Welcome to Crooked Reads!

A monthly newsletter about books

Hi! I’m Ashley Holstrom, a professional book person who likes to yap about good books and mental health whenever she can.

Crooked Reads is a monthly collection of three bite-sized book reviews, fitting to a theme. My goal is to give you two things: the basic plot and how the book will make you feel—no verbose blurb words here.

It’ll show up in your inbox on the third Sunday of every month.

The name comes from my wannabe intellectual English major days, when I started a blog and called it Crooked Prose. Because I have scoliosis. And my spine is crooked. Get it? The name stuck and is my brand, now, I guess.

Top posts

• Read These Weird Science Books

• Books to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

• Mental Health Memoirs from the Sidelines

What people are saying

In case you need to be convinced.

🌳Books on GIF🌳 @booksongif

Do yourself a favor and subscribe to these bookish newsletters in 2022: crookedreads.substack.com whattoreadif.substack.com readingundertheradar.substack.com bookmarked.substack.com readsomethingqueer.substack.com wellreadwithannabonet.substack.com sonovelicious.substack.com canweread.substack.com

January 1st 2022

1 Retweet2 Likes

Elizabeth Held @ElizabethHeld

When @alholstrom included me in this @BookRiot list of best newsletters for readers I had a huge influx of subscribers, but the best part was meeting her. Ashley is so cool and so smart. 20+ Of The Best Book Newsletters For Readers | Book RiotHere are the best of the best book newsletters, with newsletters from readers, your favorite authors, and industry insiders.bookriot.com

December 27th 2021

1 Retweet6 Likes

Leigh Stein @rhymeswithbee

“A little bit of satire, a little bit of heart….a flawless time capsule of the COVID year.” Thank you @alholstrom for this review! crookedreads.substack.com/p/burnout-is-t…

September 10th 2021

5 Likes

Also one time John Green tweeted an article I wrote and I still have not recovered.

John Green @johngreen

Ashley Holstrom at Bookriot pairs The Anthropocene Reviewed with Bo Burnham's brilliant song "That Funny Feeling," which means quite a lot to me, since when I first heard that song I was laughing as tears fell down my face. Pairing Books With Bo Burnham’s INSIDE | Book RiotIf you’ve been listening to the soundtrack from Bo Burnham’s INSIDE on repeat, try these books paired with your favorite songs!bookriot.com

June 25th 2021

114 Retweets1,932 Likes

It’s free, baby

For now, everything is free. But you’re always welcome to subscribe or Buy Me a Coffee to support me and my reading habit.

xoxo

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