Review: The Housewife

The Housewife
The Housewife by Natalie Barelli
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was totally readable but also similar to many others I read. I had guessed the ending. At least most of it. It was still fun/easy to read.

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Review: My Nemesis

My Nemesis
My Nemesis by Charmaine Craig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was so unusual, I am still thinking about it. Nothing happens, it’s a book of ideas. Of perspective. Of how we see each other and how we judge each other and how we don’t understand each other. It’s about intellectualism, about motherhood, about marriage, about being a woman. and so much more.

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Review: The Shampoo Effect

The Shampoo Effect
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy Jackson’s novels and this one delivers a funny and smart story about Caroline who is away on a writing retreat and meets Van and falls in love. She is then embedded into their long-existing friend group. But Van’s on again and off again ex Bailey finds out that she’s pregnant and she’s keeping the baby…things take a bit of a complicated turn from there. Good story, well told.

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2026 – Onward – July 6

I’m so grateful for the longer days of summer, having long days of sunshine is nothing to take for granted. One of the most magical parts of California. I haven’t really established a nighttime routine yet, but I have been doing daily yoga and cream so I’m making progress even if it’s my own way. I haven’t begun the reclaim list yet. I have to find a practical way to do that, I’ll think through it.

  • Progress on the big five:
    • Y: i found someone to prune one tree and replace the other. waiting for them. I will research planting in the meantime.
    • G: Got the unit moved! Haven’t done the last bits.
    • S: Done with appointment four, the rest coming later this month.
    • Sa: nothing yet 🙂
    • D: woohoo got the car serviced and washed my car!
  • Three Medium goals:
    • I will look into launching quests this coming week maybe?
    • I started the MBSR book, week one down.
    • made a lot of progress on my endless list of chores:
      • get car serviced
      • get tree pruned
      • figure out downstairs plan
      • ultrasound
      • decorate office
      • decorate yard tent
      • decorate garage
      • flush water heater
      • return g items
      • also: bought new glasses!
      • also: booked V tix
  • Start: Started and wow hard so far!
  • Stop: doing a good job so far!
  • Continue: meh no visual nottaking yet so far.
  • Brave: have not started this one yet.

Really productive start to the month. Somewhat helped by the short week, let’s see how I do this coming week! Here’s to another good week. Paying attention. Savoring and living in awe. And taking steps to move onward.

Review: Six Scorched Roses

Six Scorched Roses
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not sure why I read this one 🙂

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Review: Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump

Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump
Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting but also nothing new.

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Review: The Neighbors Are Watching

The Neighbors Are Watching
The Neighbors Are Watching by Aggie Blum Thompson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Meh, interesting but also forgettable for me.

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Review: Main Characters

Main Characters
Main Characters by Bobby Palmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. I liked the way this story was told from the perspective of others’ views of the couple. But that also made the depth limited because we didn’t get to see their inner worlds at all. It was lovely nonetheless.

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Review: Dead Girls First

Dead Girls First
Dead Girls First by Zia Rayyan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

yes yes i read the second one, too. i kept rolling my eyes, though, i promise 🙂

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Review: The Dead Girls Book Club

The Dead Girls Book Club
The Dead Girls Book Club by Zia Rayyan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fast read and held my interest but i did roll my eyes quite a few times.

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Review: The Dead Girls Book Club

The Dead Girls Book Club
The Dead Girls Book Club by Zia Rayyan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fast read and held my interest but i did roll my eyes quite a few times.

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2026 – July Onward

Well, onward to July. Still hoping July goes very slowly. I am enjoying the summer and especially enjoying the long days. So here’s to savoring them all.

Big Goal: Ok I am going to pick two this time, I’ve decided I can’t pick between them so I am going for both and I will see if one sticks over the other. The first one is to establish a nighttime routine. At least for weekdays. Some combination of yoga, stretching, shower, skin cream, puzzles. The second one will be the reclaim from the list I’d made in January. Making a list, understanding the roots, reclaiming them. Let’s see how far I can get.

  • Progress on the big five:
    • Y: The plan for July is to get the new orange tree. Maybe just maybe i can also do the side yard? Or also maybe I could plant some flowers in my front yard.
    • G: Get the ikea unit moved and clean up one more time. Also unpack and put away the last bits leftover.
    • S: Laser appointment four, implant change, research.
    • Sa: How about we try to do one thing on this, this month?
    • D: I don’t really have a goal around driving this month. But I have two related goals: to learn how to fully clean my car inside out and to get the car serviced.
  • Three Medium goals:
    • Get quests going.
    • restart the art mbsr book possibly, or some other deeper dive plan.
    • do my endless list of chores:
      • get car serviced
      • get tree pruned
      • figure out downstairs plan
      • ultrasound
      • decorate office
      • decorate yard tent
      • decorate garage
      • flush water heater
      • return g items
      • buy glasses
      • buy V tix
  • Start: slow read with D
  • Stop: snacking so i can reset.
  • Continue: regular visual notetaking practice.
  • Brave: make a plan for E.

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