Hi! I hope you had a great week. I’m packing our family up for our beach trip today. I can’t wait for our vacation…and I’m feeling the pre-trip anxiety thinking about traveling with a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old. My trusty travel tote will be stuffed with an ungodly amount of snacks that vary in flavor, texture, and format. An iPad will be loaded with Bluey and Peppa Pig. Travel MagnaTiles will be at the ready (ty to the readers who recommended these). Godspeed to us.
Aside from that, I’m glad we planned our trip for late August again this year. It’s our little way of rebelling against the back-to-school emails that nudge their way into our inboxes in July (heinous). There are still a few weeks of summer left. There’s still time for melty ice cream dribbling down wrists, the first thrilling dip of toes into saltwater, the crunch of crushed-up seashells under our feet. Consider this a passionate rec for booking the vacation toward the very end of summer, just close enough that it’s a little uncomfortable, a little cutting it too close.
xo,
Alisha
1 // Famous Men by Julie Buntin. I finished this book this week, and tbh I am still processing because there was so much to chew on. Full review to come, but overall, the writing in this book blew me away with sentences so sharp on nearly every page. If you enjoy well-drawn characters, you will love this book; the protagonist evoked so much frustration and empathy in equal parts that I’ll be thinking about her for a long time.
The premise, in short: Wilhelmina (“Will”) is the daughter of a single mom from a small Michigan town who dreams of becoming a successful writer. She travels to New York City to find a famous poet from her hometown, Nathaniel Fellow, whom she believes is her father. She connects with Nathaniel and soon becomes entangled in his dazzling literary world—and their relationship turns into something complex and even grotesque. Did Will escape her humble beginnings only to become trapped in something else entirely? The book explores ambition, power, art, parent/child relationships, and complicity. Read this if you’re looking for something that’s cerebral, might give you the literal ick (several passages made my stomach turn), and doesn’t provide any easy answers. This would be a perfect pick for a book club as it’s ripe for discussion.
2 // To cook: Make It Fast by Caroline Chambers came out this week and I know so many of you will love this cookbook! It’s filled with 15- and 30-minute recipes. I made the recipe on the cover (“lasagna-vibes turkey skillet”) this week. It was not only easy and quick, but our 3-year-old ate some bites of the turkey (a big win). Stash under “highly cookable cookbooks.”
3 // For kids: Lily loves these multivitamins from Hiya. They help me feel a little less stressed that her diet mostly consists of Goodles and chicken tenders. She calls them her “chewies” and the fiber drink mix her “pink juice.” We love a toddler rebrand.1
A bonus thing: If you’re a teacher and you’ve got a classroom wishlist, please drop it in the comments below. Here’s a wishlist from a reader who is a first-year special education teacher. Readers, let’s help clear the lists!
Discoveries, links, more recs
Three August releases which have newly popped onto my radar since I first wrote about my most-anticipated reads of the year: The Seekers of Deer Creek by Thao Thai (a story of two estranged sisters + art!), The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian (a golf prodigy accidentally kills a caddy at a country club), and Life of M by Rachel Cusk (it’s allegedly a thinly veiled portrait of Natalie Portman, so obviously I have to read this).
To read: Who Is Emma M. Lion, and Why Can’t Readers Get Enough of Her? * Beth Brower gets the NYT profile treatment! *gift link
To read: From author Naomi Alderman, a counterpoint to my recent piece on gravitating towards “fun” reads only: “Are you asking enough of your brain?” Especially as the AI discourse continues, I absolutely see the merit in reaching for stuff that feels challenging. And this sentence got me: “It is tiring trying to think down to a level that’s beneath you.”
The Case for Reading Whatever You Want
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Jul 17
I was having lunch with a friend this week who agreed that audiobooks and easy, FUN books are just what we need right now as two exhausted moms. I love a literary read and it’s my bread-and-butter, but there are some weeks where I simply c…
To shop: J.Crew now has a reversible rollneck that you can wear as a cardigan - smart! Alex Mill also got the rollneck memo in a pretty buttery yellow.
A recent purchase I love: I’m pleased as punch with this shell pendant necklace I purchased from an Etsy seller. It’s custom-made and cost $130, which, for the level of handicraft, uniqueness, and the lovely handwritten note, feels like more than a fair price.
custom-made pendant necklace from a new favorite Etsy seller On my wishlist: I keep seeing this purse everywhere on the fashion girls. I love the sleek design paired with technical nylon fabric. (Similar from Prada for slightly less. And very different, but this clutch-style from reader-favorite brand The Horse is lovely for under $300.)
Two beautiful color trends I keep noticing in fall new arrivals: tomato red and a saturated lavender (often paired together), plus a vibrant turquoise, like this Leset tee.
A bday gift that was a hit with our 3-year-old: These magical coloring books that only use water to “reveal” the colors in the books.
To dine: If you’re in D.C., have you eaten at Osteria Mozza in Georgetown yet? I know I’m so late on this, but wow, what a gorgeous space. Get the stracciatella & peach dish, which comes with perfectly crisped chickpeas.
Thanks for reading! I’m taking a pause from the letter next week as we’ll be on vacation.
There’s lots more to come—I’ve been very busy behind the scenes conducting some exciting interviews for September and beyond. Coming soon: conversations with favorite authors R.F. Kuang, Meg Mason, and two surprise guests I think you’ll love. Can’t wait.
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Not sponsored, but noting we were gifted an initial supply of the vitamins
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