Introducing myself

Who I am and why I created this substack

Hi, I’m Rana (pronounced Ren-uh)

I’m the content creator behind Books and Things Explained (I specifically read, review, and recommend nonfiction books, so if that’s something you’re interested in, check out my Instagram).

I love reading, writing, learning new things, sharing what I’ve learned with others, and connecting with fellow intellectuals. I’m not the best reader, learner, or writer, but I have an appreciation for these things, so the least I can do is try to be.

As much as I enjoy creating content, I sometimes feel restricted by content pillars, branding, and analytics, which are the business and quantitative aspects of content creation. Although these aspects are important, I want a vessel where I can express myself more freely and creatively.

That's where this substack comes in. It's a place where I can be less structured and more creative. No content buckets or branding here, just me sharing mini-essays, thought-pieces, how-to’s, or cool things I’ve learned.

If you want to read more curated, structured, bookish content, check out my website (if you prefer long-form content) or my Instagram (if you prefer short-form content).

But if you're into less polished, more personal, and creative content, welcome—you’re in the right place (this is the part where you hit the subscribe button).