Welcome back to my monthly wrap-up, a retrospective of book reviews and my favorite things I’ve tried and loved through the month. Looking for more book reviews and recommendations from past months? You can find ‘em all here. This is A LONG ONE (in a good way— lots of stuff to recommend for your TBR!) so click here to view in browser.
Happy July! I can’t believe I’m saying that— time flies, and June was a wobbly month for me, so I’m excited to turn the page to July. But… damn! July 2026 already!?
I have a LOT to share with you— book recs, the easiest summer shorts, perfect sunnies— so this is a long one. I hope you have a coffee or iced tea in hand! ICYMI, here are a few things I published in June that are worth a perusal:
The ULTIMATE beach read round up: 35+ books for your summer TBR
Do you really want to start a business? Or just a creative project? How to know when it’s time— or whether or not— to monetize your great idea.
I have many (maybe too many) favorites from June! You know the rules: these are all things I have used and loved this month, straight from the horse’s mouth. Nothing unloved or untested!
I already teased these twice last month, but my lace-trimmed track shorts from Old Navy are my June MVP. The quality and fit are so good I’d pay twice as much as their (low) price-tag! They do run large, which works for me because I wear them oversized and low-slung, but if you’re planning on wearing high-waisted I’d go a full size down (at least).
I’ve been in love with this body scrub for summer— admittedly I am using it less for heavy exfoliation, and more because it leaves me so silky smooth that almost is like applying lotion in the shower. I emerge perfectly moisturized and can usually skip lotion or body oil that day. (For serious exfoliation, I still always use the Soft Services Buffing Bar.)
My cheerful red sunnies have been adding a little personality to some very practical or utilitarian summer outfits! I get a lot of compliments on these bad boys, they are an extra 25% off.
We got new beach towels from Weezie for the summer and WHOA. The beach towel itself is squishy and plush and exactly what you dream of in a sun-warmed, clean, crispy towel— but the Turkish towel version also really blew me away. One side is what you’d typically associate with a Turkish towel, lightweight and quick to dry, with another side that has the absorbent and squishy terry-cotton backing that you think of in a “regular” towel. Highly recommend!
This is not a “new” discovery— just an unsung hero I used every single day in June!— my L.L. Bean Boat and Tote. The zip-top is practical for travel, the extra-long straps means it doesn’t slip off your shoulder, the medium holds everything you could need but isn’t heavy when it’s not full. I am sorry to all my other bags because this is the only one I reach for, and it’s under $50.
June was a beach-read bender and I have no notes. Chalk it up to time to read on the beach on my mini-moon, but getting to read a ton this month made me feel even more grounded, inspired and like myself— so this is an endorsement for deleting the apps off your phone and slipping your Kindle into your purse, so your “idle scroll” moments can feed your brain and refill your cup.
Without further ado, 17 June reads and book reviews— organized by genre— for you to consider!
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