may was a month that happened.

may highlights.

quick visit to see jesse in salt lake / alex got a pup / mother’s day shenanigans / my first bbq fest experience / long weekend in canada with the devaraj sisters / memphis turned 200 / first porch party of 2019 / the pool is open for the summer / a visit from meg, ryan, and charlotte / booked our tickets to seattle for september

may books.

house of clouds by k.i. thompson. the second installment in the veena-maggie-molly cheesy romance book club. i don’t even know how we discovered this one [i think maybe molly had already read it?], but once we found out it was a lesbian love story set during the civil war we were sold. the writing wasn’t great, but overall it was interesting. we all agreed that it felt like the author couldn’t figure out if they wanted it to be a love story or an emancipation story, so it felt a little fragmented for a while.

normal people by sally rooney. normal people has been getting a lot of press recently, so i was happy to choose it as my book of the month selection in april. rooney’s story of two unlikely best friends who circle in and out of each other’s lives, beds, and hearts sucked me in, and i finished it in four days. connell and marianne are both flawed characters, and i couldn’t help cheering for them both, separate and together. i definitely think this is a book you’re either going to speed through or quit after two chapters, but i enjoyed it.

the house on mango street by sandra cisneros. i first read cisneros’ book over a decade ago [probably longer], so when kat was giving away a copy ahead of her move i quickly snatched it up. the house on mango street is a collection of vignettes set in a hispanic chicago neighborhood, and you learn of life in the neighborhood through the eyes of its children. it’s a quick read that leaves a lasting impact, and one i look forward to reading again in another few years.

the silkworm by robert galbraith. the second cormoran strike novel, the silkworm revolved around a missing writer, his estranged acquaintances, and the upper echelons of london’s literary society. the story wasn’t as gripping as the cuckoo’s calling, the first strike novel, but i like galbraith’s writing and will continue following strike’s antics in the future. i also recently discovered his stories have been turned into a miniseries, so i might have to check that out at some point.

the best things i watched.

it was all game of thrones for me, and i finished just in time for summer conference training to begin!

sesame street added a character who is in the foster system and i am now a weepy mess.

the best things on the internet.

this animation breaking down systemic racism as it exists in the united states is well worth 4.5 minutes of your time.

my friend jen is working hard to make arts education accessible to all students.

the importance of great friendships.

the downton abbey movie comes out in september and i am so ready for it.

a very cool look at how brands get their names. also, how do i get to be a professional namer?

teaching girls they don’t always have to be nice.

have you been reading about the deaths on mount everest this climbing season? both the washington post and the new york times have covered it recently.

i am currently obsessed with all things adam grant and just signed up for the next big idea club that he helps curate.

xx