Welcome to The Magic Book House

How we got here & things to come...

It seems that I’ve started this newsletter, in one form or another, about 57 times over the past several years. Originally, The Magic Book House began as a blog, which I never published (mostly due to my own technological shortcomings). I spent so much time trying to figure out the “details” of blogging that I had little energy left for writing about books, which is what I really wanted to do.

I stumbled across Substack by accident, and felt like the newsletter platform was a gentler way for me to share my love for children’s books. Still, it took months of overthinking before I arrived at this point, so, hello! I’m glad you’re still reading.

I have a genuine passion for children’s literature, especially chapter books and middle grade novels. As my own children become independent readers, I’m able to pull from my bookshelves—literal and metaphorical—to suggest titles they love. Also, since I still read aloud to both of my kids nightly, I think hard about the kinds of books that will help us connect after a busy day.

Over the years, I’ve recommended countless books to friends for their children, and gotten great feedback on my personalized picks. My hope is that this newsletter will serve as a valuable resource for you, too!

Each free edition of this twice-monthly newsletter will feature a few of my favorite chapter books and middle grade titles, with reasons why I loved the book and why your reader might too. My kids might pop in from time to time to share THEIR current faves. The format will likely change a bit, so thanks for being patient with me while I iron out the wrinkles.

If this sounds interesting, please subscribe so you don’t miss the first installment next Wednesday. Oh, and feel free to share with a friend.