Welcome to Castles in the Sky.
This is a place for the curious to explore what life can be when we embrace authenticity, open-mindedness, and the power of storytelling. I'm Charlie Becker - a father, writer, bookseller, and professor in Houston, Texas.
What To Expect
This is part journal, part creative studio. All subscribers receive:
The numbered ‘issues’ of Castles in the Sky - My "finished" writings on topics like books, education, film, philosophy, and life lessons from fatherhood and recovery that come out roughly once a week.
Bookstore Register - Chronicles of joining my family's secondhand bookstore that come out every other week.
Serialized Fiction - Like the ongoing sci-fi novel Cathedral (2024).
Non-Fiction Projects - Such as the upcoming How to Get Married, based on my essay For Richer or Poorer | A Love Letter to Weddings.
I also share "behind-the-scenes" thoughts and works-in-progress in the Workshop section (but you must opt-in by subscribing here (toggle the button next to Workshop) or send me an email to get added).
The Core Philosophy
For me, authenticity means rigorous introspection and resisting self-deception. Open-mindedness is an active search for truth, embracing life's idiosyncrasies. And storytelling fosters empathy, connection, and personal growth through narrative.
Rather than philosophizing about this, I mostly show how I see these ideas play out in practice through stories from my own life and anecdotes from things I read and observe.
Join In
Subscribe to get an email with a taste of my "greatest hits" essays. If you really like it, leave a comment or subscribe to the $8/month paid tier for early access and future books.