If I ever write a novel I plan to write it like a lifetime. Super slow where every day feels like an eternity and have it evolve overtime into crazy fast super hectic chapters like how fast time seems to be going.
I remember when it used to feel like it took ages to walk the less than 10 minutes to my best friends house and now 10 minutes goes by in what feels like seconds. AKA once again where in the hell did June go.
June was a busy month, we spent 10 days in Mexico for Tim’s birthday and for one of his cousin’s weddings. It was a great escape and the first few days we were there were perfect weather wise and then of course it rained the entire time his family was there. Cozumel was incredibly beautiful. I couldn’t get over how clear the water was and we even took a day trip to the mainland to visit Tulum and Xel-Há, an ecological park that was incredible!
We also went on a big catamaran and snorkeled (apparently I’m afraid of fish), played on a massive inflatable course in the water, and we went ATVing which was awesome in the rain and mud. The wedding was beautiful and it was great to see all of Tim’s family.
Books and Bookish Things
I read SO MUCH in June. A lot of this comes from having a few days on the beach, but even more of this comes from the ridiculous amount of lighter reads I read this month. I read 5 books inspired by Austen or the Brontës, two young adult novels, one massive collection of comics, and then two that were a little more challenging (King and Samuel).
- The Austen Escape – Katherine Reay
- The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For – Alison Bechdel
- Dear Mr. Knightley – Katherine Reay
- Grief Works – Julia Samuel
- Lizzy & Jane – Katherine Reay
- Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower #4) – Stephen King
- The Brontë Plot – Katherine Reay
- Autoboyography – Christina Lauren
- The Only Alien on the Planet – Kristen Randle
- Camp Austen – Ted Scheinman
The biggest thing I’ve noticed so far this year is from catching up on galleys and using the library I’ve bought very few books this year. 26 of the 30 books I’ve read this year were either galleys or library books and three of the remaining four were on my TBR list. I’ve also kept my non-fiction streak of at least one a month for this entire year. I actually got two in this month: Grief Works and Camp Austen.
Culture Corner
In addition to Mexico and a lot of reading early in the month we went to see Jagged Little Pill the musical at the American Repertory Theatre. It was phenomenal, so much so that I was actually bawling when the play ended. I was amazed at how easily adaptable Morissette’s songs were when it came to the stage production. I already recommended it to everyone in Boston, so if you have any interest keep an eye out on Broadway since apparently it’s going there soon!
In addition to that we’ve done a lot of grilling this summer. We’re working our way through The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers. So far we’ve had the Brushett About It Burger, the Bet It All On Black Burger, Poutine on the Ritz Burger (pictured below), and the Onion-Tended Consequences Burger. I get to pick the next one and it will be We’re Here, We’re Gruyere, Get Used to it burger because I want one with cheese and it’s Pride month 😀
My roommate and I also randomly decided to try to make macarons in June. We’d talked about it but never made plans and I was like oh hey let’s just do it. We settled on Mint chocolate and for our very first time I think we did pretty good they tasted okay and some of them had the right texture. We know we need to work on the stiffness of the meringue like portion you fold in AND we need to work on the folding. We’re already ready to try again, but we’ll wait a bit.
What’s Next?
I’m debating on a Harry Potter reread. It’s been so long and I kind of want to read them. At the same time we’re heading to England again for another wedding in July and will be doing some Brontë and Austen sightseeing so maybe I should keep going with my fan-fiction (or even revisit the original) extravaganza! I’m currently reading through another library book, Romancing Miss Brontë. I’m almost completely caught up on galleys with only 3-4 left.
How was your June and what about July? Do you have any exciting plans?
You’re doing really well with your TBRs. Wish I could say the same!
Ha! It’s been a long time coming and. A lot of self discipline this year. I think us moving earlier this year out a fire under my butt to try and clear out some that I’ve wanted to read, but wasn’t prioritizing because of galleys and recent publications. Thanks for stopping by!
You did a lot this month, and it all sounds awesome! You have me very interested in Jagged Little Pill.
I just started reading Harry Potter with M for the first time. So fun!
OMG I hope he loves it!! And JLP was amazing, I’ve seen a few reviews that I agree with about it trying to do too much but in general everyone really likes it.
Fish freak me out too. I can deal with the little guys, but anything big creeps me out. I’ve had a poutine burger before, but never with the Ritz, hah.
Sounds like a great month, both in reading and in experience!
It was a great month even if the weather was crazy. We’re finally getting into real summer territory now with the heat and humidity.
Aw Mexico looks and sounds amazing and wow, well done on so much reading! My June also flew by in a blitz of busy-ness, but sadly it really affected my reading – I only finished two books 🙁 However one of those was the brilliant The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier, so it definitely wasn’t all bad lol! Happy reading in July and I look forward to seeing your thoughts on Wizard and Glass by Stephen King. 🙂
I need to read du Maurier, I’ve heard such wonderful things and the King is my next book to post while I’m out on yet another vacation 😁
Geoff, you really need to read du Maurier! And I hope you enjoy your trip to little, old England 🙂