2026 – Onward – July Review

Since we’re a few days from the end of July and I didn’t manage to post yesterday, I figured I can just merge the updates and then make plans for August later this week. I haven’t had any time to think about August as July went a little more awry than I had planned. But that’s ok. Life.

So while I didn’t really establish a nighttime routine, I did in fact start a yoga practice and I’ve done yoga almost every day in July. Huge progress. I’ve also found a cream I love and have used skin cream more days this month than the whole year before this. So major progress.

I made a little progress on the reclaim list but not nearly enough. This one will have to be something I re-tackle.

  • Progress on the big five:
    • Y: Got a lemon (not orange) tree. I didn’t do side yard but I did plant flowers in the front though two out of three already died…
    • G: Got ikea unit moved but didn’t unpack and put away the last bits leftover. I also got a carpet though and it looks nice!
    • S: Did the change, appointment tomorrow, working on research.
    • Sa: doing a really good job at work. Also now can leave home and be outside without her freaking out. Progress!
    • D: Finished both the cleaning and servicing.
  • Three Medium goals:
    • Quests are finally ready to go though i am so tired of it, we’ll see if it takes off.
    • MBSR book stalled after week one, partly because I am reading so many other books at the moment.
    • Finished all of my chores, I am very proud!
  • Start: I am slow reading both Diaspora and The Master and Margarita, and loving it. So proud!
  • Stop: I did an excellent job in July reducing my snacking considerably.
  • Continue: I did a handful more this month but not nearly as much as I wanted. It’s ok. It’s been an unexpectedly busy month and I am happy with how I prioritized.
  • Brave: Actively working on this.

I’ve done a lot this month. And some unexpected curveballs too. I am really proud of how I handled it all and truly grateful for my full life. Working hard to move onward and working hard to appreciate what is.

Here’s to another month. Paying attention. Loving my people. Savoring and living in awe. And taking steps to move onward.

Review: Cry Havoc

Cry Havoc
Cry Havoc by Rebecca Wait
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Eh. this was not as interesting as i’d hoped it would be.

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Review: Helpless

Helpless
Helpless by Jessica Knoll
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars for the crazy twist at the end that really left me more confused than i expected. It was interesting but also i feel a little too over the top towards the end.

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Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal

Beg, Borrow, or Steal
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute, sweet read just when i needed one!

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Review: Meet Me in the Garden

Meet Me in the Garden
Meet Me in the Garden by Nina LaCour
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a gifted writer Nina LaCour is…I loved every minute I spent with the story of Odette who is best friends with her cousin Delphine. Both of whom have secrets they can’t tell anyone else. As they make bold moves to leave their Creole community and move to Los Angeles, their lives diverge only to converge years later again as a result of a huge moment for Delphine. Neither woman will be the same again. As we follow Odette navigate her life and her choices and the consequences they bring, I felt like both wishing she were braver and having so much empathy for her and her fears around losing everything she loved most.

LaCour’s writing is so real that the characters jump off the page and carve their place in your heart as the story navigates family, belonging, mental illness, black community, sisterhood, queerness and so much more. Angel Pean’s audio brought it to life beautifully, helping me connect to the story much more deeply.

with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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2026 – Onward – July 20

Still making progress over here. Still doing yoga and cream, I am proud of myself. I bought this cream which has been lovely and I love using it every day. I started on the reclaim a little bit but not enough. But that’s ok. I am feeling good what I’ve done so far, and giving myself grace about the rest.

  • Progress on the big five:
    • Y: Got the lemon tree! Let’s hope it sticks.
    • G: Didn’t clean up the rest still.
    • S: Coming soon!
    • Sa: nothing yet 🙂 but we’re practicing staying put at work and so far so good.
    • D: done with this one!
  • Three Medium goals:
    • LOTS of debugging but got it done. I will do more this week.
    • Still haven’t done week two yet, but soon.
    • done with getting tree pruned. so all chores done!
  • Start: Still doing the books with D and Evelyn. Loving them both.
  • Stop: doing a good job so far!
  • Continue: none during the week but maybe…
  • Brave: started this a little but not much progress.

Still feeling grateful with all the work I am putting in this month. If I can mostly maintain this for most of the rest of this month and just be there for my kids, that’s all I want from July.

Here’s to another good week. Paying attention. Savoring and living in awe. And taking steps to move onward.

Review: Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 totally readable. I loved listening to this one. It’s fun, it’s funny and full of moxy.

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Review: The Lion Women of Tehran

The Lion Women of Tehran
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a lovely story to listen to, and interesting history with good depth but the characters weren’t as textured and developed as I would have liked. Glad I read it.

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Review: Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt
Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

for some reason this book didn’t make it for me. I liked it but didn’t love it. And i am not sure why. maybe it was the wrong book at the wrong time.

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Review: Someone Else’s Husband

Someone Else's Husband
Someone Else’s Husband by Kimberly McCreight
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was okay. readable and moved fast but will not stay with me. Sometimes those are the perfect books for the moment.

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2026 – Onward – July 13

Ok lots of progress this week, I am so grateful. I have established a Yoga practice and I also bought a skin cream I really like so I’ve been doing both regularly and it’s making me so, so happy! I haven’t begun the reclaim list, yet but it’s ok. I have time.

  • Progress on the big five:
    • Y: still waiting on the yard folks to find me a tree. we switched to lemon so we’ll see if that does the trick.
    • G: Didn’t clean up the rest still.
    • S: Coming soon!
    • Sa: nothing yet 🙂
    • D: done with this one!
  • Three Medium goals:
    • I am hoping to launch them today, let’s see!
    • Haven’t done week two yet, but soon.
    • still have the one chore on getting tree pruned.
  • Start: Still doing this with D and also started one with Evelyn too. The Master and Margarita. Yay!
  • Stop: doing a good job so far!
  • Continue: did two more.
  • Brave: still have not started this.

Feeling great with eating a bit better, doing a lot of yoga, taking care of my skin, doing two interesting slow-reads and a lot of awesome book discussions. I’ve also been practicing painting from photos. Feeling grateful.

Here’s to another good week. Paying attention. Savoring and living in awe. And taking steps to move onward.

Review: One of Us Is Guilty

One of Us Is Guilty
One of Us Is Guilty by Steve Cavanagh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eddie Flynn might be one of my favorite fictional characters. I love watching him operate, especially in court! While this wasn’t my very favorite of the Flynn novels, I really enjoyed watching Flynn in action and I loved how the twists kept coming as they always do in his novels. Just when you think you figured it all out, Cavanagh makes sure you continue to pay attention!

with gratitude to netgalley and Atria Books for an early copy in exchange for an honest review

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