Happy Monday, friends! Welcome to the very first edition of my weekly newsletter, Amanda Reads!
It is both terrifying and exciting to launch a newsletter, but writers of the interwebs keep telling me I should.
As someone who loves newsletters and clicks “subscribe” with impressive speed, I have been hesitant to throw my hat into the ring. I don’t even wear real hats, just metaphorical ones.
And yet… I’m trying to build my presence and portfolio as a writer, and stop being afraid to put myself out there and connect with other awesome humans like the ones I’ve met since I began writing online more frequently back in April. So, here we are. Newsletter land.
My goal for this newsletter is to create a fun space to share reading of all kinds—book recommendations, links to great articles (by amazing humans and occasionally by yours truly), and a weekly Tarot reading to kick off the week with a little magic.
(Heads up: Links below may be affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase. Thanks in advance for the support!)
Book Rec of the Week
This week I’m recommending Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey.
Billed as You’ve Got Mail meets sexy Mr. Rodgers, this is a delightful love letter to the romantic comedy genre and to epistolary novels. I respect that it is a weird pitch, but trust me, it works. I mean just look at them there on the cover, sitting on their cute little typewriter.
I will read everything Winfrey puts out, partly because she’s an Ohioan like me, and mostly because she’s a massive rom com fan and her books are a delightful addition to the genre. If you want to laugh and fall in love with two open, earnest humans doing their best, get you a copy ASAP.
Tarot Reading of the Week
Card of the Week: Four of Crystals
Deck Used: Starchild Tarot (Akashic)
The Four of Crystals centers around priorities. As you enter this week, consider your success. How have you measured it? Does your idea of success line up with where you spend your energy?
In particular, consider whether you have become overly focused on money & possessions above pursuing that which resonates with your highest self. Are there changes you are resisting because you’re trying to fit yourself into the mold of a former you?
Words from the Web
A shoutout to Anangsha Alammyan’s great Medium piece about why writers should start a newsletter, which inspired me to take the plunge.
My internet friend & editor at Coffee Time Reviews, Eliza Lita, is challenging herself to submit to 30 publications in 30 days. She’s putting out some great work, including this phenomenal essay exploring rediscovering identity when you are no longer a student.
I’ll also humbly point you towards my favorite article written by yours truly in the past week, “Grown Woman With Band-Aid on Each Knee Recounts Tragic Tale”. I tried my hand at a little humor writing and poking fun at my occasionally over-the-top reaction to falling down.
That’s it for this week, friends! Thanks so much for taking this journey with me. Since I’m new to the whole newsletter game, I’d love to hear your feedback. See you next Monday!