Reading · Kelly · RSS Amplifier

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you will look back and realise they were the big things.”

Winter has quietly arrived here in Perth, bringing with it slower mornings, rainy afternoons, and that familiar urge to retreat indoors. There’s something about this time of year that makes me crave a gentler pace. The days feel shorter, the evenings arrive earlier, and I find myself spending more time at home, wrapped up in little routines that make the colder months feel comforting rather than gloomy.

June has been one of those months filled with simple pleasures. Between cups of hot soup, evenings spent watching comfort films, and rainy weekends at home, I’ve been embracing a slower rhythm.

In this month’s newsletter, I’m sharing some of the things I’ve been enjoying lately — from comfort films and new TV shows to favourite meals, small routines, and a few reflections from the past month. Think of this edition as a collection of little joys that have made June feel cosy and memorable.

And if you’ve missed any recent posts, don’t forget to browse the monthly favourites series, where I’ve been collecting books, films, articles, and other discoveries that have brought me comfort and inspiration.

Also, be sure to check out this month’s question of the month, where I’m answering:

“Do you have any tips on what to look at when choosing individual stocks?”

Whether you’re reading this with your morning coffee, during your lunch break, or curled up under a blanket on a rainy evening, thank you for spending a little part of your day here. I hope you’ll find something in this newsletter that inspires you to slow down and savour the small joys of winter, too.

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In case you missed out or if you’re new here:

You can view my media consumption journals from previous months here.
You can also access my full archive of monthly favourite journals here.

Don’t forget, if you’d like to ask me a question, you can submit your question anonymously below. It can be about anything (career, living abroad, travelling, navigating your twenties, etc).

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June has felt like a slow, grounding kind of month. Winter in Australia always nudges me into a softer rhythm — more time at home, slower mornings, and comfort in the little routines that make everything feel steady.

I’m still slowly studying Mandarin, though progress has been a bit slower this month. I’ve continued using Anki as my main tool for repetition and recall, which helps keep things ticking along even when I don’t have the energy for intense study sessions. It’s definitely a long game, but I’m enjoying the process of it becoming part of my daily life rather than something I rush through.

With the cooler and wetter weather here in Aus, I’ve been spending a lot more time indoors. It’s made space for comfort in the simplest forms — watching films I’ve seen a hundred times before, starting new TV shows (which I’ve shared later in this newsletter), and letting myself unwind without feeling like I need to be constantly productive. One show I was particularly excited for was Every Summer After, adapted from Carley Fortune’s novel. It was such a cosy watch and brought a little bit of summer into my life during the gloom of the season. As someone who enjoyed the book, it was also interesting to see the story and characters come to life on screen.

I’ve also been working through an investing course this month, mainly to build a better understanding of the current markets and how to think more confidently about long-term investing and stocks. It’s been interesting learning something so practical outside of my usual creative work — a nice balance of structure and curiosity.

I’ve written previous posts about starting investing below:

I did have a few fun outings this month as well, including a night experience in the city that felt a bit like TeamLabs — you might have seen similar immersive light installations floating around social media. Here in Perth, Kings Park and the Botanic Garden were lit up with over 20 different light installations, transforming the space into something really atmospheric and almost otherworldly. I’ve shared some content from the experience over on my Instagram.

Food-wise, winter has fully taken over my meals. I’ve been really enjoying soups again, especially in the mornings and at night when it’s cold outside. My go-to comfort meal at the moment is Chinese egg soup — simple, warm, and exactly what I want on slow winter days. There’s something really comforting about returning to foods that feel familiar and easy.

Overall, June has been less about big moments and more about small consistencies — studying, learning, resting, and leaning into comfort as the season shifts.

Here’s a look at everything I consumed last month — the films, TV shows, and books that kept me company, along with my honest thoughts and mini-reviews.

If you’re after more recommendations, you can always browse through my previous media journals or explore my themed media recommendation series here for deeper dives.

Here are a few of my favourite reads from the last month.

The House in the Cerulean Sea Novel by TJ Klune

⭐️ rating: 3/5 stars

📖 Genres & book tropes: young adult, romance, fantasy

“A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?”

T.J. Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea is often described as a cosy fantasy about found family, belonging, and learning to see past prejudice. At its heart is Linus Baker, a rule-bound government caseworker who is sent to assess an orphanage for magical children deemed “dangerous” by the authorities. What follows is a gentle story about empathy, connection, and questioning the systems we participate in. The children themselves are undoubtedly the highlight—Lucy, Chauncey, Theodore, Sal, Talia and Phee each bring warmth, humour, and charm to the story, making the island feel like a place you’d happily spend more time in.

While I enjoyed the whimsical atmosphere and the message that people should not be judged by labels imposed on them, I found myself conflicted by the book’s broader context. Knowing that Klune has cited historical child removal systems, including the Sixties Scoop, as inspiration made it difficult to separate the fantasy from the real-world trauma that informed it. The novel presents institutional oppression in a softened, almost comforting way, and at times the story’s optimism felt at odds with the gravity of the histories it echoes. Linus’s journey from bureaucrat to protector is satisfying on a character level, but it also raises questions about whose perspective is centred and whether the narrative oversimplifies systemic harm.

Overall, I can understand why so many readers adore this book. It’s heartfelt, hopeful, and filled with memorable characters who challenge assumptions about what it means to be “dangerous.” However, for me, the underlying themes and criticisms prevented it from being the uplifting read I expected. I still enjoyed reading it, but I was left feeling a bit uncomfortable with some of its themes and the way they were handled.

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

⭐️ rating: 4/5 stars

📖 Genres & book tropes: contemporary romance, chick lit

“But the thing about love languages,” Charlie says, “is it’s not just about how we express love, but how we receive love. You need someone to do something for you that makes you feel loved. Someone to help you.” I shake my head. “I hate asking for help.” “That’s because deep down, you want someone to see what you need before you have to ask.”

My Carley Fortune fixation continued this month with One Golden Summer, and I think this might be one of my favourite books she’s written.

Set in Barry’s Bay, this story perfectly captures that nostalgic, lakeside summer feeling. At its heart, it’s a romance, but what I loved most was how naturally the relationship developed. Alice and Charlie’s friendship blossomed before the romance did, making every moment between them feel genuine. Their witty banter was so much fun to read, and I loved watching Charlie gently encourage Alice to step outside her comfort zone without ever trying to change who she was.

Alice’s journey of finding confidence in herself was just as compelling as the romance, and Charlie was such a charming, supportive love interest. Their chemistry felt effortless, making it easy to root for them from the very beginning.

While it wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, it was an incredibly enjoyable summer romance filled with warmth, nostalgia, and memorable characters. Reading it during winter in Western Australia almost made me forget about the cold and wish I was spending long golden evenings by the lake instead.

Broken Dove (Silver Elite, #2) by Dani Francis

⭐️ rating: 3/5 stars

📖 Genres & book tropes: fantasy, dystopia, romantasy

“Why do I scare you.” “Because there are no limits to what I’d do to keep you safe.”

After finishing the first book in this series in just a couple of days, I was genuinely excited to jump into Broken Dove when it was released. The only issue was that enough time had passed that I struggled to fully recall key character names and some of the earlier worldbuilding, which made the beginning feel a little disjointed and slow to settle into.

Once I found my footing, I did enjoy returning to the dystopian setting, and the magic system remains one of the more interesting parts of the series. There’s a nostalgic quality to it that reminded me of reading Divergent as a teenager, which I appreciated. However, the overall structure of the story felt uneven, with moments that didn’t quite flow together as smoothly as they could have.

I also found myself wanting more depth in certain areas—particularly Wren’s development as she discovers and uses her powers, as well as more exploration of her parents’ backstory, which felt like it was only slowly touched on. The introduction of a love triangle also felt like a bit of a curveball, especially after the groundwork laid in book one. There wasn’t enough chemistry or emotional weight between Wren and Cross in this instalment to fully support that shift, which made parts of the romance feel less convincing.

Overall, while there are strong ideas and an engaging world beneath it all, Broken Dove didn’t quite come together for me in the way the first book did. I still enjoyed returning to the series, but I wanted more cohesion, stronger emotional development, and a clearer sense of direction in the plot.

Here are a few of my favourite long-form pieces I’ve enjoyed reading in June.

Want a roundup of TV shows and films delivered to your inbox at the start of each month? Check out my monthly reset series.

Dazzling (2026)

Qing Ye returns to her hometown senior year after a family emergency. She helps struggling student Xing Wu graduate, and they grow close despite their differences. Years later, both return home, giving them a second chance at love.

Teach You a Lesson (2026)

Inspector Na Hwa-jin steps into the chaos and takes control of a school plagued by the spoiled son of a powerful politician — to teach him a lesson.

Deep Affectionate Eyes (2025)

A woman in her 30s returns to her hometown and falls in love with a cold yet kind man – but she learns that his family is linked to her mother's death.

Ashes to Crown (2026)

Chu Zhao, the daughter of a general, refuses to accept a fate in which she becomes a pawn in the power struggles of Xiao Xun, the heir of the State of Chu.

Every Year After (June 10)

“Two lifelong friends explore the enduring question - what if your first love was destined to be your soulmate? A sweeping romantic tale about love’s timeless possibilities.”

Sweet Magnolias Season 5 (June 11)

Season 5 will follow Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen as they juggle relationships and careers while expanding their adventures to Manhattan.

House of the Dragon (June 21)

Season 3 of House of the Dragon follows the escalating Targaryen civil war as Alicent’s attempt to secure peace by giving up Aegon unravels when he escapes King’s Landing with Larys Strong, while Otto Hightower remains mysteriously imprisoned. As Rhaenyra’s Black faction gains strength, the conflict intensifies into brutal dragon warfare and deepening political betrayals, tearing apart what remains of the royal family and pushing the realm further into devastation.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (June 25)

“Aang and his friends will venture farther into the Earth Kingdom, unlocking a deeper and more perilous chapter in their battle against the fearsome Fire Lord Ozai. On their journey, they enter the mysterious city of Ba Sing Se, which Season 2 brings to life on an epic scale.”

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Along for a Ride (2022) - In the summer before starting college, academically driven Auden crosses paths with Eli, a quietly enigmatic local. Through a series of late-night adventures, he gently draws her into the spontaneous, carefree teenage experiences she’s never really allowed herself to have.
Your Fault: London (2026) - A complicated, forbidden romance unfolds between 18-year-old Noah and her stepbrother Nick. As they drift toward different futures—Nick building a career in business and Noah pursuing studies at Oxford—their relationship is tested by distance, new connections, and long-buried secrets.
40 Dates and 40 Nights (2026) - A struggling romantic makes a deal with her aunt: complete 40 dates in 40 nights in exchange for financial support covering rent and student debt. What begins as a transactional challenge slowly turns into a messy, unpredictable search for genuine connection.
Murder of Rachel Nickell (2026) - A routine walk across Wimbledon Common turns tragic when a young mother is brutally murdered in broad daylight. The case unravels as a shocking real-life crime story.
Enola Holmes 2 (2022) - Enola takes on a missing persons case tied to a dangerous conspiracy while stepping further out of her brother Sherlock’s shadow. As she navigates London’s secrets, she learns what it means to be a detective in her own right.
Blended (2014) - After a disastrous blind date, two single parents are unexpectedly forced to vacation together at a family resort in Africa with their kids. What begins in awkward tension slowly turns into unexpected connection and blended-family chaos.
The Last Song (2010) – A rebellious teenage girl is sent to a Southern beach town to spend the summer with her estranged father. Through their shared love of music, they slowly rebuild their fractured relationship while confronting grief, love, and forgiveness.
Dracula: A Love Story (2025) – After losing his wife, a 15th-century prince renounces God and is cursed with eternal life as Dracula. Bound to wander through centuries of darkness, he defies fate in pursuit of a single hope: reuniting with his lost love.
Voicemails for Isabelle (2026) – A young woman’s deeply personal and often humorous voicemails to her late sister are accidentally redirected to a stranger. As he listens, he becomes unexpectedly drawn into her life, forming an intimate connection that grows from afar.

Feel free to share what you’ve read, watched or listened to this past month in the comments! I always love media recommendations.

monthly favourites (vol 6): slow winter days, comfort media & small joys

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