Out Here Making Magic, with books

Welcome to Out Here Making Magic with Books
A casual book club for people who love books, or want to love them.

I’ve been dreaming about having my very own book club for a long time, and today’s the day.

I’ve always wanted to create a cozy corner for people who are drawn to books, or curious about becoming book people. Honestly, I sometimes feel like I love books enough for the whole room. If you're anywhere on the spectrum from “can’t fall asleep without reading” to “maybe this will be the one book I finish this year,” you’re in exactly the right place.

So, what kind of book club is this?

We’ll call it casual. No reading quizzes, no pressure. Just a rhythm of good books and good company. I’ll vary the picks: fiction and nonfiction, fantasy and memoir, romance and self-help, and we’ll pay attention to what this little crew of ours is drawn to. The common thread? Nothing too bleak. I don’t usually reach for misery, and I don’t plan to start now. Think nourishing, thought-provoking, magical in some way, whether quiet or bold.

How it works

Midway through each month, I’ll announce the pick for the following month on the bookclub tab. That gives you time to borrow, buy, or download it in whatever form works best for your life. Hardcover, Kindle, audiobook—all welcome. And whether you read it in English or another language that feels more natural to you, that’s welcome too.

This is a paid-subscriber-only space.
If you’re already a paid subscriber, welcome in, take a seat, get cozy.
If not yet, you can upgrade your subscription to Out Here Making Magic to join us.

Becoming a paid subscriber unlocks access to Substack’s chat feature, where I’ll share prompts and open the floor for conversations throughout the month. You can chime in whenever something moves you, or just quietly follow along.

Toward the end of the month, I’ll host a Zoom call (and occasionally an in-person gathering for those nearby). None of it is mandatory. All of it is here for you, if and when you want it. At any point, you’ll know you’re reading alongside kindred spirits. That’s the magic of it.

Not a book person? No worries, my usual posts return next week, and this club is just one thread in the fabric of this space.

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Our first book (for July):
📘 “My Friends” by Frederik Backman