✍️ Desk of Amy Suto: Reading and Loving Lately
Recommendations for what to read this week.
Happy Sunday! In today’s newsletter, you’ll read about…
✍️ My favorite books I’ve read (and loved!) lately
☕️ A trip to the Magic Castle
😎 And some more inspiration to start your week
📖 3-Minute Story: Reading and Loving Lately
This last week has been a whirlwind: I spent 48 hours in Los Angeles, getting my hair done and going on a food tour all over the city to try out new bagel places that have eluded me in the past.
My partner Kyle also took me to see some magic shows at the Magic Castle, a major LA bucket list item and a super special night. If you haven’t been, the Magic Castle is this old mansion turned magic club that hosts multiple magic shows a night, and you have to know someone to get in.
As I’ve written about before, I have mixed feelings about Los Angeles. But I’m always game to return to my former home if it involves some great bagels and real magic. 🪄
In between my travels and writing for clients this week, I’ve been reading up a storm.
Lately, my Goodreads history has been a bloodbath of 1- and 2-star reviews over the last few months — I’m not an easy reader to please.
However, there are two great books I’ve read and loved lately that I can recommend you:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper. This is a new book that just came out in paperback, but I listened to the audiobook and love it. It’s a two-hander that follows a crisis publicist and hitman-for-hire in Los Angeles as they navigate the Hollywood underworld, and it’s full of twists and turns. I gave this 4/5 stars because I think the plotting got a little messy, but it’s a pageturner and feels well-researched and scarily accurate in the details of LA and the power grabs and scandals that happen there.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I’m a sucker for “person-waking-up-with-amnesia-and-solving-the-mystery-of-who-they-are” stories like Wayward Pines and The Bourne Identity. Hail Mary has a similar premise, but with more of a sci-fi bent. I love how the mystery box unfolds in this one, and I’m surprised how funny and heartfelt this book was — plus, the ending was great, which is one of my many criteria for books I recommend you!
Have you read either of the above? I’d love to hear your thoughts if so!
Here are more posts of mine you may find interesting:
✨ 2 Quotes to Inspire You
“For my part, I knew nothing with any certainty, but the sight of stars that make me dream.” — Vincent Van Gogh
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all." — Emily Dickinson
✍️ 1 Journal Prompt for Reflection
The Unseen Companion. Visualize an imaginary friend or guardian who has been with you all your life, witnessing your journey. Describe them and reflect on what they might say about your past decisions and future paths.
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
📚 New Chapters of My Thriller Novel Let Me Be Your Ghost
📸 Photo of the Week: #Throwback to Lisbon, Portugal
I’m so excited to be headed back to Portugal this year — check out my Lisbon travel guide for more tips on what to do in this magical city!
Follow me on X/Twitter or Instagram for more!
⚡️ Upcoming Wednesday Edition: 6 Tips for Picking Winning Topics for Your Substack Newsletter
This Wednesday, ✍️ From the Desk of Amy Suto paid subscribers will get an exclusive issue about…
✨ What content pillars are and how to pick yours
🧪 Why planning your posts is important
📚 Why I decided not to pick one niche and instead pick interests
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link to get 50% off your Wondercraft AI subscription! (paid/affiliate link)