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.
What’s a Reading Hill You’ll Die On?
|
Hey Reader, A couple of weeks ago, a reader emailed me to say that Amazon is evil and that, because I use a Kindle, I’m a corporate sellout (worse than that, actually). I get it. There’s a lot to dislike about Jeff Bezos and Amazon. A lot. But here’s the thing: Kindle keeps my 85-year-old mom and me reading.
Kindle just works for us at this stage in our lives. That doesn’t make us anything but avid readers who want a wide selection. And yeah, I could draw a hard line and refuse to engage with Amazon. But moral purity in consumer decisions is…complicated. There’s a lot to dislike about a lot of people behind the mega-brands and services that shape our lives. Like Walmart. I live in the shadows of Walmart Corporate Headquarters. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was hard watching the retail business big-foot small-town businesses. Today’s small-town charm killer is Dollar General, but that’s another story. The reality about Ol’ Sam Walton’s Arkansas legacy is this: Walmart has been good to my state. I mean, really good. Stock options made millionaires out of cash register clerks. In my small town, we have a great local grocery store, and we shop there a lot. But some things are just better from Walmart or Sam’s.
So,I shop at Walmart. And I read on a Kindle. I also make plenty of choices to not engage with certain platforms and companies, quitting Facebook and Instagram nearly a decade ago, and I probably wouldn’t drive a Tesla if you handed me the keys. To be fair, I’ve never had to make a decision like that so if somebody wants to give me a Tesla, we’ll find out. 😆 These are my choices—at least for now. But they don't have to be yours. We all draw our lines in different places, and that’s okay.
And speaking of reader mail…Last week, I got a message from a reader, Robert A., about what reading without pressure means to him. And honestly? It was beautiful.
When I think of reading without the pressure, I think of freedom. Freedom to linger over a sentence that moves me. Freedom to put a book down and pick up another without guilt. Freedom to read something just because—not for work, not for a class, not to impress anyone, but simply because it sparks curiosity or joy.
It’s reading for pleasure, for comfort, for exploration. It’s getting lost in a story, revisiting a beloved book like an old friend, or stumbling upon words that unexpectedly heal something in me. It’s reading in a cozy spot with no clock ticking, no agenda, just me and the pages. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. Reading should be easy. I'm so glad you shared this with me Robert A. Thank you. Some choices in life are complicated. Some aren’t. But what we read, how we read, and why we read? That should be the easiest choice we make. Speaking of choices…I’ve been reading Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes by Dr. Sunita Sah. (Yep, this is an Amazon affiliate link 😉.) The book is packed with research—including the author’s own studies. It breaks down the actual process of defiance. It’s not a snap decision but a series of steps. Here’s to books—no matter how we read them! —Tracy P.S. I read every email and love hearing your take on things—even (especially?) when we see the world differently. Where do you draw your lines when it comes to brands and services? If you're enjoying Unhustled, you might also like: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links in this newsletter. This doesn't affect your purchase price, but it helps support my work. Thank you! |
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.
Hey Reader, Everyone name-drops The Count of Monte Cristo like it’s a universal rite of passage. But most people I know haven’t actually finished it. I did. And…wow. This was one of my "stretch reads" for 2025—a personal challenge to finally tackle the kind of book I’d long sidestepped: big, intimidating, widely referenced classics. And Monte Cristo was the one that almost broke me. I started with one of those free Kindle versions. Didn’t realize how wildly different translations could be. A...
Unhustled Archives Hello Reader, I’m experimenting with Friday morning sends—to give you something bookish before the weekend rush hits. Let me know if it works better for you. Or if it doesn’t. I’m listening. Speaking of weekends, last year I got to take in a Banana Ball game in Oklahoma City with some dear friends. My favorite of the 4 teams competing this year? Party Animals! And most weekends I make time to watch a game live on YouTube. 📚 Step Up to the Plate—With a Book In case you’re...
Hey Reader, Some stories don’t end the way we want. The hero doesn’t win. The team comes up short. The underdog pushes all the way to the edge—and still loses. I’ve been thinking about this while working through The Count of Monte Cristo and watching my team's March Madness run end in heartbreak. Two very different stories, same uncomfortable truth: sometimes the most meaningful endings aren't the happy ones. In both basketball and literature, we’re trained to expect certain outcomes. The...