We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ashley Hasty. Check out our conversation below.
Ashley, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For a long time, I stayed in the safe lanes of teaching, blogging, and writing—spaces where I felt confident and supported. But what I’m being called to do now is step into entrepreneurship in a much bigger way with The Chicago Literary Salon. It’s one thing to write about books and talk with authors; it’s another to take on the risk of building a brand-new event series from the ground up. That leap has always felt intimidating—what if no one shows up, what if sponsors don’t see the vision, what if I fail?
But this season of my life has taught me that fear and excitement often sit side by side. The idea of creating the kind of author events I’ve always dreamed of attending—intimate, upscale, filled with great food, cocktails, and conversation—feels worth every ounce of risk. I finally feel ready to trust myself as a businesswoman, not just a book blogger, and to build something that connects literature, community, and luxury in a way Chicago hasn’t seen before.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ashley Hasty, and I’m the voice behind Hasty Book List, a literary lifestyle blog where I share book recommendations, author interviews, themed reading lists, and glimpses of my life as a mom and reader in Chicago. What started years ago as a simple Instagram hashtag to keep track of the books I was reading has grown into a platform that connects readers with authors and stories they might not have discovered otherwise.
Most recently, I’ve launched The Chicago Literary Salon, an upscale, ticketed event series that brings authors and readers together over cocktails and dinner in an intimate setting. Each event feels a little like stepping into a private dinner party—beautifully branded, thoughtfully curated, and rooted in conversation. My vision is to create the kind of literary gathering I’ve always wanted to attend: stylish, inspiring, and community-driven.
What makes my work unique is the intersection of my passions—literature, history, fashion, and event design. Whether it’s a blog post about a new release, a curated reading list, or a salon evening with an author, I want to make books feel like both an escape and a lifestyle. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to celebrate stories and the people who tell them, while giving readers memorable experiences they’ll carry with them long after the last page or last cocktail.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Without question, my husband. He was the one who first suggested I start blogging about books. At the time, I brushed it off—I wasn’t sure anyone would care about what I was reading or have interest in my perspective. But he gently pushed me to give it a try, and he was right. What began as a simple blog has turned into a platform that’s opened doors I never could have imagined—connecting me with authors, publishers, fellow readers, and now even inspiring live events.
He’s also the one who said I should pursue The Chicago Literary Salon. Whenever I start doubting myself or wondering if I’ve taken on too much, I remind myself that he was right about blogging, so chances are, he’s right about this too. His ability to see my potential before I can see it myself has been a constant source of courage, and I wouldn’t be here without his encouragement.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I’ve never been much of a risk taker. I’ve always gravitated toward the sure bets and the small wins—the things I could control and reasonably expect to succeed at. It felt safer to stay in familiar lanes, whether that was teaching, writing, or blogging, rather than putting myself out there in ways that could end in failure.
That tendency has served me well in some ways, but it’s also held me back from pursuing bigger dreams sooner. Launching The Chicago Literary Salon is the first time I’ve really leaned into risk—financially, creatively, and emotionally. It’s been scary, yes, but I’m realizing that sometimes the things we fear most are also the things that can grow us the most.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
For a long time, I believed that success had one very specific definition: academic achievement and career milestones. That belief drove me to work hard, earn my Ph.D., land what I considered a dream job teaching courses I loved at a university, and even earn an early promotion. By those measures, I was thriving—and I was proud of it.
But when my husband’s career brought us to Chicago (a move I was excited about), I couldn’t find an equivalent position. Suddenly, my career stalled. Then I had a child, and my professional identity all but disappeared. I went through a real identity crisis—if I wasn’t “Dr. Hasty, university professor,” then who was I?
It took time to separate my sense of self from my career, but once I did, I realized how limiting that old definition of success had been. Letting go of it gave me space to pursue new paths—like growing Hasty Book List and launching The Chicago Literary Salon—that are deeply fulfilling in ways I never could have imagined back when I thought success was only about titles and promotions.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who was kind and welcoming, who lifted others up and made space for them to shine. At the heart of everything I do—whether it’s through my blog, The Chicago Literary Salon, or simply in my everyday life—I want people to feel seen, included, and valued.
I hope my husband and son remember me as a loving wife and mother, someone who prioritized our family while still pursuing her passions. And in a broader sense, I hope I leave a mark on Chicago’s literary culture. If people can say that I helped create meaningful connections between authors and readers, and that I built spaces where stories and community could flourish, then that would be a legacy I’d be proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hastybooklist.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyhasty/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-hasty-a0666623
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hastybooklist
Image Credits
Hannah Schweiss
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