A Mid-Summer TBR Update

I realize it hasn't been all that long since I shared an updated TBR list with you guys, but I spend a whole lot more time with books in the summer than I do any other time of the year, both reading them and adding titles to my want-to-read list. So it really is time for an update before things get too far out of hand. If that's even possible at this point.

Right now, I have more than 300 titles on my TBR. Most of those exist as samples that I've downloaded to my Kindle, but I also have 18 unread ebooks (most are from promotions like the Amazon Prime First Reads program), and 26 unread physical books sitting on my personal bookshelves. I also currently have 12 KU loans and two physical books checked out from the library. So, my TBR is definitely thriving at the moment.

I feel like I've done a pretty good job so far this year of keeping my TBR updated. That's actually one of my goals for this year, and I'm happy with how it's going so far. I posted a list of 16 titles in early January, another featuring 12 titles in February, and a third list of 18 titles in late May. 

That said, I'm not always timely when it comes to reading the books I add to my TBR. Other than my One Woman Book Club lists, I don't think I've ever read all of the books I've included in any of my reading guides or TBR lists. I make these lists to kind of keep track of what titles have caught my attention and to give myself a place to start when I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the books before me.

So without further ado, here are the most recent books that have caught my eye and now live in my Kindle, my library wish list, or on my bookshelf. These are listed in no particular order.

The Midnight Library

Author: Matt Haig

I've been eying this one for awhile, so when I saw it available in my local library, I had to check it out. So this one will be crossed off of this list very soon. This book is about a library that contains an infinite number of books containing all of the possible lives any person could have lived based on different decisions he or she makes and a woman who finds herself within its stacks weighing the possibility of exchanging her current life for a new one.

How to Sell a Haunted House

Author: Grady Hendrix

Grady Hendrix has become a new favorite author for me. I love how he takes these traditional ideas of the supernatural and puts a fresh and oftentimes unconventional spin on it. This book was not on my radar, but when I saw it in my local library, I couldn't pass it up. It's about a pair of siblings who do not get along trying to sell their late parents' home. But this house doesn't want to be sold.

The Party Line

Author: Carolyn Brown

The cover of this one is what drew me in. Lila moves back to her hometown after her aunt Gracie passes and leaves her everything. Aunt Gracie had a secret, though, that no one ever got out of her. Now, Lila is uncovering clues about what that secret was and learning about an aunt that no one really knew.

A Feather on the Water

Author: Lindsay Jayne Ashford

Y'all know this is one of my favorite historical fiction authors, so I'm looking forward to this one. At the end of World War II, three women go to Germany to run a Displaced Persons camp. There they are helping more than two-thousand people are trying to rebuild their lives and in the process their own as well. Martha leaves behind an abusive marriage in Brooklyn. Kitty is an orphan from England hoping to get closer to her parents who were last seen before the war began. And Delphine is trying to find meaning in her life once more after losing her husband and son in Dachau.

The Keeper of Stars

Author: Buck Turner

Ellie and Jack spend the summer of 1962 falling in love, but their romance is not meant to be. Twelve years later, Ellie is a renowned astronomy professor. One day, she receives a mysterious package containing novel that tells her and Jack's love story. Hidden in the pages is a detail that has Ellie questioning everything, so she makes her way back to where it all began.

If We Ever Get There

Author: Laura Barrow

After the success of my May book club pick, I'm really excited to see where this novel by the same author takes me. Effie is a stay-at-home mom who's getting back out in the world after her marriage ends. When she has a vision of Patsy Cline telling her to "set things right," Effie knows it must have something to do with her grandmother and must determine what her grandmother's past has to do with her future.

Happier Here with You

Author: Amy Gail Hansen

This was one of the books I picked from the Amazon First Reads for June (We got to choose two last month, and I already shared one with y'all in my Summer Reading Guide). When Maggie gets an invitation from her great aunt Alice to visit her farm in Wisconsin, Maggie knows it's the break she and her daughter, Hannah, need. There, Maggie learns more about her family's history, meets a charismatic pastry chef, and reconnects with her love of cooking.

The Examiner

Author: Janice Hallet

Full disclosure. This novel has made a previous appearance on a TBR list from last year, but at the time it was just something on my radar and not a title that I actually owned. I just bought it for myself, so I think it deserves another spot on this list. I am super excited for this one. It is written in the same style as The Appeal, which I absolutely loved (It made my best books list of 2024). Six students from all walks of life -- a sculptor, an art gallery curator, an art supply store manager, a single mom graphic designer, a marketing executive, and a seemingly-overqualified successful artist -- are chosen to complete a master's program in Multimedia Art at Royal Hastings University. The students are trouble from day one. Then the person hired to grade their final works becomes convinced someone is in danger or already dead.

The Secret War of Julia Child

Author: Diana R. Chambers

Who knew that before she became a cooking legend, Julia Child was a secret agent? When she was 30 years old, Julia McWilliams took a job working with America's first espionage agency, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). This novel follows Julia's journey from Pasadena to DC to becoming the head of General "Wild Bill" Donovan's secret File Registry. She travels to South Asia -- Ceylon, India, and China -- where she meets her future husband, Paul Child, a mapmaker.

The Mad Wife

Author: Meagan Church

This one just sounds so good! Lulu is the perfect 1950s housewife until she has her second child and gets a new neighbor. The more Lulu fixates on what's wrong with Bitsy, the more she questions everything she thought she knew. Soon, others begin questioning her sanity.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Author: Shelby Van Pelt

I've looked at this one several times and finally gave in to the idea of an octopus as an MFC. Tova is working as the overnight janitor at the Sowell Bay Aquarium where she befriends a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. Marcellus figures out what happened on the night that Tova's son disappeared on a boat in Puget Sound more than thirty years ago and will do whatever it takes to unearth the truth before it's too late.

The Correspondent

Author: Virginia Evans

Sybil Van Antwerp has spent her life writing letters. To everyone. But there's one she updates but never sends. One day, she begins receiving letters from someone in her past, and she must examine one of the most painful times in her life. Now she realizes that the letter she's been writing but never sends needs to be read.

Atmosphere

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book has been everywhere lately it seems, and I like this author, so I added it to my wish list. Joan is a physics and astronomy professor who dreams of going to space. In 1980, she's chosen to train at Houston's Johnson Space center with five other candidates. There, Joan finds unlikely friends, passion and love. Everything leads up to mission STS-LR9 in December, a mission that will change everything.

Carrie Soto is Back

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Yes, yes. I know I usually don't include multiple books by the same author in one list, but I've been wanting to read this TJR novel for forever. In fact, I've got it on hold with the library right now, but the estimated wait time is so long it simply says months. I'm 26th in line! When Carrie Soto retired from tennis, she was the best with twenty Grand Slam titles and her name on every record. But six years later at the 1994 US Open, Carrie watches another player take it all. Now, 37-year-old Carrie decides to come out of retirement for one year to try to reclaim her record.

Broken Country

Author: Clare Leslie Hall

Beth and Frank's happy marriage relies on the past staying buried. When Beth's first love returns to the village, she's pulled back into his life. Tensions rise and secrets and jealousies from the past come back to the surface with deadly consequences. Now Beth must choose between the woman she used to be and the woman she became.

The Filling Station

Author: Vanessa Miller

This is a historical fiction novel set around the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. In the wake of the tragedy, sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice flee, eventually stopping at the Threatt Filling Station. There they find a safe haven to process their pain and recover, but they soon realize they must return home.

The Unhoneymooners

Author: Christina Lauren

When Olive's twin sister, Ami, gets married, Olive is forced to spend the wedding day with the best man, Ethan, who happens to be her nemesis. When the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, somehow Olive and Ethan are spared. In order to take the free honeymoon that's suddenly up for grabs, the two strike a temporary truce and agree to pretend to be the happy couple.

The Calamity Club

Author: Kathryn Stockett

This is a historical fiction novel set during the Great Depression in Mississippi. Meg is an 11-year-old orphan who's been deemed unadoptable. Birdie is a young woman who's been sent to ask her wealthy older sister for a loan to save the family farm. Charlie is a woman who's luck has run out. Together, the three women form a plan to take control of their own lives.

Stranger Things Have Happened

Author: Kasie West

Sutton doesn't deny that she needs therapy. She's taking care of a sick, ungrateful parent while remotely managing her newly-opened restaurant, and her boyfriend just broke up with her over the phone after two years of dating. But her relationship with her therapist is anything but typical. For one thing, she's agreed to be his fake fiancé.

Weyward

Author: Emilia Hart

This one has been recommended to me so many times, I figured it was time to finally put it on a list. This is the story of three women across five centuries. In 2019, Kate flees her abusive partner to Weyward Cottage, hidden since the witch trials of the 17th century, which she inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers but whom she suspects had a secret. In 1619, Altha, who has a deep yet misunderstood knowledge of the natural world, is accused of witchcraft after a local farmer is stampeded to death by her herd. And in 1942, Violet is constrained to her family's estate where she longs for her deceased mother who was rumored to have gone mad before death, leaving behind only a locket and the word 'weyword' scratched into a baseboard.

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My Favorite Wavy Hair Products for Short Hair

I feel like my hair routine is one of those things that is always evolving. Especially as I get older and the things I've always used stop working. Ah, the joys of changing hormones.

Back in October, I shared five favorite products that I was using on wash days at the time. In that post, I talked about the changes that I was seeing in my hair in terms of its texture: more frizz, increased dryness, and less definition. At the time of that post, I had just cut my hair off and up until April was keeping it about shoulder length.

Then during spring break, I decided I was ready for an even bigger chop. It's not the shortest I've ever gone (we do not speak of the unfortunate pixie cut era), but I haven't been chin length in years.

Obviously, this shorter cut has required some adjustments in my wash and styling routine. I've tried quite a few new products lately as I try to find the perfect balance for a simple routine that requires only a few products and doesn't take a ton of time. Today, I'm sharing with you the products that work for me in this current stage of my natural hair journey.

 

Before we dive in, there are some things you should know. First, my hair is not curly. It's wavy, with a mix of all three wave patterns depending on the day. I occasionally have some loose 3a curls mixed in, but that's rarely the case at this length for me.

I also do not wear my hair exclusively natural all the time. Sometimes I use heat tools, and I like to try out fun hair accessories occasionally, which definitely impacts my product choices.

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to influence your hair decisions or guarantee certain results from specific products. What works for me might not work for you, and that's okay. Your wavy/curly hair journey is your own.

Suave Clarifying Shampoo + Conditioner -- This continues to be a staple in my hair routine. I use it up to once a week but usually only every other week. It removes product build-up and leaves my hair feeling nice and clean without overly drying it out. I've honestly been using this duo more than my regular shampoo lately because it's been giving me the best results.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In -- This is not an everyday product for me, nor is it an every wash day product for me. I use it only when I feel like my hair is really dry. On those days, I apply it before I get out of the shower. It's very slippery and smells amazing. I flip my hair upside down and apply using praying hands, then scrunch and squish it in from the bottom. Then I wrap it all up in my Perfect Hair Care Towel.

Perfect Hair Care Towel -- Speaking of...this is the only towel I use on my hair. It's a microfiber material that doesn't damage my hair or cause excessive frizz. It also absorbs the extra water and/or product really quickly,  like 10 minutes, which speeds up my styling time exponentially. This towel is made for plopping, but I'll be honest: I rarely if ever plop. I just use it in a regular, old-fashioned turban style.

Native Volumizing Shampoo + Conditioner in Berries & Vanilla Cream -- This is what I consider my "regular" shampoo. It's what I use between my clarifying washes, but I still end up using it only about once a week. It smells really good, y'all. It's very light, which is what my hair needs, no matter the length, but especially when it's short, otherwise I end up with a bad case of helmet hair.

Odele Air Dry Styler -- This is currently my favorite styling product to use on wash days. It's very, very light. The consistency is almost watery actually. It's meant to be used when air drying your hair, but what I've found is that air drying alone doesn't really encourage my natural texture and waves (regardless of what product I use). So one day I decided to see what would happen if I used my diffuser. It felt so counterintuitive, but I promise that diffusing after applying this product results in the perfect level of tousled waves. In my opinion at least. Regardless of if I let it air dry or diffuse it, though, I love how soft this product leaves my hair. It doesn't dry crunchy or sticky at all, leaves no discernible film/residue/buildup, and doesn't irritate my scalp. The only thing about this one is that, for me, it doesn't have staying power beyond the first day.

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturing Foam -- This is my second favorite styling product right now. I don't usually use this one on wash days, but rather on day two or three. I rewet my hair completely, finger comb out any tangles, then scrunch it in from the bottom, and diffuse. I especially love that it doesn't have salt, but still smells like the beach. It's also got UV and heat protection while preventing frizz. I know the urge to completely fill your hand with product, but trust me when I say to follow the recommended 1-2 pumps, especially with short hair. If you use too much, I promise you won't like the results. Your hair will feel so nasty! This one does okay for me as an air dryer, however, I absolutely love the results when I diffuse.

Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner -- This is not an everyday product for me, but it is my go-to leave-in spray. I usually use it in between washes, when I've re-wet my hair to re-style. I spray it pretty liberally all over, then brush it through with my Denman brush.

Denman Brush -- Speaking of this popular brush, I have to admit that it took me awhile to come around to the Denman. When I first bought it, I hated it and couldn't figure out how to use it effectively. But I've since come to appreciate it, especially when it comes to distributing product evenly.

Garnier Fructose Surfer Wax -- This isn't one I use often, but it certainly has its place in my arsenal, especially on non-wash days. I like to use this when my hair still has a good amount of texture but is kind of flat after sleeping on it. I typically use this on day two or three, when the only other product that's in my hair is the Odele Air Dry Styler; they seem to work nicely together. I rub a very small amount of this into my palms and then use it to reinvigorate the tousled, kind of windblown look I've been going with. I use this mostly on the ends and never on the roots.

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Refreshing Curl Foam -- I've been using this product for a long time, and I still love it. I use this on days that my hair needs a decent amount of help regaining its shape but it's still too soon for a wash. I have used this both on dry and damp hair with pretty similar results. I try not to use it more than two days in a row, though, as it will start to make my hair feel sticky.

No Crease Hair Clips -- I've been using these forever, mostly to keep my hair out of my face while I put on makeup. But lately I've been using them to "train" certain pieces of hair to do what I want them to do, a.k.a. not sticking out in random directions or falling in the middle of my forehead. I also wear them out occasionally.

Continuous Spray Bottle -- I resisted buying one of these for ages, but now that I have one, I will never go back. This is my most-used "tool" aside from my perfect hair care towel. I actually got mine from Five Below of all places (MHB brand), and it works great. I use this to rewet my hair on in-between days so that I can restyle it.

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo -- This is one of the lesser-used hair products in my arsenal these days, but it is my favorite dry shampoo, so I thought it was worth a mention. I mostly use it when I need to squeeze one more day out of my wash, but my roots have gotten a bit too oily for comfort. This is one of the few dry shampoos on the market that don't irritate my scalp.

The 10 Best Books I've Read So Far in 2026

We are officially halfway through the year, which means it's time to look back at the best books that I have read so far this year.

Counting rereads, I have read a total of 64 books in their entirety so far in 2026. It's hard to say if I've read more or less that at this point last year since I'm including books that I reread in my total count. My gut tells me that it's less, but looking back at what all I have read, I can say with certainty that the quality of my reads so far this year far outweighs last year's at this same point (Receipt: only three books from my mid-year list ended up on the overall best books of 2025 list).

Before we dive into this year's list of best books and series of the year so far, I want to do a quick check in on my seasonal reading guides and most recent TBR lists.

• Summer Reading Guide - Would you believe I've already read three books off my summer reading guide? And all three of them are on this list! I have started Dungeon Crawler Carl, but I put it aside for the time being to read my library books. I've also picked back up Love and Ruin, which is one that I've been reading off and on for awhile. I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll finish it by the end of summer.
• Spring Reading List - This one is still sitting at five out of ten, but I've got The Lies They Told sitting on my shelf right now.
• Winter Reading List - This one is still unchanged at six out of twenty. I haven't give up on The Midnight Feast just yet, but I am struggling with this one. Also, The Housewarming is my August book club pick, so it'll get crossed off in a couple of months.
• Fall 2025 Reading List - This is another one that hasn't changed from the last update. I've read seven of the twenty titles featured.

I've published three TBR lists so far this year featuring a total of 46 titles. Of those, I've read one full series, nine books in another ongoing series that isn't finished, and two books in another, and I've finished two standalones. FYI, I should have an updated TBR list for y'all sometime soon, so be on the lookout for that.

Now onto the reason you're all here: the top 10 books and series I've read so far in 2026. Unlike last year when I struggled with the mid-year best books list due to not having read much of substance, this year I struggled because I've read so many really good books. Honestly, I don't even know if I can confidently say that one is definitively claiming the top spot over the others. I've loosely ranked them from 1 to 10 as always, but it wasn't easy, and I'm still not satisfied.

This year's list is a pretty mixed bag when it comes to genre and includes some titles that are a bit surprising to me. There are two memoir-style books, which is not a style I gravitate toward at all (maybe I've been unfair to these in the past?). There are also two family dramas, which isn't my typical genre either. There are three stories about finding yourself after loss, two suspense/murder mysteries, and two sci-fi/fantasy books. Four of the ten titles that made the list are from my One Woman Book Club. I think my reading tastes might be getting more eclectic in my old age...

Boy Swallows Universe

Author: Trent Dalton

My March book club pick is currently holding the top spot for me. This memoir-style book is a coming of age story that had me using  words like incredible and fantastic and phenomenal, which is saying something considering I don't usually go for memoirs. The book itself is about 50 percent based on the real life of the author. It takes place over about six years in Brisbane, Australia, and follows a kid named Eli Bell as he grows up and truly struggles with good and bad. His stepfather, who he idolizes, is a drug dealer who gets taken out by his boss after his best friend betrays him. His mother is wrongfully imprisoned on a made-up charge. His mentor and really the only reliable adult in his life is an infamous prison escape artist. This book was funny and heartfelt and sad and just so darn good. You can read my full review here.

Summer of '69

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

My June book club pick was one of those books that I wish I could read again for the first time. It is a historical fiction book that follows the women of the Levin family as they navigate a tumultuous summer on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. The mother, Kate, has to face her demons after her only son is drafted into the Vietnam War, an act she believes to be a punishment for her role in her late husband's death. The oldest daughter, Blair, must find herself amid an unhappy and unfulfilling marriage. The middle daughter, Kirby, is getting over a traumatic romance and spending her first summer on her own working at a hotel on a neighboring island. And the youngest daughter, Jessie, experiences many firsts as she enters into her teen years, including her first love and heartbreak. Once I started this one, I didn't want to stop reading. In fact, I had to make myself put it down so I could get some sleep! Read my full review here.

The Wedding People

Author: Alison Espach

I find it kind of ironic that this book that I almost didn't finish after reading the first chapter is so high up on my best books list. All I can say is that the blurb didn't fully prepare me for what the book was actually about, but I can admit that if the particular detail that caused me to pause my reading had been included in the blurb, I would have bypassed this one and missed out on a really great story. Here's the gist: Phoebe is divorced, deeply depressed, and tired of her life. So she books a room at an expensive hotel. When she gets there, she learns the entire hotel except her room is booked for a wedding. When she ends up in the elevator with the bride, Phoebe admits to her the real reason she's come to the Cornwall: she wants to kill herself. The bride, determined not to let anything, including Phoebe, ruin her perfect wedding, convinces Phoebe to postpone her suicide and gets her involved in the wedding itself, eventually taking on the role of maid of honor. This book made me laugh out loud several times despite the seriousness of Phoebe's plight. It does have a happy ending, and it absolutely deserves its spot on the bestseller list.

Call the Canaries Home

Author: Laura Barrow

My May book club pick was one of those books that surprised me. In the best way. I was expecting a book about solving a disappearance/murder, but what I got was a book about a family coming back together in the wake of way too many tragedies. Three sisters (Rayanne, Sue Ellen, and Savannah) return to their hometown to dig up a time capsule nearly thirty years after Savannah's twin sister disappeared without a trace. In the capsule they find a picture of a mysterious woman who they think might be able to help them finally find answers and closure. As the sisters begin to investigate, they uncover some family secrets that will change everything they thought they knew. I found this novel to be beautifully written, poignant, and incredibly relevant on a personal level. Read my full review.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Author: Grady Hendrix

This was one of my first reads of the year, and so far not much has topped it. I discovered this author through The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, which was one of my favorite reads for 2025. What I like about this author is that he takes a familiar genre and puts this unconventional spin on it for a story that feels fresh and so unlike anything else out there. Much like the vampire book, this was not your run-of-the-mill book about witches. Set in 1970, this book takes place at a maternity home for unwed girls. Our main character, Neva/Fern, is sent to this home to have her baby in secret. While there, she befriends three other girls: Rose, Zinnia, and Holly. When they discover the truth about how Holly ended up in the home, the girls vow to do whatever it takes to help her. When they find a book on witchcraft in the visiting library, the girls decide to give it a try, and to their surprise, the spell actually works. Soon, they find themselves in way over their heads with the leader of the witch coven, who also happens to be the librarian, demanding the unthinkable.

The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

Author: Barbara O'Neal

I mean, is anybody really surprised that a book by who is arguably my favorite author made this list? This was my February book club pick, and I went into the reading of it with high expectations. Barbara O'Neal did not let me down. In this novel, Mariah, a former Olympic skier injured in a traumatic event, decides to finish her late mother's final book, which is a project on Parsi cafes around the world. She hires Veronica, a recently divorced mother of three who needs a fresh start in life, to act as her research assistant. Together with Henry, a former war photographer, they eat their way through three different countries as they follow clues left by Mariah's mother who was on a path of redemption for something that happened when she was studying in India as a young woman. As with all Barbara O'Neal books, the character development in this one was so good. I even fell in love with Henry just a little bit. You can read my full review here.

The Teacher

Author: Freida McFadden

This was my first book by this viral author, and I see what all the fuss is about. Once I started this one, I had a really hard time putting it down. It made me uncomfortable, which honestly is a good thing considering the subject matter. The twists and turns were great. The irony was masterfully crafted. I enjoyed this one start to finish. It's told in a dual point of view between Eve, a high school English teacher, and Addie, a high school student. Eve is highly distrustful of Addie after a scandal involving the girl and Eve's mentor teacher that resulted in the teacher losing his job. Eve's husband, Nathaniel, however, takes Addie under his wing. It becomes evident pretty early on in the book that this is going to be a problem, and it's not that big of a stretch to figure out why. I think one of the most compelling aspects of this story, for me at least, is that none of the characters are inherently good, even the victims. I mentioned the irony earlier, but I want to come back to that. The ending in this one was the perfect ironic twist, in more ways than one.

The Empyrean series (books 1 & 2)

Author: Rebecca Yarros

I'm so mad at myself for not realizing that this series isn't finished. In fact, there's still not a release date for book four! Y'all know how much I hate waiting for the next book in a series to come out, especially one that I love as much as this one. That's why I've only read the first two books. But I couldn't not include these because they are just so damn good. I get what everyone is talking about -- I was sucked in almost immediately! Seriously, stopping myself from reading book three was not easy. I cannot wait for this story to be finished...except I don't want it to end either.

Violet has spent her entire life training to be a scribe, but her mother forces her to become a dragon rider cadet because that's what their family does. No one really expects Violet to survive the trial to get in let alone make it to the bonding ceremony where she does the impossible and bonds with not one but two dragons. One of those dragons is mated to the dragon of Xaden Riorsan, the son of the leader of the rebellion. Now Violet and Xaden are tied together indefinitely, as in if one dies so will the other. Unknown to Violet, Xaden also had no choice but to attend the rider academy. He, along with all the other rebel children, is sentenced to attend the academy as a way to prove they are not following in their traitor parents' footsteps. But there's a rebellion growing, and not everything is as it's been presented.

Honestly, there's a really good chance I'm not going to hold off on reading book three. I really want to know what happens...so just be prepared for a rant at some point about the inevitable cliffhanger that we all know is coming.

This Story Might Save Your Life

Author: Tiffany Crum

I waffled back and forth on this one trying to decide between it and None of This is True by Lisa Jewell, which I think is a pretty fair comparison. Ultimately, this novel is the one that stuck with me and the one that I would recommend first if asked, so it's the one that had to be on the list. What's a bit ironic to me is that I've read and enjoyed two different books this  year about podcasters when I myself do not enjoy podcasts. Like at all. I think I've listened to a total of maybe two. Ever. All I can say is that in the case of This Story Might Save Your Life, the podcast itself is not the focus. It's a mystery/suspense with a dash of romance that I thought was very well written. I enjoyed the main characters a lot, and I really appreciated how it all came together in the end in a way that I absolutely did not expect.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay

Author: Kate Fagan

This was my first official read of the summer, and it was absolutely phenomenal. This is written in the style of a memoir, but it's entirely fictionalized. Annie is fresh out of high school when she flees her hometown, leaving behind her best friend, Amanda, who was just seriously injured in a ziplining accident. Annie's been in love with Amanda for years, but Amanda doesn't feel the same, so to Annie their carefully crafted plan of going to Hollywood together no longer makes sense. So she goes to a new place, takes on a new identity, and becomes Cass the barista. There she meets Sydney and eventually moves to New York with her where she writes her first bestseller under the pseudonym Cate Kay. One book turns into a trilogy with a movie deal, which is where Cass meets Ryan, the actress playing one of the lead characters, but their romance can't overcome certain obstacles. Eventually the story will come full circle as Annie finally goes home.

Read Along With Me

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June Favorites: 10 Things I Loved + Your Favorites Too!

I cannot believe that we are essentially halfway through summer break already. How is it the end of June right now?! That means it's time once again for a favorite things post in which I share the things from the past month that made my life a little bit better as well as you guys' favorite things that I shared.

What an up and down month this has been. Definitely not the start to my summer that I imagined, that's for sure. For one thing, all the water that we've experienced has been from the sky and not the pool or the lake or river or beach. Seriously, it has rained so much this month, which I know is something I shouldn't be complaining about considering how dry we've been, but dang. We've only used our season passes to the water park once since school let out and haven't been out on the boat at all!

So what have we done this summer? Well, we have continued our trips to the library and even attended one of the summer reader programs. Specifically the animal show that comes every summer. This year's was pretty cool and actually had different animals, something I was not expecting. The coolest animal by far was the lemur, who Alexis got to feed a grape, which was exciting.

We did ride down to the beach one day, but we didn't actually go to the beach, so I don't think it counts as a beach trip. It was more of a shopping trip to visit some specific stores that we don't have here. At the beginning of the month, Alexis took a week of swimming lessons to help build her confidence in the water, so she at least has gotten a good amount of pool time. She already knew how to swim -- she took lessons a few years ago -- but we wanted to do one more round to kind of eliminate some bad habits.

In other not-so-great news, my husband backed his truck into my car a couple of weeks ago, so it had to go into the shop. It's actually still in the shop as I write this post. Something kind of good came out of that, though, surprisingly. While my car is getting repaired, I'm getting to drive a Jeep Wrangler, and not just a basic one. Nope. I'm driving a Rubicon for the next week or so, and I have kind of fallen in love with it. It's a lot of fun to drive.

I think that's pretty much everything worth mentioning that I want to share at this time. Now on to my top ten favorite products from the month and the ten most popular things I shared as determined by you.

My Favorites

Summer of '69 -- My June book club pick was fantastic. Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. It is a historical fiction book that feels incredibly authentic without focusing on one specific famous event. This was my first book by this particular author, but it certainly won't be my last. I highly recommend this one. Read my full review here.

The Wedding People -- I won't lie to you. I almost didn't finish this book after reading just the first chapter, but the reviews convinced me to keep going, and I'm really glad that I did. This book make me laugh out loud and also think deeply about some of life's universal experiences. It's a bestseller for a reason.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay -- This was the first book I read from my summer reading list, and it was phenomenal. I enjoyed it immensely. It's about a woman who has essentially lived three different lives but in the end learns that all roads lead back to her first.

Joyspun Boyshort Undies -- I'm surprised by how much I like these, especially since every other time I've ever tried this style of underwear, I ended up hating them. These are soft and stretchy, and the legs don't roll up. I've been pretty much wearing these exclusively since I got them.

Joyspun PJs -- These are the softest pajamas I own! So comfy, and the beachy print is fun. They come in a ton of other options, too. Even my husband likes these, which is kind of a big deal.

Long Denim Shorts from Old Navy -- I tried these on in store fully expecting them to look dorky, like every other pair of long shorts I've ever tried. But these actually work. I don't know if it's the longer 9-inch inseam, the mid-rise waist vs a high waist, or the baggy fit, but I really like these. I especially like the stitching detail going down the sides of the legs. Fun fact: the shirt and sandals I'm wearing in this outfit both made your favorites.

Boho Dresses from Old Navy -- I like this dress so much that I have it in two different patterns (floral and pink floral). It's 60 percent cotton, has the perfect loose and flowy fit, and has great little extra details like the beaded straps.

Green Floral Maxi Dress -- I love this dress so much. It is so perfect. It fits like a dream, is super comfortable, not hot despite its length, and petite friendly. I love the cabbage rose print and the tie detail on the back that is purely decorative. I got it on sale but would say that it's worth the full price.

Neutral Rock Necklace -- This necklace seriously goes with everything. I've been wearing it so much this summer. I'm actually wearing it in the above picture.

Odele Air Dry Styler -- This has become my go-to for that easy tousled wave look. It's really lightweight, doesn't have an overwhelming scent, and is affordable.

Your Favorites

Diamond Art Bookmark Kit -- I'm so pleased that this month's best seller is my new favorite craft activity. I told y'all these were fun! The kit I have is the Starlight Romance, but there are a ton more to choose from. Check them out here.

Beach Scene Tee -- This Italian beach scene graphic tee is this month's second top seller, and I can understand why. It really is a good one and has become one of my favorites this summer. It's 99% cotton and perfectly loose without being oversized. I also really like the vented sides and that it's not too long. I also have the yellow Roma fruit bowl one. Oh, also, it's on sale right now.

White Halter Top -- This is a good basic, white summer top in my opinion. It's a cotton-rayon mix with a little bit of spandex. I find it to be really soft with just the right amount of stretch. I haven't worn it that much yet, but I like that it has a built-in bra and isn't see through.

Tanner Sandals -- These are such a good summer sandal, and they're still available in pretty much all sizes. I really like the raffia look and the gold details. I will say that when I first got them, they were so heavy, but they're fine now that I've gotten used to them. I did wear them for a full day of walking not that long ago, and I didn't have any trouble in terms of rubbing or blisters.

Blue Striped Dress -- I've shared this dress a few times now, so I'm not surprised that it made the list this month. It's currently 80% off, so if you like it, now's the time to get it!

Blue Floral Scarf Top -- This is a nice better than basic top for summer. It's casual but doesn't have the same feel as a t-shirt. Honestly, it's gorgeous, but it is starting to sell out in some sizes, so you'd better hurry.

Cotton-Linen Skirts -- These are great, right? I wear them all the time, even now that it's summer break. They are the perfect mix of dressy and casual, and they're so dang comfortable. Still not convinced? Check out this post that I dedicated to them for all the details on what makes them so great.

Basic Striped Tee -- This striped tee is almost sold out, but if it's still available in your size, I highly recommend this brand for basics. I'll be looking for another basic striped tee to link to soon.

Wide Woven Belts -- Two months in a row for these awesome belts. Seriously, these are my most worn belts. They are perfect for wearing with skirts or dresses, especially those that don't have belt loops. I love that they don't have holes, which means I don't have to worry about gaining or losing weight.

Green Gingham Boxer Shorts -- These are practically sold out, but they are available in other colors. They're technically pajama bottoms, but I've been wearing them like shorts.