let's talk thru: september
how. is. it. october?
Every month I have the dogged mentality that I will do multiple newsletters a month and then BAM it’s a new month and I haven’t even begun to start my “let’s talk thru” posts. I am realizing more and more through multiple new practices in my life that I historically have a difficult time putting my wants ahead of other priorities. I believe this is totally normal, especially for women, but it’s something I am privy to change. The way I am going about this is through my morning routines. Something I will write about once they are more established. But the gist is that my mornings are mine from 6am-7am-ish. Whether it’s a slow morning of reading, writing in the comfort of bed, or doing some organizing, I get to choose what my mornings look like for me and me alone.
But like I said, more about that later, here’s September!
READ
🔘 read on my nook
🎧 audiobook
📚 reread
🔖 library
📔 own
📔 The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
rating: liked it
Here’s the thing, a “liked it” rating is a good rating. It means I enjoyed my time with it, I enjoyed the book, but it doesn’t mean I am going to keep the book or add it to a favorites list. But with this one, I do find myself thinking about the characters now and then.
I would cast this one as a less pretentious sally rooney book. The characters felt like the same kind of mess, but with more likability. It’s a friend story to me more than a romance book. While there’s a love element, it’s more about the lies and stories we tell.
🔖 You, with a View by Jessica Joyce
rating: loved it
‘Add this to the list of really good romances I have read this year! It’s got enemies to more than friends, grief, unexpected job loss, lying, road trips, steam, and going viral on social media.
Noelle is back living at home after being laid off & dealing with the grief of losing her best friend, her grandma. While going through her grandma’s things, she learns about a man that’s existed in her grandmother’s life before her grandpa. After making a tiktok to see if anyone knew this man it goes viral and the story begins.
I have lost my grandma and papa in the past three years and I miss them with a fierceness I didn’t expect. The portrayal of grandparent loss in this book made me lose it at the pool and thankful I was wearing sunglasses.
🔘 You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
rating: really liked it
Okay I read this one during an insomnia night, so I feel like I can’t be 100% in my feelings. Books that get me through nights of not sleeping automatically seem to get a bump in rating for me.
But I do like the fact that this FMC is messy as hell but KNOWS SHE IS and embraces it. She isn’t trying to change, she is self-aware and funny. Ari is complicated as hell and Josh (of course his name is Josh) is straightforward.
Told in an homage to When Harry Met Sally, these two stumble through the years and eventually into each other.
📔 Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
rating: loved it
So many good friendship stories this year! Iona is a colorful, bold, brash woman who is very regimented. She’s sure who she is, but she is growing lonely, even though she won’t admit it. Told through multiple POVs from people on her commute, we get to meet people who become a family.
This one is so good! It’s a story about being yourself, but also pushing yourself to be open with others and the world. A lesson I want to learn more of as I get older. I don’t want to spoil anything for this one. I went in knowing very little and I suggest you do the same.
📔 Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
rating: loved it
UGHHHHHH MY HEART THIS BOOK UGH. This, sadly, has been marketed as a Little Women retelling- it’s not that. It’s simply a story of sisters and family. It, like You, Again, is an homage to a work. It’s honoring of its origin while being its own.
It starts with William, and while he’s a main character, he is a conduit of entry into the Padavano family. The reader switches between the stories of William and the sisters. Mostly of Julia and Sylvie. Common themes in this book are the price of love and being yourself, sacrifice, loss, and how to keep going.
I cried at this one and immediately texted my sister how much I loved her lol.
🔘 Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman
rating: really liked it
This was a random Netgalley read and was SO sweet. It’s about Billy and Margot. He’s a nontraditional guy and parent- a single dad who is a music teacher in Baltimore. He’s known for being happy, and he truly is a happy person. Then there’s Margot, a recluse former rockstar who is thrust back into the spotlight via a documentary.
She’s also Billy’s biggest crush. So when they meet in a weed-induced email intro via Billy’s son, their worlds clash and combine. It brings happiness but also confusion that they don’t know if they can handle.
🔘 Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese
rating: loved it LOVED IT
REALIZE
I mean the whole first part is a realize section. But here’s some other things I’ve realized this month.
Choosing to be ambitious outside of work is something I’ve focused on this year and something that Alisha Ramos writes about so well in her essay, “Who Am I Without My Ambition.” I am a very work-orientated person. It’s how I’ve felt my presence in the world. It’s how I feel like I’ve contributed. But this year I have focused on being better in other areas- being a wife, friend, daughter- but more so, how I have focused on myself. It’s been empowering and life-changing.
Implementing a power hour has been key in helping me feel like I have more of my life in control. I take some time (usually an hour, but could also be 20 minutes) and blow through all my computer/phone/digital tasks or my cleaning tasks. I throw on an audiobook or music or podcast and push through the annoying little tasks that loom over my brain…and speaking of….
I need lists. I cannot rely on my brain to remember basically anything. So I need lists. I need to not just write “clean bedroom,” I need to write “vaccuum, clean off desk, put away clothes, organize make up.” Then those things will actually get done. I am also keeping all the things I have marked “done” so I can look back and see all the shit I have gotten done over the past weeks. Feels great.
ORGANIZE
You know I love small things that make lives easier. This soap holder is lovely and holds the buff city soap I am in love with after an impulse buy on my birthday.
I just purchased an item I hope will organize my biggest current pain point, but I cannot report back until I know it works.
BUY
Tea Kettle- my previous tea kettle had mold and this one is so good and clear so I can see when the water boils and if mold grows.
Old Navy Leotard- so freaking comfy. I was reluctant to buy something so tight, but I want to live in this. It’s soft and versatile.
*links are from LTK so I might get like 30 cents if you buy it
EAT & DRINK
My dad came down for a weekend and boy did we eat GOOD. I got to take him to a bunch of my favorite Nashville places and try a new one!
Where we went:
Izzy’s: great downtown Franklin spot with fresh food and live music
Loveless Cafe: classic Nashville restaurant with incredible biscuits and hashbrown casserole
Baja Burrito: fast casual Mexican spot. Like Chipotle, but better (I said it, I mean it)
Franklin Bakehouse: the best cinnamon rolls ever
Jack Brown’s: my favorite burger in Nashville. The perfect size and flavor
Lyra: HOLY MOLY. That’s what the first two photos above are from. It was the perfect night, the weather, food, and service were all sublime. It’s a Middle Eastern restaurant that serves tapas-like plates. We got about 8 plates and every one was delicious. If you ever come to Nashville, I recommend getting a reservation and spending some time here.
WEAR
It’s still hot in Nashville in September and all I want is to wear a sweater, but here we are. So I don’t have a ton of looks because I was simply tired of dressing for summer.
I would link that denim shirt on the right but it’s already sold out. I’ve learned with H&M that you have to hop on items QUICKLY or they are goneeeee.
WATCH
So, I’m going to be honest, tv/streaming/watching and I had a pretty unhealthy relationship this month. I watched way too much. I got deeply into The Mentalist and rewatched all of M*A*S*H which has so many episodes. I also watched the latest season of Project Runway and really enjoyed it.
TRAVEL
No travel this month, but we are going on a quick trip to Asheville this weekend!
MEMORIES
🚶🏼 Walking to dinner and reading one night
🎙️ Seeing The Popcast Live in Atlanta
🎾 Playing tennis more
🏈 Connor wrapped up the flag football league season