Whenever I walk into an independent bookstore, I look for the staff recommendations. At my local bookshop, there are certain booksellers whose recommendations I vibe with and always seek out. I don't know these people, but our book tastes align.
I like to think of this space as my own little bookstore, in a way. I recommend many books to you all, and I thought it'd be fun to share a little about the "bookseller" behind the recommendations!
Six years ago, I launched a bookstagram; three years ago, I launched my newsletter; and two years ago, I moved to Substack. Sharing my reading life online has exponentially improved my life as a reader and has been so much fun.
As I hit my second Substack anniversary this month, and with the addition of several new faces here this summer, I thought a (re)introduction was in order.
As a thank you to everyone who has been along on this journey and chatted books with me, I'm offering 20% off subscriptions from now through Monday, August 26.
Welcome to the bookshop
Alright, so imagine you've entered my bookshop. In my dream, it's an airy space with tons of light pouring in through oversized windows. Plants and lamps are everywhere, and cozy, whimsical couches and window seats are available for you to lounge on. There are shelves full of books and tables with funky curated book recommendations to browse. There is (obviously) a bookshop cat or two and a lovely little coffee/wine bar where you can get your favorite drink. We've got some soft indie folk music playing (likely Sierra Ferrell at the moment) and a woodsy, earthy candle giving the space a lovely, delicate scent. Come in, come in!
Note: this is all a fun daydream. While owning a bookshop sounds lovely, I know from experience that owning a small business is a ton of work. This is just a romanticized version in which I have no business responsibilities ◡̈
You head to the staff recommendation shelf, and here's what I've stocked. These are five of my favorite books that give a sense of my reading taste.
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead because I love sweeping literary novels that feature a strong female lead.
The Sweetest Revenge by Lizzy Dent because I adore British romantic comedies, and Lizzy Dent is one of my favorites.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett because I will never pass up a well-written family drama.
Awayland by Ramona Ausubel because dreamy, fairy-tale-like stories with a hint of darkness are my preferred short stories.
The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien because this was one of the first novels by an Irish author I read years ago, and it kicked off a love of Irish authors.
How do our reading tastes line up?
Meet your “bookseller”
I grew up in a small town in Connecticut, spent my college years and 20s in Boston, and moved to New York City in 2018 with Dean, my husband, and Quincy, our tabby cat (RIP). Now, I have found my way back to New England, specifically to the coast of Maine, where we settled down in late 2021.
I worked for eight years in program and event planning in higher education before going full-time with my wedding photography business in 2022.
I've been an avid reader my entire life, but in 2015, after realizing I had read just two books in 2014, I made a goal of reading 25 books that year and reignited my love of reading. Since then, I started my book-focused Instagram in 2018 and this newsletter in 2021, and I have been connecting with readers and sharing book recommendations ever since.
After starting my bookstagram in 2018, I quickly got involved with the bookish community and began meeting fellow readers. We moved to New York City later that year, and my bookstagram account helped me make many new friends there. As my account grew, I started getting invited to book events and having the opportunity to work with publishers and organizations. I founded the NYC chapter of the Literary League and started doing freelance marketing work with Italic Type.
I feel fortunate to blend my reading life into my work life. I consider myself a full-time photographer and a part-time book person!
A few fun facts
I attended a performing arts high school and studied music as an undergrad. I play classical piano. I worked for a few years after school for the Boston Symphony but eventually returned to school to get my masters in nonprofit management and began working in higher education.
I've loved photography since high school and started taking on wedding work in 2019 on the occasional weekend. Starting and growing my business has been an incredible learning experience. I'm grateful for the flexibility that being self-employed allows me!
I'm a cat lady! Growing up, we always took in stray cats that needed a home. I adopted my girl Quincy as a kitten when I was just 18 years old, and I said goodbye to her last year after we had been together for 17 years. Now we have Charlie, who is 12, and Babs, who is 5, as part of our little crew. For the last year and a half, I've volunteered at a local cat shelter every Wednesday morning (that's how I met Babs!), and I love getting to help the kitties find good forever homes.
When I'm not reading or photographing, I love going to the movies, riding my bike, doing crossword puzzles, visiting museums, going on day hikes (woodsy or ocean-side; I'm not picky!), and crocheting.
Both my husband and I are vegetarians, and I find with every year that passes as a vegetarian, the idea of any harm done to an animal becomes harder and harder to bear.
I'm an introvert and a Pisces and a type 9 enneagram, so I have a lot of feelings but sometimes keep them to myself. I'm also such a homebody.
I love cereal. My favorite is Lucky Charms, but it’s not vegetarian. So now I opt for Frosted Flakes or Froot Loops when I occasionally indulge.
I am technically an only child, but both my parents remarried when I was young, so I have three half-siblings, a step-brother, and a cousin who is like a sister to me. I value my family, and though we have less time together these days, I love the time we spend together.
What do we have in common? I’d love to know!
Til next time,
Congratulations on many many lovely books years Michelle! Meeting your ‘bookseller’ is such a fun post concept - I loved it!
Love knowing a little more about you! I strongly resonate with the majority of your recs, and consider your Substack an important part of my book curating process. Thank you so much! Just finished The Couples by Lauren Mackenzie, another win.🏅