Take a break and read this
While I'm away for two weeks, check out my favorite food, culture, and travel Substack publications.
To be a good writer, I read a lot. This means that I’m rarely alone when I write, especially on Substack (the platform on which you’re reading this post). When I write, I’m surrounded by the voices of other writers whose work inspires me to take more creative risks, be consistent, and find my voice. This post is a tribute to many of these writers.
I’m taking a couple of weeks off as we wrap up our time in Mexico. I won’t be writing during this time, but I will continue to read Substack publications by writers I admire. During my writing hiatus, I invite you to read the work of these writers with me!
What I love about the writers you’re about to meet, is that they’re interesting people who love to tell stories. Some inform and others entertain, and all of them always take me on a journey. The writers to whom I’ll introduce you are the few whose newsletters I gladly welcome into my noisy inbox every week. I hope you enjoy their work as much as I do.
If you’ve been following a particular writer on Substack you’d recommend that I or others follow, please leave a comment!
Category: Food
1. ”As We Eat Journal” by Leigh Olson and Kim Baker
Why I like it: This publication explores “how food connects, defines, and inspires”. I particularly enjoyed “Tempests in the Tea Room”, a look into some creative ways women suffragists engaged people on the right to vote without stirring too much controversy - methods like publishing cookbooks and home-making newsletters with suffrage messages. Each post (some are written, others are podcasts) is beautifully produced, well-researched, and a joy to read. As a bonus, it’s created by full-time RV nomads, proving that food is not confined to a traditional home kitchen.
2. “Balanced Diet” by Charlotte Ruttledge
Why I like it: This newsletter makes me feel warm, fuzzy, and hungry. The mouth-watering food photography never fails to lure me to open every edition. Don’t let the title of this newsletter deceive you. The recipes in this newsletter are decadent! The latest edition did not disappoint with its maple cream puffs. I don’t have an oven in my tiny camper, but I know that next time I visit a friend or family member who does, I’ll be trying one of Charlotte’s recipes!
Category: Culture
1. “The Average Polyglot” by Mathias Barra
Why I like it: Mathias is a polyglot that speaks 6 languages. Every week, he provides “7 Bullets About Languages”, with articles to read, podcasts to listen to, challenges, and quotes to ponder to support your language learning journey. He also talks about his own language studies, most recently focused on mastering Thai. I come from a family of language learning nerds so this is the kind of reading I gobble up.
2. “On Holiday with Mojalvo” by Maya Oren
Why I like it: I had the pleasure of meeting Maya in a writing group and was drawn to her focus on intentional living from the start. She’s a filmmaker who has managed to have her clients pay for her to pursue her creative passions and travel. Her recent “Soundscapes from Cuba” (from a work trip) was a neat way to experience this enigmatic country through sound. Recently, Maya transitioned to her first 9-5 job ever. When most people seem to be escaping it, she leaned in and I want to know more. Maya is a fascinating person with a fascinating writer’s voice!
3. “Shangrilogs” by Kelton Wright
Why I like it: This is the kind of newsletter that makes you want to curl up with a hot cup of tea and imagine that you’re living Kelton’s life. Though I quite like my nomadic lifestyle, Kelton’s writing often makes me imagine that I, too, will one day move to a tiny town in the mountains of Colorado and build my dream log cabin. I find Kelton not only inspiring for going after her dreams, but she’s also a phenomenal writer. Kelton’s work has a large following and it’s easy to see why!
Travel
1. “Gaëlle Goes Adventuring” by Gaëlle Gosselin
Why I like it: I also met Gaëlle in a writing group and loved her witty humor. I felt like I’d met a kindred spirit: Gaëlle is in the process of selling all her belongings and her home in South Africa to move into a van and travel in Europe while she continues her work as a voiceover artist. In her newsletter, Gaëlle shares her journey in English and French (which I appreciate as a French learner!). Her writing reminds me of what it’s like to be a new nomad on the road, including the excitement and the hard work to prepare (like dealing with bureaucracy!). Whether or not moving into a van or camper is for you, you’ll find Gaëlle’s adventures entertaining!
2. “Viterbo” by Olivia Box and “Tante Belle Cose” by Danielle Oteri
Why I like them: These two writers always transport my heart and spirit to Italy, where Noah, my husband, and I honeymooned.
Olivia is studying in a medieval town called Viterbo as a Fulbright scholar (impressive!) and writes about the everyday magic of living and traveling through Italy. I particularly enjoyed “Even Further North” a post about her adventures in Northern Italy when her brother was in town. Her writing makes me swoon and desperately want to go be a nomad in Italy!
Danielle also writes about Italy, and as an owner of two tourism companies there, she has a deep wealth of knowledge about the country. I’ve learned from Danielle about great masterpieces in Venice’s Gallerie dell'Accademia, and about the history behind the tripe sandwich I ate when I first visited Florence (lampredotto). I’ve also learned about the shameful and simultaneously luxurious city of Matera. My list of places to go and things to see in Italy keeps growing with every post she writes!
3. “Brent and Michael Are Going Places” by Brent Hartinger and Michael Jensen
Why I like it: This is the publication that inspired me to join Substack as a travel writer. Brent and Michael, a full-time global nomading couple, write about the places they live in, such as Split, Croatia, and their musings about society and life as nomads. Brent and Michael are professional writers and it shows. Each of their posts is well-written and entertaining!
Which of these publications do you think you’ll enjoy? Which ones would you recommend to me?
Next time I write to you, Noah and I will be back in the United States, getting ready to hit the American roads again in our camper.
Until then!
Karla
Thanks very much Karla! And hope you enjoy your deserved time!
Touched to be on the list! buon vacanza!