My birthday month did NOT disappoint my friends. Multiple movies in a THEATER, all the baseball, and an EPIC Parks & Rec themed birthday party. All of that along with some live theatre and an addictive new podcast, I hope you’re having a good pop culture month too. Here’s a few things I loved this month…

Reading

I finished The Daydreams while on vacation at the end of last month and really enjoyed it. It reminded me of the time on Saved By the Bell where they started a band (yes, deep cut for you kids of the early 90’s). So, take that piece of information with you if you decide to read it. It was a fun and easy vacation read.

Flux was probably a book better to read on vacation – it’s a dense (but not long) science fiction book that I think would be better if I could have binged it in a couple of days. I think I liked it, I really need someone else to read it so I can discuss. Please hurry up.

After Flux I knew I needed something lighter and The Club was it! I really enjoyed this book, it’s one of those stories with narrative told through multiple characters, so after a couple chapters I had everyone figured out and then it got juicy. If you like rich people and celebrities behaving ridiculously, this is a good one with a nice murder mystery thrown in! A perfect vacation or weekend read.

Listening

For my birthday my dad and I went to see Lyle Lovett and His Large Band out at the Grand Lodge and it was an AWESOME concert. Dad’s seen Lyle four times now and this was my first. I won’t miss him again, it’s such a fun show and the large band are all incredibly talented. A great summer evening concert. My husband and I saw the Indigo Girls on our anniversary trip and they were also a very fun concert!

We listened to the first three episodes of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers on our anniversary trip last month and it was SO FUN. It was nice to listen to something light hearted, I’m excited to listen to a couple more on our trip to the coast this weekend. I’m a big Seth Meyers fan and my dad tipped me off to Neal Brennan’s interview with Seth on The Blocks Podcast. If you’re an SNL/Seth Meyers fan this was a good listen!

Into It, Vibe Check and Deja News have been keeping me going this month, but we need to talk about SCAMANDA…

My dad mentioned this great new podcast he was listening to and I should check out. I was listening to an audiobook so put it on my list and mentioned it to a friend who loves true crime. Then this past week I needed something to listen to and promptly devoured all 8 episodes (and the 4 bonus eps) This story is WILD. A mom with cancer starts a blog talking about all her treatment and what’s going on, becomes a poster child of faith at church, speaks regularly and the church fundraises for her and her family… but…maybe she doesn’t have cancer? The story is BONKERS and very sadly true. If you liked Inventing Anna and need a crazy twisty true crime pod (without the murder) this is for you.

Watching

I don’t go to the movie theater very often, so getting there three times this month was a feat! The month started with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. It was super fun, and while over the top, I did love the addition of Phoebe Waller-Bridge who I love. The acknowledgment that Indy has aged was also pretty funny and well handled I thought. The Barbie Movie is everything I could have wanted and more. It was the most fun I’ve had at a movie in a very long time, and wow is it PINK. Love Barbie or hate her, this is a fun time at the theater with a great message for men and women of all ages.

Primo is the family show you didn’t know you need to watch. A sweet story about a teenager in Texas growing up with his overbearing latino uncles and single mom. It is so funny and smart. It was created by Shea Serrano and produced by Mike Shur (Parks & Rec, Brooklyn 99, The Good Place, all the shows you know and love) so you know it’ll be GREAT.

I am sad that The Other Two is over but those three seasons were quite a wild ride! We have finally binged the first full season on The Bear and will be watching the second season soon, I promise!

Oh and we had a live theatre experience too this month! My friend and I saw the musical Six this week and it was a BLAST! I had no idea what I was in for – a musical about the six wives of Henry XIII. Sure, that sounds fun, it looks sparkly and like a good night out. What I wasn’t expecting was a 90 minute girl group concert that was such a fun evening at the theater! If it comes to your town, go. It’ll fill that Barbie/Taylor Swift hole in your entertainment heart.