What I Read: July 2020

Not gonna lie, I read some GOOD books this month. A book about a plus-size woman (finally) competing on a “Bachelorette” type of show. A book that’s a total, delicious, satire of both the wellness world and the #GirlBoss trend. The latest book by one of my favorite authors. And a perfect beach read that’s one part Nantucket wanderlust, and one part complicated family drama.

As always I’d love to hear from YOU. Have you read any great books lately? Anything I need to add to my reading list?

What I Read This Month:

One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London

I can’t even tell you how many bloggers and bookstagrammers I saw hyping up this book as one of the books you need to read this summer. This book did NOT disappoint.

Bea Schumacher is a wildly successful and incredibly stylish plus-size fashion blogger. One night while watching Main Squeeze, a dating show that closely resembles the bachelor/bachelorette franchise, Bea drunkenly goes on a rant about the lack of body diversity on the show. Well, the rant lands her a meeting with the show’s producer… and an invite to be the next contestant on the show. She agrees, but from the start is adamant that she won’t fall in love with any of her hopeful suitors.

The book is such a fun look at reality TV (and the lack of reality behind these shows) and what happens when a plus-sized gal gets thrust into the spotlight on this wildly popular show.

I couldn’t get enough of this book — and this is coming from someone that’s never watched an episode of The Bachelor(ette).

My Rating: 4.5/5

✨

Self Care by Leigh Stein

Self Care is a fabulous satire novel that throws some light and dare I say shade at both the wellness industry (looking at YOU, Gwyneth) and the #GirlBoss trend.

Maren is forced to go on a digital detox after she sends out a questionable tweet about the president’s daughter. As the COO and co-founder of Richual, the most inclusive online community platform for women to cultivate the practice of self-care and change the world by changing ourselves, this tweet is unacceptable behavior. Meanwhile, the other Richual co-founder, Devin, is struggling with her own self-care practices and what it takes the be the face (and body) of wellness.

The writing and points the book makes are so poignant and fresh it’s hard to believe that Leigh didn’t write this book a month ago about everything that’s gone down in the world recently. She, however, did pen this essay about the end of the #Girlboss which I highly recommend, too. This book also eloquently addresses a lot of the mixed feelings I’ve been having about being a “wellness blogger.” That’s a whole other blog post for another day. But I’ve been struggling with the idea that I’m part of a space where there is a fine line between self-care and self-harm… and that “wellness” is only for those that can afford all the CBD products, acupuncture, organic potions, and fancy fitness classes.

Self Care tackles all of this… and more including racism at start-ups and sexual misconduct.

[TLDR]: Everyone single wellness blogger NEEDS to read this book ASAP.

My Rating: 4/5

✨

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

I’ve been on a total Jasmine Guillory kick this year (I read two of her books last month!). I don’t like to play favorites because I’ve loved every book by her, but Party of Two might be my favorite yet.

All of Jasmine Guillory’s books take place in the same universe. Olivia is the sister of a character from a previous book. I love that the books are interconnected and characters make appearances in other books, but you don’t necessarily have to read them in order.

Olivia Monroe just moved to LA from New York to start a law firm with her good friend. One of her first nights in LA Olivia meets super cute Max at a hotel bar. What Olivia doesn’t realize is that Max is a hotshot junior senator. The two end up connecting again a few weeks later and the sparks start to fly. Turns out dating someone in the spotlight is complicated, and something Olivia isn’t sure she likes.

This book gave me similar vibes to my favorite book, The Idea of You, I think because the love interest in both is famous. As I said earlier I love all of Jasmine Guillory’s book, but this one is extra good.

My Rating: 5/5

✨

Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand

Every summer I find myself reading a few books by the queen of beach reads, Elin Hilderbrand. I love that most of her books take place on Nantucket and are the perfect summer-y books.

Here’s To Us starts with us finding out that insanely famous chef, Deacon Thorpe, has passed away. His family is assembling at their vacation home in Nantucket and all 3 of his former wives (and their respective children) will be staying in Nantucket together. As you can imagine, it doesn’t take much time before the drama begins between the 3 women.

It took me a little bit to get into this book. Once I was familiar with each character I was totally hooked. An excellent summer read that’s chock full of family drama.

My Rating: 4/5

 

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