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Unhustled Books

No “must-read” lists, no productivity hacks — just books that make you think, laugh, or dream. Fiction, non-fiction, all genres welcome. Because reading for fun is its own kind of self-care.

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2024 Taught Me to Press Pause on Good Books—Without the Guilt

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”...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Unhustled Reading Issue #9 Book Notes Edition: A fresh look at a book that inspires, entertains, and might even reignite your passion for reading. Hello Reader, Welcome, New Subscribers! A big welcome to our readers joining from Maneetpaul Singh’s newsletter! Drop me a line and let me know about how you unplug the hustle culture from your love of books. If you don’t know Maneetpaul, check out his Presently Reading newsletter, where he shares practical insights into books he and his community...

Unhustled Reading 🥳 Issue 8 Reading List Edition: A curated collection of books that spark curiosity, offer pure enjoyment, and are perfect for your next reading adventure. Hello Reader, Hope your Saturday is starting off on a great note. It’s been a super busy week here and, while I’ve been just floored by the wonderful responses to the newsletter, I haven’t responded to everyone. But I will. Hopefully today. Other than reading and responding to your replies, the most important items on my...

Unhustled Reading Issue 7 Book Notes Edition: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, by Agatha Christie Hello Reader, Thanks so much for your feedback on the previous issues of Unhustled! This is Issue 7, and your thoughts always surprise and inspire me. 🙏🏻 Today we're featuring a book that’s been on my list for a long time: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. It’s a novel that shook up the mystery genre nearly 100 years ago, cementing Christie’s reputation as one of the greatest of all...