We’re thrilled to welcome Rachel Soo Thow, founder of The Lit List as our newest muse! With an inspired blend of creativity, wellness and the best reads, The Lit List brings fresh perspective to the intersection of style, health, and mindful living. Whether she’s sharing beautiful visuals, wellness tips, or thoughtfully curated recommendations, her work offers more than aesthetics—it’s a journey toward inspiration, balance, and purpose.

A passionate reader, she’s always got a stack of books on the go, ranging from holistic health and self-care to creative inspiration and generously shares her top picks and greatest takeaways with her community. Join us as we dig into what fuels her creativity, what wellness routines she swears by, and how she’s building a lifestyle that’s not just seen, but felt.

To begin, could you share a little about your diverse background across the arts, retail, and beauty industries, and how those experiences ultimately led you to create The Lit List?

As an Honours graduate from Elam School of Fine Arts, my academic training was complemented by a range of part-time roles that significantly shaped my understanding of visual communication and product presentation. From positions in retail, public relations, and visual merchandising - working with brands such as Moochi, Kate Sylvester, and Country Road deepened my awareness of how products are curated, styled, and consumed within fashion and lifestyle contexts.This foundation translated seamlessly into the beauty industry during my time in the beauty department at Farmers and most recently in beauty distribution at CS & Co - immersed in product launches, seasonal campaigns, and catalogues, I became increasingly interested in the intersection of visual aesthetics, brand storytelling, and product efficacy. Influential publications like Into The Gloss and RUSSH Beauty further informed my perspective, encouraging a more intentional and design-led approach to beauty and skincare.

At the core of my practice is strong visual sensibility -  how I engage with objects, imagery, and text is what led to the creation of The Lit List, a photographic journal exploring the convergence of literature, fashion, and beauty. It functions as a visual archive, aiming to capture not only the content of books but their mood, materiality, and cultural context whilst encouraging honest discussion between myself and followers.

How has The Lit List evolved since its early days on Instagram, and what does the community look and feel like today?

The online book community has changed a lot over the years, and I think my own journey with it has naturally evolved alongside it. When I first joined, Instagram was dominated by simple flatlays and low-fi posts that focused purely on the books themselves - no frills, just titles shared among a growing circle of readers. It was a quieter, more intimate space filled with book tags, themed reading months, and meaningful conversations, long before reels or BookTok became part of the landscape. I feel lucky to have entered the community at that early stage - many of the people I met back then are still close friends today, which is something I’m incredibly grateful for. Now, the community looks quite different -faster-paced, more visual, and shaped by platforms like BookTok, BookTube, and the rise of celebrity book clubs and brand partnerships. But what excites me most is how literature is now reaching far beyond traditional readerships, whether someone considers themselves a “reader” or not, stories are finding their way into more hands than ever before, and that kind of accessibility is something I really value.

Who is your all-time favourite author, and what’s a book you return to again and again?

I have two favourite authors, each for very different reasons. Joyce Carol Oates stands out for her remarkable ability to explore human relationships with psychological depth and emotional fragility. Her expansive body of work- from short stories and poetry to full-length novels reflects a career defined by literary insight, and it continues to resonate with readers today, which I find deeply rewarding. In contrast, my appreciation for Siri Hustvedt began with her essays, where her intellectual rigor and feminist perspectives immediately captured my attention - her ability to weave together themes of art, science, and the human psyche offers a compelling and multidisciplinary lens through which to view the world. A novel I return to often is Notes on Heartbreak by Annie Lord - a love story in reverse detailing every stage of a breakup / the euphoric and the painful, the messy and the beautiful.

With summer reading season upon us, what’s on your list? Do you have any must-recommend titles for the months ahead?

While many associate summer reading with lighter, fast-paced novels, I often find myself drawn to lengthier, more immersive works- those over 500 pages that invite a slower, more reflective reading experience. This summer, two titles I’m particularly eager to explore are The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk and Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree, both of which have received significant critical acclaim and have been on my list for some time. That said, I’ve also read several compelling titles this year that I believe are perfect for summer readers looking for something gripping and thought-provoking: The List by Yomi Adegoke, which examines the complexities and consequences of digital culture; Rytual by Chloe Elisabeth Wilson, a dark, satirical exploration of the beauty industry and influencer culture; and Strange Houses by Uketsu, a haunting blend of mystery and true crime that’s perfect for readers drawn to the unsettling and surreal.

What trends are you noticing in what people are reading and sharing through The Lit List community right now?

While fantasy and romance novels continue to dominate popular reading habits, I’ve noticed a subtle resurgence of interest in graphic novels alongside a renewed appreciation for classic literature, particularly through Penguin’s carefully curated reissues via the Penguin Archive editions. Titles such as Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali and minimalist editions of works by Roald Dahl, Mary Shelley, and Bram Stoker suggest a growing desire among readers for more considered, timeless narratives - this shift reflects a movement away from heavily hyped contemporary releases toward prose that resonates more deeply with readers’ personal experiences and struggles. In this context, literature serves not only as entertainment but also as a source of empathy and solace, offering readers the comfort of seeing their own challenges reflected in the lives of fictional characters.

If you could hand everyone one book to read in their lifetime, what would it be and why?

Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 remains one of my most cherished reads - a multifaceted novel that seamlessly blends elements of love, mystery, fantasy, and self-discovery, while also offering a dystopian narrative that invites comparison to George Orwell’s 1984. Set in Tokyo, the story follows Aomame, a young woman who, prompted by a taxi driver’s cryptic remark, begins to perceive unsettling anomalies in her reality, ultimately realizing she has entered a parallel world she terms "1Q84"- a universe marked by uncertainty and questions. Simultaneously, the novel traces the life of Tengo, an aspiring writer whose path gradually intertwines with Aomame’s in intricate and profound ways - the emotional depth and narrative complexity of their evolving connection render 1Q84 a deeply memorable and enduring love story that continues to resonate with me even today.

Alongside writing, reading, and your Substack I Love You, I Hate You, you also work in retail and brand experience. What do you enjoy most about the variety in your days, and have you always embraced having multiple roles?

I have always found that juggling multiple projects simultaneously energizes and motivates me; whether writing a review with 90s movies playing in the background or filming TikTok videos while preparing for an event, maintaining a dynamic and busy workflow feels natural to my creative process. However, I have recently made a conscious effort to carve out dedicated time for reading, distinguishing it from screen-based activities and administrative tasks - this intentional practice allows me to engage in a form of therapy that is both restorative and deeply fulfilling, re-highlighting my love for literature because that’s where it all began :). 

With so many creative and professional commitments, how do you create space for ritual in your beauty and wellness routine? Are there any non-negotiables?

As both an early morning riser and an occasional late-night reader, valuing these quiet, solitary moments as essential spaces for personal ritual and rest seems to be a pre-requisite everyday. My morning routine consistently includes the application of Vitamin C and sunscreen, while evenings are marked by the use of face oil and a retinol alternative - with makeup removal at day’s end serving as an indispensable ritual, I feel like this serves as a non-negotiable high on the list. Recently, I have also incorporated dry brushing into my self-care regimen, aiming to stimulate and recharge the lymphatic system, particularly important during colder months when my physical activity tends to decrease.

How would you describe your personal philosophy or approach to beauty?

Patience. Having been in the beauty industry for close to 8 years, I’ve been exposed to so many products and presentations that seem to scream newness and trend but what i’ve found is that the most important thing for my skin is listening to it. There are days when my skin seeks more hydration and others where a gel moisturiser may suffice - so many of us want to prescribe to having the same routine day and night with a plethora of products but the best approach is finding products that work with your skin type and your skin texture any given day.

Which Tronque product do you find yourself reaching for most often, and why does it stand out in your routine?

I have two products that I love so much that I've found myself combining them in my routine for that hydrated glow - the Tronque Triple Active Body Milk and the Tronque Scar Concentrate, combining them makes for the most delicious velvety texture especially over my tattoos. I find this little concoction delivers immediate hydration and nourishment to provide long lasting hydration whilst also working to tone and rejuvenate elasticity. 

Quickfire questions: 

Favourite self-care indulgence when you need a reset? A sheet mask - instant hydration every time. A fail safe for when you want to skip the long skincare routine.

 
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Always apply sunscreen everyday and two finger lengths for scale.

 
One podcast you’re loving right now? Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud - there’s something so therapeutic about listening to guests spill their deepest thoughts on fashion and identity whilst lying on a couch.

 
If you could teleport anywhere for a weekend, where would you go? Japan - I've loved it ever since I went there on a holiday a few years ago and last September. There’s so much to do and so many places to go - I'd love to visit Osaka again and go vintage shopping of course! From Parco to 2nd Street to Ragtag and Kindal, the vintage stores there are endless and so affordable!

Last song you had on repeat? Starburster by Fontaines D.C.