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?
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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, Ever feel like you're reading wrong? Like you're not highlighting enough, not taking the right kind of notes, or not retaining enough? Maybe you’ve watched one too many videos on how to optimize your reading, and now you’re low-key convinced you need a second brain just to track your thoughts. Yeah. Let’s shut that down. There is no right way to read. And yet, the internet is full of advice that insists otherwise. The perfect note-taking system. The best way to absorb information....
Unhustled Archives Hello Reader, I picked up my first Elvis Cole & Joe Pike book on December 23, 2024, thinking I’d read a little and move on. Instead? I turned into a full-blown Libby stalker, refreshing my holds like a person with zero chill. 20 books later… now what? How do you move on when a fictional duo has taken over your brain? Spoiler: Not well. Send help. 😬 For the Uninitiated: Who Are Cole & Pike? Elvis Cole → Wisecracking, self-proclaimed World’s Greatest Detective, ex-Ranger,...
Unhustled Archives Hey Reader, Time for our February book list, in honor of Black History Month in the United States. This isn’t a list of books you should read. This is a list of books I have read. And they hit me hard. I didn’t choose them because they were “required reading” for Black History Month. I chose them because they had something to say—and they said it loud. Some I read this month. Some, years ago. But together, they taught me something about history, identity, and—most of...