The Sunday Collection 6.28.26
I’m writing to you from a quiet house. It’s just Penny and me here, no rambunctious boys competing for my attention or Wild Kratts audiobooks playing in the background. As much as I love my mini chatterboxes, these silent moments are essential for my brain to function at the most basic level. I don’t take them for granted, and neither does Penny. She is curled up on the top of the couch, in front of her favorite squirrel-watching window. She had her summer haircut recently, so she looks like a baby lamb. My matcha is cold, so I might warm up a little more milk. I hope you’ve found a restful moment like this in order to read this newsletter, or stare into space, or close your eyes in the sunshine this weekend.
Quick reminder: until July 1st, use code SLOWREADSUMMER to get $15 off of your Odyssey recap bundle from Novel Pairings!
The Sunday Collection
I pre-ordered Lulu Mayo’s new coloring book because my oldest son loves dragons, but it’s not for him! It’s for me. It arrived last week, and I can’t wait to spend an evening coloring while listening to an audiobook.
When I’m alone in my mini van, which is rare, I’ve been listening to Olivia Rodrigo and Raye’s new albums.
Once again, my summer uniform has been a real lifesaver. This June has been weird, with a hot week here, a cool week there, and rainstorms every few days. Having a go-to outfit with layers makes it easy to leave the house no matter the weather. The formula:
Old Navy Button Down + Tank Top
I’m working out how to share short reviews of my recent reads in the newsletter, aside from my monthly reading reflections podcast for paid subscribers. For now, here are two books I loved in June. Hear more about them in your podcast feed next week for just $5/month:
Thistlemarsh: a page-turning historical fantasy set just after WWI, filled with faerie magic, dangerous quests, and satisfying twists. This reminded me of Ella Enchanted, The Secret Garden, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream all wrapped into one. The writing was lovely, at the sentence level, and I imagine the audiobook would be fun.
Make Your Way Home: one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read. I couldn’t put it down, but don’t take my word for it:
Anticipated July Book Releases
The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders
Beginning Middle End by Valeria Luiselli
Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Hidden Strangers by Minka Kent
The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren
Country People by Daniel Mason
Scavenging Beauty: A Memoir in Walks by Angelica Glass
Tata by Valérie Perrin
Devotions by Lucy Caldwell
ICYMI
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