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, My mom and I have spent a glorious week at Orange Beach, Alabama. Before we came down, I was deep into a WWII spy novel. It was smart, tense, and featured female secretary-spies. Immersive. BFF-recommended. I could have finished by now if I hadn’t hit pause. Once we got to the land of sugar sand for a week, I wanted anything but depth, despair, or deep thoughts. My stretch goals for the week: A shrimp po’boy the size of three copies of Robert Caro’s The Power Broker placed...
Hey Reader, While I don't often think to check in on Reddit, every now and then I come across a post that feels like a fun version of a pillow fight. I couldn't wait to check out how people responded to this one. I wouldn’t have posted that.But I’ve thought it. Especially in the days when my book stack was overflowing with nonfiction titles I felt like I should read—books on mindset, habits, business, personal growth. I’d scroll right past a novel I wanted to read, because… what would that do...
Hey Reader, Thanks so much for the responses to last week's newsletter How I Finished The Count of Monte Cristo (Without Losing My Mind)! Some of you asked how to go about picking a book that lends itself to using AI as a companion. First of all, picking a book to read with AI isn’t about finding the hardest thing you can survive. Instead, choose a book that sparks curiosity. Perhaps you wonder what all the fuss is about. For me, reading The Count of Monte Cristo was a little about Fear of...