What I Read In May + June 2021
Hey, friends! It’s been a whirlwind of reading these past months—and honestly, a whirlwind in general. [Insert laughing face emoji] As this panini is coming to a close, and this country is slowly opening back up, I feel like we’re all itching to get back into the swing of things. Honestly, I feel a little uneasy and I think some other people will agree, too. I’m fully vaccinated (yay!), but the pandemic social anxiety—and my own personal brand of social anxiety—is making its presence known.
I don’t think we’ll be returning to the “old normal” and I don’t want to be that person who says “new normal.” I do believe that this pandemic has re-shaped my way of thinking in terms of going out, staying in, learning to love “the simple life,” and so much more. One example is that more time staying at home has turned me into is a reader! I’ve always been a reader, even before I could talk, but this panini and social distancing and stay-at-home orders has re-ignited my love of reading and reading goals.
These are the books I’ve been reading lately, shows I’ve been watching, and links I’ve been enjoying.
*This post does contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, of which I may gain a small commission.
What i’m Reading:
Bridgerton: the duke & I (book one)
Dear Reader, I have finished the first book in the riveting Bridgerton series and I must conclude that I absolutely adore it.
Okay, I had my fun there trying to mimic Lady Whistledown. After watching the first season on Netflix, I fell in love with the characters. I knew I wanted to pick up the first book, but I was in no hurry to pick it up. And then, BAM—I saw the first book in the grocery store. Yes, the grocery store. I absolutely devoured it and now, I picked up the second and third books in the series from Target. And I must say, the Bridgerton family and as well as the Duke of Hastings are just as good in the pages as they are on screen. Well done, Shonda Rhimes. (And with the colorblind casting, too!)
Buy “The Duke & I” on Bookshop.org.
Happily ever afters by elise bryant
This was one was an absolute delight to read. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Jasmine Guillory, this is a YA novel about an aspiring writer who gets the worst diagnosis possible for a writer: writer’s block. Just as she’s about to start a new creative arts school. She gets a little help from her best friend from back home by creating her own happily ever after. But what she will lose in the process? Like Bridgerton, this book got me out of my “reading slump” and I loved every single page. Not only does it hit the YA romance tropes, it covers important topics like disabilities, being Black in a white-dominated neighborhood, and police/racial profiling. Highly recommend!
Buy “Happily Ever Afters” on Bookshop.org.
You have a match by emma lord
I read Emma Lord’s debut novel, “Tweet Cute,” at the beginning of quarantine and loved it! I was a bit hesitant when I saw this book was about a camp only because the only camp I ever went to I didn’t have a good experience at. But I genuinely loved it! It ties in a long-lost sister, a secret crush on a best friend, and of course, camp fun. Sometimes, you even forget they’re at camp but in the end, the book was a lot of fun and I highly recommend. It was even Reese Witherspoon’s winter YA book club pick!
Buy “You Have a Match” on Bookshop.org.
The hate u give by angie thomas
This book. Whoa. “The Hate U Give” released in 2014, and the movie out in 2017, but it’s timeless. Absolutely timeless and a must-read. Although it’s considered a YA novel, and high school students should very much read this, I think other generations should read it as well.
Truly excited to read the sequel with the POV of Maverick that released in early 2021.
Buy “The Hate U Give” on Bookshop.org.
The handmaid’s tale by margaret atwood
I read this one before Season 4 of “The Handmaid’s Tale” released on Hulu, and I was somewhat impressed. I think this is one of the rare cases that the TV show is better than the book. (Gasp!) However, it didn’t disappoint. It included everything up to season two (that’s not a spoiler), so it barely touched on anything after season two.
Overall, I enjoyed this short read—it was only 200-ish pages. Fans of the show will surely love this one as they’re waiting for each new episode in Season 4 to drop.
Buy “The Handmaid’s Tale” on Bookshop.org.
The viscount who loved me by julia quinn
I have been devouring the Bridgerton series and falling in love with each member of that family throughout each one. I wasn’t excited to read Anthony’s story, the eldest Bridgerton, but about mid-way through, I became absolutely enthralled with not only his storyline, but his love story with Kate. This got me VERY excited for Season 2 of Bridgerton!
Buy “The Viscount Who Loved Me” on Bookshop.org.
Undercover bromance by lyssa kay adams
This was my first audiobook and oh boy, this was a fun read. I am a hardcore fan of this series. The sequel to “The Bromance Book Club” follows Liv, who just got fired from her job at a restaurant for witnessing sexual harassment by the restaurant owner, who sets off to destroy the said restaurant owner. But she gets some un requested help from the Bromance Book Club—founded by her nemesis, Braden Mack. Since this is a romance novel, they have to of course fall for each other—as they’re planning a destruction of said restaurant owner. It wouldn’t be a romance novel without falling for each other! I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope in this one—sometimes that can get a little old, but Liv and Braden’s love story kept me on the edge of my seat—and laughing in the middle of Target.
Buy “Undercover Bromance” on Bookshop.org.
Beach read by emily henry
Reading last year’s popular YA book, it’s important to stay on brand. “Beach Read” released in April 2020 and I read it right before the author, Emily Henry, released her second book, “People We Meet on Vacation.”
I liked this novel! I typically go for books that include books, reading, or novel writing in them, so I definitely picked this one up at my local bookstore. The story follows January, a romance author, who is staying at her late father’s beach house one summer. Her next door neighbor, an old nemesis from college, is also an author but while January writes happily ever afters, Augustus (Gus) writes endings where everyone dies in the end. With both of them with a case of writer’s block, the two challenge each other to write each other’s genres. Gus, writing romance, while January tries to write the next Great American novel.
Of course, this being a YA romance novel, there needs to be some romance. The plot develops January and Gus’s individual storylines both equally, with January learning some of Gus’s dark past all while she’s grieving her father’s death and finding out some of his secrets.
I read the first 100 pages in one night, and then the middle became slow and I struggled to get through it, but the ending picked up for sure and did not leave me disappointed. Overall, I’d recommend!
Buy “Beach Read” on Bookshop.org.
What I’m Watching:
The Circle
I know, I know. I just started watching “The Circle” because where have I been? I binge-watched this show in one weekend; I fell too much in love with a few characters (Shubham and Joey, looking at you!) and I’m already on Season 2. (Editor’s note: I’ve finished by the time you’re reading this.) It’s a great show! It hooks you in and you almost feel like you are playing the game right alongside them. It also definitely makes you think about how we use social media in our day to day lives (and will have you using hashtags in your everyday conversations). If you need a show to hook you in but don’t want a drama or a sitcom, this is the show for you. #MustWatch #CircleFam
Watch “The Circle” on Netflix.
Ginny & Georgia
I started this show and I’m about on Episode 3, and I am genuinely impressed! It gives off a “Gilmore Girls” vibe, but a lot more edgy and … less ABC Family (iykyk). While “Gilmore Girls” was adhering to a certain fanbase when it was on the air, “Ginny & Georgia” covers a lot more ground and honestly, I love both characters. Ginny, the daughter, has a rebellious streak but I haven’t seen that unpacked yet—maybe something to do with her dad?? Georgia, the mother, is a firecracker. She moves from town to town with her two kids (Austin is her younger son, who is nine). So far, it’s good! I’m excited to keep watching especially since it just got renewed for Season 2. (Editor’s Note: it’s been about a month since I wrote this and I’m still on Episode 3. This is probably going to be a summer watch.)
Watch “Ginny & Georgia” on Netflix.
Younger
Season 7 is back!! I literally binge-watched all six seasons in March, and I fell in love with each of the characters (you can tell I fall in love with a lot of fiction characters!). I’m still getting caught up on Season 7, but so far, I am #TeamLiza. In Season 7, I am not a fan of Charles. However, he’s been slowly creeping into my heart as the season progresses.
Watch “Younger” on Hulu.
What I’m Listening To:
Bad on Paper Podcast
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of “Bad on Paper Podcast.” It’s one of my favorite book podcasts, but they also talk about everything from politics, influencer culture, career, city life, and so much more. The hosts, Grace Atwood and Becca Freeman, are absolutely hilarious. Some past episodes that have stuck out have been episodes just the two of them chatting; one including a Q+A about anything and everything but more specifically career tips, an episode about childhood nostalgia, and then an episode on unpopular opinions.
Listen to “Bad on Paper Podcast” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
But Honestly Podcast
I’ve been loving some down-to-earth, girl chat lifestyle podcasts lately, and “But Honestly Podcast” is no different! It’s a good 30 minutes and the hosts talk about their latest Trader Joe’s obsession, mental health, and life in New York City.
Listen to “But Honestly Podcast” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Links I Love:
These simple lifestyle changes that you can make just in time for earth day (and any day of the year!). Check them out from AdeliaLauren.com.
These 50 positive affirmations you should tell yourself, from The Everygirl.
The most popular beach reads for summer! Excited to add some of these to my list, and I even recognize a few.
This article about how “Younger” relates to real-life book publishing.
The Bold Type returning this week!!
I love finding new blogs to read, so this one about getting back to not so normal on Byamberburns.com was so relatable about the world re-entering society post-pandemic.
Love podcasts and needing to find a new one? You can find a complete round-up of all the podcasts I try to listen to on a regular basis here. Want a book recommendation? Here are all the books that I read in 2020. All 31 of them!! And what I’m watching? Well, I can’t say I’m watching all of these, but I am watching some of them. I wrote a post on TV shows and movies that I watch when I’m feeling overwhelmed or anxious. So check those out! Even if you’re not feeling overwhelmed or sad, those shows and movies are still awesome recommendations.
P.S. I am planning a slight blog redesign soon, so stay tuned for updates over on my Instagram @adailydosewithliv_.