You can't read this book.

But I'm still going to tell you about it.

It’s still July, barely! We’re not late!

The recommendation this month is:

You Can Only Cook What’s In The Fridge (And Other Reasons to Read)

…by Tim DeMoss (me).

You probably can’t tell, but I did this cover mockup all by myself.

And the reason you can’t read it? —It’s not published yet.

Um, OK…how long are we supposed to wait?

I’ve written the book. I’m adding illustrations, then sending it to beta readers. Based on feedback, I’ll make some changes. Maybe add or take away a chapter.

So it will be—fingers crossed—available this fall.

The studio isn’t usually this messy. Usually it’s messier.

Reasons to Read? What’s it about?

I run a series called Reasons to Read on YouTube. Instead of just saying “Reading is good,” each video gives a specific reason. I pull quotes from old books and do hand-drawn illustrations of dubious quality.

Three of the earliest Reasons: “You Can Only Cook What’s In The Fridge” “Thoreau, Walden, and ChatGPT” and “You Don’t Have to Get It”.

“You Can Only Cook What’s In The Fridge” was the first-ever Reason to Read. The idea: you can’t work with what you don’t have. Shove your brain fridge full of ingredients and you’ll always have something to cook.

An illustration from the first-ever Reason to Read video.

Some other Reasons to Read:

• “You Can’t See The Stars Till The Sun Goes Away” (on the difference between enjoying a book and enjoying your phone)

• “You Need Space Grapes / Put The Pepsi Down” (based on a quote from Thoreau’s journal on drinking “the wine of the moon”)

• “You Don’t Have To Get It” (on reading difficult books that you don’t 100% comprehend)

If you need a Reason to Read, there’s a whole playlist.

But, the book?

It’s its own thing! It’s broken up into 12 Reasons (1 per chapter), plus a section on “How To Actually Read” at the end. There’s pen & paper illustrations throughout.

The header illustration for one of my favorite chapters. Pen to paper to screen!

I’m pulling from some of the old Reasons, writing some new ones, combining them. I’m adding quotes from books I’m discovering. It’s been a gloriously difficult and easy process all at the same time.

Not every illustration makes it into the book, and I use pen. You’ll see a lot of scratched out ideas.

Whether you’re a bona fide bookworm or you haven’t picked up a book all year, I’m writing You Can Only Cook What’s In The Fridge for you.

I hope it will be helpful.

So now what?

If you’re subscribed to this newsletter, you’ll hear about the book when it drops. No need to do anything. (If you’re not subscribed, you can join now for free!)

If, however, you’ve been following along with Reasons to Read, and you’re willing, I could use your help! Send me your ideas, hopes, dreams. What would make this book helpful for you (or for a non-reader in your life)?

Even though I’m technically done with the writing,¹ I’ve still got time to make adjustments. So if you have any thoughts at all, or would be interested in beta reading, you can fill out this quick form here. Or, leave a comment on this post!

Thank you!

But that’s enough for now. I’ve gotta run — I have a book to finish.

—Tim

I try not to mention AI — I’d rather focus on humans — but yes, if you’re wondering, this book is being written by me. I am not using AI to ideate, generate, edit, grammar-check, or give me compliments on my brilliant writing.

1. Nothing is every really “done”. At some point, I’ll just run out of time or patience (or both) and call it good.