July arrived with hot weather in Oregon, a 4th of July parade, two trips to the Oregon Coast, a birthday, and then the Olympics arrived. It’s been a jam packed pop culture month – Here’s what’s kept me sane…

Reading

Two trips to the coast and warmer weather means I head outdoors (a bit less with all that extra free time these days) and get distracted in a book. The Husbands was by far the best book I read this month, it is such a clever story and very funny. I finished three audiobooks this month and my favorite was Coming Home by Brittney Griner. It was an incredible story of being arrested in Russia but also coming back home and the re-entry for both Griner and her wife. It makes me even happier that they have a new baby and that we get to cheer her on at the Olympics!

Listening

I finally discovered Chappel Roan, and I too am H-O-T-T-O-G-O and you’re welcome that it’s now stuck in your head rent free like it has been in mine this month. There’s also a new Lake Street Dive album out and it is (as usual) fantastic. I am so mad at myself for not getting tickets for their concert in August.

As a reader, I enjoyed the Sunday Special episode of The Daily from July 21st on their 100 best books of the century (so far), if you haven’t gone through the list I highly recommend it, and this conversation about the list. Like many Americans these past few weeks, I’ve been glued to news podcasts about the presidential campaigns.

Watching

On a trip to the Oregon Coast for the 4th of July (fireworks and Norm do not mix) we binged a mix of shows… BBQ Showdown was good comfort watching with low stakes and Michelle Buteau was a super fun host. I also unplugged with the latest season of Bridgerton which was the soapy ridiculousness I needed. And of course we watched The Bear, an amazing show that has funny moment, but isn’t a comedy and the Emmys need to stop that. Wow this season was again fantastic, and the through line of one incredible restaurant closing and more Olivia Coleman, it deserves all the awards it wins, even if they’re in the wrong category. And, as a big food nerd, I loved all the cameos this season!

Now it’s Olympic season and like the rest of the world we’re glued to the TV day and night! And if you haven’t seen this yet, you’re welcome…

Summer has arrived in the Pacific Northwest! The longest day of the year has occurred and the late night sunsets (and early morning sunrises) are here. This means more daylight and more time outside to enjoy local markets, take in a baseball game, and sometimes even sit outside after a busy day of work and throw the ball for Cliff while I read a book. Here’s a few things that have kept me sane this month…

Reading

I had to return Brittney Griner’s memoir Coming Home to the library and am looking forward to getting it back on audio so I can finish it. It’s a hard listen but really interesting. I picked up Rebel Wilson’s memoir Rebel Rising on a friends recommendation and it’s a great audiobook! I have a road trip next week and am looking forward to finishing it.

I did pick up The Guncle Abroad at the library and was able to breeze through this funny and sweet book. I loved The Guncle when it came out a few years ago and was thrilled to continue the story with these characters. I”m half way through with Good Material which I read a review about and added to my library list. I picked it up thinking it was about one thing and it’s about something very different (not the rom com I was expecting at all) but I am still really enjoying the story and the quirky characters.

There’s a new bookstore coming to Portland called Grand Gesture Books and she did a pop up during independent bookstore week here in Portland. I was able to stop in one morning and pick up a couple of books I’m excited to read on vacation next week.

Listening

I have not one but TWO podcast recs this month… Happily Never After is a 6 episode podcast about Nancy Brophy a romance writer in Portland who killed her chef husband a few years ago. I remember seeing the story of her trial on the news but not really paying attention to it at the time. The story is wild – she writes a genre of romance that often includes murder. If you like a true crime podcast and even if you don’t – this story is worth the time.

The Daily is doing a series on animals on their Sunday shows lately and the first one was a bit sad but the second episode about puffins was adorable and I also liked the manatee story. If you need something light hearted and easy for everyone on a road trip, this could hit the spot!

Watching

Honesty, it’s a lot of binging Brooklyn Nine-Nine these days. After busy days, and evenings, a low stakes show is what I need. My husband and I have been watching Full Swing on Netflix and enjoying the drama of the season, and catching up on season 3 of Acapulco which is still one of the most charming shows on television. Please watch it so that they’ll make a 4th season! We finished this season of Top Chef Wisconsin and I was bummed that Savannah didn’t win, but happy with Danny. I had a hard time with a couple of the contestants who made it way further than I thought they should have but that’s most seasons right?

Baseball, 4th of July festivities, and a few days at the coast are up next over here. What’s on your pop culture and vacation to do list this summer?