Before we dive in: A reminder for your analog reading pile this fall that I have a new book, Our Fermented Lives, which is out in the US and should release overseas next month!
You can order it here
When the weather starts to cool, I like to turn to cozy books (or to my cozy laptop) for some good reading. I’m getting back into the habit of reading in a way that lets me completely let go of time and to just get lost in a narrative, rather than reading because I need to respond to/quote/learn a specific thing from whatever I’m reading.
Reconnecting with pleasure reading on devices is interesting, because there’s so much other non-pleasure reading stuff on there to distract us and pull us away. I love newsletters because I can get bits of pleasure reading into my day, even just on my laptop between things.
For some of us, today is the celebration of the end of harvest season and the start of the new year. I like to set intentions with holidays, or really whenever the mood strikes, and one intention I have is to read more for the sake of reading (I also want to take some writing workshops to dip my toes into the worlds of fiction and nature writing).
I often read newsletters on my computer, but I recently have pressed my old iPad back into service, and I use it pretty much just as an e-reader: I don’t even have email on it. I’m enjoying having an option for connecting with the digital content I like without the siren song of digital spaces writ large.
A while back, I asked readers for feedback on your favorite newsletters, and you all offered some wonderful suggestions!
Many that I planned to recommend were on your lists, too, and I’ve added a few others that I think you all might enjoy.
Happy reading/happy autumn!
Some old favorites
Wordloaf
I always love to see recommendations for Andrew Janjigian’s bread-focused newsletter, which makes the subject of sourdough bread, even its more technical aspects, accessible and pleasurable to read about. Several of you, like me, are big fans and were quick to add this to our list.
Kitchen Witch
Newsletter author Jennifer Billock describes this newsletter as being “about the intersection of food and witchcraft”, and I enjoy it for its approachable, enjoyable writing and for the breadth of content she and her guests cover.
Dianne Jacob’s newsletter
Pascale Beale says, “Dianne Jacob's newsletter about the art and business of food writing. Must read!”
Smartmouth
One of my perennial favorites (and I love working with editor Katherine Spiers), Smartmouth shares unique takes on food news, food history deep dives, and other unique food content I don’t see elsewhere. As an added bonus, newsletter contributors are paid fairly for their work.
David Lebovitz’ newsletter
Pascale Beale describes this as, “all the delicious and maddening things about living, eating, cooking and shopping in Paris.” I also enjoy the way the newsletter’s homepage is organized: with tabs up top for easy navigating to different types of content.
Tales from Topographic Kitchens
Nicola Miller’s newsletter topped Andrew Janjigian’s list of recommendations, and it’s a beautiful and evocative (and wide-ranging) exploration of all things food. Miller does great interviews, and her recent piece In Praise of Single Subject Cookbooks included many favorite and many new-to-me recommendations.
From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy
I perennially recommend Alicia’s writing in my monthly reading lists, and turn to her frequently for inspiration and for thoughtful, well-researched perspectives on food, particularly around sustainability, labor, and climate. I enjoy that her work puts food and humanity at the center, rather than asking us to artificially separate the two.
Make Me Good Soil
I love Sophie Strand’s writing, which asks us to consider ourselves in the context of our world, and decentralizes us from our ecosystem. Instead, we are a part of the ecosystem, and how we interact and connect with other components of the natural world, from fungi to flowers, shapes us just as much as we shape the world around us.
Dear Bread
Andrew Janjigian recommended Amy Halloran’s work, which is also one of my favorites. Amy’s writing about bread is touching, personal, and quite frankly beautiful to read. I look forward to each issue that arrives in my inbox.
Stained Page News
All about cookbooks, thoughtfully written, and I leave each issue with new ideas about cookbooks as a genre and often with specific titles to add to my ‘to read’ list.
Craft Talk
As a writing coach and a writer, I am always on the lookout for things that keep me motivated and inspired. Jami Attenberg has created useful, fun writing challenges but also a community around those challenges, plus writing tips and posts that are honest and hopeful.
Natural Wonders
I love the format of this newsletter, which asks a question about the natural world and then dives into the answer. It’s approachable, it’s fun to read, and it keeps me curious about the things I see when I walk out my door. Make sure to keep your eyes out for my Unplated interview with author Heather Wall, coming out soon!
Time Travel Kitchen
I met Jolene during a virtual food writers’ meetup through Substack, and was struck by her kindness and her passion for her work. Her newsletter is all about retro recipes and cookbooks.
Broken Palate
Niki Davis notes that this newsletter covers “how restaurants shape communities”, it offers restaurant news, reporting on trends, and all things, well, restaurant- and community-focused.
The Food Section
I got a couple recommendations for this one, in comments and even by email. I love Hannah Raskin’s work, and The Food Section, which covers all things food in the South, is no exception. A quick visit to the homepage will show you the breadth of topics they cover, plus they pay writers an equitable wage to contribute their time and expertise.
Sourced
I love Sourced, which investigates “how ingredients are sourced to create change” but does so in a way that’s vibrant, curious, and approaches sourcing in a way that’s holistic and a pleasure to read (I also did an interview with them recently, if you’d like to give it a listen!)
Vittles
Drew Shiel, who writes Commonplace (also highly recommend!), notes that Vittles “provides an excellent essay every time. I try not to link to or quote all of them in Commonplace, but it's a constant struggle.” I love the thoughtful, deep dive approach to writing about food and identity (and food and history, among other things), and I love the idea of that work in conversation with Drew’s work on Irish food culture.
There are plenty of other newsletters I adore! You can see a few by visiting my recommended newsletter list on Substack. I hope you enjoy them all as much as I do!
New-to-me favorites
I loved the breadth of suggestions for newsletters I had never heard of or had yet to read. These are ones you recommended that I am just starting to read!
Aromatica de Profundis by Nuri McBride
Jen Blair “My current research is how Eurocolonial culture impacts our flavor descriptors, specifically beer. Her newsletter and research introduce me to new social concepts of scent to consider as well as new resources.”
Kitchen Projects
Nicola Lamb writes a newsletter demystifying the recipe development process, which she says is “part toolkit, part love letter to food, I want to take you on a deep dive on how to achieve your perfect pastry.”
Affirmation Chickens
Heather Wall calls this “a sweet short newsletter about small-farm life.”
Soy Sauce, Sugar, Mirin
Luisa Brimble says, “This is my favourite newsletter. Hilarious and I love the style of writing.”
Poor Man’s Feast
I’ve been familiar with Elissa Altman’s work for quite some time, but somehow hadn’t been aware of this newsletter. Pascale Beale says her “observations on life and food are exquisite.”
Historical Supper Club
Niki Davis notes this newsletter “connects food history with current events.” Of course, I love its tagline of “food history in context.”
The Turnstone
Heather Wall recommends this newsletter, “which always boils climate information down into very understandable language.”
Rendered
Andrew Janjigian recommended this newsletter, which I love, particularly for its striking illustrations along with some really incredible writing.
Culinary Travelers
Author Niki Davis describes it as “about how food shapes a destination (with recipes).”
Haterade
Pascale Beale says it’s “a quirky, at times laugh out loud writing (see post of eating tape), as Liz Cook the author says, Join a safe place for food weirdos.”
What other newsletters would you recommend? What favorite fall readings are you looking forward to?
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