About Carlie
Blogger, Reader, Coffee Drinker
Hi there! I’m Carlie—welcome to my cozy little bookish corner of the internet.
Before you ask, yes... I know blogging isn’t exactly trendy anymore (shoutout to the 2010s!), but hear me out—it’s still one of my favorite ways to be creative and share my newly rekindled love of reading.
So, without further ado (not adieu 😉), let me introduce you to She’s Becoming Bookish—a space where I dive into all things books. Here, you'll find my honest thoughts, personal reflections, and passionate ramblings about the stories that stay with me long after the final page.
Whether you're here for recommendations, reviews, or just a fellow bookworm to geek out with—I'm so glad you're here.
What Possessed Me to Start a Blog in 2021?
Two guesses, my friend—and I bet you’ll only need one.
That’s right—the pandemic changed everything.
In early 2021, I transitioned to full-time remote work for the first time in my career. With L.A. traffic no longer stealing hours of my day, I suddenly had something I hadn’t had in years: time. And with that time, I found my way back to an old love—reading.
I picked up a book, and the rest, as they say, is history. A few months (and many books) later, I stumbled into the world of Bookstagram—aka Instagram for book lovers—and instantly fell in love. Seeing readers share bookish content, connect with publishers, and build a thriving community made me think, I want in on this! So, She’s Becoming Bookish was born.
Six months later, it was clear that a blog was the natural next step. I craved a space to share long-form reviews and dive even deeper into conversations about the books I love. That’s how this blog came to life—a cozy corner where I can connect with fellow readers and talk about all things bookish in more than just captions.
Now, this isn’t my first blogging rodeo. I launched my first blog—a cooking blog—in 2009, followed by a travel blog in 2015. Blogging has always been my creative outlet, and after shutting down my travel blog in 2019, I missed it more than I expected. So call me old-fashioned, but I still believe in the magic of blogging. It’s personal. It’s creative. And it’s where I feel most at home.
Have I Always Been a Reader?
A lot of people tell me reading just isn’t for them. But for me, it’s always been part of who I am.
I grew up devouring books—seriously, I couldn’t get enough. My mom used to drop me off at the library for hours while she ran errands, knowing I’d be perfectly content surrounded by shelves and stories. Summers were spent by the community pool, nose buried in a book, often choosing reading over more social activities. So yes—it’s safe to say I’ve always been a reader.
But life happens. Grad school and a demanding career shifted my reading habits. As a mental health professional in training, my reading list became filled with non-fiction—valuable, yes, but let’s be honest… not exactly page-turners. I’d occasionally revisit a favorite novel (I’ve read the Harry Potter series at least six times), but between 40+ hour workweeks and the infamous L.A. commute, the idea of exploring new books felt overwhelming.
Then, everything changed.
In January 2021, I started working from home. One cold afternoon, I checked out The Tattooist of Auschwitz from my local library—and I read the whole thing in one sitting. That experience reminded me of what I’d been missing: the magic of escaping into a story that’s been carefully and beautifully told.
From there, I was hooked all over again. I started exploring new authors, new genres, and rediscovering the joy of getting completely lost in a book. That spark I’d missed for so long came roaring back—and this time, I knew I wanted to share it.
What Types of Books Do I Read?
I’m absolutely obsessed with historical fiction. It’s hands-down my favorite genre. There’s just something magical about a well-researched historical novel—especially if it features a fierce female lead or is based on a true story. Some of my go-to authors include Kate Quinn, Noelle Salazar, Diana Gabaldon, and Amy Harmon. And honestly? I haven’t read a WWII book I didn’t love.
Back in the day, I was all about the classics. Some of my favorites include Wuthering Heights, The Great Gatsby, Anna Karenina, and Great Expectations. My all-time favorite book is Still Life by Sarah Winman. The emotional connection I felt with the characters will stick with me forever.
While historical fiction will always be my first love, I occasionally branch out into women’s fiction, romance, rom-coms, contemporary lit, and even a few thrillers—and I’ve been loving the journey. Some newer authors I’m obsessed with include Celeste Ng, Emily Henry, Rachel Hawkins, and Ann Napolitano. Discovering new genres and new voices has been one of the most exciting parts of falling back in love with reading.
Fav Books of All Time
More About Me
Well, as I mentioned before, I'm originally from Louisiana, but I moved to Los Angeles in 2011 and have been here ever since. I'm 42 years young, but I usually don't act my age. I'm a firm believer in good skin care, quality leather shoes, eating good cheese, and drinking good beer. I practice yoga regularly and love good long walks and hikes throughout L.A.
When I'm not reading, I spend time with my boyfriend, our pets (1 Shih Tzu mix & 2 cats), my plants, and my friends here in Los Angeles. I love traveling, cooking, writing, and photography. I'm also a connoisseur of vintage jewelry and handbags, so I can occasionally be found perusing the bins of local thrift stores and flea markets. Concerts and music are my jam, so don't be surprised when I share updates from local live music venues in my behind-the-scenes updates.
Enough About Me...
Now that you’ve gotten to know me a bit, let me give you a peek at what you’ll find here.
This blog is all about sharing the bookish love—expect lots of book reviews, round-ups of new and favorite reads, seasonal recommendations, and reviews of Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs). I also share a weekly series called 5 Things on BookTok where I share what I’ve been reading, watching, listening to, eating, shopping for, and more—basically, a little slice of life each week.
Writing has always been one of my favorite creative outlets, and talking about books is the perfect way to stretch those writing muscles while connecting with fellow readers like you. More than anything, I hope this space helps you discover exciting, meaningful, and memorable reads.
And since this blog is for you, I’d love to hear from you! What kind of content do you want to see here? What genres or authors are you loving lately? Drop a comment or send me an email—I’d be thrilled to hear your suggestions and book recs.
Let’s make this the coziest, most inspiring bookish corner of the internet—together. 💛
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve made it this far—thank you! Seriously, it means the world. I absolutely love meeting fellow book lovers, and I’m so grateful you’ve taken the time to check out my blog.
I’d love to get to know you, too! Be sure to sign up for email updates so you never miss a bookish moment. And if you're up for it, hit reply and tell me about your favorite reads—I’m always looking to grow my TBR pile (even if it’s already a little out of control 😅).
Not big on email? No worries! You can also find me over on Bookstagram, BookTok, and BookTube, where I share reviews, recs, and all kinds of bookish fun.
Your bookish guide,
Carlie Dayle