Substacks recommended by Katy O. | The Mindful Librarian

Recommended by Katy O.

Stories of a Canadian author who found herself living in the middle of nowhere in the UK. It’s deeply reflective and also intentionally lighthearted. There’s enough darkness online and in real life. Let's hangout in the light. 🕯️

Cait's book The Year of Less was a foundational text in my adulthood and I so love reading along with her as she grows and transforms as a human and writer.

- Katy O.

The White Pages

By Garrett

What if we could build something better?

Literary Merit

By Andrea Bass

A joyful exploration of books, poetry, and life in the library.

Literary Leanings

By Michelle Martin

Sharing thoughtfully curated book recommendations, reflections and tips on the reading life, and a little bit of my life here in Maine.

Michelle writes about books amidst glimpses into her life and photography business ~ her newsletter is gorgeous!

- Katy O.

The Culture Study Podcast

By Anne Helen Petersen

A podcast about the culture that surrounds you — with Anne Helen Petersen and a bunch of very smart co-hosts

It's so worth it to become a paid supporter of this show! I love the additional content and knowing that I am helping keep my favorite podcast up and running.

- Katy O.

The Booktender

By Abra McAndrew

Because reading alone is overrated. Curated lists and what to read now from the Executive Director, Tucson Festival of Books🌵. All views my own.

FictionMatters

By Sara Hildreth

what I read, how I read, and books that matter

Sara levels up my reading life and pushes my literary thinking just enough to keep me on my toes, but in the warmest and kindest way possible.

- Katy O.

How to Move

By Anna Maltby

a body-neutral guide to exercise

After School by Casey Lewis

an examination of youth culture

Crone Sandwich

By Catherine Newman

A weird newsletter about all the midlife things: kids, parents, food, sex, holidays, rage, and sweating at night, by the author of Waiting for Birdy and We All Want Impossible Things.

Catherine Newman writes middle age and parenting of young adults better than anyone else on earth. Fight me on this.

- Katy O.

as seen on

By Ochuko Akpovbovbo

business, culture, and gen z trends. as seen on my group chats

Hmm That's Interesting

By Clara

Culture thoughts of/for/by the Chronically Online, from that girl you may have seen on Instagram or TikTok (alas). Essays, pop culture, interviews, and literature.

Moonstruck Reads

By Natalie

Reading romance and the romance of reading

I adore romance and Moonstruck Reads has a DEEP recommendation list. I have already found so many recs here

- Katy O.

Make / Do by Erin Boyle

By erin boyle

A scrappy little newsletter about living creatively, consuming thoughtfully, acting boldly, and generally making do, at home and elsewhere.

The Austen Connection

By Plain Jane

How Jane Austen's stories connect to us today, and connect us to each other.

Article Club

By Mark Isero

We read and discuss great articles on race, education, and culture

The Seasonalist 🍎🎃🍁🦃🎄❄️💘☘️🐰🌼🌷🍓🎆🍉

By Nina P.

A cozy lifestyle newsletter for seasonal living lovers, focusing on the art of joyful anticipation.

I'm leaning in HARD to seasonal living (not aesthetically!) and love this newsletter's devotion to it!

- Katy O.

Strong Sense of Place

By Mel Joulwan & Dave Humphreys

We're going around the world, one great read at a time. We host a podcast, a website, an Instagram, and this Substack.

I can't travel as much as I want to, but Strong Sense of place, both in this newsletter and their podcast, takes me around the world via books. The next best thing to going myself!

- Katy O.

Sober for Good by Suzanne Warye

By Suzanne Warye

The bright side of sobriety.

Suzanne is my lifelong best friend AND an interwebs badass boss lady, writer extraordinaire, and an absolute force to be reckoned with when it comes to taking down mommy wine culture. Just trust me.

- Katy O.

Drawing Links

By Edith Zimmerman

Journal comics and sketchbook, by Edith Zimmerman.

BIBLIOLIFESTYLE

By Victoria

Thoughtfully curated books, cozy rituals, literary and lifestyle guides, and lots of seasonal joy!

ItsBookTalk & More

By Renee

Midlife reader. New release & under the radar book recommendations and lists. Reader community

Overbooked Mama

By Kuleigh Baker

A busy mom's guide to raising readers while tackling your own TBR list.

Kuleigh's newsletter is just the sweetest and down-to-earth missive to hit my inbox ~ I love her book recommendations, parenting notes, and all around slice of life tidbits.

- Katy O.

Amy, Annotated

Marginalia & Musings

SoNovelicious, Books & Reading & More Books

By Gayla Gray

All things books, reading, and Hurrah! I'm finally retired and it's everything and more.

Gayla's newsletter is one of the very first bookish publications I found on Substack and it has been a delight to follow her as she moved into retirement and into new adventures.

- Katy O.