Two delightful and useful books by Substack writers
Plus small press books you should read now and scary books for scaredy cats
Hey, readers!
I am visiting family in D.C. this weekend so today’s newsletter is going to be truncated. I have finished a few great works of fiction and one of the most talked about nonfiction books of the month recently, but I’m going to hold off on reviewing it all until next week. I do have some great links for you as well as reviews of two books that aren’t my usual fair. These are books that I loved but wouldn’t typically share here. But I got so much out of both of them that I thought it would be fun to break from form a bit and share more.
On an exciting personal note, today I’ll be going to the Maryland Renaissance Festival…my first every Ren Fest!! I am very excited and I feel that this activity is somehow book adjacent, but that may only be because of my personal love for reading extensively about Tudor history. Regardless, I cannot wait to scope out this scene and report back.
This week in books.
This week I read…
What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers. My husband does almost all of the cooking in our house and I have just never really had the urge to cook much myself. This is not to say I don’t enjoy it when I do, I just never really feel like cooking. So of course the title of this new cookbook from bestselling Substack author
completely appealed to me. This year I have had a loose goal of learning how to cook a few things I really enjoy eating, and Caroline’s cookbook has been perfect for continuing this journey. I love that—much like in her wonderful Substack—Caroline gives you all the additional information you would ask a friend about or stalk the internet comments section for but that is not included in so many recipes: what to substitute, how to riff on a recipe to make it your own, what you need to change about the cooking process if you’re doubling it, what sort of starch or side to add to make a complete meal, etc. It’s simply brilliant; she anticipates all of my questions and provides the answers. There are also sections of almost building block recipes where she teaches you three or four things to do with noodles or three or four different types of frittatas that use the same base. This is exactly the kind of thing I need to fulfill my goal because I am learning how to adapt recipes into the most delicious version of a meal to me. As a final selling point, I love that the recipes in the table of contents are divided by the time they take—that is how I’m always making my decisions about what to cook, especially when I really don’t feel like cooking. If you’re in a similar place in your cooking journey, this is an extremely valuable addition to your cookbook collection. Amazon | BookshopWear It Well by Allison Bornstein. I first heard about this book from
and now I’m starting to see it everywhere—for good reason! This is an approachable yet perspective-shifting approach to style that I think would resonate with almost anyone who wants to be more thoughtful about how they get dressed. The bulk of the book is about Allison’s AB method for cleaning out your closet and her Three-Word Method for determining your style. First of all, I loved her closet clean out system. I have tried many methods and this simply made the most sense to me. It eliminates overthinking and allows for playfulness, exploration, and joy—just what I needed. I also loved her Three-Word Method. I mostly knew what this was going in (defining your style in three overarching terms) and had put some thought into what my own words might be. But the way Allison lays it out in the book is clearer and more specific than I imagined—again, still with plenty of room to do things the way that make sense to you. I liked the introspective nature of this process and the guiding philosophy that we feel like the best versions of ourselves when we feel good in our clothes. I also appreciate that this isn’t a book about shopping or redefining yourself—I don’t need or want to do either of those things. But about looking at what you feel good in and learning from that so that you always feel great. The back half of the book goes a bit more into styling specifics, especially with some basic pieces that many people already have in their closets. Allison gives examples of how you can style things like a white button-up to fit with various Three-Word combinations, which was really helpful in thinking about how to put together clothing pieces I already have. I’m a huge fan and am now also subscribed to ’s newsletter. Amazon | Bookshop
Now I’m reading…
Nothing! I have finished more books this week than I had time to review and since I’m visiting family I’m taking a pause.
New on my TBR…
The Persephone Book of Short Stories. I had wanted to bring this collection home from the UK and didn’t, but then I found it in a wonderful independent bookstore in Takoma Park!
Links I love.
Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in Literature! Start with The Vegetarian, but also make sure to preorder her newest book coming early next year. (NPR)
15 small press books you should be reading this fall. (Electric Lit)
I’m really into this pair of book lists: truly scary books and horror books for scaredy cats. (NYT, gift links)
These six literary demons inspired Jamie Quatro’s Two-Step Devil. (Lit Hub)
20 great detective novels worth investigating. (Forbes)
10 vampire books to sink your teeth think. (Electric Lit)
I know its being dragged all over Substack, but I actually found this Andrea Long Chu piece to be a thought-provoking read, even if I didn’t agree with every point. (Vulture)
The Ultimate Fall 2024 Reading List (Lit Hub)
End Notes.
I made these sugar cookie bars again for Louise’s birthday and they are simply the best. This year I couldn’t find the suggested pan size so I split them between two pans. This lead to them being ever so slightly overbaked and I can now definitely tell you to head the recipe’s warning to take these out earlier than you would think!
On Louise’s third birthday I woke her up and said “you’re three!” She responded, “soon I’ll be twenty!” It was a great reminder to soak it all in.
I had a great time exploring People’s Book in Takoma Park. It’s a very thoughtfully curated shop and I walked away with several staff picks I hadn’t heard of before.
I’m working on a little brand refresh and oh my goodness….I am SO excited about it!!
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Happy reading!
Sara
I’m so glad you loved Wear It Well! I agree with all your thoughts about it. And I’d love to know what your three words are! 😊
I read Wear it Well at the start of the year and have been singing the praises of her closet clean out method since! Having style mood boards have been really helpful, especially when second hand shopping. I have Caro Chambers book now from the library, that kale pasta is first up on my list to try!