July – Reading, Listening, Loving

Things that Help Me Get Through The Day

One of the most important things you can do for yourself, especially as a mom, is incorporate some time each day to do something you enjoy. For me, those things are usually reading, listening to a podcast or music, or participating in one of my hobbies.

I find that if I don’t allow myself this time, I become really grumpy and a bit resentful of everything I am doing for everyone else.

This is where I will be sharing with you what has brought me joy over the last month or so. You will most likely always find books here because I am an avid reader.

I hope you find some inspiration to participate in something you enjoy each day! And a little tip, if you don’t think you have the time, set your timer for 10, 20, or 30 minutes, and devote that time to doing something you enjoy. Even the smallest amount spent on you can make a big difference.

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Reading

Next Level Basic, Stassi Schroeder

My good friend gifted this book to me for my birthday. I try my best to read every Bravolebrity book out there, so I was totally interested in seeing what Stassi had to say…but, I didn’t have high expectations for this book. At most, I was hoping to gain some insight behind the scenes of Vanderpump Rules.

Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed this book and appreciated the message Stassi is sending with it. She talks about embracing what you truly enjoy and not worrying what other people think. For example, her obsessions are show tunes and theater, ranch dressing, serial killers, haunted houses, and spray tans.

She doesn’t hide her interests, or worry about what other people think. I think this book resonated with me because after spending the last few years raising kids, I’m starting to think again about what I am really interested in and what to “obsess” over a bit.

If you are looking for a light, entertaining, and also inspiring read, I would recommend this book.

Working, Studs Terkel

This book was actually required reading in a Human Resource class I took in undergrad, 20 years ago! I didn’t finish this book back then, so for some reason, I have dragged this book with me from place to place over the years with the expectation that I would finally read it.

After it sat in my TBR pile on my nightstand for a few years, I finally committed to reading to it. I’m glad I did.

This book profiles people and their careers back in the early ’70’s. It tackles every profession: farm workers, service industry workers, homemakers (now known as stay at home mom’s), entertainers, and high level CEO’s.

I really enjoyed reading about jobs I had little knowledge about. But overall, it was kind of depressing because the issues the workers were dealing with back in 1972 are the same issues we are dealing with today – primarily, sexism and racism in the workplace. If I didn’t look at when the book was published, I truly would have thought it was a recent book.

Mrs. Fletcher, Tom Perrota

I heard about this book as a recommendation What Should I Read Next, a podcast I really enjoy. It sounded like a light read for my vacation to Vermont. Plus, it sounded like it was going to be about a 40-something woman who got her groove back, so I was all in.

It turned out to be a little heavier than I thought it would be. The book covered topics like dating after divorce, dealing with empty nest syndrome, parenting a self absorbed adult son, and…porn.

I almost put it down at one point because I was kind of feeling depressed while reading it, not how I wanted to feel while sitting by the pool on vacation. But I have a problem with letting books go (which explains my devotion to the book above). But I rallied through and finished it.

The Identicals, Elin Hilderbrand

I’ve seen Elin’s books displayed on some of the Instagram book accounts I follow so I figured I would give this one a try. Plus, it takes place between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Two places I love and dream about living.

The story is about two identical twins who are separated after their parents divorce. One lives a life on Nantucket, and one lives on Martha’s Vineyard. After a falling out, they stopped talking. That was 14 years ago. Their fathers death brings them back together, but it isn’t all roses.

This story encompasses the complexity of family relationships, and how things aren’t always as they seem. I could definitely see it becoming a Hallmark Movie. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would give some of her other books a try.

Listening

I like to have music going in the morning while going through our morning routine, and I prefer to use Spotify over the radio.

I find that the radio sometimes covers some disturbing news stories that leave me having to have some tough conversations with the kids early in the morning…who wants that.

We listen to this playlist on Spotify almost daily. We have become a country music family so this playlist gets everyone singing along and moving. And I don’t have to worry about the kids hearing the doom and gloom of the news.

Loving

I have been so busy this month that I haven’t watched much TV outside of Bravo, but I wasn’t feeling good for a few days so I binged one of my favorite shows on Netflix, Instant Hotel.

This show is set in Australia, which is part of the appeal for me. Visiting Australia is on my bucket list, so for now, I will take in all I can of this beautiful place via the TV. I also fall into a trance listening to the accents…

In an nutshell, this is a competition show. A small group of people share their instant hotel (what we consider an airbnb) property with each other for an overnight. They score their stay based on various aspects of the the “hotel”. The best score at the end wins something like $100k.

That’s It for July!

Have you read any of the books above? If so, I would love to hear your opinion in the comments below. What are you reading, listening, and loving this month?

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