Muscle up, buttercup.
July 2026.
I rewatched Moana [the animated one, of course] and this line has been stuck in my head ever since. Sorry to everyone who knows me in real life who is now going to have to hear me say this incessantly for the next month.
*this post is almost too long for email so it will be easier to read if you click on the heading and read in your browser*
books.
London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe. This story is so wild and I could not put this book down. It’s the story of a London teenager who pretended to be the son of a Russian oligarch to get in with the super-rich crowd, his mysterious death, and his family’s search for answers. I continue to love Patrick Radden Keefe’s writing, because in his hands this reads like a novel even while he is uncovering layer after layer of corruption and chaos. The characters are all trying to out-grift each other, while Zac’s parents are trying to figure out what happened to him. It’s such a well-written book and I am desperate to discuss it so someone please read it and talk to me about it.
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai. I have lots of complicated feelings about this one. On the one had Desai is a beautiful writer and I underlined a ton while I was reading [quotes post coming soon]. On the other hand this book was so all over the place and it was too long and it really felt like she tried to shove four books into one. Also there are so many side characters and side stories that it was distracting. I read half of it in May, set it aside for 6 weeks, and then finished the second half before I had to return it to the library. Needed an editor to cut half of it down.
All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley. I can’t remember how I first heard about Bringley’s memoir of his decade spent as a guard at The Met, but I finally borrowed it from the library and mostly enjoyed it. It was fun to have an insider view of what goes on behind the scenes of one of my favorite museums, and I enjoyed being able to picture some of the galleries and paintings that he mentioned. Some essays were better than others as is always the case with books like this.
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey. This was one of my mystery book purchases at a recent fundraiser for Queens Public Library, and it was a nice easy read while I’m in the middle of another 700+ page book. The story is a little ridiculous and the third act conflict was of course blown way out of proportion, but it’s fast and easy and does what it intends to do and now I’m going to have to read the second in the series to see what happens with Natalie and August.
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison. I mostly liked this Sleepless in Seattle-inspired romance but it was ultimately too long and we were going in circles for a while. It came together well at the end and I would have loved for the epilogue to be longer. I have the second in the series on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading it.
2026 book tally to date: 56
all the book links are affiliate links through bookshop.org so if you use them to make a purchase I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and you will be supporting independent booksellers. this year I am supporting Astoria Bookshop, my local neighborhood bookstore. you can see my full list of 2026 reads here.
movies.
Alexa and I saw the Hadestown pro shot which was really good. I have never seen the live show so this was a fun way to get to know the show and the music before deciding if I want to drop money on a Broadway ticket, and the atmosphere in a movie theater is a lot more relaxed and fun.
other things I watched —
did a rewatch of Bull Durham and for the first time in my life realized Bobby is also Everett in Hoosiers and I’m still not over it. prime video
rewatched She’s the One and Hitch since The Rewatchables covered them. netflix
rewatched [animated] Moana while working on this post and it still slaps. disney+
podcasts.
Playwright Anna Deavere Smith turns to her family’s history for inspiration [Fresh Air] — a fantastic conversation with a wonderful human being.
Indian Premier League Cricket [Acquired] — my friend Gelsey recommended this to me during this year’s IPL season, and I finally listened to it. it’s incredibly thorough, starting years before the founding of the league and covering the ups and downs and highlights and controversies. it’s 4.5 hours, but if you have the time it’s fascinating.
The craft of storytelling with Ann Patchett [ReThinking] — I like Ann Patchett even though she lives in Nashville [jk jk], and this was a great conversation.
JOSH JOHNSON Took One-Tank Texas Road Trips* [Family Trips] — he continues to amuse and delight me.
Matt Damon [Good Hang] — when two native Bostonians get together you know it’s going to be entertaining.
Ask Me About My Dead Son* [Modern Love] — this episode will likely make you cry, but it’s so good.
You Asked for a Parental Death Prep Episode. We Got the Perfect Guest* [Culture Study Podcast] — a great episode full of lots of practical advice for those of us who have aging parents and want to make sure we are navigating conversations with love while also being practical.
The Princesses of China [Articles of Interest] — Avery looks at why so many women in China are dressing like 16th century princesses.
Mick Jagger Knows He May Have Played His Last Rolling Stones Show [The Interview] — he’s lived such a fascinating life.
The World Cup Final Is Here [The Daily] — I enjoyed this recap of the weeks that led up to the World Cup Final.
W. KAMAU BELL Took His Mom Parasailing [Family Trips] — I love W. Kamau Bell and I loved this conversation.
Will Ferrell [Good Hang] — just a fun chat between two hilarious people, with a fun cameo from Chris Parnell.
How Microfinance Failed the World’s Poor* [The Journal] — how microfinance has devolved in countries like Cambodia and become a trap for struggling families.
The Comfort Kit [Criminal] — this was a fascinating listen.
100 Objects #9: Missing Children Milk Carton [99% Invisible] — if you are around my age and grew up in the US, you likely remember those few years when photos of missing children were splashed across milk cartons. This is the story of how that began and its lasting impact on child safety today.
The anti-crime push in Memphis is also an immigration operation* [Consider This] — how the influx of federal agents into Memphis has created fear within the immigrant community, and notes from some of the people [including my former colleague Maria] working to protect that community.
The Finnish Baby Box [99% Invisible] — the origins of the famous Finnish baby box, how it adapts each year, and what similar programs look like around the world.
With ‘deed theft’ scammers are targeting Black homeowners* [Code Switch] — how longtime homeowners [usually Black seniors] are being tricked into signing away the deeds to their homes, and what their families can do to fight this practice.
*my “if you only listen to one” recommendations
recipes.
This chicken vindaloo was very delicious. Will make again and will throw in a few potatoes to round it out. nyt cooking
purchases.
I have been slowly updating my workout wardrobe [some of my stuff is 10+ years old] through a combination of points, gift cards, and sales —
I really like this tank from Old Navy and have procured it in 3 colors and yes I will probably purchase more
got a new sports bra from Nike that is great
Next up I need some new socks and as we get into fall I’ll need some new long sleeve tops but we’ll cross that bridge in a few months. Also will likely need new running headphones soon as my current pair from 2020 seem to be on their last legs.
articles + other links.
The Palestine Museum is working to build a digital archive that can’t be looted. wired via roxane gay
RIP Bonnie Tyler. ny times gift link
^ Candace’s annual reminder to take some time to rest. dandelion seeds
Jalen Brunson’s Victory Lap. intelligencer, possible paywall
Did Spain win the World Cup because they stayed in Chattanooga during the group stages and trained at my high school alma mater? Probably. forbes via steph
If you ever wanted to know what the bedrooms of NYC teenagers look like. curbed
Loved this profile of Colson Whitehead. the new yorker
other things I wrote —
favorite passages from On the Hippie Trail
favorite passages from Sisters of a Halved Heart
Happy August!
xx