Thursday Press #103: this is ur sign to go on a reading date
[27 OCT 2023] Lifestyle Edition Vol. 019
Oh heyyyyyy bestie, long time no chat!
Last month I got wayyy caught up in my Professor Sarah moment and skipped our typical monthly round-up of what I've been loving lately.
So this month, the glorious, beautiful, incredible month of October, I'm making up for it.
Forgive me?
WHAT I'M LEARNING
Even as someone who loves reading, learning, and just bookish culture in general, sometimes I still struggle to actually read the books I have. Here are two things that have been changing the game lately…
>> First up — I don't care where you fall on the e-reader vs. physical book debate. I will read 10x more in bed with my Kindle than a physical book.
I LOVE physical books. I have way too many of them. The smell of a good book??? Incomparable.
But I'm also lazy and don't want to hold a real book in bed when I'm trying to be cozy, and sometimes I want to keep reading after my partner falls asleep, but the lights are out! Enter: Kindle.
I will FLY through books on an e-reader and it helps me maintain a better bedtime routine. Double win.
>> The second way I've tricked myself into reading more is by taking myself on reading dates.
Part of my therapy homework lately has been a bunch of reading assignments (books here and here, if you're curious) and it turns out it's easier to read if you're actually… interested? in the subject matter??? Imagine!!!
Even so, reading non-fiction is a SLOG to me. Business books? Haven't cracked a single spine.
But I'll be damned if I don't get my A+ homework gold star in therapy. So I started taking myself on reading dates.
Coffee, a picnic table next to a lake, my journal, and uninterrupted time to read.
Being intentional about my reading actually makes a difference! Who would've thought?!
Sarcastic self-deprecation aside, I highly encourage you to plan your own reading date (it doesn't have to be non-fiction) & let me know if you do!!!
WHAT I'M LOVING
Favorite Book: Confession – I don't really love Sally Rooney's books. “Boooo!!! Tomato tomato!!! 🍅👎”
^^That's my impression of you throwing rotten tomatoes at me à la the medieval era, in case you didn't get it.
But this month, I found a book that encompasses everything I think Sally Rooney tries to accomplish in her novels, but better. The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue is exactly the kind of Irish coming-of-age with a touch of realism and drama and it was just SO good.
Favorite Watch: In honor of spooky season, I rewatched The Haunting of Bly Manor and it's still just as good, if not better the second time around! If you've watched it (or any of Mike Flanagan's shows), I wanna know what you think!!
Favorite Desk Tunes: So much good music has come out lately and as you read this I'm probably listening to 1989 (Taylor's Version) on repeat. But here are some other fan faves from the past two months. (and by fan, I mean myself. I'm a fan of these artists/playlists.)
Juniper – the perfect soft folk playlist
Favorite Purchase: Two Amazon finds that have been knocking it out of the park…
This dress. (size down!)
And while I didn't technically purchase this myself, this mug warmer from Amazon absolutely ROCKS and now I never have to know the sadness of taking a sip of previously-warm, now-cold coffee.
Favorite Posts: Between hot takes and value-loaded blogs, there's been lots of content to consume in September and October. Here are a few of my faves:
Favorite Coffee Order: Dear Coffee Gods, please pour a venti iced pumpkin dirty chai with oat milk straight down my throat forever and ever amen. 🙏
Um, yeah. I'll go feral for Starbucks's new fall drinks. And I'm not one who typically spends $7+ on mediocre coffee (you know it is, don't lie), but with the oat milk & espresso upcharges, shit gets pricy. Pricy, but worth it.
& for an at home treat, I've been loooooving the Silk Maple Brown Sugar oat milk creamer. Great season option if you're not a pumpkin fan!
And of course, here's this month's favorite cat pictures:
Sunshine babies 🥹
I'm off to go crunch some leaves and pretend the temperatures didn't spike to 80º, k?