Nothing quite captures the mood of the newly arrived summer heat than the text I got from my sister the other day politely asking me to “prepare a funeral for the death of my sanity.”
The triple digits really hit hard.
So I hope you’re reading this somewhere with air conditioning and an ice cold water and also a popsicle.
Let’s get into some favorites.
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Books
Speaking of texts from my sister, we exchanged nearly identical SMS reviews of Emily Henry’s latest, Great Big Beautiful Life, proclaiming, “the queen never misses.” I keep a running list of rankings for Emily Henry’s books and this one immediately shot up to the top three. I liked that it was a little different than her other books—a little less romance, a little more mystery side plot—and it made me cry happy tears at the end.
I ordered Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones purely by accident, clicking “Buy now” on Amazon when I thought it was “Save for Later,” but I was not mad about it. I loved Annie’s writing style and could relate to a lot of her essays. It’s a book that I feel like I was supposed to read in this season of my life and am glad it found me.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is one I’ve heard recommended up and down on the Bad on Paper podcast, so when a copy finally became available at my local library, I snatched it up. It follows a man who wakes up on a spaceship and has to figure out why he’s there, and it was an absolute DELIGHT. I was initially spooked by all the science, math, physics, etc. he mentions offhandedly, wondering if I wasn’t smart enough to understand the book, but then we met an alien that talks in musical notes and I was locked in.
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Podcasts
Since I love a deep dive into subjects and people I like, both of my new podcasts finds are partnered with other favorites that led me to them.
First off Annie B. Jones (author of Ordinary Time) owns a bookstore in Thomasville, GA and started a podcast to recommend new reads called From the Front Porch. After reading her book (and seeing her mention the podcast in a couple of chapters) I was curious to listen and have really enjoyed it! It’s very relaxing, and often feels like a conversation with friends, or an extended voice note of book recommendations, which I love.
And secondly, Ride, which is hosted by Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone, who both star in the show Overcompensating. After I finished the show, I needed more of their humor in my life and there is truly nothing better than hearing best friends gossip and laugh and speak in inside jokes. Plus, I loved hearing all the behind the scenes stories about the making of the show.
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TV Shows
Overcompensating follows Benny, a closeted college freshman desperately trying to blend in. It’s written by Benito Skinner and based on his real-life experiences. I laughed out loud, I cried, I loved it. (find it on Prime Video)
Ransom Canyon instantly appealed to the Friday Night Lights sized hole in my heart, not only by bringing Lyla Garrity (a.k.a Minka Kelly) back onto my television, but by placing me back in a small Texas town full of drama and community and cowboy hats. (find it on Netflix)
The Four Seasons is Tina Fey’s new show, based on the 1981 film of the same name. Having never seen the original, I had no idea what to expect, but I thought it was so funny and real and delightful. It follows three couples in a friend group that grow and change and face the challenges of married life. I gasped when Netflix told me I was on the last episode because I blew through it so fast. (find it on Netflix)
And finally, Poker Face, which follows Charlie Cale, played by Natasha Lyonne, who has the ability to tell when someone is lying. Each episode finds her in the middle of a new murder mystery to solve, and she makes lots of friends and enemies along the way. It’s been my perfect evening show to watch, as I love going to bed knowing a homicide has been solved. (find it on Peacock)
I also LOVED season three of Love on the Spectrum, easily my favorite season of the show so far. (find it on Netflix)
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Documentaries
If you have 30 minutes to spare, I beg you to watch The Quilters. It’s a documentary short about inmates in a high security prison who make quilts for children in foster care. It is so sweet and wonderful, and the quilts are truly beautiful! (find it on Netflix)
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Movies
I meant to recommend Warfare in my last favorites post, when it was still in theaters—and it’s a great movie to watch in theaters—but would still encourage you to watch it at home! It’s based on real life experiences of soldiers in the Iraq War, that I think gives an honest depiction of the hardships on all sides, the destruction, the gore, the chaos, all of it. I was on the edge of my seat for the whole movie and left with a nervous stomachache…but like in a good way. (rent it on Prime Video)
The Accountant 2 is the sequel to the 2016 film The Accountant, and in my opinion was absolutely worth the wait! It once again follows Christian Wolff as he tries to solve a murder, but this time he teams up with his brother, and their shared dynamic is so fun and hilarious.
And finally Scrapper, a film about a twelve year old girl named Georgia, whose estranged father reenters her life after the passing of her mother. It is sweet and sad and funny and stars Harris Dickinson and honestly what else do you need?
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Music
Child of God II by Forrest Frank
D R E A M S I C L E by Maren Morris
Sable, fable by Bon Iver
Corn Queen by Hailey Whitters
I quit by Haim
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Artists
I’ve recently started following a bunch of artists on social media, filling my feed with fun, inspiring pieces that make me ooh and ahh and wonder…could I make that? Here are some of my favorites:
Elisha Zepeda (@ez.bookdesign) designs book covers.
Andrew Scott (@andrewscott_art) makes prints that play with the structure of frames.
Alex Chinneck (@alexchinneck) is an incredible sculptor.
Han Cao (@hanwriting) does hand embroidery on paper.
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YouTube
A feature I like about YouTube Shorts is its little roundup of posts by people you watch often. Most of the time I can open the app, watch the three or four recommended videos and then close it and feel like I’m “caught up” with my favorites of the moment. And right now, they are these four people:
Mackenzie Lee, a baker who specializes in cakes and macarons.
Michaela Jessie, who posts daily vlogs that feel like “regular person” days.
Messy Baker, who I enjoy watching make both full size cakes and her minis.
Momo Foods, who meal preps for her boyfriend in the tiniest, cutest pans and everything she makes looks DELICIOUS.
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Links
I loved this post on Hmm That’s Interesting.
And felt so seen and understood by this one on Might I Suggest.
I love this thread of words that don’t exist in English.
And this artist’s tiny work.
Not to mention this artist’s work with leaves!!
Also loved this read about a newspaper in Montauk run by teenagers.
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Food & Recipes
This teriyaki chicken meatball recipe from Brocc Your Body was yummy! I made it with rice and green beans and loved it.
I also got her cookbook Seriously, So Good after I kept scrolling through recipes on her website and have loved every single thing I’ve made so far. So if you’re in the market for a new cookbook, might I suggest this beauty.
See my previous favorites post here.
Kimberlee K. 
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