Smart recs and big feelings. Downtime* is a newsletter sharing fun discoveries for your downtime. Books to read, the good stuff to buy, shows to watch, and things to think about — plus insightful interviews with creative, cool women on how they’re getting through it.
“It’s like getting an email from your smart, funny, in-the-know friend.”
*Formerly known as Girls' Night In
What you get when you go paid:
If you enjoy Downtime and want more of it, a paid subscription unlocks the full experience:
Weekly Friday Recs — These are my most-loved posts: thoughtful, fun, and useful recommendations for what to read, watch, cook, and buy. Free subscribers get a preview, but paid readers get the full thing every Friday morning.
Monthly Bonus Recs — Think of these like a catch-up with a friend: a mix of personal updates, deeper reflections, and deep dives into things I’m loving lately. Sometimes that means a book I can’t stop talking about, a show worth bingeing, or a product that’s genuinely worth your money.
Access to the full archive (180+ posts) — From interviews and essays to past book recs and thoughtful deep dives, you’ll have access to everything I’ve published here.
Community Chat — A *so* helpful space to swap recommendations and ask for advice from fellow readers. Some readers also organize IRL meetups and book clubs in their cities! No spambots, just smart women with great taste.
And soon: a monthly book club for paid subscribers, with discussion threads, reflections, and occasional author Q&As — plus ways to connect with other readers near you.
Your support helps keep this newsletter going — ad-light, thoughtful, and always reader-first. Thank you for considering supporting Downtime—I couldn’t do this without you!!
About the Author
Hi, I’m Alisha — the writer, editor, and curator behind Downtime. I started this newsletter back in 2017 (it was called Girls’ Night In then) and it’s evolved right alongside me: from career pivots in my twenties to figuring out motherhood, identity, and how to slow down in my thirties. Before that, I worked in tech as a product designer and in the brand strategy industry.
I live just outside D.C. with my husband and our two-year-old daughter, and I spend most of my time thinking about books, coziness, creativity, and how to make everyday life feel a little more meaningful.
If you’re into smart recs, slower living, and the joy of a really good library hold — you’re in the right place.
Thanks for being here!
Contact
You can email me at alisha@downtimenewsletter.com.
For partnership inquiries, contact kristin@downtimenewsletter.com.
If you have a technical issue with your subscription, the app, etc., you can browse Substack’s FAQ page here.
