Substacks recommended by The Commonplace

Recommended by The Commonplace

books, reading, writing, & what keeps us young at heart, featuring middle grade and YA book reviews and peeks into the library & life, from writer & elementary librarian Nicole Bennett

The Courage to Live It

By Shawn Smucker

"If you're lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it." John Irving, A Prayer for Owen Meany

Shawn channels his inner Steinbeck to chronicle the time-honored process of crafting a novel.

- The Commonplace

Joy Clarkson

By Joy Marie Clarkson ☀️

Things that I, Joy Clarkson, am thinking about.

Jokien with Tolkien

By JRR Jokien

Jokien with Tolkien delivers regular laughs and lore from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." Upgrade to a paid subscription to join the Extended Edition, a community of Tolkien lovers going even deeper into the wonders of Middle-earth together!

The Examine

By Seth Haines

The Examine is a reader-supported exploration of curiosity. Here, I explore the world through fiction, non-fiction, and the occasional photograph.

Seth uses his voice to help us look at the world like him, though a sacramental lens.

- The Commonplace

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚

By Miller’s Book Review 📚

Celebrating All Things Literary

Joel catalogs the books he reads and, in process, adds more to my TBR stack.

- The Commonplace

SLANT LETTER

By Stephanie Duncan Smith

A newsletter on writing craft and style—from an editor in publishing who believes in the spiritual practice of the creative process.

If you want to write — or even simply find your voice — Stephanie is a kind companion and cheerleader.

- The Commonplace

Luke Burgis Newsletter

Pursuing the mysterium tremendum et fascinans and writing at the intersection of philosophy, culture, art, technology, and religious wisdom.

Letters from a Catholic Feminist

By The Catholic Feminist

For Catholic women who want to be inspired, informed, + intentional.

Claire writes like your whip-smart friend: she gets you thinking but never makes you feel dumb.

- The Commonplace