💡 Life Lately: From Puerto Rico to Tampa
This week’s energy? Relentless. Between ongoing news fatigue and Puerto Rico’s latest blackout (my family is still without power!), I’ve been reflecting on how fragile—and necessary—access to electricity and comfort is.
✈️ I just booked my summer trip to Puerto Rico, and I’m already planning bookstore visits and romantic little reels to share with you. Stay tuned for sunshine, books, and beachy bookshop adventures.
🧘♀️ Reading as Nervous System Regulation
My nervous system has been on high alert. I talked to my meditation teacher about how overstimulating it is just to exist in the U.S. right now. If reading feels hard for you too, you're not alone.
Here’s what’s helping me:
A visual timer to stay focused for 5–30 minutes
Short bursts of journaling
Switching to audiobooks when reading feels too much
Leaning on cozy mysteries for emotional ease
🎧 What I’m Listening To
Audiobooks have been my comfort reads lately—especially at night when my brain won’t settle.
Currently Playing:
Murder by Cheesecake by Golden Girls Mystery Series by Rachel Eckstrom Courage (Borrowed through Amazon Music Program- see my tip below)
Light, nostalgic, and pure fun—even if it’s not the most groundbreaking read.In Good Company by Kat Singleton (Kindle Unlimited Whispersync audio upgrade for $7.49)
A charming romcom featuring a Hampton’s Private Chef who is working for a sexy ex-boyfriend’s older brother, a billionaire swoony boss. This one’s perfect for the car.
Listener Tip:
🛠️ Amazon Music Hack (affiliate) – If you’re not into Audible’s credit system or don’t want to give Bezos extra hard-earned cash, consider checking out the Amazon Music program.
Did you know that if you are part of the Amazon Music program, you can borrow 1 audiobook per month, and that includes Audible’s vast library of audiobooks, including all of their exclusive content that is not available to borrow at your local library.
Amazon Music costs $11.99 per month ($10.99 for Prime Members), which is cheaper than the Audible credit system.
This system is perfect if you are like me, a one-and-done listener. You can borrow it for a month or multiple months to listen and then return the book.
As someone who has decision fatigue spending my Audible Credits, using Amazon Music has been a game changer.
Here is my borrowing guideline to make it worthwhile:
I only borrow Audible Exclusive content whose e-book is not available on Kindle Unlimited, which will allow me to listen to the audiobook.
🚫 Recent DNF (Did Not Finish)
Big, Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
and I go into more detail in Monday’s podcast episode, where we'll chat about our honest thoughts on this book and what to read instead!
Just didn’t work for me.
🔁 New Daily Podcast Minis
I’m back with short daily-ish podcast episodes (5–10 mins) featuring:
Kindle Unlimited finds
Thrillers, fantasy, and hockey romance recs
Cozy mysteries
Backlist gems from older episodes with 750+ episodes
🎧 Available on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. Find them by searching What to Read Next.
📚 Library Talk: Why They Matter More Than Ever
Libraries are facing real threats—budget cuts, revoked grant money, and, in some cases, discontinued non-resident card access, such as Miami-Dade’s program.
How You Can Help:
Get a card at your local library—even if you don’t plan to use it.
Donate or support Friends of the Library bookstores.
Advocate for maintaining funding and resisting book bans.
💡 Fun tip: Most libraries offer free access to the New York Times, Libby for magazines, and even borrowable instruments and cameras.
Great Library Systems for Extra Cards:
New York (Brooklyn, NYPL, Queens)
Maryland (Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore)
California, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania
🔜 What’s Coming Next
In future issues:
More Kindle Unlimited roundups
Substack-exclusive book lists
Personal reading life updates
Libby & audiobook hacks
And as always, expect cozy, feel-good reads with a splash of strategy to help you read more and spend less 💸
📌 Quick Links & Mentions
Resources:
Try Amazon Music with Audiobook Borrow Option (affiliate)
💬 Let’s Chat
How’s your nervous system holding up? What’s the last book that made you feel calm or comforted?
Leave a comment and let me know!
See you next week,
Laura
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