"Less than a month ago, all of August still stretched before us...long and golden and reassuring." - Lauren Oliver
READING:
Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel — “Nine Americans in Paris. Seven intertwined love stories. One City of Light. Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris” (Goodreads). I have enjoyed a few of Harmel’s books such as The Paris Daughter, TheWinemaker’s Wife, The Sweetness of Forgetting, and The Book of Lost Names, so I was eager for this new release. I love Paris and Love Actually, but I didn’t really like this book. Perhaps Harmel should stick to historical fiction.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman — “A collection of quintessentially American poems, the seminal work of one of the most influential writers of the nineteenth century” (Goodreads). It has been a while since I’ve read anything from the American canon especially poetry. Back to school makes me want to study literature and quote Whitman like Robin Williams.
The Official Preppy Handbook by Lisa Birnbach — I devoured this book in high school. We even modeled our 1984 yearbook after it. Years later, it’s hard to know which of my interests and proclivities —sailing, East Coast and European travel, literature, a timeless “uniform”, gin and tonics, etc.— were formed by the timeliness of this book’s publication during my most formative years. This week, The Pop Culture Preservation Society podcast deemed The Official Preppy Handbook “the original influencer” and discussed all the ways the book shaped their perceptions of fashion, college, culture, etc. They also mentioned that an original copy of the handbook (now out of print) sells for over $100 on several secondhand sites. I immediately found my well-loved copy and began re-reading — this time, more ironically, as the author intended.
WATCHING:
Ted Lasso Season 4 (AppleTV) - It has been a few years, but Ted is back in London coaching the Richmond women’s team. I love it!
LISTENING TO:
Cardinals, chickadees, hawks, and cicadas in our backyard
A snoring beagle on my lap
Vinyl — We purchased a turntable that integrates with our Sonos system. It has been so fun to revisit some of our childhood favorites, records from our parents and grandparents, and a few new purchases, including an orange, vinyl, pumpkin-shaped It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
My August Instapuzzle Mini Playlist: Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles), August (Ophelia Wilde), Bonjour Soleil (Maison Parisienne), august (Taylor Swift), Honey, Honey (ABBA), Sunflower (Glen Campbell), Walking on Sunshine (Katrina & the Waves), You Are My Sunshine (Kina Grannis), L’amour, le macaron, Häagen-Dazs (Stella Jang)
LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Paris in 33 Days — We are staying in this beautiful Paris Perfect apartment in the 7e with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. Here is the itinerary so far.
33 and Out — I am trying to savor what, barring any surprises, will be my final year in the Pewaukee School District. The countdown begins on Tuesday: 171 days minus 15 flex days.
