! I really appreciate knowing the guides matter but that you'd be okay with an adjustment!
I loved reading your thoughts on all of this, Sara! I echo what others have said. I love your tips and content about becoming a better reader. Your background in education is something I don’t see any other public reader bringing to the table and that’s what makes you stand out for me. I always feel like I learn something in an approachable way from you ☺️ And I know you’ve struggled with the balance of buzzy new releases and backlist. I personally love seeing your thoughts on a new release, but I think it’s great if you want to trim back on those and only read/share ones that genuinely excite you. I love seeing that excitement come through in anyone’s reviews.
Thank you, Michelle! This is so helpful. Those are my favorite posts to write but I know they're niche so I always appreciate hearing that they resonate ❤️
I echo what so many others have said in the comments- I enjoy reading whatever content you feel like putting out. I feel very similar to you about buzzy books- part of me is pulled to read them but overall, they don't tend to work out great for me. Personally I love love love reading your backlist literary fiction recs. I'm confident you'll figure out what content brings you the most joy and no matter what you decide we'll all be along for the ride:)
I agree with everyone else! I’ve got to admit that your guides are basically a holiday I look forward to, so would be sad if one or both left. With that being said, even if both guides left, I would continue to follow and subscribe to your work. I love the thoughtfulness of your reviews and the obvious joy you have as a reader. Whatever sustains your joy in this work has my vote!
Kelly, this is so kind!! It helps me a lot to know how valuable the guides are to you all when I'm doing my content planning! I have some ideas that will make it more sustainable and (I hope!) even more fun for you!
as always - your approach to reading, content, and life is such a breath of fresh air. you do you! We will still follow along no matter where your reading journey takes you.
I’m here because I think you have discerning taste that doesn’t feel “performed and safe”, and especially that it brings to the fore excellent older reads I may have missed. I love your mix of lit crit + love of wide and ranging reading. Especially love your pushing on the distinction between whether a book succeeds in its aims and whether one likes a book. Whatever medium keeps you sharing those things with us, I’m happy to be there for it. Thanks!
I scrapped my fall books guide because I just want to read for fun the second part of the year and it felt like a giant exhale. All the best as you figure out what’s right and sustainable for you ❤️
I love most when you give your opinions about what you are reading. I love when you tell why you did not finish a book. I love when your opinions differ from the buzz. I also love when they enhance the buzz. I think you are brilliant and anything that leans into that is gratifying to me as a follower.
Alice! Thank you! This is so kind and absolutely the pep talk I needed this week.
I so appreciate all of the thought and time you put into each review. I truly enjoy all of your content but if there was one thing I could do with less of, it would probably be talk about the buzzy books. I've loved all of the backlist you've brought to my attention (reading The Light Years currently!) and that's what I keep coming back for more of! There are so many gems that for whatever reason have gone unnoticed & it's a particular joy to "discover" those through you 💛
Thanks, Lauren! This insight is very very helpful!
I agree. I don't know how this works with income (I assume there's more money in promoting buzzy books than backlist), but I would love more quality backlist recommendations, discussions, and reviews.
Oh! And I LOVE your two guides and would be very sad to see them go. Although I also understand if it's unsustainable to keep doing both each year.
I agree as well. I am overwhelmed by all the talk about buzzy books online, and I love finding backlist gems! (I just finished The Light Years, and I never would have picked it up on my own.) And because I do find it overwhelming, I am trying to get off Instagram. So I really look forward to the long-form newsletters and guides, but understand if putting the guides out is not sustainable.
First off, consider me *honored* that you resonated with my recent post - I’m a newer follower of yours but I sincerely mean it when I say that all of your content has become my favorite reads to look forward to in my inbox and in my feed.
What a thoughtful post and list of questions. I will echo what Alice shared above - I appreciate reading about anything *you* are excited to talk about. Selfishly, I do want your thoughts on the buzzy books/books I’ve just read, but I understand the impossibility of keeping up with it all!
I’ve found your deep dives into *how* to read a book, practice close reading, reflect on the reading life, etc. to be most helpful/applicable to my day to day reading. But overall…I’d rather have quality vs quantity, I’m just here to support the type of thought + discussion you bring to this fun book world.
Thank you so much, Alisha! I always want to be reading a balance of buzzy new and backlist books so those reviews won't be going anywhere even if I change up how I share them! And thank you again for the framework for thinking through this. I always appreciate your transparency and authenticity in how you show up here ❤️
I love this meditation, Sara! It’s something I think about a lot, and what keeps me from wanting to create major curated guides - so much pressure and reading for content! I love what you have to say about books and want you to read exactly what YOU want to read. So, read old, new, buzzy, obscure, whatever you desire, and your passion for reading by choice will come through. Go down rabbit holes of your spontaneous interests if that is what strikes your fancy - I’d love to hear about those too!
Thanks, Katy! This comment feels freeing in the best way!
I love how honest and forthcoming you are Sara! I love your summer reading guide, but I’d be okay without it if instead you were to do smaller posts/newsletters with individual books in the format of the PSRG throughout the year, for example. I really just love the way you talk about books (especially in the PSRG, with the book cover, a category, your review, and the vibe) so I’d be happy to hear about whatever it is you’re reading in other formats! Personally I prefer more long form writing (like in your guides and newsletters) compared to the Instagram posts/reels but I know it’s probably different for everyone. I’ll support you no matter what choices you make and I’m sure the same is true for the rest of your online community!
Shruti, THANK YOU! This was so helpful! I really love hearing exactly what it is you find valuable about the guide. Your comment actually generated a lot of thought on my part and I think it's going to result in a new piece of content that I am REALLY excited about. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Oh, I’m so glad! Can’t wait to hear more about it :)
I'm with you!! Thanks, Christie!
There are enough people on the web presenting new releases or Buzzy books in their podcasts. It gets overwhelming as a reader. I appreciate hearing about books that are either new or backlist that are unknown to me. I have gotten a few from you as a matter of fact. I first learned of Caladonia from you and read it and loved it.
I agree with Kathy that “buzzy book” talk dominates the podcasts and internet and that might be the first one to consider trimming. Having said that, I love to see what you have to say about these books of course. I already worry that you are doing so much! That’s the Mom in me❤️
Thank you, Shelli!! I think I'm working towards finding a way to keep putting out great content without getting burnt out!
This is so helpful! Thank you!
I very much feel you Sara, I’ve been in the same place (on a much smaller level than you). What’s funny is I keep trying to think of new content to create related to books and my reading life, because I do love sharing it and love reading projects—but at the same time struggle with how to make it sustainable and not feel boxed in. It’s a very delicate balance! My main advice is, sometimes what once worked great may not work great now, and that’s ok. Pivoting to make your content work best for you and your reading life will also make it work best for your audience.
Such a delicate balance, Holly! You're so right. And thank you for your advice. I do get stuck feeling like I need to continue doing all the things I have been doing and some of those things might not be working any more.
Thank you for sharing these feelings! I have been thinking about some of the same things, and I don't really have answers yet, but to start I have decided to focus on volume - I can absolutely recommend 3-5 books instead of 15-20 and still bring value to my readers. Especially since I don't want to run out of books! It sounds insane to think I would but when it gets to niche or classic recommendations it might be possible...
Yes!! I've started scaling back lists as well. I know for a lot of readers more is more, but I always find the best books when someone shares a smaller, more thoughtful list like you do, Natalie!
This is some exciting thinking, Sara. I think of it as fuel for innovation - the creative quandaries, creative tension, whatever we want to call it from which something new can be generated. Where my brain goes is “what if we threw out the categories of “buzzy” and “backlist?” Your readerly voice, preference, and taste is so well-honed and you have created a consistent and trustworthy space for reading, I think there is a way you can let your reading drive your content (and not the other way around). For me, for instance, I don’t need you to read all the books coming out in the next season to curate the 20 best (or however many), but I’d be very interested in the 5 or 10 you have your eye on and why. That’s enough curation for me. I’m also more interested in a “Fiction Matters” filter than a “new or backlist” filter. I’ll take any books you think are worthy of reading anytime! (There is another conversation to be had about what the market wants because it’s a business.)
You’ve got my brain going this morning! I also wanted to say that my favorite content is the monthly Ranked Reading Recap. I am eager to see what you read and how you felt about it.
What you’ve created is such a gift to readers! It will be wonderful whatever direction you want to take it, and we will all benefit. TY!
100% agree with my friend! I am here for your taste - which is different from my taste! But I trust and know you as a reader enough to be able to hear what worked or didn’t for you and then interpret that to my own reading. I absolutely adore the paperback guide and continue to pull from it throughout the year. For me, that and the book club (and COMMUNITY you’ve built, my goodness!) are the reasons I stay. The book club picks are hit or miss for me but I love that they start out as something you’re interested in reading that fits a mood.
I also stay with the newsletters for the random fashion reccs because I love your comfy and classic style. But I know that’s absolutely NOT why we’re here. 🥰
My favorite new bit of content is our Wednesday lunch dates where I watch your Instagram reel about what you’re reading.
Oh and we are all very glad you took some time away and off of the internet and newsletter, content creators deserve rest, too.
The community is the best!!! Knowing you and Torrie talk books IRL and that others are doing the same is the best thing that's come out of this space. And these details are so helpful! I'll keep the reels and occasional fashion recs coming!
Torrie, you always know how to put things in a way that blows my mind and gets me thinking deeply. Thank you so much for this comment and for telling me the Recaps are your favorite content. This is all incredibly helpful in planning!
Sara! I think about this every time you post about your two big guides. You started off as a mood reader and now you actively have to read outside of your moods and I always feel so bad :( I'd have to agree with Alice - I think most who follow you / subscribe to your work appreciate more the 'how' of what you do than the 'what'. I think if you are picking something to go - while I love fall reading vibes - because of the nature of the PSRG a lot of the books carry into many other seasonal moods and is honestly sufficient for a whole year.
Taryn, it is so kind and says so much about you that you have already been thinking about this!! I really appreciate knowing the guides matter but that you'd be okay with an adjustment!
I loved reading your thoughts on all of this, Sara! I echo what others have said. I love your tips and content about becoming a better reader. Your background in education is something I don’t see any other public reader bringing to the table and that’s what makes you stand out for me. I always feel like I learn something in an approachable way from you ☺️ And I know you’ve struggled with the balance of buzzy new releases and backlist. I personally love seeing your thoughts on a new release, but I think it’s great if you want to trim back on those and only read/share ones that genuinely excite you. I love seeing that excitement come through in anyone’s reviews.
Thank you, Michelle! This is so helpful. Those are my favorite posts to write but I know they're niche so I always appreciate hearing that they resonate ❤️
I echo what so many others have said in the comments- I enjoy reading whatever content you feel like putting out. I feel very similar to you about buzzy books- part of me is pulled to read them but overall, they don't tend to work out great for me. Personally I love love love reading your backlist literary fiction recs. I'm confident you'll figure out what content brings you the most joy and no matter what you decide we'll all be along for the ride:)
Thank you, Renee! I always appreciate our chats for working through these questions.
I agree with everyone else! I’ve got to admit that your guides are basically a holiday I look forward to, so would be sad if one or both left. With that being said, even if both guides left, I would continue to follow and subscribe to your work. I love the thoughtfulness of your reviews and the obvious joy you have as a reader. Whatever sustains your joy in this work has my vote!
Kelly, this is so kind!! It helps me a lot to know how valuable the guides are to you all when I'm doing my content planning! I have some ideas that will make it more sustainable and (I hope!) even more fun for you!
as always - your approach to reading, content, and life is such a breath of fresh air. you do you! We will still follow along no matter where your reading journey takes you.
Thank you!!
I’m here because I think you have discerning taste that doesn’t feel “performed and safe”, and especially that it brings to the fore excellent older reads I may have missed. I love your mix of lit crit + love of wide and ranging reading. Especially love your pushing on the distinction between whether a book succeeds in its aims and whether one likes a book. Whatever medium keeps you sharing those things with us, I’m happy to be there for it. Thanks!
Thank you!!
I scrapped my fall books guide because I just want to read for fun the second part of the year and it felt like a giant exhale. All the best as you figure out what’s right and sustainable for you ❤️
Yes! It's very hard to go right from one guide and into another. I'm glad you gave yourself some space to read just for you!