Monthly Musings: A Q2 Check-In
Plus everything Barb read last month ✨
I remember an old wives’ tale that says it takes three weeks to make a habit and three months to build it into your lifestyle. Sounds reasonable, right? When I went to cross-check those timeframes, I couldn’t find any meaningful substantiation. That is to say, writing Monthly Musings is a habit I’ve been at for a little while now. Four sends, 19 books reviewed, and [redacted] panicked texts to Kelsey about schedule-sending. Because I work in advertising, it’s at this point, “mid-campaign,” where I’m wired to think about performance. What are key takeaways? What can be optimized? What can I learn for the next time? And while I’m actively working on not prescribing that mentality to an outlet like this, there are a few things I wanted to share now that I’ve gotten in some practice.
1. This space functions better than my reading-tracking apps. Goodreads, Storygraph, and the like may broadcast what you’re reading to your friends, but they limit discussion on why you’re reading something (or how you discovered it). Unsurprisingly, the more I shift effort into these Monthly Musings, the less I feel inclined to post passionate Goodreads reviews — and the less patience I have for keeping up with what friends are reading, instead of how they’re reading it. The comments section on this Substack reinforces the community-driven aspect that reading socials is missing out on. Keep it up!
2. Not all books are full-review worthy, but most books are redeemable. For example, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously unless I know you’re a Giggler. And while I thought Comedic Timing was enjoyable and entertaining, despite its slow burn, I think the most helpful description I can offer about the book is that it feels like watching a rom-com in real-time; if that isn’t enticing to you, then I wouldn’t rush to read it! What’s funny is that articulating why something didn’t work for me is just as informative and insightful as explaining why something did. I like that this Musings format forces me to reflect on everything I read, not just the highlights.
3. Reading settings have tremendous influence. Sometimes I don’t remember where I was reading, or who I was with, until I start to write this, which is crazy! A cold seltzer and kicking my feet up on my parents’ back porch is usually a recipe for a good reading experience. If I’m getting interrupted every other paragraph on the subway or by announcements at my gate while patiently waiting to board a flight, not so much. I like that all three of us have made an effort to disclose these settings because I think it does affect your capacity to appreciate a book.
Campaign wrap report coming soon,
XO Barb
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
★★★★★
Multigenerational family drama with an unsolved crime, a mysterious family heirloom, and a European escapade. Hell yes! Charmaine Wilkerson fully avoided the sophomore slump here.
The main character, Ebby, is one of my favorite characters I’ve read in a minute. I was rooting equally for her tenacity and her vulnerability.
I grew up on the Long Island Sound and I was nostalgic for the book’s New England setting.
This was also a book club read
RIYL: Happiness Falls, Maame
Comedic Timing by Upasna Barath
★★★
Slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance novella, set in New York City
Thought this read equally as a tender bisexual coming-of-age story as it did a romance
RIYL: Old Enough, Deep Cuts
People are Talking by Amanda Eisenberg
★★★★
Got to read and celebrate our friend Amanda’s debut novel last month! Check out my full review in our May issue.
RIYL: Gilmore Girls, I Have Some Questions for You
How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously by Hannah Berner and Paige Desorbo
★★★★
I don’t think I’ve giggled more this year than I did at the Giggly Squad Live Show at Radio City in January. I am not surprised Hannah and Paige’s punchy routine and effortlessly funny banter has been transcribed into bit(e)-sized chapters.
If you like these gals and their chart-topping podcast, then by all means, listen to this book — and consider buying it for your coffee table. The audiobook is only four hours. If you don’t know who/what I’m talking about, that’s okay too <3
RIYL: Summer House, any of Chelsea Handler’s memoirs, Bossypants
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
★★★★
A novel about the rise (and fall) of two infamous ice dancers in the early aughts as they try to make an Olympic run
The book is told through the perspective of a docuseries and interviews the protagonists’ family, friends, coaches, and reporters who covered their careers. Reminded me a lot of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in how the storytelling was interspersed with media.
Thought the book was a little long and rambled slightly, but read this while fighting off a bad spring cold, so maybe it was me!
RIYL: Carrie Soto is Back, Ice Princess, Make it or Break It
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
This is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry