After years of reading and loving and coveting this series, I got to write up my Year in Reading for The Millions:
I had so much fun describing my highly-neurotic TBR-organization strategy, the favorite essay collections I re-read while finishing First Love, the 2024 books I was lucky enough to read early, and the history books I listen to on audio at night—this assignment was where I got the idea to include occasional “What I’m Reading” dispatches in this newsletter, so that I can essentially keep adding to this YIR forever. So… more to come soon.
Also, I have a few pieces of exciting news on the classes front. First: I’ve lowered the prices on my independent studies—they’re now just $99 each. These are self-paced versions of multi-week classes, jam packed with craft lessons and exercises. This includes Finding Your Memoir’s Structure, based on my long-running memoir structure workshop at Catapult (RIP), the Generative Essay Lab (with exercises to walk you through the process of writing five brand new essay drafts in five different forms, some familiar and some maybe not), and—the second piece of exciting news—a brand new self-paced version of my popular seminar, The Braided Essay, which breaks down the process of generating ideas for braided essays, developing the separate threads, and of course, braiding them together.
I’m also teaching another session of the live seminar version of The Braided Essay starting March 2, for those who want more of a community vibe, and a chance to discuss and ask questions about the exercises along the way. Use code NEWYEARS to get 20% off the live version when you sign up by January 5.
PLUS a craft intensive on January 20 with Tin House, The Personal/Critical Essay: Writing About Art and the Self:
And an Essay Revision Intensive on February 24 with Write or Die:
PS I’m still brand new to this Substack game and this is my first attempt to send an email to just one segment of the subscriber list, so apologies if you’re receiving it in error! If you don’t want to receive these class listings (which go out about four times per year), you can control which emails you get by clicking “Unsubscribe” below and toggling different sections on/off.
I recognize a few of my own TBRs in your list, especially Girlhood and How to Write an Autobiographical Novel, as well as Monster. So many good books out there!
And congrats on tackling Moby-Dick. I haven’t had the nerve to try that one yet but I heard it might be coming out as an audiobook on Audrey. Have you heard of that? It’s an audiobook app that pairs classics with a guide. I write about a few I read that way at https://louisejulig.substack.com/p/queerness-britney-spears-superyachts-in-classics