INK & IMPACT: The Books Keeping Letters Alive

We often turn to books to learn how—how to cook, how to let go of negativity, even how to declutter. But some books don’t just teach us how to do something—they remind us why it matters in the first place.

Letter writing is one of those things. It’s not just about mastering the perfect sign-off or finding the fanciest stationery. It’s about connection—putting a piece of yourself on paper and sending it out into the world. And while this practice has become endangered in the age of texts and emojis, a handful of books and authors refuse to let it disappear.

I’ve found a few books dedicated to the lost (but not dead!) art of letter writing. They don’t just offer tips on how to write a letter—they celebrate its purpose, history, and lasting impact. And they absolutely deserve a place on your shelf (or e-shelf!).

A Few Books Keeping Letter Writing Alive

Syme’s Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence About (Almost) Every Imaginable Subject by Rachel Syme (2025). A nod to all things letter-related, from stuffing an envelope the right way (yes, there is one) to writing about the weather without being boring. (My go-to line all winter long: It’s almost spring!) Even if you’ve never written a letter, this book might just inspire you to start.

Heartspoken: How to Write Notes that Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire by Elizabeth H. Cottrell (2022). A guide to writing notes that truly matter—whether it’s a thank-you, a condolence letter, or just a simple thinking of you. A reminder that the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact.

Kind Regards: The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Liz Williams (2012). A fascinating dive into the history and cultural impact of letter writing, filled with historical examples, writing tips, and the hope that letters might just be making a comeback.

Letters to Felice by Franz Kafka (2016). Listen, I don’t want to read too much into the fact that Kafka spent years writing to a woman named Felice, but come on. What are the odds? Between 1912 and 1917, he sent her countless letters, survived two engagements, and still, they ended in goodbye. Proof that letters can hold love, longing, and heartbreak all at once.

And if you’re hoping to hook the next generation of letter writers before they become permanently attached to screens, check out these children’s books: Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings (2022) and Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale by Josh Funk (2023), which turn letter writing into a fun, interactive adventure.

Why These Books Matter
Because they remind us of something we seem to have forgotten: letter writing is about taking the time to reach out in a way that lasts. It’s about creating something tangible in a world that’s increasingly digital and disposable. Letters are proof that we were here, that we thought of someone, that we cared enough to put pen to paper and send a little piece of ourselves out into the world.

So, let’s bring it back. One letter at a time.

With love (and a handful of library books)

Felice

P.S. Writing Prompt this week: Write a love letter to one of your favorite books. Tell the book how much it changed you (yes, books deserve love too).

SONG OF THE WEEK

Love Letter by Bonnie Raitt

Felice Cohen is an award-winning author, known nationally and internationally for living in one of the world’s smallest apartments. She wrote Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love (endorsed by Rita Mae Brown), 90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet (...and More) (inspired by her viral YouTube video with 25M+ views), and What Papa Told Me (endorsed by Elie Wiesel). Felice is a sought-after speaker, inspiring others through her books and talks. Find her at felicecohen.com.