monthly favourites (vol 7): everything I've loved so far this month

There’s something I really enjoy about putting together these monthly favourites. They’re less about finding the “best” things I’ve consumed and more like a snapshot of what life has looked like over the past few weeks.

July has felt like a month of slowing down in small, intentional ways. Work has been busier, and I could feel myself edging towards that familiar feeling of doing too much, so I’ve been trying to protect my evenings a little more. Instead of filling every spare moment with another task, I’ve been leaning into quieter routines. Reading on the train, watching an episode of a Chinese drama before bed, making a cup of tea and spending more time at home have been enough to make the month feel calmer.

I’ve also been reflecting a lot on intentional living. Whether it’s being more mindful about what I buy, choosing to invest instead of spend, or simply replacing screen time with reading, I’ve realised it’s often the small habits repeated over time that end up making the biggest difference.

As always, this newsletter is a collection of everything I’ve genuinely enjoyed throughout the month. You’ll find the books that pulled me out of a reading slump, the shows I’ve been binge-watching, useful apps and resources I’ve discovered, and a few things that have made everyday life just that little bit better.

I hope you find something here to add to your own reading list, watchlist or wishlist. And if you’ve discovered something this month that you think I’d love, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

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

What are some mistakes you’ve made or see first-time investors make?

This post is too long to read in an email; please view it on the Substack app.

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.

July has been peak winter here in Perth, and the cold, gloomy weather has definitely arrived. I've fully embraced hibernation mode, living in cosy knitwear, oversized jumpers and, most importantly, my UGG slippers. There is nothing better than coming home after work, making a hot drink and spending the evening indoors.

One thing I've been looking forward to each night is the number of new Chinese dramas that have been released recently. I've fallen into the routine of saving an episode or two for the evening, and it's become one of my favourite ways to unwind after work. I'm still slowly studying Mandarin alongside it, although my motivation has definitely dipped a little this month.

One tool that's continued to be incredibly helpful is the MyMandarin browser extension. It provides live translations, pinyin and Chinese subtitles while watching shows, making it much easier to learn vocabulary naturally instead of feeling like I'm studying from a textbook.

After spending a couple of weeks in a reading rut, I finally found my way back to books this month. Broken Country completely pulled me out of my slump and, in my opinion, it absolutely lives up to the hype. I’ve shared more about this book further in this newsletter.

I’ve also been reaching for my Kobo eReader much more again. Taking it with me on the train has made it easier to read during my commute, and I’ve been swapping scrolling on my phone during lunch breaks for a few chapters instead. It’s been one of the simplest ways to reduce my screen time while making steady progress towards my reading goal.

🙇🏻‍♀️ Want to reduce your screen time? Check out the following resources: 🤳🏼

• anti-brain rot manual and reclaiming your attention span

• things to do instead of doomscrolling

• projects that make me forget my phone

Another unexpected benefit of buying an eReader has been how much I’ve reduced my spending on physical books. These days I mostly borrow books through my local library or buy eBooks when they’re discounted. It fits perfectly with the low-buy mindset I’ve been trying to embrace this year. I’m becoming much more intentional about what I spend money on and trying to consume less overall. If you’re curious, I’ve shared more about my low-buy year here.

Speaking of saving money, I’ve also been planning another trip around Asia with a friend later this year. Booking flights reminded me why I’m such a big advocate for cashback websites. It’s one of the easiest ways to earn a little money back on purchases you’re already making, whether that’s flights, hotels, groceries or online shopping. Over the years, I’ve earned hundreds of dollars that have gone straight into my travel fund. I’ve included my favourite cashback platforms below if you’d like to check them out.

Recommended cashback sites:

• ShopBack: $20 bonus when you join

• TopCashback: $50 bonus when you join

With the year now more than halfway through, I’ve also been doing a mid-year check-in on my finances and goals. One thing that’s become even clearer is that my low-buy year isn’t just about spending less. It’s about creating more room to invest for my future. Every dollar I don’t spend today is another dollar I can invest, giving compound interest more time to work its magic. I’ve now been using Pearler for over two years to invest in ETFs, and I’ve also shared investing resources and tips about investing below if it’s something you’ve been wanting to learn more about.

• How to start investing with a small amount of money

• Could you share your investment journey and tips on how to start or select financial goals?

• What are your passive incomes, and any advice for starting your own?

• Investing with She’s On the Money

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.

Meet Me At the Lake by Carley Fortune

⭐️ rating: 3/5 stars

📖 Genres & book tropes: contemporary romance, second-chance romance

“We’re not the same people we were at twenty-two. It’s okay to want different things.”

If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m on a Carley Fortune binge. I actually read Meet Me at the Lake when it first came out, but I somehow forgot almost everything that happened until I was halfway through. In a way, it felt like reading it for the first time all over again.

Despite the familiar second-chance romance trope, I still found it an enjoyable read. Carley Fortune has a writing style that makes it easy to become invested in her characters, and she has a talent for transporting you to the setting. The lakeside resort felt cosy and nostalgic, making this the perfect summer read, which was a nice escape during Australia’s winter.

What I appreciated most was that the romance felt more grounded than dramatic. At its core, it’s a story about two people who met at the wrong time in their lives and eventually find their way back to each other. There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake both characters and tell them to communicate, but I could also understand why they struggled given everything they were carrying.

That said, I did find it difficult to fully buy into the premise. The idea of pining over someone you spent just one day with, especially after the MMC didn’t show up and ten years had passed, felt a little too unrealistic for me. While I was rooting for Fern and Will by the end, I never completely believed the foundation of their relationship.

Overall, it’s a comforting, atmospheric romance with beautiful writing and a strong sense of place. It wasn’t my favourite Carley Fortune novel, but if you enjoy slow-burn, second-chance romances set by the lake, it’s still worth picking up.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

⭐️ rating: 3.5/5 star

📖 Genres & book tropes: memoir, nonfiction

I yearn to know the people I love deeply and intimately—without context, without boxes—and I yearn for them to know me that way, too.

This was a raw, honest, and surprisingly funny memoir. Jennette McCurdy shares so much vulnerability about growing up under a controlling mother, navigating child stardom, and dealing with eating disorders, addiction, and grief. The dark humour balanced the heavier moments well, making it an engaging read despite the difficult subject matter.

The parts that stayed with me most were the everyday examples of her mother’s control and how deeply they shaped Jennette’s sense of self. It was a powerful reminder that abuse isn’t always loud or obvious.

While I really enjoyed it, some parts felt a little repetitive, and I found myself wanting more about her life after acting and her recovery journey. Overall, it’s a moving memoir about reclaiming your identity and learning to live life on your own terms.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

⭐️ rating: 3.5/5 star

📖 Genres & book tropes: historical fiction, romance, mystery, thriller

“It’s strange, the patchwork stories we tell someone when we want them to catch up, a shortcut to knowing us, as if such a thing were possible.”

I went into Broken Country with absolutely no expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it. The start was a little slow for me, but I think it was necessary to set up the characters, relationships, and all the tension that slowly builds throughout the story.

Beth was definitely a character I had mixed feelings about. I found myself getting frustrated with her at times as she struggled between the life she had built with her husband and the feelings she still had for her first love. But at the same time, her choices felt complicated and very human.

The dual timelines were probably my favourite part of the book. Seeing the story unfold between the past and present, while slowly piecing together how everything connects to the mystery in the present day, had me hooked and wanting to keep reading to find out what happened.

I’d say this is a great pick if you’re looking for something that blends romance, family drama, and thriller elements. It’s definitely a page-turner once the story gets going, and I think it would be a good book to pick up if you’re trying to get back into reading.

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

• All Men Are Created Equal, but What Does Equal Mean? The expansiveness of the concept helps explain its endurance

• The art of literary translation exposes the limits of AI

• ‘It is comforting to be haunted’: how attitudes to abortion have changed through the ages

• The Bible is now required reading for Texas public school students.

• What we love when everything became a screen

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

House of the Dragon, Season 3

“An internal succession war within House Targaryen at the height of its power, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.”

See You At Work Tomorrow (2026)

“Cha Ji-yoon clocks in to pay bills and clocks out on time, no matter what. Her strict, workaholic new boss, Kang Si-woo, is the opposite—and unexpectedly open about liking her. Their differences bring a spark to her dull office life.”

Always Home

“Chronicles the friendship of three teens as they navigate school life, family changes, and personal growth in the city.”

Dream To You (2026)

High school exes reunite in their 30s with their life outlooks swapped – can they reconcile and heal from their pasts through the art of film?

Overdo (2026)

In Shanghai during the Republic of China, Murong Qing Yi, the youngest son of a warlord, was abused by his adoptive father because he was taken away by mistake

• The Sheep Detectives (2026) – When their shepherd is found dead after reading them murder mysteries, a flock of sheep sets out to solve the crime themselves.

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) – Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly cross paths again as they navigate changing careers in the declining world of print fashion publishing.

• Enola Holmes 3 (2026) – Enola Holmes travels to Malta, where her latest investigation becomes her most dangerous mystery yet.

• Voicemails for Isabelle (2026) – While grieving her late sister, Jill copes with life’s chaos by leaving heartfelt voicemail messages she’ll never hear.

• In the Mood for Love (2000) – Two lonely neighbours, both suspecting their spouses of infidelity, form a deep but carefully restrained connection.

• The Parent Trap (1998) – Twin sisters separated at birth unexpectedly meet at summer camp and hatch a plan to reunite their divorced parents.

• People We Meet on Vacation (2026) – Longtime vacation buddies Poppy and Alex begin to question whether their friendship could become something more.

• Toy Story (1995) – A cowboy toy’s world is turned upside down when a flashy new space ranger becomes his owner’s favourite.

• Jumper (2008) – A young man with the power to teleport is drawn into a secret war between people with abilities like his and those determined to destroy them.

Here are a few of my most popular posts from July, loved by you:

Instagram:

• Part 2 of free resources you should know about to make reading and learning feel easier

• Things I never thought I’d be grateful for after living in South Korea

• Unconventional things I’ve done in my twenties that have paid off

• 4 places in Japan that exceeded my expectations

• What you see vs what you don’t see - deinfluencing what you see on social media

Long-form content

• Habits that will make my twenties count

• How to get a job in South Korea as a foreigner

• Ultimate guide to visiting Zurich in Switzerland

• 15 adult fantasy romance books that are worth reading

• You’re probably more addicted to your phone than you think

• How to start investing with a small amount of money

Part 12 of media that rewired my brain this week

• Everything We Know About Rape Is Wrong

• I did no work for a year, and no one noticed

• A Trojan Horse Is Supposed to Have Humans Inside It

• There’s a Name for the People Who Drain You

• Once you understand neuroplasticity, you stop waiting to feel ready

⏰ Don’t miss out on this offer ⏰

A little reminder that my annual subscription discount ends on 31 August.

You can currently get a year of paid access for $63.75/year (usually $75), which works out to around $5.30/month.

Need a little convincing? Here’s a look at what’s included with a paid subscription.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading, this is your last chance to lock in the discounted rate before annual subscriptions return to the regular price.

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Here’s also my mood of the month:

That’s it for now, but you’ll be hearing from me soon!

Until next time,

Before you go: You can find me on Instagram, Fable, and TikTok to keep up with my updates, oversharing and recommendations in real time.

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Resources I can’t live without

• Want to earn cashback shopping with your favourite brands?

  • Join ShopBack: $20 bonus when you join

  • Join TopCashback: $50 bonus when you join

  • Join Rakuten: $50 bonus when you join

• How I earn passive income from my travel bookings

• My notion reading tracker template

• My notion wishlist tracker template