This month on Across the Desk (from The Writer's Atelier), I'm joined by the wonderful @sarajbenincasa.bsky.social! She was one of the first people I thought of when I created this series, and I was thrilled to have her sit across my desk. Enjoy! nicolemathew.substack.com/p/across-the...

Resolutions are lame. Instead... here's what is In and Out for me in 2026!

My end-of-year reading recap is now live! Tell me: what did you love reading most this year?

December reads 👇🏻

Everything I read in November👇🏻

I am awful at promoting myself, but I probably should do it more… so, in the spirit of that, I’m going to make you a deal. My annual holiday offer is now live: 30% off an annual subscription. That comes out to being 50% cheaper than a monthly subscription! Such wow, much savings! 💸✨

New series on The Writer's Atelier: Across the Desk. Join me monthly for a conversation w/ another creative. My first guest is Matthew Long of Beyond the Bookshelf (a wonderful literature publication). If you'd like to be a future guest, reply or DM me - I'd love to sit across the desk w/ you!

Books read in October: 8 Total for 2025 (so far): 88 Here's what was on my shelf last month!

I’m finally curating all the things that get stuck in tabs that stay open for far too long, so they aren’t lost forever. Seasonal drops include writing inspiration, articles I enjoyed, and music I’m vibing with. Check out Autumn’s open tabs here 👇🏻

CALLING WRITERS/AUTHORS/CREATIVES! I want to feature you in a new recurring series on my Substack (The Writer's Atelier) called Across the Desk — a quick Q&A interview about your process & creative work. If you are interested, please fill out this form to participate. forms.gle/PW9CCJ6bg2v5...

CALLING WRITERS/AUTHORS/CREATIVES! I want to feature you in a new recurring series on my Substack (The Writer's Atelier) called Across the Desk — a quick Q&A interview about your process & creative work. If you are interested, please fill out this form to participate. forms.gle/PW9CCJ6bg2v5...

Everything I read in September 📚👇🏻 nicolemathew.substack.com/p/september-...

Welcome to The Writer’s Atelier: my workshop of words. Or, as the French say, atelier des mots. An atelier is a space where artists shape, refine, and imagine their work. An intimate corner for writing, reflection, and conversation. nicolemathew.substack.com

All the books I read in August 👇🏻

Everything I read in July! 👇🏻

Everything I read in June👇🏻

“Better late than never,” she whispers. Peep my May Reads here!! 👇🏻

It took me a while, but my novel revisions are locked in. Time to finally hit the query mines!!

Everything I read in April 👇

I tried. I failed. I found something better.

Breaking news, I enjoy oat milk

I'm seriously behind on posting what I read in March... so... catch up with me here:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wow. A masterpiece. Incredible story, gorgeously written, and extremely captivating. I’m hungover.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A great critique on the time-honored practice and its cultural impact.

My February reading recap is now live!

So, what are YOU doing to stay sane in these trying times? Please, share. We need to lean on each other more now than ever!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dense; a very detailed and well researched history of Gucci.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So gripping. Excellent pacing and packed with suspense.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fun. If you’re a fan of Taylor and her music, you will enjoy this review of her career.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stunning. A gorgeous piece of historical fiction. It will forever live on my shelf!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An absolute delight. Rogen’s collection of essays are genuinely funny, just like him, and the audiobook was a fun listen.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Never met a book by Emily St. John Mandel I didn’t devour, and it left me hungover. What a gorgeously written novel.

Blew my month’s book budget on banned books. Totally worth it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was one of the better memoirs by a Real Housewife. She’s the real salt of the earth!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I could NOT put this one down. A superb thriller!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A wonderfully written memoir and some good LOL moments from”The Hipster Grifter” (whose story I was mostly unfamiliar with).

I met my younger self for coffee today...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved it. I couldn’t put it down. Twisty and full of dark secrets!

I cannot stop thinking about the murder that happened during the Super Bowl last night

My full January reading recap is now available! nicolemathew.substack.com/p/january-re...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Slow at first, but when things come together you’re hit with some wild twists. A fun ride.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Everything you want in a celeb memoir from an ICONIC celebrity… and it’s only PART ONE!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Deliciously dark and devious. Influencers ruining lives: a great storyline!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Full of tension and unputdownable. Clever, original, dark, and relatable. I loved it.

I don't really *want* to use Goodreads but look, I have been there a long time. Many authors are there. Beyond liking what my friends are reading and giving a review, I just want to track my progress with a book, what I've read, and not engage further. I don't want another social media platform!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fascinating story of a crime lord who started his empire by creating online pharmacies then expanded into a wild amount of illegal activity. Excellent reporting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wintering is a great concept. Wonderfully written.

I was trying so hard to not spend extra money this month (a self-imposed rule to catch up from the holiday spending) but then Jones Road had to release *purple* gel eyeliner and Taylor Swift had to drop a new cardigan! At least I'll look cute and cozy!!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A fantastic, gripping spy thriller.