Introducing Holly’s Literary Magic

What you can expect to find here, starting with two monthly newsletter series

Welcome to Holly’s Literary Magic, the Substack! In case you’re new—my name is Holly, and I’m a lifelong reader and former English & American Literature major. More accurately, I’m a huge book nerd and love nothing more than sharing about the books that transport me; that ignite my imagination; and that make me think and look at the world in new ways.

I’ve been active on “Bookstagram” (@hollyslitmagic) for five years now, posting reviews for every book I read; fun graphics and reading guides; and video “mood boards” that bring to life books I find particularly transportive. And now through this Substack, I can take these bookish adventures with you all to new depths.

All of the content in this Substack will reflect my own personal reading taste—an eclectic mix of genres that generally trend towards the fantastical and adventurous, the dark and mysterious, the literary and reflective. My posts will hopefully reflect my own voice—I’m less interested in being the next Shakespeare and much more eager to create space for fun, bookish conversations with you all. Get ready to get nerdy with me.

I’ll be releasing a few different buckets of content here on Substack, starting with two main newsletter series.

The Town Crier

The “Town Crier” newsletter will publish the first Friday of each month. Here, I’ll highlight the best books I read recently; a curated group of that month’s new releases (the ones I’m planning to read, curious about, or planning to skip); and other relevant book news that I find exciting or interesting.

In case you aren’t familiar, the “Town Crier” was the person in medieval times who would stand in the town square and share news and announcements (to, ironically, a largely illiterate community—which I know won’t be the case here!). They pop up in some of my favorite fantasy novels and video games, and my hope is that I can serve as a literary “Town Crier” to you all in this monthly series.

The new releases and book news I highlight won’t include every buzzy book for every reader; but rather, each edition will feel curated and reflective of my own personal taste. I also plan to provide glimpses into my process for finding the books most aligned with my reading preferences (and hopefully, yours!).

Side Quests

Our reading doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s influenced by what else is going on in our lives, by other media we’re consuming—and it’s a two way street, with the books we read affecting how we move through and see things in other spheres of life. Often the books I read spark other ideas and connections, or trains of thought, or send me down rabbit holes that I would love to unpack in more detail but haven’t been able to—until now.

Introducing Side Quests! In this Substack series published mid-month, I invite you to join me along these mental journeys. Usually these loose, short-form essays will be sparked by the books I’ve read recently, allowing me an opportunity to share thoughts or contemplations that can’t be captured within a short Instagram caption. But sometimes we may go on deep dives examining specific sub-genres, comparing magical creatures and tropes across cultures, or simply thinking about books and authors in the context of other TV and movies I’m also consuming.

One of the most powerful parts of reading is the places books take you—whether that’s literal places to which you can armchair travel, richly imagined fantasy realms, or simply getting insight into another person’s unique life experience. Books plant seeds in our brains that we have the power to cultivate and grow into new interests or knowledge; and much like with side quests in a video game, it’s our choice whether to travel down those paths and expand our worlds. You never know what the rewards might be or where these side quests might take you; but it’s almost always worth being curious.

So join me as we get curious, across genres and subjects, and leave no stone unturned in our reading lives. I’ll be your guide across the literary realm.