I realized that I wanted to expand my connections with authors (I had been helping multiple authors with the online marketing… this was the early days of Instagram) and start my own business. The Literary Assistant was born.

I found who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. Fast forward to now, I regularly check in with myself to see if I’m living the life I want, right now in this moment.

You might have noticed I’ve recently become certified to teach Barre and Pilates classes. This wouldn’t have happened, if I didn’t take the time to check in with myself and see what do I want to do my life and act on that.

Life goes by in the blink of an eye, and if we don’t live with intentionality, it just becomes a blur of business that might not be taking us in the direction we want to go.

Are you living the life you actually want or just the life that happened to you?

The one you want. Right now in this season.

Most people can’t answer that question because they’ve never stopped to ask it. I think it happens to most of us at multiple times throughout our life. We get busy doing, working, parenting, creating, hustling without ever checking if we’re still heading in the right direction.

Today, we’re going to stop and check.

This post is going to walk you through a couple of things…

1. A honest life audit… so you can see clearly where you actually are

2. A way to bring it all together… starting with who you are as a creative

Before you can change anything, you have to be honest about everything.

A life audit isn’t about judging yourself. It’s about finding clarity. Think of it like looking at a map before a road trip. You can’t plot a route until you know where you are at and where you are going.

Your Life Check-In

Grab a piece of paper and rate each area of your life right now on a scale of 1–10. Be honest. Not “where I want to be”, but where you actually are.

• Health & Energy

• Relationships & Connection

• Creative Work & Career

• Financial Wellbeing

• Personal Growth & Learning

• Fun, Joy & Play

• Home & Environment

• Spirituality & Purpose

Now look at your scores. Where are you thriving? Where are you coasting? Where have you been avoiding looking? Now is the time to be honest with yourself.

Circle your lowest score. That’s a sign of where you can make the biggest impact.

The Next Step…

For each area, ask yourself:

1. What’s working? What’s going well that you don’t want to disturb? Name it. Honor it. Too often we skip straight to what’s broken.

2. What’s not working? Where are you feeling friction, resentment, exhaustion, or that quiet dread you don’t talk about? Write it down. You can’t fix what you won’t name.

3. What am I tolerating? This one is the game-changer. Tolerations are the things you’ve decided to live with… the pile on the desk, the conversation you keep putting off, the habit you keep saying you’ll change. List one thing you’ve been tolerating in your life right now.

4. What do I actually want? Not what you should want. Not what would impress someone. What do you want? Finish this sentence in writing: “When I change (fill in the blank), I want to feel...”

Based on your audit, write one paragraph that starts with: “Right now, I am...”

Describe where you are without apology, without spin the justifies what you might not have accomplished yet that you promised yourself you would, without the version you’d post on Instagram. This is for you. The clearer you are about where you are, the more powerful your next steps become.

Something I’ve learned from working with authors and creatives for year is that the clearest sign that someone is living out of alignment is when they can’t answer the question: “Who are you, and what do you stand for?”

Not your job title. Not your bio. Not the thing you do. Who you are.

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You did something today that most people never do.

You stopped and honestly at where you are. You started imagining where you want to go.

That’s not a small thing. I’m proud of you

— Melissa

Join Me: Define Your Author Brand Identity

Your brand… as an author, a creative, a person building something… is an extension of your identity. When your brand reflects who you actually are, it doesn’t feel like marketing. It feels like showing up. It attracts the right readers, the right clients, the right community.

But when your brand is disconnected from your values, your voice, and your story? Everything feels harder than it should.

That gap… between who you are and how you’re showing up… is exactly what we’re going to close together in my upcoming workshop.

✅ Define your author mission — the why behind everything you create

✅ Craft your brand statement — a clear, confident articulation of who you are and who you serve

✅ Create a cohesive brand story that resonates with readers and stands out online

This isn’t about logo colors or fonts. This is about identity. This is about stepping into your story with confidence and building a brand that’s memorable because it’s authentically yours.

I’ve helped New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors build their brands, and I can tell you… the ones who thrive are the ones who know who they are.

This session is for you whether you’re just stepping into your author identity or you’re ready to strengthen the one you’ve already built.

👉 Register here: Define Your Author Brand Identity

Already a paid subscriber to Colin Mustful’s History Through Fiction Substack? You already have access — no need to register separately. Check your subscriber benefits!

Well, if that is what you are looking for, I’m sorry to disappoint, but I don’t think you need a complicated routine. You don’t need a stack of expensive supplements or a 90-minute cold plunge, sweat-filled morning ritual… although feel free to do so if it brings you joy. If we look to science, some of the most powerful things you can do for your mood, your health, and happiness are free, simple, and available right outside your front door.

And, I will even make the argument that these simple and free things will also make you more creative in the long run.

Here are three habits I come back to every single morning and the science that explains why they actually work.

1. Get outside and get some sunlight

This one sounds almost too simple, but research proves it time and time again. According to Cleveland Clinic, sunlight activates a specific part of the brain called the pineal gland, which is connected to the production of serotonin… this sometimes gets called the “feel-good hormone” because of its effect on mood. Getting more of it in the morning helps your brain understand it’s time to be alert, which also sets you up for better sleep that night.

Even 10 to 30 minutes of sun exposure can start to make a difference. I’ve found that, for myself I’ve found working from home running my own business, keeping a consistent wake up time helps me function at my best. I feel good, sleep better, and can be more productive with my time.

For me, getting morning sunshine is mostly a walk around the neighborhood or on days I want to mix things up, I take my rebounder outside. Either way, I’m getting light, breathing fresh air, and starting the day before the day comes rushing at me.

2. Move your body

Here’s something that surprised me when I first read it… the movement you do today directly affects how refreshed and alert you’ll feel when you wake up tomorrow.

A University of California, Berkeley study covered by MSU Health Care, found that physical activity the day prior was one of the key independent factors predicting how alert and refreshed people felt in the morning. When an individual’s physical activity was comparatively greater the day before, people reported feeling more alert the next day. The reason? Exercise increases hormones such as adrenaline that make us alert and moving, and stress is well managed with exercise. What a great reason to make movement a regular habit!

And you really don’t need a lot. Ten minutes counts. A walk counts. Dancing in your kitchen absolutely counts.

If you want a beautiful framework for making this into a daily ritual, pick up The Art of Flaneuring. It’s a gentle invitation to slow down, wander with intention, and let movement become something you actually look forward to. I really enjoy this book!

3. Write down what you’re grateful for.

I use The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: Give Thanks, Practice Positivity, Find Joy every morning. I really love my gratitude practice each morning.

Harvard Health reports that in positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It helps people feel more positive emotions, appreciate good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build stronger relationships.

One study asked participants to spend ten weeks writing about things they were thankful for. Those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic, felt better about their lives, exercised more, and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation. Another researcher found that when participants were assigned to write and personally deliver a letter of gratitude to someone who had never been properly thanked, they immediately exhibited a huge increase in happiness scores. And note that, it had an impact greater than any other positive psychology intervention tested, with benefits lasting for a month.

That’s a powerful five minutes!

I love the 5-Minute Gratitude Journal because the prompts give your brain a direction instead of leaving it to wander back to the to-do list. That said, a plain notebook works beautifully. Your phone notes work. Whatever lowers the friction enough that you’ll actually do it.

Sunlight, movement, gratitude. None of these require a perfect morning or a big block of time. They just require showing up… stepping outside, moving your body a little, writing one true and specific thing you’re thankful for. Small daily habits compound into a life you actually want to be living.

Personally, I am my most creative self when I’m happy, moving my body, and practicing gratitude regularly. What about you?

I hope this inspires you to add one or three of these into your day.

Which of these three do you already have? Which one feels hardest to start? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to hear about it.

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Read. Move. Build the habit. Change your life.

📖📖📖

This is a Reader-Supported.

Every comment, like, share, and upgrades subscription helps keep this space thriving!

The occasional affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you the reader.

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and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” — Marie Curie

Marie Curie didn’t discover radium because she had a perfect plan and a clear path forward. She discovered it because she kept showing up, day after day, in a cold, damp, leaky shed, doing the little bits of the consistent work that eventually changed the world.

She believed she was gifted for something. And she refused to stop until she found it.

That’s the vibe I invite you to join me in bringing into June. This is one of my favorite moments of the entire year. There’s something about the start of a new month, halfway through the year, that feels both grounding and reflective. You still have six full months of the year ahead of you. And you have everything you’ve already learned behind you.

We’re Choosing One Thing. Not three things. Not a complete overhaul. Not a new morning routine with seventeen steps.

One tiny habit.

Something small enough that you could do it even on your worst day. Something specific enough that you know exactly when you’ve done it. Something you can anchor …attach to something you already do… so it has somewhere to live in your life.

That’s the whole challenge! Pick one tiny habit. Anchor it. Show up for it every day in June.

I’m doing it right alongside you. Consider it an experiment we’re running together.

If you’re not sure how to choose your habit or set up your anchor, I’ve got you.

Check out my post below on how to get started.

It walks you through exactly how to pick something that will actually stick and how to build the anchor that makes it automatic over time. Read that first, then come back here.

June is the perfect time to pause and recalibrate, because something went wrong but because checking in is how you make sure you stay headed in the right direction.

Halfway through the year, I like to ask myself three honest questions…

What have I actually done so far this year that I’m proud of?

Don’t skip this one. Give yourself credit before you give yourself notes.

What have I been telling myself I’ll “get to”… and why haven’t I?

This is where things get read. Not judgment. Just honesty.

What do I want the second half of this year to feel like?

Not just look like. Feel like.

Your answers to those questions will point you right to the tiny habit worth building this month.

Be reminded that Marie Curie didn’t doubt that she had something to offer the world. She just kept doing the work until the world caught up with her.

You have something too.

Maybe it’s the book you haven’t let yourself read yet… or write. Maybe it’s the version of yourself who moves through the day with a little more intention and a little less scrolling. Maybe it’s something personal than that, something only you know you’ve been meaning to do.

June is the perfect time to get one step closer to that person.

One tiny habit. One anchor. One month.

Pick your one tiny habit. Decide what you’ll anchor it to. Then come tell me in the chat… because saying it out loud is the a great way to show commitment.

What’s your one tiny habit for June and what are you anchoring it to?

Drop it below. I want to cheer you on.

Read. Move. Build the habit. Change your life.

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Looking for something new to read? Check out The Night the Bells Burned (The 500 Year Journey Book 1)

Before America was a dream, one Dutch father made a vow: his children would live free.

1544. Utrecht. The Spanish Empire is watching.

Cornelis Schutt keeps a forbidden book hidden beneath the floorboards of his shop. Its words are written in Dutch. To own it is dangerous. To read from it is defiance. To teach it to a child can mean death.

When a baker's family is burned alive in the square for reading in his own language, Cornelis sees what obedience has become: a fire at the stake, a warning, and a silence forced on every family in the city. He wants only to protect his wife, Maria, and their children. But protection is no longer simple. Soldiers patrol the streets. Informers listen behind shutters. Neighbors vanish by night. Faith becomes a crime. A father’s love becomes an act of rebellion.

As plague, persecution, betrayal, and Spanish violence close in, the Schutt family is driven from the life they know. They carry what they can: tools, grief, memory, and a vow that will shape every generation that follows.

The Night the Bells Burned is a sweeping historical thriller of faith, family, love, loss, and survival set during the opening fires of the Dutch Revolt and the Eighty Years’ War.

From candlelit shops and hidden books to burning squares, storm-lashed roads, forge fires, forbidden worship, and the first acts of rebellion, this is the story of ordinary people forced into extraordinary choices when empire comes for conscience, family, and faith.

This is not only a story of war. It is a story of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the terrible cost of keeping a family alive when power demands silence.

Across the Low Countries, the first sparks of revolt are beginning to catch. What starts in one shop, one family, and one hidden book will become a legacy tested by fire, exile, faith, trade, war, and the dangerous hope of freedom. The Schutts are not kings or generals. They are merchants, smiths, mothers, fathers, children, and survivors. History will remember the battles. This novel remembers the family who had to live through them. Rich with danger, atmosphere, and emotional stakes, this opening volume is written for readers who want more than dates and battles. It is for readers who want to feel the cost of history at the table, in the street, beside the cradle, and at the door when soldiers knock.

Check it out!

For readers of Ken Follett’s historical sweep, Kristin Hannah’s emotional power, James Michener’s generational scope, and Edward Rutherfurd’s richly layered past, this is a family saga with the urgency of a thriller and the heart of a legacy novel.

“The Night the Bells Burned is an ambitious and gripping historical thriller that brings Reformation-era Europe vividly to life. William H. Brothers writes with a strong command of tension, creating a story rich with urgency, atmosphere, and emotional stakes. A compelling and immersive novel that will resonate with readers of historical suspense.” – Colin Mustful, Founder of History Through Fiction

“A compelling and emotional story that will live in readers’ minds long after they’ve turned the final page.”
— Jennifer Kay Davies, The History Quill

This is a Reader-Supported.

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The occasional affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you the reader.

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And I want to make sure you head into this challenge with one thing already in place… because it’s the thing that will determine whether your new habits actually stick.

It’s not motivation, will power, or a perfectly color-coded tracker.

It’s an anchor.

Here’s what I mean.

The secret BJ Fogg taught me in his book Tiny Habits is all about habits that actually stick.

I’ve been practicing Tiny Habits for a while now, and the single biggest shift came when I stopped trying to remember to do something new and started attaching it to something I already do automatically.

Fogg calls this an anchor. It’s a habit you already have… something you do on autopilot every single day… and you use it as the trigger for your new one.

The formula is simple.

After I ____ [anchor], I will ____ [new tiny habit].

Here’s what a few of mine actually look like….

As I drive my son to school, I drink my bottle of water.

After I walk back through the door from the school drop-off, I start my morning workout. No sitting down first. No checking my phone. I walk in and I get right to moving.

I don’t have to decide. I don’t have to remember or negotiate with myself what I’m going to do for the morning. The anchor does the work.

Your challenge before June

Before June 1st arrives, I want you to pick one habit… just one… that would genuinely change your life if you did it every single day for 30 days.

It doesn’t have to be big. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Small is the whole point. And a small habit can still have a profound impact on your life.

Maybe it’s 10 minutes of reading before you go on your phone in the morning. Maybe it’s a walk after lunch. Maybe it’s writing three lines in a gratitude journal before bed. Maybe it’s something else entirely… something only you know you’ve been putting off.

Pick one. Then ask yourself… what do I already do every single day that could anchor it?

Write it out.

After I ____ , I will ____ .

That’s your habit for June.

Then find your tracker

I’m leaving this part to you because the best tracker is one you’ll actually use.

Personally I have an app that I use for tracking my habits. I love the motivation of seeing the streak of days add up. Or, you might prefer a printed sheet of paper. Pick one that feels like you, write your habit at the top, and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day.

June is when we begin.

One tiny habit.

30 days.

Together we motivate each other to keep going.

Leave a comment or hit reply and tell me and what’s your one habit for June. Looking for a little extra motivation to keep you going. Why not share this post and get you friends to join in!

Super excited to see you build a new habit!

— Melissa

Read. Move. Build the habit. Change your life.

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This is a Reader-Supported.

Every comment, like, share, and upgrades subscription helps keep this space thriving!

The occasional affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you the reader.

Want to book a call to help learn how you can connect with an audience online?

Send me an email at theliteraryassistant@gmail.com

I had a thought the other day… reading doesn’t just make me more understanding of other people. It makes me more conscious of my own life.

There’s something that happens when you follow a character through an arc, their failures, their pivots, their moments of breakthrough and loss, that creates space for you to hold a mirror up to how you’re living. You watch them make choices. You feel the weight of those choices. And then you put the book down and go back to your own life a little more aware of your own choices than you were before.

I’ve been really thinking about this more lately. And, because we are practically internet best friends, I wanted to share a few books with you that made me more conscious of my life.

Soft Launch: A Coming-of-Adulthood Novel by and A Dress of Violet Taffeta by Tessa Arlen both did something to me that I didn’t expect. Watching the difficulties those characters moved through didn’t make me anxious or sad… it made me grateful. Grateful for the quiet, full life I’ve been building. Grateful for things I might have taken for granted if I hadn’t been living inside those stories for a while. (p.s. as I’m writing this, the e-book version of Soft Launch is on sale.)

And then there’s Alice Scott.

If you’ve read Great Big Beautiful Life by , you know what I mean. Alice is driven. Ambitious. She wants success and she goes after it with everything she has. But by the end, she’s reckoning with something harder… that success isn’t always worth what you trade for it. That you can achieve exactly what you set out to and still look around and feel like you’ve lost something essential.

Alice’s arc hit me hard personally. Because I’ve had my own version of that moment.

A few years ago, I worked on a project I truly believed in. I poured myself into it. And eventually I had to face the hardest kind of truth… that it wasn’t going to become what I’d imagined it could be at the start. Letting it go felt like failure. It felt like giving up on something that mattered.

\I learned that letting go of something that’s no longer serving you isn’t failure. It’s wisdom. And the clarity and energy that came from releasing that grip, that’s when I was able to build the things I’m most proud of now.

I think Alice knew that too, eventually.

The research backs up what many of us feel intuitively. Studies show that reading regularly (even if you can squeeze in just 15 minutes a day) strengthens cognitive function, improves memory, and builds the kind of critical thinking that shapes how we make decisions. Reading for pleasure has even been shown to be one of the strongest predictors of long-term success… academically, professionally, and personally.

But I think the benefit that gets talked about least is this one: reading makes us more intentional architects of our own lives.

When you watch a character live, like really live, with all the mess and grace that entails, you start asking yourself questions you might not have previously asked, and figuring out what your best life might look like… for you. Questions come up like…

What am I holding onto that I should let go of?

What does success actually mean to me?

Am I building a life I’ll be proud of, or just a life that looks good from the outside?

For me, a fulfilled life looks like doing work I love, having my family close, and being fully present for the small moments that matter most. That’s it. The books I read didn’t outright tell me these things… but they helped me see it more clearly.

Has a book ever made you more conscious of your own life? Not just more empathetic toward someone else’s but more awake to your own choices, your own life story arc, your own definition of a life well lived?

I’d love to know. Drop it in the comments… the book, the character, the moment you put the book down and thought… I needed to read that.

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Read. Move. Build the habit. Change your life.

This is a Reader-Supported.

Every comment, like, share, and upgraded subscription helps keep this space thriving!

The occasional affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you the reader.

Want to book a call to help learn how you can connect with an audience online?

Send me an email at theliteraryassistant@gmail.com

We are often waiting for the perfect moment to start them.

New year. New month. Monday. The first of the month. After the busy season. After the holidays. After things calm down a little. We are always waiting for that perfect moment as if that will be be what makes us succeed this time around.

And then we blink and it’s June and we’re still waiting, and the habit never happened.

So I’m just going to pull of the metaphorical Band-Aid and say it… there is no better time than right now. Not next Monday. Not July 1st. Today. This week. The moment you finish reading this.

That’s what the 5-minute habit of this challenge is really about. WE aren’t chasing perfection. Not the ideal conditions. Just starting right now.

I want to be honest with you here about a habit I tried to start… because that’s kinda the the whole point of me putting these Substack posts out there.

I have started gratitude journaling before. More than once. I’ve bought the journals, set the intentions, written a few entries that felt genuinely good… and then stopped. Life got busy. I skipped a day. Then two. Then I’d find the journal weeks later shoved under something on my desk and feel vaguely guilty about it.

The habit never stuck because it wasn’t anchored to anything. It was just floating out there in my day, waiting for a free moment that never reliably came. Was I going to be grateful in the evening after a long day? In the morning before the rush happened? Maybe at lunch? I didn’t even know the answer myself.

This time, I’m doing something different.

After reading Tiny Habits (which I highly recommend), I realize I was missing that anchor. B.J. Fogg calls it a recipe. You need to have the plan that leads to a success habit.

So here’s was the new plan…

Every morning, there is a small window of time between pressing the button on the coffee maker and that first glorious cup being ready.

You know the window I mean? You are not quite awake enough to do anything useful. You are definitely not ready to look at your phone. You are simply... existing. Waiting for the caffeinated nectar from the gods to do its work.

(If you don’t drink coffee… first, I’m sorry. Second, think about what you do without fail every single morning. That thing. That’s your anchor.)

That little window? That’s my gratitude journaling space now.

I have a journal with prompts and I cannot recommend this enough if a blank page has ever made you freeze. (Why does it give me same anxiety as taking a test?) Prompts make you think rather than just list the same three things on autopilot. They pull something real out of you forcing you to answer with honesty.

Yesterday’s prompt was: What’s one thing that happened yesterday that you’re grateful for?

And I sat there with my coffee brewing and I thought about my team call with History Through Fiction the day before. About working with , and the community of authors we get to support, about the HTF team as a whole, and the people putting their stories out into the world, trusting us to help them do it. And I wrote that down.

It took maybe four minutes. But I started my day having genuinely reflected on something that matters to me. That’s not fluff. That compounds. The grateful slowly shifts your outlook on life.

But it could be something totally different for you.

Now it’s your turn.

The 5-minute habit work portion of this challenge is yours to shape as you see fit.

Maybe it’s gratitude journaling alongside me. Maybe it’s something completely different that you’ve been meaning to build into your life. The only rule is that it has to be something intentional. Something you’re choosing on purpose.

And here’s the question I want you to sit with before you decide…

What habit have you been starting over and over again and what would it mean to finally make it stick?

Find your anchor. Attach the habit to something you already do without thinking. Keep it to 5 minutes. Show up tomorrow. And the next day. And the next…

That’s it. That’s the whole thing.

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Let me know in the comments, what’s your habit you want to start, and what are you anchoring it to? I want to know what we’re all building together.

Read. Move. Build the habit. Change your life.

And before you dismiss romance… this is exactly why I will forever climb onto my soapbox and shout that romance books are not fluff. Not even a little.

The heroine in this story had her world cracked open. Dumped by her fiancé a few months before her wedding, she does the only brave thing she can think of… she books a flight, lands somewhere beautiful and unfamiliar, and sets off on an Eat, Pray, Love-style journey to figure out who she actually is and what she actually wants.

There’s a scene where she’s talking with someone in a local village. And they get onto the subject of courage.

She says something like… I wish I were braver. I wish I weren’t so afraid.

And the response stopped me cold.

The wise older woman in the village says something back like…

Being courageous doesn’t mean the absence of fear. It means doing the thing with fear with as your companion.

I underlined the quote and I put the book down and just sat with that for a minute.

Fear isn’t leaving. It was never going to leave. We’ve been waiting for it to disappear before we give ourselves permission to move and it was never planning to go anywhere..

Here’s what I’ve been thinking about ever since I read that… What if the goal was never to get rid of the fear? What if the goal was just to get so familiar with it that you stop being surprised when it shows up?

I think that’s what happens when you keep doing the hard things anyway. Fear doesn’t shrink exactly… but your relationship with it changes. It goes from being a stop sign to just... a familiar passenger. You start to recognize it. Oh. You again. And then you keep going.

I have a little personal antidote to share… My mom went to her doctor recently. It’s been eleven months since we lost my dad.

Her doctor looked at her and said, You have been so courageous this past year. My mom’s first reaction was to say she didn’t feel courageous. She felt like she’d just been surviving… grieving.

But then we started talking about everything she had pushed herself to do alone in those eleven months.

She traveled out of state to see friends. She redid the backyard. She went back to events she and my dad had always attended together. She showed up to places that held memories and she walked through the door anyway.

The list got longer the more we talked.

She hadn’t been waiting to feel brave. She had just been doing the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing… with fear and grief and loss riding along every single time.

That is courage. That’s exactly what it is.

And sometimes we need someone else to hold up a mirror so we can finally see it in ourselves.

I’ve been thinking about this in my own life too… specifically the last five months.

At the start of this year, I built a 12-week plan following the principles of the book The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months. The point of it was to move forward on the things I actually wanted… not the easy things, but the things fear had kept me from. Some of them for years. Some nearly a decade.

One of those things was teaching fitness.

I have wanted to teach for nearly a decade. I’d circle back to the idea, feel that little flutter of excitement, and then let fear talk me out of it. You’re not ready. Who would take a class from you? What if you fail? What if you mix up your right from your left?

I put it in the plan anyway.

Five months later, I passed my Pilates and Barre teaching certifications. And now, starting in June, every week I’ll be teach classes at my local yoga and Pilates studio.

Four months. That’s how long it took from decision to doing, once I stopped waiting for the fear to leave and just brought it with me.

Every time you show up to move… even when you don’t feel like it, even when you’re tired, even when the voice in your head is listing ten reasons to stay on the couch… you are practicing courage. You are training the part of you that says yes anyway.

That’s not a small thing. It compounds. It grows. The 10 minutes you show up for today are building something bigger than today.

So I want to ask you something, and I want you to actually sit with it for a moment before you move on with your day.

What have you wanted to do with your life that you’ve let fear hold you back from?

Not the general, abstract things. The specific ones. The ones you’ve thought about more than once. The ones that light you up for a second and then get quickly buried.

What if you didn’t have to wait until you weren’t afraid?

What if you just brought fear along for the ride, or let it freak you out… and did the thing anyway?

What would we get to see you do?

I’d love to know. Drop it in the comments and inspire others to be courageous.

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Read. Move. Build the habit. Change your life.

I am — though I won’t pretend I spring out of bed full of energy and optimism. It’s more like a quiet appreciation. The stillness before the house wakes up. The smell of coffee brewing. The way the morning feels like it belongs entirely to me before it belongs to anyone else.

Somewhere in my 40s, something shifted. I started noticing how fast life was moving…how a whole week could blur past in a rush of tasks, errands, and obligations, and I’d arrive at Friday feeling busy but not really present. Not really intentional. I was doing a lot, but was I doing what mattered most to me?

That question has stayed with me. And it’s led me to make small, deliberate changes in how I start each day.

This is what that looks like right now.

This is probably the single most useful thing I’ve done for my mornings and honestly, for my whole sense of structure. I wake up at 6am, before the rest of the family starts their day.

It sounds simple, but consistency here is everything. When you wake up at the same time each day, your body finds its rhythm. You stop fighting the alarm. You stop negotiating with yourself. It just becomes the thing you do. This has made waking up so much more pleasant.

If you work from home or for yourself (as I do), this matters even more. There’s no office, no commute, no external structure forcing the day to start. That structure has to come from you and anchoring it to a consistent wake time is the foundation everything else builds on.

Before anything else, there are three cats who have VERY strong opinions about breakfast timing. So first things first, always feed the cats.

Some routines are non-negotiables. 😻😻😻

Once the cats are taken care of and the coffee is brewing, I sit down with a book. Right now I’m reading The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction. It’s a neuroscience-backed look at what reading does for the brain and for family connection. I find everything about the science of reading genuinely fascinating, and this one has not disappointed.

I choose intentionally choose non-fiction in the mornings. I want something to think about… an idea to carry with me through the day, something to muse on while I’m doing the school run or doing work for clients. Non-fiction in the morning gives my brain something to ponder in the quiet moments.

Reading first thing, before screens and email and the noise of the day, has become one of my favorite parts of the morning. It’s quiet. It’s me time. And it sets a tone of intentionality that carries through into everything that follows for the rest of the day.

During the school year, the morning includes a school run. I’ve turned it into a small win.

My habit stack… drink a full glass of water on the drive to school and back… have it finished by the time I pull back into the driveway. That’s it. No extra thought put into the process. I’m already in the car. The water is already there. It’s just part of what happens.

I start the day hydrated without having to think about it. That’s the magic of habit stacking! You attach a new behavior to something you’re already doing, and it stops feeling like a task.

As soon as I’m home from the school run, I don’t check email. I don’t open Instagram. I don’t start tidying. I grab my headphones and head outside for a 30-minute walk. It’s a nonnegotiable.

(If the weather is miserable… and sometimes it is… I jump on my rebounder - a mini trampoline - and watch a YouTube video. Movement is the goal. I love to get outside if possible, but as long as I’m moving, I’m happy.)

I cannot overstate what this does for my brain. By the time I sit down to work, I feel calm. Present. Ready. Starting the day with movement shifts something mentally — it clears whatever noise showed up overnight and gives me a clean slate to think from.

Movement before work is not negotiable for me anymore. It has changed the quality of my thinking more than almost anything else.

By the time I sit down at my desk, I’ve read something that interests me, moved my body, hydrated, and had some quiet. I haven’t doom scrolled. I haven’t started reacting to other people’s priorities before I’ve addressed my own.

I feel like myself. And that’s when I can be my most creative self.

I’m not sharing this as the perfect routine you should copy. I’m sharing it because I spent years rushing past my mornings without ever really designing them and the difference has been profound for me.

You don’t need an elaborate system. You need a few small, consistent anchors that help you feel grounded before the day asks things of you.

Take a look at your own morning. What’s already there that you could build on? What one thing could you add that would help you feel more like yourself before the day begins?

Start small. Stay consistent. Let it compound.

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Read. Move. Build the habit. Change your life.

Speaking of small daily habits that compound… in June, I’m running a challenge built on exactly this idea. Three habits, ten minutes each, thirty days. Reading. Movement. Intentional habit work. If that sounds like something you need, stay tuned…

Hi friends!

It’s time to announce next month’s book club pick…
The Mountain Is You

This isn’t just a “read and done” book club.
It’s an intentional book club, woven into your everyday life.

Here’s how it works…

Instead of setting aside one big discussion at the end of the month, we’ll be chatting all month long in real time.

That means you can…
✨ Drop in your thoughts as you read
✨ Share favorite quotes that hit home
✨ Ask questions (or vent about the hard parts)
✨ Celebrate “aha!” moments together

Think of it like a cozy living room where we’re all curled up with the same book, popping in and out of conversation when inspiration strikes.

If you’re unsure where to find the chat, Substack has a helpful FAQ here to guide you through it. Once you’re in, you’ll see our space ready for you to join.

I can’t wait to explore this one with you!

Let’s climb the “mountains” together. 💛

✨ Not a member yet?

Upgrade for only $5/month to join our intentional book club. You’ll get access to the chat, real-time conversations, and the chance to grow right alongside us.

I hope to see you there.

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After stepping away from a strict religious upbringing, I found myself disoriented, raw, and unsure of how the “real world” actually worked. I didn’t have a blueprint. I didn’t even know where to begin.

But I had books.

They became my lifeline, my quiet teachers, bold mentors, and constant escape. Books showed me who I was and hinted at who I could become over time. Every page felt like a hopeful future.

And there was.

At 37, as I stepped into entrepreneurship and started building my business, I returned to books again. This time, I read for courage. I read for wisdom. I read to remind myself that we are never done growing, evolving, or becoming and that other amazing woman had become successful and that I can do it too.

Then, this year at 43, I lost my dad.

He passed away on June 13, 2025, and since then, there has been a clear dividing line in my life: before loss and after.

Grief has a way of reshaping everything. It made me question what matters. It made me long for grounding, for meaning, for a way to reconnect with myself when everything else felt unfamiliar. Once again, I turned to books, not to escape this time, but to heal.

Now, I’ve created The Literary Assistant Book Club because I want to share this space with you.

This is for the women who are ready to grow, learn, and evolve but want to do it with heart. This club isn’t just about turning pages. It’s about turning inward. It’s a space where we’ll explore books that challenge us to think differently, to feel deeper, and to take action toward the lives we want.

Some of the books we’ll read will offer us mindset shifts. Others will give us tools to break patterns and build something new. All of them will offer us the gift of connection—to ourselves, to our purpose, and to a community of like-minded women who are walking the same road.

And I get it. You’re busy. I’m busy.

That’s why this book club is built to meet you where you are. You’ll get morning motivations to start your day with intention and energy in the chat. Each week, I’ll share a summary of the key takeaways from the book, so even if you don’t have time to read cover to cover, you’ll still absorb the inspiration and the lessons.

No pressure. No guilt. Just growth.

And all of it for the cost of a cup of coffee.

Because investing in yourself should feel simple, supportive, and powerful.

If you’ve been craving something more… a new rhythm, a fresh perspective, a nudge toward your next chapter… consider this your invitation.

Are you ready to turn some pages and step into a new version of you?

Here’s what we’re reading to kick things off the next three months:

August 1st: Attitudes of Gratitude by M. J. Ryan
September 1st: The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
October 1st: The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi

All of my reading reflections/recommendations and interviews will remain free and accessible to everyone. The only reason the book club portion requires a subscription is to create a safe and intentional space. When I tried to open the chat previously, the discussion area was flooded with spam and unpleasant comments. I truly want this to be a place for growth, reflection, and community—where those who join do so with intention and heart.

Join me right here on Substack as we begin this journey together. All the conversations, encouragement, and reflections will happen right in your inbox.

Let’s grow together, one page at a time.

We start today, August 1st!

Subscribe now

As a community we have now donated 16 books to women who need them.💝

For every membership upgraded to $5, we donate a historical fiction or romance book to a local women’s shelter.

Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a tea and keep writing! ☕

I just finished an arc of Julia Song Is Undateable… and what a fun, heartfelt read!

I loved diving into Julia's story, especially the way her Korean heritage was woven through the narrative. One of my favorite parts? Seeing her thrive as a CEO and lean on a team of coaches to grow personally and professionally. It’s something I talk about often in this space: we don’t have to do it all alone. I’m always inspired by stories, fiction or nonfiction, that show us strong, complex women becoming the main character in their own lives.

Speaking of inspiration, I also just finished The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein. It was the first book I’ve been able to finish since losing my dad, and it came to me at just the right time. In my 30s, I devoured nonfiction and motivational books, but somewhere along the way I drifted. Grief has a way of guiding us back to what we need. This book gave me a quiet but profound shift: the universe isn’t against us… it’s constantly offering us lessons in love, self-trust, and surrender. That doesn’t mean those lessons are easy. Loss still hurts. But loving deeply sometimes also means grieving deeply, and that just means we’ve lived fully.

OK, on to lighter topics…

Right now, I’m reading an arc of Dealing with a Desperate Demon, and let me tell you…it’s exactly the wildly off-the-rails energy I didn’t know I needed. Sometimes you just need a book that grabs you by the hand and says, “Buckle up.”😂

What about you?

What are you reading right now?

If you’re craving books that help you see life through a new lens, and want to do it with a supportive, creative community, join us in The Literary Assistant Book Club!

We kick off August 1st and would love to have you.

Come for the stories, stay for the soul. ✨

At 22, I discovered who I truly was for the first time. I had left a strict religious environment and barely had a clue of how the “real world” worked. Books became my guide, my teachers, my mentors, and my escape. They showed me who I could become.

Then, at 37, as I stepped into entrepreneurship and built my business, I turned to books again. This time I read for courage, wisdom, and a reminder that we are never done growing.

Now, I’m creating this space for you.
A community for women ready to grow, learn, and evolve together.
Here, we’ll explore books that challenge our thinking, inspire new possibilities, and coach us through the stories and lessons of the world’s best teachers.

This book club will meet you where you are.

You’ll get morning motivations to set the tone for your day, along with weekly summaries of what we’re reading. So even if you don’t have time to read along, you’ll still gain the lessons and inspiration from each book.

All for the cost of a cup of coffee.
Because investing in yourself should be simple and powerful.

Are you ready to turn the page and step into a new version of you?

Upcoming Reading Schedule -

August - Attitudes of Gratitude

September - The Mountain is You

October - The Kindness Method

Join me in The Literary Assistant Book Club and let’s start this journey together. All conversations will happen here on Substack.

$5 a month to join.

Subscribe now

Starting August first, our inaugural read will be Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Every Day of Your Life (Live Life to the Fullest Guidebook, Positive Thinking Book for Ultimate Happiness)

Check it out HERE.

Subscribe now

As a community we have now donated 16 books to women who need them.💝

For every membership upgraded to $5, we donate a historical fiction or romance book to a local women’s shelter.

Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a tea and keep writing! ☕

Dear Friends,

As I approach my 43rd rotation around the sun in the summer, I've been reflecting on what The Literary Assistant means to me. While it represents my business, I've realized it also embodies something deeper. To me, it also shows how books have become assistants in virtually every aspect of my life.

Books have been my guides through uncertainty through early motherhood, my companions in self-reflection to figure out who I am, my teachers in the kitchen to show me how to make new recipes, and my mirrors in moments of new styles and self-discovery. They've shaped how I present myself to the world, how I express myself creatively, how I dress, and even how I enjoy a simple cup of tea.

This reflection has inspired me to launch a new series that I’ll be sharing each week here on Substack.

Becoming the Main Character: Literary-Inspired Living.

Each week, I'll focus on one way that I’ll be trying to bring "main character energy" into everyday life through the lens of literature. And I want to take you along with me.

Sound like something you would like to do as well? Join in the fun!

Subscribe now

What to Expect

Each newsletter will include:

• My Weekly Focus: What I'm personally working on to bring intention and literary magic into ordinary moments

• Glimpses of My Journey: Honest reflections and photos from my own experiments with literary living

• Book Recommendations: Three carefully selected titles that complement the week's theme

For the rest of this year (and perhaps beyond), we'll explore different aspects of literary-inspired living, beginning with these themes:

Week 1: The Literary Walk — Finding story and meaning in everyday strolls
Week 2: The Reading Ritual — Creating intentional spaces and practices for reading
Week 3: The Literary Wardrobe — Bringing bookish inspiration to personal style
Week 4: Literary Tea Time — Pairing books with mindful brewing moments

Future themes will include literary gardens, bookish home spaces, literary (virtual) travel, character-inspired cooking, and much more.

Why "Main Character Energy"?

There's been much talk about "main character energy" in recent years—that sense of living as though your life is a story worth telling. But I’m not interested in social media curated perfection. I'm interested in something deeper something meaningful to me.

The main characters I love in literature don't just look the part—they notice details, reflect on experiences, find meaning in ordinary moments, and approach life with both purpose and openness to surprise.

Is anyone else feeling Elizabeth Bennet vibes?

That's the energy I'm seeking to nourish, and I invite you to join me.

This week, I'm experimenting with character-inspired walks. This morning, I spent 15 minutes walking through my neighborhood as I imagined Elizabeth Bennet might—noticing architectural details I normally overlook, appreciating the still bare branches of the trees, and observing interactions between neighbors with a slightly more perceptive eye.

Something shifted. I found myself with a spring in my step, walking with a bit of joyfulness, and feeling more relaxed and connected to my surroundings. The same route I've walked so, so many times suddenly felt fresh and full of new things to explore. And, it also helps that the cute ducks have arrived in our back pond as well as the neighboring chickens as my parents!

Tomorrow, I'm planning a "setting stroll" where I'll imagine my neighborhood as a setting in a novel—perhaps the English countryside or an small Irish village… we will see how well my imagination serves me. I'll share photos on Instagram.

As I've been rereading The Art of Flaneuring by Erika Owen, I've been struck by how the simple act of mindful walking has become an afterthought in our busy lives. When we walk with attention and purpose—like a character in charge—we hold onto calmness in our own lives.

Has anyone else noticed the speed of content on social media picking up? I feel like people are even talking faster. Lately, I’ve noticed my body getting uptight in response to the quick pace of the videos being shared. I’m looking to find the balance through some fresh air and outdoor time.

I'm finding that approaching daily walks with literary awareness is helping me become more present, more observant, and more connected to both stories and reality.

It's a small practice with mighty impact.✨

Book Recommendations

If you'd like to join me in exploring literary walks this week, here are three book recommendations. One has inspired my walking, and two are fun fiction recs that I love. I think they fit well with the walking/outdoors theme.

The Art of Flaneuring by Erika Owen

This accessible guide revives the nearly forgotten concept of "flaneuring"—the art of wandering with intention and curiosity. Owen adapts this historically urban and privileged practice for modern life, showing how anyone can benefit from mindful observation while walking. Perfect for those seeking to transform ordinary strolls into meaningful explorations.

P.S. I really love having this book on my shelf to pull out every year when Spring rolls around. It’s a refreshing reminder to get outside and move - with intention.

Check it out HERE.

Birding with Benefits by Sarah Smith

In this fun and flirty rom-com, newly-divorced Celeste joins shy birdwatcher John for a birding contest in Tucson, leading to hiking adventures through the Arizona wilderness. As they spend time walking and observing nature together, they develop undeniable chemistry.

This novel beautifully illustrates how walking in nature can lead to unexpected connections, personal growth, and new beginnings.

This book really made me want to go birding!

P.P.S. I really loved this book!

Check it out HERE.

The Celebrated Pedestrian by Suzanne Allain

For fiction lovers, this delightful Regency romance showcases how walks can become a part of a routine, but also highlight too much of a good thing can be well… too much.

The protagonist's daily constitutionals lead to unexpected encounters, revelations, and transformations—a charming reminder that sometimes the most important journeys happen on foot.

This was such a fun find after I read Mr. Malcolm’s List and fell in love with the movie.(If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend checking it out!) Suzanne is such a talented author and when I discovered she had a few hidden gems, I grabbed them up! This is the perfect read if you are looking for a unique Regency romance with a fresh premise. (This is a proper romance, so no steamy, but still a great read.)

Check it out HERE.

P.P.P.S.

As I head into my 43rd year, I'm focusing on intentionality and finding joy in small moments. These weekly practices are my way of bringing that intention to life through the lens of literature.

I'd love for you to join me. You don't need special equipment, tons of books, or hours of free time—just a curiosity to approach ordinary moments with a bit more awareness and imagination.

Each week, I'll share my experiences honestly—the discoveries, the awkward moments (and there are always awkward moments with me), and the hidden joys found in self discovery.

I invite you to share yours as well!

I want you to feel that your everyday life is already a story worth telling—you just need to start noticing it.

Happy reading,

Melissa

P.S. Next week we'll explore The Reading Ritual – creating intentional spaces and practices that transform ordinary reading into extraordinarily bookish experiences.

Your support mean the world to me! For every membership updated to $5, I donate a historical fiction or romance book to a local women’s shelter. Want to choose what book is donated? Just send me a message after you subscribe.

Subscribe now

The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Thank you so much for being part of this community! If you love the recommendations and would like to show your support, it means the world to me—THANK YOU! 💛

Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊 You can support this space for only $5 a month.

Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a coffee and keep writing! ☕

Looking for a way to take a little break from the world? I’m with you.

I’ve created a 30-minute classical music video designed to be a little escape—whether you're diving into a book or simply need a moment to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and find calm.

Let me know if you'd like this to become a regular feature!

And as a little treat, I’m sharing an excerpt from Jane Austen’s letter to her sister Cassandra where she is talking about music. Enjoy!

💌

Sloane St., Thursday (April 25).

My dearest Cassandra,

“The music was extremely good. It opened (tell Fanny) with "Poike de Parp pirs praise pof Prapela;" and of the other glees I remember, "In peace love tunes," "Rosabelle," "The Red Cross Knight," and "Poor Insect." Between the songs were lessons on the harp, or harp and pianoforte together; and the harp-player was Wiepart, whose name seems famous, though new to me. There was one female singer, a short Miss Davis, all in blue, bringing up for the public line, whose voice was said to be very fine indeed; and all the performers gave great satisfaction by doing what they were paid for, and giving themselves no airs. No amateur could be persuaded to do anything.”

Yours affectionately,
J. A

Exciting news! We’ve had two upgrades this month. That means two more books will be donated to the women’s shelter. Thank you all so much for your support!

Subscribe now

* for every membership updated to $5, I donate a historical fiction or romance book to a local women’s shelter. Want to choose what book is donated? Just send me a message after you subscribe.

The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Thank you so much for being part of this community! If you love the recommendations and would like to show your support, it means the world to me—THANK YOU! 💛

Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊 You can support this space for only $5 a month.

Do you love them or hate them?

I have thoughts.

So, while I 100% stand in the camp that audiobooks count as “real” reading and I admire people who listen to them, I find that I have a difficult time focusing while listening to fiction. I tend to listen to non-fiction (business and self-improvement being my go-to) so that my mind can wander a bit and I don’t lose the plot. I’ve just always dismissed them as not really for me.

Also, can we talk about how hard it can be to find a narrator you don’t mind listen to for 13+ hours. Soooo hard!

I’ve found myself getting a bit of audio-envy though seeing everyone talking about the audiobooks they have been enjoying. I think it was all those end of the year reading wrap ups that got to me.

I’ve been thinking I need to give them another try. And then, I saw it! The universe sent me my sign in the form of an email from Libro.fm.

The Libro.fm Love Audiobooks Challenge is starting and I knew it was the incentive I needed to give it another try.

And what does any self-respecting Substacker do when they feel a bit of creative inspiration bubbling to the surface? They dm someone who inspires them to join them.

My person is . Seriously, if you haven’t read her post on that fact that you won’t find her reaching for the classics you need to go check it out. Also, I really felt she was a kindred sprit when she wrote her reflective analysis on a holiday romcom.

Well, she said yes to joining the audiobook challenge and jumped in with me.

I ❤️ this community.

In her post, she talked about not jumping to read Jane Austen and so many other classics. (She does guide you to who to check out for reading them with a bit of hand-holding) And while I can get down with not spending my evening hanging out with Moby Dick. I couldn’t let that Austen comment go unchecked.

So what’s the challenge?

For the Love of Audiobooks Reading Challenge🎧❤️📖

Read 10+ hours of audiobooks between February 5-14 and you’ll earn a free Libro.fm audiobook credit!

They even have a cute tracking card for you! You can check out the challenge HERE.

You can read whatever you like, from wherever you like. This is a great time to see what you’ve maybe purchased and never listened to (I’m calling myself out on this one), grab something from the library, or even check YouTube for some free audiobooks you can find on there.

Why Should You Give Audiobooks A Try?

I’m probably the only one here who hasn’t been listening to books on the regular. But in case you need a little added motivation, here are 5 reasons why listening to audiobooks is good for you.

1️⃣ Enhances Comprehension & Retention 🧠
Listening activates different parts of your brain, helping you absorb and remember information in a new way—especially for complex stories or nonfiction topics.

2️⃣ Multitasking Made Easy ⏳
Unlike traditional reading, audiobooks let you enjoy stories while driving, exercising, or doing chores, making it easier to fit more books into your busy life. Note to self - get exercising more and listen to books.

3️⃣ Brings Stories to Life 🎭
With narrated performances, character voices, and immersive sound, audiobooks can add a whole new dimension to storytelling, making it feel even more engaging.

4️⃣ Reduces Eye Strain & Fatigue 👀
Perfect for when you’re tired of staring at screens or print—just close your eyes, relax, and let the story unfold effortlessly. This is why I grab my paperwhite a lot, but audiobooks seem like they could also be a great option.

5️⃣ Improves Pronunciation & Listening Skills 🎙️
Great for language learners or anyone looking to strengthen their listening skills, audiobooks expose you to proper pronunciation, tone, and pacing. With my Michigan/Canadian accent, I can use some help with this. 😂

What Am I Listening To?

I know after saying I don’t love audiobooks, you are wondering what am I going to be listening to. Well, I checked my virtual audiobook shelf and discovered that I have a copy of Northanger Abbey that I haven’t listen to yet. Perfect!

After reading Kolina’s post, it has me thinking… have I been too dismissive of the classics. Maybe I’m missing out on something. Am I not reaching for them, besides Austen, but I should be…?

See, this is why Substack is bad. It influences you to get all philosophical about your reading habits. Ugh. (please tell me you do the same)

Kolina will be sharing her audiobook choices and some recommendations with you so make sure you head over to her posts to check it out HERE.

If you are in the mood for some audiobook exploring, I have a few recommendations below.

Anything by Alison Larkin is a delight to listen to! A few of her narrations are on sale right now over at Libro.fm. Persuasion is perfect if you are in the mood for a second-chance romance. Check it out HERE.

Becoming was the first audiobook I ever listened to. It kept me occupied shoveling heaps of snow our first winter in Minnesota… when we stupidly thought we wouldn’t need to get a snowblower. I had plenty of time to listen while shoveling away in the brutal cold that year.

For the little experience I have with audiobook listening, I do enjoy when the author is the narrator.

Speaking of narrators, Harry Frost is the go-to for Jane Austen Fan Fiction. Harry has the perfect voice for these stories. If you haven’t heard any of his narrations yet, at least listen to a sample! Check it out HERE.

Do you plan on joining in the challenge?

I would love to hear your thought on audiobooks. Do you listen on the regular? Or are you like me and just dabble a bit. Maybe this is the year I’m going to enjoy listening to more books.

Give me all your listening tips!

Until next time.

Happy reading. 🫶

Subscribe now

* for every membership updated to $5, I donate a historical fiction or romance book to a local women’s shelter. Want to choose what book is donated? Just send me a message after you subscribe.

The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Thank you so much for being part of this community! If you love the recommendations and would like to show your support, it means the world to me—THANK YOU! 💛

Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊 You can support this space for only $5 a month.

All week it’s been on my mind to share ways we can uplift other amazing women in this community. As an American, this article was written from a bit of an emotional state. I hope it resonates with you, dear reader.

Today, I want to remind us as a community of a few ways we can support women locally and here on Substack.

But first, I had to share this historical tidbit with you… did you know there was a woman who ran a presidential campaign against Ulysses S. Grant in the 1800s? She ran on the platforms of universal gender and racial equality under the law, civil service and taxation reform, and opposition to land grants given to railroads and other corporations.

Learn more about Victoria Claflin Woodhull here. (please someone write a historical fiction book about her!)

Support Your Local Women's Shelter Through Books

Books can be a source of escape, education, and empowerment for women in difficult situations. Many shelters welcome donations of:

• Contemporary fiction and non-fiction

• Self-help and career development books

• Children's books (many women in shelters have children with them)

Before donating, contact your local shelter to learn about their specific needs and donation guidelines.

One of the most impactful ways to support women is by reading and sharing works by female authors.

Here are some frequently banned books by women that you should check out:

• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison - A profound exploration of race, gender, and identity in America

• The Color Purple by Alice Walker - A powerful story of resilience and sisterhood

• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - A dystopian narrative that continues to resonate with current events

  

Historical Fiction About Real Women Who Changed History

• The Engineer's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood - The remarkable story of Emily Warren Roebling, who stepped in as the first woman field engineer and helped complete the Brooklyn Bridge when her husband became too ill to work

• The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray - Chronicles the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's librarian, who had to hide her identity as a Black woman while becoming one of the most powerful people in the art and book world

• The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict - Explores the life of Mileva Marić, Albert Einstein's first wife, and her potentially uncredited contributions to the theory of relativity

There are three of my most recommended historical fiction books about strong women.

Creating Community Spaces for Women

Supporting women is about us coming together to support the issues we care about. For me, those issues are access to all books, support for libraries, highlighting female authors, and sharing the work of other amazing creatives here in our Substack community.

Here are just a few ways to become a part of the community:

1. Join a book club focusing on female authors (check out who is currently sharing Pride & Prejudice with readers)

2. Enjoy writing workshops or literary events highlighting women's voices (follow for fascinating history posts and writing workshops)

3. Read and share recommendations and reviews of books by women on social media and review platforms (follow for books reviews and thought-provoking posts)

4. Join The Literary Assistant community as we work together to create a space full of readers who care about highlighting our love for the library, sharing stories, and spreading positivity to the world.

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I fell in love with Mr. Darcy around 1998. I was a little late to discover the ‘95 BBC adaptation but wasted no time catching up, watching it numerous times over.

Then I found the world of Jane Austen fan fiction.

I was hooked!

Seeing Jane Austen’s characters reimagined in new settings is so much fun. Same great characters, but with exciting new adventures. I’ll take more of that.

One of the early JAFF (Jane Austen Fan Fiction) authors I came across was Heather Moll. I read all the books Heather had released and promptly connected with her, informing her that we were now friends (in my defense, this was during the very early Instagram days when we truly were a tight-knit community of readers looking to build friendships).

Heather let me rope her into said friendship and here we are many years later still online friends.

Although Heather and I have never met in “real life,” we’ve been text, Zoom, and meme-sharing friends for years.

I love JAFF so much, and I wanted to share that love with all of you. I couldn’t think of anyone better to introduce you to than Heather since she is a librarian turned JAFF author.

Please give a warm welcome to my friend Heather, who is here to share her story of how she stumbled into becoming an author.

💌A note from Heather…

How does one go from being a librarian to writing Jane Austen variations? It was an unpredictable journey partly my husband’s fault and partly to blame on me liking to research stuff.

I was a librarian until I had my son and decided to stay home. Even though it was what I wanted, transitioning from working professional to stay-at-home mom was a tough adjustment. Once we settled into a routine, I felt isolated and questioned what defined me. Was I just ‘Mom’, and was that enough? None of my friends had children yet and the days sometimes felt long.

My husband had introduced me to Pride and Prejudice about five years before that. He thought seeing the 2005 movie would be a good date night, but I had never read the book—and what good librarian sees a movie without first reading the book? So, I checked it out from the library. And I fell in love. I adored the dialogue between Darcy and Elizabeth. I loved Austen’s wit and the romantic ending for two flawed characters who became better people and then found true happiness together.

I liked the book more than that adaptation. I soon discovered variations and sequels online and in the library catalog. But JAFF and Pride and Prejudice weren’t enough. I read literary criticisms, Austen’s letters, joined JASNA, read everything about Georgian England, and I bought multiple copies of Austen’s works just for their unique introductions and annotations.

Fast forward to being a stay-at-home mom stuck at home during naptime, wondering what to do with my new life. And one nap time I thought, “I could write a short story Austen variation just for fun.” That short story turned into a full-length book. I had planned to write one book just for myself and never share it with anyone—and now I’m publishing my own Austen variations. I love researching the era and plotting rich stories and finding new ways for Darcy and Elizabeth to deserve each other. I currently have ten books out with another one out in March.

I’m fortunate I get to use my background in archives and records management and my love of Austen and the regency era to create stories that people love to read.

Thank you, Heather, for sharing your journey to JAFF with us!

I would love to know, have you explored the world of Jane Austen variations? If you haven’t yet, are you intrigued to try one?

Here are a few of my favorites from Heather releases…

Can a Derbyshire meeting lead to love or will Pemberley be plunged into mystery?

In the rainy summer of 1812, Mr Darcy returns to Pemberley with a large party in the hope that coming home will help him recover from his disappointment. He lost Elizabeth Bennet’s good opinion, but Darcy did all he could to rectify his errors. Meanwhile, Elizabeth hopes that travelling with a newly-wed Jane and Bingley will raise her spirits and distract her from thoughts of Darcy.

When a misunderstanding causes the Bingley party and Darcy’s to spend a fortnight together at Pemberley, both Elizabeth and Darcy wonder if the other could love them. When the season’s wet and cold weather causes flooding throughout Derbyshire, Darcy’s attention reluctantly shifts from his guests–and Elizabeth–to managing the tragedy.

But when someone drowns and Darcy refuses to believe their death was an accident from the storm, he and Elizabeth must work together to uncover the truth before his houseguests leave, and before anyone else gets hurt.
◆◆◆
Content note: mature content, mild violence.

Click HERE to check it out.

A disastrous proposal. A fresh start. Can this tentative duo forgive the past and make each other promises of forever?

Elizabeth Bennet worries she’s been too hasty. Distressed after reading her rejected suitor’s passionate letter of self-defense, the agitated young woman agonizes that she’s put a scoundrel on a pedestal and scorned a worthy man. And when they meet again during an unexpected morning call, her heart pounds with a wave of relief when he quickly accepts her clever apology.

Fitzwilliam Darcy regrets his quick judgments. So after a shockingly cordial exchange renews his hopes, the gentleman strikes up a cautious friendship with the object of his affections. But though the woman he adores seems willing to grant him a second chance, he fears her kin’s reckless behavior could still smear his reputation.

Confused by her father’s disapproval of her prospective match, Elizabeth’s dreams turn to dismay when a corrupt soldier tempts her sister into a scandal. And as Darcy does his best to protect his beloved’s family, honor demands he put his life on the line.

As a tentative friendship blooms into romance, can this proud gentleman and witty lady overcome a life-threatening crisis?

This is a 105,000 word second edition of His Choice of a Wife, a slightly steamy Regency romance.

Click HERE to check it out.

**An IPPY bronze medal winner for romance 2023**
Are love and affection enough to overcome the pain of grief and anger?

In the spring of 1812, Elizabeth and Lydia are the only Bennet daughters still unmarried after the death of their father. Elizabeth’s health and spirits worsen as she moves among relations as an unwanted, dependent sister. She returns to Mary and Mr Collins at Longbourn to learn that the neighbourhood gossip centres on the reclusive Mr Darcy.

Darcy and his sister live an isolated life in a small rented lodge near Netherfield after the events at Ramsgate. As Georgiana’s health is failing, Darcy has his own regrets to bear. He tries to keep them secluded, but a young woman arrives who is determined to befriend his lonely, ill sister.

When Elizabeth receives disastrous news, she makes a daring plan to find happiness for herself while she still can. Misunderstandings and secrets abound for them both but in the end, Darcy and Elizabeth will find greater strength together than they ever had apart.

Content note: mature content, secondary character’s miscarriage off page, secondary character death

Click HERE to check it out.

She’s forbidden to wed a nobody. He’s nothing in society’s eyes. Will their desperate schemes backfire before they find a way to be together?

Northanger Abbey. Eleanor Tilney can’t bear her lonely life any longer. Distraught when her tyrannical father throws her friend out of the house because the girl lacks an inheritance, the long-suffering general’s daughter decides anything is better than a future all alone. So in a frantic bid for freedom, she puts aside her tender feelings for a man of no standing to pursue a wealthy husband.

Philip Brampton understands that fortune is against him. And he tries gallantly to bury his distress and support his lonely beloved, even after she starts pursuing an arrogant buffoon. But when he catches the fellow about to kiss her, their resulting harsh words cause a heartbreaking rift.

Stiffening her spine in a world that refuses to acknowledge her value, Eleanor attempts to navigate the impossible situation without quashing her desires. And though his shy nature abhors a scene, Philip braces himself for a confrontation with her cruel and abusive patriarch.

Do these childhood sweethearts have any hope of achieving lasting happiness?

This is a full length forbidden love regency romance inspired by Jane Austen

Click HERE to check it out.

Many of Heather’s books are also available in Kindle Unlimited. I hope you will check them out!

(NOTE - this is a bit on the longish side so head to Substack to enjoy the full post)

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Posts to check out

is sharing how she is approaching her reading in 2025 and I love her thoughtfulness about it.

Overbooked Mama

How I'm Approaching Reading in 2025

New Year, New Reading Goals…

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a year ago · 20 likes · 7 comments · Kuleigh Baker

is sharing insight into annotating. I haven’t shared the practice yet, but I did just have another conversation about with on our Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Community livestream where my fellow hosts Marigold and Mindy are fully embracing their annotating era.

Reading And Purpose

How I Annotate My Books

I’ll be honest, annotating books while I read them has become so second-nature to me that I can’t imagine not doing it. Lately, however, I’ve received multiple questions about my process: How do I annotate? What do I choose to highlight and/or tab? Do I actually refer back to my annotations? Why do I bother…

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a year ago · 34 likes · 12 comments · Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC

And is got you cover with so many recommendations about all things bookish.

Literary Ladies Guide

Books about books, bookstores, libraries, reading ...

For bibliophiles, it’s not enough to be so obsessed with books that we’re reading four or five works of fiction or nonfiction at any given time. We also love books about bookshops, libraries, and even books about books and reading. This might seem eccentric at first glance, but for the devout book lover, it makes perfect sense…

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2 years ago · 5 likes · 2 comments · Nava Atlas

☕📖✨Grab a book and check out The Tea Shop for some of my favorite teas paired with Jane Austen novels.

The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Thank you so much for being part of this community! If you love the recommendations and would like to show your support, it means the world to me—THANK YOU! 💛

Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊

Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a coffee and keep writing! ☕

Hello friends!

I had a marvelously bookish day,

Monday is my son’s 15th birthday. When asked what he would like to do, he said go book shopping at Barnes & Noble.

I’m not sure how I managed, but I’ve raised a reader that, so far, only wants to shops in-person and will not read e-books. Physical copies only for him.

Of course, I said “absolutely”.

Off we went yesterday with holiday gift card’s and money from grandparents.

Ten books and a new tote bag later, we wrapped up his shopping.

He bought 4 manga, 2 romance, 1 friendship fiction, and 3 choose your own adventure books. Not a bad book haul!

While we were shopping, he was trying to convince me to buy some of the books I was eyeing up. I resisted because I have far too many at home to indulge in any new book purchases at the moment.

It did have me thinking about how I could find a little more play in reading some of the books that I own. And I thought, why not create some challenges?

I’ve never done a year long challenge before, but I thought 2025 might be the year to try it. I’ve put together a few ideas for you to try, if you like.

Do you enjoy a year long reading challenge?

In these challenges, you can pick one book a month, try one from each challenge, or just dip in and out as you please. I humbly share this with you, purely to inspire you to read. :)

• Genre Exploration Challenge

  • Read one book from a different genre each month (e.g., fantasy, romance, historical fiction, memoir, thriller).

• Around the World in Books

  • Read books set in 12 different countries or regions of your choice.

• Colorful Covers Challenge

  • Choose books with covers that feature a specific color or pattern each month (e.g., red, blue, floral).

• One Word Titles Challenge

  • Read books with titles that consist of just one word.

• Alphabet Reading Challenge

  • Read 12 books, each starting with a different letter of the alphabet.

• Seasonal Reading Challenge

  • Pick books that align with the seasons (e.g., cozy reads for winter, beach reads for summer).

• Author Discovery Challenge

  • Read a book by an author you've never read before each month.

• Page Count Challenge

  • Choose books of varying lengths throughout the year (e.g., under 200 pages, 400+ pages, etc.).

• Theme-Based Challenge

  • Select a monthly theme (e.g., friendship, travel, resilience) and pick books related to that theme.

• Books with Numbers Challenge

  • Read books with numbers in the title (e.g., One Day, The Four Winds, 1984).

• Recommendation Challenge

  • Read books recommended by friends, family, or from online book groups.

Favorite Trope Challenge

• Choose books featuring a favorite literary trope or element (e.g., enemies to lovers, found family, coming-of-age).

Do you see any challenges that resonate with you? I would love to hear about it!

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What I’m currently reading.

In this charming rom-com filled with Chinese traditions and a family curse, an herbalist fake dates a star musician–perfect for fans of Helen Hoang and Jasmine Guillory.

Chinese herbalist Chryssy Hua Williams never actually believed in the Hua family curse. But after Break-Up #9, Chryssy stopped laughing. Now she and her aunties run a special healing retreat center for the broken-hearted. After all, there’s nothing a proper cup of herbal tea can’t fix...but Chryssy’s innocent run-in with celebrity cellist and bad boy Vin Chao has everyone brewing about a different kind of tea. So he offers her a deal: they’ll fake-date, he’ll “break” her heart (and increase ticket sales), and in return, he’ll promote her business.

It’s like Chryssy’s whole cursed love life has been leading up to this moment. But all it takes is one kiss—and a whole lot of unexpected chemistry—to land both of them in hot water . . .

Check it out HERE.

Are you also a fan of movies?

I bought my husband this little book of movie prompts and we are loving it! So far we have watch Oppenheimer and North by Northwest.

With this 52 Week Movie Challenge, everyone can be a movie critic!

Every 2-page spread in this book is a chance to challenge yourself to a new movie watching experience.

There are 52 challenges with such topics as "A Film That Won 'Best Picture'", "Low Budget, Big Box Office", and "Adapted From A Book." Pick a film that fits the challenge topic, watch it, rate it, and analyze it. Do them in order or jumble them up. It's really up to you.

Each challenge has space for you to record specifics about the movies you watch (title, year released, rating, stars, directors, producers, writers, awards, etc.). There are also questions to answer about the films and bits of film trivia scattered throughout.

Check it out HERE.

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☕📖✨Grab a book and check out The Tea Shop for some of my favorite teas paired with Jane Austen novels.

The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Thank you so much for being part of this community! If you love the recommendations and would like to show your support, it means the world to me—THANK YOU! 💛

Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊

Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a coffee and keep writing! ☕

The other day, I was recording a podcast with my business partner, Caroline Jane Knight, the fifth great-niece of Jane Austen, for The Austen Pathway. We each shared a quote that really resonates with us the most. Right away, I knew what my quote would be: "We, none of us want to be in calm waters all our lives."

When Mrs. Croft says that in Persuasion, it just really connects with me. Sometimes in life, we have moments where we choose to go into the rougher waters, and sometimes we just get thrown into them. But, I’ve found that learning how to thrive no matter what kind of water you are in, you can and will see success.

When I'm coaching authors and creatives, like you, I have seen many times the struggles that take place. While you are trying to be creative you might be working another job, taking care of a family, trying to stay creative and write, handling your self-publish, trying to query, marketing your products… I don’t need to tell you how many things you are juggling.

There is so much going on that it can feel like chaos, as if you are being tossed around those rough waters. But whatever your creative endeavor, it’s something that you know you were put here to do.

You have a path—you just need to find it.

I really connect with this because when I started my business, I was in my late 30s, and there were so many aspects of it that I felt like I wasn't sure what to do, but I just threw myself in wholeheartedly. It felt scary but also thrilling at the same time.

When I coach clients, oftentimes they feel the same. Sometimes it’s chaos and confusion, and they're just not sure exactly where they want to head. They have no clear vision of the path that will get them to the success they are seeking. Or they are seeing success and they want the thrill of going after more. They feel ready to get out of those “calm waters”, but they are looking for the confidence and skills to help them get there.

That's the moment when I feel like we can start to thrive. When we acknowledge that we don’t want to stay in the calm forever, good things begin to happen.

Having come through some of those rough times myself, I love helping other creatives get through those times as well.

Working together with Caroline Jane Knight ( ), who herself has had a brilliant business career, we have recently launched The Austen Pathway to help authors and creatives improve their business, marketing, and mindset skills to increase sales and create their own unique path to success.

We are here because we're passionate about helping you find your path, your way.

We all know life is not always about calm waters, but with the right tools and surrounded by a supportive community, it's in those rough and stormy moments that we can really thrive and see success.

You can listen to our podcast HERE.

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In 2025, I want to help you fall in love with the library all over again.

For me, libraries have always been a place of joy, inspiration, and discovery. From biking there as a child on sunny summer days, to sneaking through the shelves during snowy winters before we went to the ice rink, to now packing up my bag and heading to the library when I need a creative spark during the work day, libraries have been my happy place.

This winter, I’m bringing a little child-like wonder back into our lives with a Winter Scavenger Hunt for adults! Inspired by the library scavenger hunts I used to do with my son when he was little, I’ve created a grown-up version designed to help us explore, connect, and rediscover the magic that libraries hold.

What’s the Winter Scavenger Hunt All About?

I want this printable to be more than just a scavenger hunt for you to run around and find things.

It’s an invitation to:
❄️ Slow down: Take your time, savor the search, and let curiosity lead the way.
❄️ Have fun: Explore cozy corners, sit in the chairs, and have unexpected conversations.
❄️ Fall in love: Reconnect with the library and appreciate the magic waiting on every shelf.
❄️ Find inspiration: Whether it’s a book you never knew you needed (this happens to me all the time) or a quiet moment thinking aimlessly flipping through the pages of a random book, let the library do what it’s best at… inspire!

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What’s Inside the Hunt?

Think cozy winter reads, hidden treasures waiting for you to find them, and activities designed to help you slow down and get inspired.

From finding books with snowy covers to uncovering library resources you might not know about, consider this hunt your permission slip to enter a season filled with discovery and joy.

This is not meant to be done in one go. I encourage you to revisit the library at least a few times to work your way through the scavenger hunt. Be playful. Have fun.

Life can be busy, but the library is a place where time seems to slow down.

I hope you can step into that slower pace, allow yourself to wander, and fall in love with the library all over again.

So, grab your printable, pack up your library tote, and let’s make this winter a season of inspiration, creativity, and bookish joy! I excited to do this scavenger hunt with you.

I’ll be sharing my library trips with you along the way so we can have fun together!

📥 Download your Winter Scavenger Hunt Printable HERE.

What’s your favorite library memory? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

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Reading recommendation…

If you are looking for a little inspiration when it comes to slowing down and enjoying the world around you, I highly recommend The Art of Flaneuring: How to Wander with Intention and Discover a Better Life.

I have a enjoyed the audiobook version of this one and I own a physical copy. It’s a powerful little book.

The Literary Assistant is Reader-Supported! Thank you so much for being part of this community! If you love the recommendations, posts, and bookish ramblings, and would like to show your support, it means the world to me—THANK YOU! 💛

Please note, all posts are free for everyone to enjoy. Your support helps keep this space thriving for book lovers like you! 😊

Affiliate links are used at no extra cost to you, but they help me earn a small amount—just enough to grab a coffee and keep writing these posts! ☕