What I Read, Watched, and Listened To In September + My October Hopefuls —
— hoa hoa hoa season and my initial thoughts on the life of a showgirl!!!!
I blinked and October descended upon us.
No but seriously, where did September go? More importantly, did we wake up that guy in the band yet?
I read quite a number of books in September. In doing so, I re-discovered my love of reading and why I started reading in the first place. Reading makes me feel like I’m stepping into a whole new world, meeting new people, and getting to know their stories. It’s like I can step out of my world for only a few moments and step into another person’s world — sometimes from their viewpoint — and experience this whole new story.
I’ve been in a slight reading slump for the past few months, on and off for the most part. I never liked the term reading slump, not only because I fear them but also because a slump only means I probably need a break. Nothing more, nothing less. But I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The light being a big stack of books I checked out at the library and an excitement to finally pick them up this weekend.
Besides what I read, I also watched a few great movies and shows! I’m so, so excited for fall TV. It’s going to be a good season for television. Stay tuned for my Dancing with the Stars thoughts — honestly, I may think about starting a separate DWTS newsletter because I have so many thoughts. Especially after this week’s episode. What I’m listening to? Besides the obvious, Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl (initial thoughts below!!!!), I visited some old favorite albums.
What I Read —
📚 Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date (Bright Falls, 3) by Ashley Herring Blake
So I wrote about this book series in a separate newsletter, but I adored Iris’s book. I had been waiting for Iris’s book since book one. I knew I was going to like her, because in the first two books, she was this quirky side character with a lot of laugh-out-loud humor and heartfelt moments. Those characters always have a unique backstory. Iris’s character arc frustrated me only a little bit, but only because of her avoidant attachment style — but don’t let that stop you. Her character growth, along with Stevie’s (the other FMC), was impeccable. Yeah fine there was a third act breakup, but like… who cares? It made sense, I guess. I loved the theater setting, where Iris and Stevie were leads in a community-led production of Much Ado About Nothing. Overall, I loved the story, the characters, and the romance. What a wonderful conclusion to an impeccable romance book series.
Rating: 4.5/5
📚 All You Have To Do Is Call by Kerri Maher
I flew through this book. This was an incredible portrayal of an organization of women who defied the patriarchy (and the law) to provide freedom, or liberation, for all women in a time (1970s) when there weren’t many rights for them. Reading this a few years after Roe was overturned, I am heartbroken that this country is once again falling to these similar conditions, but this book gives me hope that we can unite and be there for one another, offering support and care in any way possible.
Kerri Maher, the author, did a wonderful job of telling the story of Jane, the secret organization that provided abortions and other vital reproductive healthcare services, while still taking creative liberties and writing these characters. Characters who come from a wide range of beliefs, values, life experiences, and backgrounds — a lot of the characters are based on real people who volunteered and worked for Jane, but Kerri understandably took creative liberties when she could. I read another book of hers, The Kennedy Debutante, and found that I really like her narrative storytelling that weaves such an engaging story with historical facts and fiction. Overall, I really loved this book.
Rating: 4/5
🎧 The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
I found myself laughing out loud at Ember’s antics in this one… particularly the lies she spun just to feel an ounce of control in her life. I really loved this author’s writing style so much that I’m excited to pick up her second book! Overall, the workplace romance (and a slight forbidden romance at that) made for spicy scenes, romantic connections, and exciting banter. Besides the romance, I also just loved Ember and Danuowa. Ember felt… relatable. Authentic. Genuine. She had flaws, and that felt good to read in a book, like I wasn’t reading a cookie-cutter, picture-perfect female main character.
Rating: 4/5
📚 Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel’s Tween Empire by Ashley Spencer
I wrote a longer review for the newsletter, but TLDR, I very much enjoyed this one. This one was written for the Disney Channel girlies who found themselves sitting in front of the TV on Friday nights at 8/7 central, imagining what they would do if they could hold that famous wand and say those magic words, “... and you’re watching Disney Channel.” It dives into that golden era of Disney Channel (my era). Though I still yearn for that official tell-all documentary, I liked the relatable, casual yet still professional, journalistic tone in this book. It felt like a string of essays stitched together, but stitched nicely at the seams that built to the overall plot: telling the story of Disney Channel during its peak era. It felt like the author and I were just fangirls deep diving into Disney Channel, yet it still established necessary credibility with the amount of research the author poured into this.
📚 When A Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After, 3) by Tessa Dare
I was unaware of Tessa Dare’s pen game! The third book in a series, I didn’t feel out of place reading this book. Rather, it was magical and romantic and dreamy. I loved it so much that I am booking a trip to Scotland to find my own love story with a rugged Highlander. Although Madeline and Logan, the two main characters, frustrated me with their never-ending “will they or won’t they,” it kept me engaged and I wanted to read more. I could not set it down!
The premise? To appease her persistent family, she makes up a man. Like full on, imagines him and creates him from her imagination. For years, she writes letters to this man she thought didn’t exist. And then years later, he shows up at her door, demanding her hand in marriage. I could not put this down. I devoured this historical romance — it was fun, romantic, steamy, and overall, enjoyable.
Rating: 4/5
🎧 If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Ah, chills! And not just the crisp fall air that finally has come upon us. I mean the chills from this dreamy, swoony romantic Gilmore Girls-inspired book. I’ve been seeing this all over bookstagram, and so I finally picked it up… and it’s so worth the hype! Several key scenes had me squealing and giggling and kicking my feet in the air. I really loved the setting, in the late 90s — I thought that setting was so unique! So many 90s references. Truly, this felt very Gilmore Girls-inspired, but to say that this is “Gilmore Girls fanfiction” or something like that, is doing a disservice to this wonderful and romantic book. It would be doing a disservice to not only the author, but the wonderful characters the author created: Michelle and Cliff. Cliff! So swoonworthy. Made me want to move to Vermont and find me a rugged, single dad, bakery owner (kinda like Jude Law’s character from The Holiday). And Michelle. Oh, Michelle. How I can empathize with her situation. She would love track 5 on Taylor Swift’s newest album. Not only did I love the romance main plot, and the “will they or won’t they” — it made for such great tension and banter — but I loved their individual character developments. That, and the lovable side characters, including Cliff’s daughters and Michelle’s dog!
Overall, if you’re looking for a fall romance to curl up with this autumn, then add this to your list.
Rating: 5/5
What I Watched —
Dancing with the Stars —
This cast is stacked. Like recent seasons, the casting directors continue to pull from people with dance and theater background. Which doesn’t really bother me, because I like seeing good dancing.
After the most recent episode, I am devastated, shocked (yet not surprised), and angry at Lauren and Brandon being sent home. Other than that, this season is shaping up to be a great one. As someone who’s watched this show for a very long time (I remember when the skybox was backstage), I’m growing tired of so many themed nights (Len Goodman is rolling over in his grave at the idea of TikTok night) — I wish they would bring back trio night or partner swap instead of nights like TikTok night. That night, the most recent episode, had songs that didn’t really fit for ballroom — her song choice (ironically, her song) probably what made Lauren struggle in the cha cha, a dance I expected her to nail considering her last two dances.
The Morning Show —
This has been my show since season one first came out. I love the TV network as the setting and backdrop. This feels like a soap opera, but it also comments on modern-day issues plaguing the world, and in particular, the media — including covid, media layoffs, the rise of short-form content and podcasts, and distrust in the media and government. I watched the first two episodes of the new season and loved them! Really love that they kept Bradley, Alex, Mia, Stella, and Cory. Excited for Wednesdays (again, especially after TSITP) for new episodes.
Others —
On the Basis of Sex — Watched this after I finished All You Have To Do Is Call and wow, just wow.
Don’t Worry Darling — Harry come back, the kids miss you. (But I hope you’re doing okay.) That aside, I think the drama surrounding the movie’s press tour sullied the actual message of the movie. I’m not that interested to write more thoughts on it, but something to consider.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s — Audrey 🥹 the life of a showgirl…
Little Women (2019) — Will forever be one of my favorite films.
Rumor Has It… — I don’t care how poorly reviewed this movie is, this film is so bad, it’s good.
What I Listened to —
❤️🔥 The Life of a Showgirl —
Okay, so technically I listened to this in October, but I’m counting it because I need yet another outlet to talk about it!!!! I’ll probably check back in on the October recap with more thoughts, you know, after I’ve sat with it.
10/10. No notes. On first listen, it was show-stopping. I was soaking it all in. On second and third listens, I was dancing in my room spinning like a girl in a brand new dress. So romantic. So much happiness. So much joy. But also vulnerable.
Not even 24 hours later, my favorite tracks are Opalite, The Fate of Ophelia, Elizabeth Taylor, The Life of a Showgirl, and Father Figure. These are the tracks I envision myself revisiting often. Those can change (and most likely will!). Just my initial thoughts. Opalite is THE pop song. It’s as if she amped up the hype in Shake It Off but also gave us an encouraging message to those who are feeling lost or stuck and that everything will be okay. Father Figure is The Man, but stronger. I feel confident enough to call it as the sleeper hit that many will come around to in a few months time. Elizabeth Taylor met my expectations. It made me want to read Furious Love, a book that chronicles the love affair between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton — a book that Taylor Swift read around 2014 or 2015, if I’m not mistaken.
Wood, Cancelled, Wi$h Li$t, and Ruin the Friendship are all slowly climbing the ranks and into my top five. If you’re shocked at the explicit themes in Wood, I recommend listening to the clean version — it’s actually romantic. I love Eldest Daughter… that bridge and outro is so beautiful. If you disagree, just go listen to it again while you feel the rays of sunshine falling down your face and the grass beneath your feet.
I’m not a music reviewer, but I’m looking forward to watching thoughtful, nuanced reviews from my favorites: The Swiftologist (YouTube), HTHaze for reactions (YouTube), and fangirl reactions from Ally Sheehan (YouTube, Patreon).
Other albums, pre-TLOAS:
The Tortured Poets Department — one more listen before TLOAS!
Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter — the pop girlies are making pop music again!!!! Life is worth living. Sue me, I want to have fun.
Wicked: The Soundtrack — beyond excited for Wicked: For Good.
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me by Jensen McRae — if you want soulful and vulnerable lyrics and a sound like Joni Mitchell, Jensen McRae is your gal.
My October Hopefuls —
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams
August Lane by Regina Black
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
Wild Card by Elsie Silver (currently reading)
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Anywayssssss, hope you enjoyed my recap. I like writing these posts because they serve as my digital journal (that anyone on the Internet can read).
Until next time,
Olivia 📚
Opalite is an all-timer!!
PS: you'll love Regina and Sangu's books. They're both amazing writers.