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 magic it can bring to those small moments of joy (The Little Book of Gratitude—still love how it challenges hustle culture’s idea of self-worth).
This week, I wanted to share some books that help me find calm when the world spins too fast. And thanks to some of you, we also have a few incredible comfort reads from the Unhustled community that are too good not to share.
My Go-To Comfort Reads
This isn’t a “must-read” list or even a “recommended” list. It’s just a handful of books I turn to when things feel out of control. If you’ve read any of these (or have suggestions), hit reply and let me know what worked for you.
Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer Series, Michael Connelly
I come back to these again and again. I’ve read the entire series at least three times, watching Harry Bosch evolve from Connelly’s debut to now. Bosch is all about his motto, “Everybody counts or nobody counts,” but life, fatherhood, and heartache have added layers to his character over time. There’s something grounding in seeing him tackle injustice, even as he navigates how complex and overwhelming that mission can be.
Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer
This one’s non-fiction. And, though it's a thick book, the chapters are essays that take no more than 15 minutes to read. I've dog-eared my physical copy of this book, with a ton of highlights in Kindle. Kimmerer is a member of the Potawatomi tribe. She's also a botonist, so she spends a lot of time reflecting on the beauty and tension between spiritual practices and beliefs, and science.
📚 The Unhustled Crew Weighs in on Comfort Reads
Hearing from so many of you about the books that bring you comfort felt like a deep sigh of relief. I wasn’t alone in seeking out these comfort reads—and I wanted to share a few of those moments with everyone here.
To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee
JG: To Kill a Mockingbird is her “comfort book.” JG almost always has a book going, but she says she rarely rereads books. but this one is different for her—it's the ultimate comfort read. She even shared some favorite quotes that capture its impact:
I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
PV: Turns to Pride and Prejudice when life feels chaotic. Austen’s wit, her observations about misunderstandings, and the entire world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy make it the perfect mental vacation.
Puzzles and Micah 6:8
DS: Goes for a non-book option when life spirals.
DS says that focusing on finding “the next piece” of a jigsaw puzzle helps stop the internal spiral, and honestly, that sounds like just the kind of simple, meditative focus we need sometimes.
Micah 6:8 is her guiding scripture verse: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Sci-Fi, Fun Murder Mysteries
AF: Loves a mix of mystery, laughter, and epic worlds:
- Finley Donovan Is Killing It for a laugh with a twist.
- The Silent Patient for a suspenseful break from reality.
- When Women Were Dragons if you’re looking for a little fire and feminism.
- C.S. Friedman for some epic sci-fi that had a big impact on her younger self.
Audiobooks and Happiness Project
KM: Audiobooks and familiar voices play an important role in the "comfort" books she's chosen.
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin to kickstart every year.
- The Harry Potter series audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale
- Michelle Obama’s Becoming
The Harry Potter books are like an old friend, and Mr. Dale’s narration has been a constant throughout my adult life.
KM first listened to Mrs. Obama's book one night when she drove more than 100 miles through a snowstorm.
KM explains: Mrs. Obama helped me stay calm during that drive, and even now, listening to Becoming brings back that same sense of calm and focus.
Thank you for your input!
Thanks to everyone who shared their go-to’s!
After my friend JG sent me some quotes from To Kill A Mockingbird, I decided it’s time to revisit Harper Lee's classic. The quotes JG shared with me from the book reminded me of how a book can help us remember who we want to be, and how we want to treat other people.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Remember, reading here isn’t a race, a challenge, or another to-do—it’s just a moment to breathe. And if that moment looks like a puzzle or a book, it’s all good.
Stay Unhustled, Reader!
— Tracy
P. S. Next week’s Unhustled will be a quick one, but there’s something personal I want to share—my yearly reading tradition involving a certain president.
