What I Read and Loved | July 2024

Six books + monthly favorites

Photo by Bob van Aubel on Unsplash

Welcome to my July recap! Thanks to my birthday and time off from work, it was a month full of indulgences and slow living. I've loved sleeping in and being lazy in the mornings. My birthday involved several delicious treats and sweet gifts. I've tried a few new-to-me restaurants, got to go to a great art exhibit, and bought a beautiful piano at a thrift store for $40. Playing it has been so fun and relaxing!

I'm grateful for the chance to unplug from work and reconnect with my hobbies. Having the summers off gives me the gift of time to spend with those I love, but I also savor the time I get alone to read and recharge. All of those things are such gifts, and I'm thankful. I wish the same goodness for you.

Let’s get to my recent reads and favorite things!

What I Read

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: When Margo is 20, she becomes pregnant by a professor at her junior college. Despite not having a great job or enough support, Margo decides to have the baby, even though the father doesn't want to be involved. Margo's own father, The Jinx, is an ex-pro wrestler, and her mother is a former Hooter's waitress who still pines for the wrestler who got away. Margo's dad wasn't very involved in her life as a child but reappears when she needs help with the baby. He asks to move into her apartment with her and her roommates, and Margo agrees as long as he'll provide childcare. But even though she has help, Margo still can't make ends meet, so she starts exploring OnlyFans to provide for her child.

Margo's Got Money Troubles is a funny, sweet, and surprisingly touching novel. I loved the realness and complexity of Margo's relationship with her dad, and I also appreciated Rufi Thorpe's exploration of modern technology and online relationships. Thorpe's characters always felt like real people, and the economic hardships Margo faced were entirely believable. Thorpe is such a gifted novelist.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman: When Sandwich begins, readers meet Rocky, a middle-aged woman embarking on an annual summer vacation on Cape Cod with her husband and adult children. Rocky is going through menopause and is facing the emotional and physical changes that it brings. She's deeply devoted to her family, so facing the fact that her son and daughter are adults with their own lives and challenges can be difficult to bear. During the vacation, Rocky learns something that brings up memories and pain. She tries to enjoy the time with her kids while also coming to terms with something from her past.

Sandwich covers some heavy topics, but Catherine Newman uses a light hand. Even though Rocky faces difficult emotions and truths, Sandwich is often funny, thanks in part to Rocky's good-hearted husband and the familiar bickering between the kids. If you’re looking for a summer read with depth, give Sandwich a try.

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager: When Ethan was 10, he had a backyard sleepover with his best friend, Billy. They two went to sleep in a tent, but when Ethan woke up, he was alone and noticed a long slit in the tent's side. Someone had taken Billy. Thirty years later and with the case still unsolved, Ethan returns to Hemlock Circle, the site of the abduction, when he moves into his parents' vacant house. Strange things start to happen, and Ethan can't stop thinking about Billy. Ethan wonders if Billy is sending him signs so he can solve the case once and for all.

Riley Sager's books are always a good time. He writes fast-paced mysteries that are consistently entertaining. Middle of the Night is no exception. Ethan was a sympathetic protagonist, and I also liked the characters Sager surrounded him with, including childhood friends and polite neighbors. I didn't love this book's conclusion, but I'd still recommend this novel to readers who want a quick page-turner.

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay: A few months ago, I read and enjoyed Be Holding by Ross Gay, a book-length poem, so I wanted to read more of his poetry. This collection is full of poems celebrating the beauty of the ordinary, even (or especially) amid loss or darkness. If you're scared of or intimidated by poetry, Ross Gay's work might be an excellent place to start exploring.

Consent by Jill Ciment: Consent is a memoir in which the author reconsiders her relationship with her late husband. Their relationship began when Ciment was a teenager. He was her painting teacher, married with two children. Despite their age gap and his marriage, the two started a relationship and were eventually married for 45 years.

In the '90s, Ciment published another memoir about her relationship, and she spends time in Consent wondering how honest she was in that first book and whether or not she portrayed the relationship correctly. The examination of her own writing was what I found most interesting about this memoir, though I also appreciated her musings on power and how it can be weaponized in the name of love. (If you want a fictional take on this topic, check out the excellent novel My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell.)

I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman’s Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris by Glynnis MacNicol: The second memoir I read in July was much more lighthearted, thankfully. I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself is the story of the author's time in Paris once the COVID-19 travel restrictions had been lifted. MacNicol is single and child-free, so part of her vacation in Paris is spent seeking physical pleasure. Though that's part of the story, I found the heart of the book to be about the friendships MacNicol has in Paris and how those female friends brought joy and light back to her life after months of isolation and uncertainty in New York City. With the Olympics in Paris and the conversation about "childless cat ladies" happening in the US right now, this memoir is a timely and enjoyable read about a woman seeking happiness and knowing she doesn't need a husband or child (or cat!) to achieve it.

What I Loved

DOCUMENTARY SERIES: Simone Biles Rising

Like the rest of the world, I'm amazed by Simone Biles. Her athleticism is incredible, and her dedication to mental health is admirable and essential for those following in her footsteps. This documentary series has a couple of episodes so far that explore Simone's experience at the Tokyo Olympics and how she fought to return to competition. I already loved Biles, but watching this series made me appreciate her even more.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Books and Lala

Kayla of Books and Lala is an avid reader who reads a lot of books in many genres. Her videos are fun and I love the variety of books and topics she covers. She has a great sense of humor and creates content that challenges me to get outside of my literary bubble. If you're looking for the same inspiration, check out her videos.

Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash

FOOD: The classic BLT sandwich

I love sandwiches. You might think you love sandwiches, but I'm almost sure I love them more than you do. The sandwich I've been dedicated to this summer is a simple beauty. She knows she doesn't need to be flashy or ornate. She's beauty, she's grace, she's a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. One of the best parts of summer is a delicious fresh tomato. When you add bacon, mayo, crisp lettuce, and toasty bread, it's almost too much goodness to behold. Eat this sandwich while reading Sandwich, and you'll be so happy. You're welcome.

What I Wrote

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What did you read and love last month? Have you read any of the books I shared? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for reading!