First Love | Lilly Dancyger

A heart-wrenching book of essays on the true love stories in our lives. Friendship. Specifically Lilly and her relationships with all of the women she has called friends.

The House Across the LakE | Riley Sager

It's a perfect rapid read for vacation. A ‘who dun it’ that turns into something more than that. No need to spoil. If you are looking for a psychological suspense novel - this is it.

Good Inside | Dr.Becky Kennedy

After listening to various podcast episodes by Dr.Becky, I decided to pick up the book. Focusing on the core value that all children and adults are ‘good inside,’ this book helps remind us to take a mindful approach in our parenting to support self-regulation, compassion, confidence and resilience. Highly recommend.

The Soulmate | Sally Hepworth

Another great rapid read: The Soulmate is perfect for summer vacation. It is equally moody, entertaining, and suspenseful.

The Next Mrs.Parish | Liv Constantine

This is the sequel to The Last Mrs.Parish. I read it during vacation and deeply enjoyed how all the characters continued the chess game that made the first book fun. I am amazed this hasn’t been made into a film by now. It's a great read all around.

FILMS/TV SERIES OF NOTE
Baby Reindeer - because it’s a true story that will leave you speechless.
Parent Trap ‘97 - because a rainy day on vacation deserves a great classic film to watch.
Argylle - because it’s a fun play on all the spy troupes one can find. Films don’t always have to be serious.
Physical S03 - because it’s a fun summer watch & I think Rose Byrns makes it. (warning: dysregulated eating is an underlying theme)
Inside Out 2 - because the second is as deep as the first.

The Last Breath | Kimberlly Belle

This is a fun, suspenseful read when one is looking for a distraction. The graphic descriptions of small portions seemed unnecessary to me. Readers don’t need as much gore to buy in as one might think.

The Old Moon in Her Arms | Lorri Neilson Glenn

Hearing Lorri read a small portion of this book on the first day of my degree was a moment I will not forget. Her words and presence are as deep as they are witty, and there is a reflectiveness in her writing that I deeply aspire to. Reading this collection of essays has been a refreshment and a beautiful anchor point in why I wanted to do this master's program.

The First Shot | Liv Constantine

I re-read the prequel to prepare for the sequel to The Last Mrs.Parish. I love the protagonist's twists and turns, and it says enough that I willingly ‘re-read’ this.

Family Trouble | Joy Castro

This book of essays is from the required reading list in my Master's program. It is a collection of essays from those who have written memoirs and writings that reflect their families.

Lessons in Chemistry | Bonnie Garmus

I adored this read. Bonnie’s beautiful writing keeps this story alive and the characters even more. Without spoiling, this book follows a female chemist's struggles and life happenings in the 1960’s. It is as charming as it is pointed. It’s very clear to me why it got picked up for a tv series on Apple TV.

The Last Mrs.Parish | Liv Constantine

In preparation for the second book, I reread the first. Liv Constantine (team of two writers) did not disappoint in this reread. I found it as riveting as the first time. No spoilers. Just read it for yourself.

FILMS / TV SERIES OF NOTE

I am Celine - Her voice and interviews filled a lot of important moments for me, and watching this was as impactful as those moments.
Wish - For the art style alone (& if you pay attention - there is a fascinating narrative woven in regarding those in governance and leadership).
Baby Reindeer Season 1 - Because it claims to be a true story and has been talked about for weeks. It’s FASCINATING.

Run Hide Repeat | Pauline Dakin

In preparation for taking a course from Pauline, I had the foolish idea I could finish this sega before her classes. Clearly, I misjudged my calendar and energy during residency, and I found myself in front of Pauline only 35 pages or so into her memoir, yet riveted by her story already.
I resolved to finish it before the end of her course.
And I did. I couldn’t put it down.
For what it’s worth, Pauline makes space for what so many of us have underpinning our upbringings. “It must be real because they say it is and love me.”
What happens when you begin to doubt the history that made you and find that things might not be exactly as they seem?

The Dead Romantics | Ashley Poston

It is a surprisingly fun read after a month of heavy reading to prepare for residency in my master's program. The Dead Romantics is outlandish in its premise (a woman falling in love with a ghost), yet it gives a light-hearted, meaningful read for a tired mind.

Nine Perfect Strangers | Liane Moriarty

Going against all my values, I watched the Nine Perfect Strangers before reading the book. I am righting this wrong by reading the intense sega that was turned into a limited series and finding it just as enjoyable.

The Tea Dragon Festival | K. O’Neill

Due to it lying about our house, I picked up the second one my daughter had out from the library and let myself enjoy the world she was in.
The Tea Dragon series is imaginative, fun and beautiful to look at.

TV/FILMS OF NOTE
Bridgerton S03 - because everyone needs to eat cake sometimes… this was my cake after a long day of work.
Gilmore Girls S04 - because my brain was too tired to watch anything but comforting rewatches of the Gilmore households.
Inside Out - because I knew it would be a perfectly timed watch with our nine-year-old

Inward | Yung Pueblo

A beautiful collection of poetry from Yung Pueblo.

before i could release
the weight of my sadness
and pain, i first had
to honor it’s existence

- Yung Pueblo

The Dictionary of Lost Words | Pip Williams

A fascinating tale of the creation and process of developing the Oxford dictionary within a whimsical and almost magical telling. Within the pages of this book are threads of humanity and feminism that hit deep and communicate a more prominent theme of why words and their meanings matter.

Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas

Another fantasy read from Sarah J. Maas features a heroine who is known as an assassin in her fight for freedom. It's not my favourite of Sarah’s books, but it's a great winter fantasy read.

FILMS / TV SERIES OF NOTE

Murder on the Orient Express - because Agatha Christie adaptations are always entertaining… and the snow atmosphere in this one.
Back in Time for Winter - because three days with a high fever needed something cozy and vaguely entertaining. This family was perfectly cast for this series.
The Bear S02 - because it’s one of today's best series and deserves all the accolades regarding story and character development.

These High, Green Hills | Jan Karon

I enjoy picking away at this wholesome series, which depicts the town of Mitford through the eyes of the Anglican priest who lives and loves there. Think Gilmore Girls meets BBC.

The Mother - In - Law | Sally Hepworth

A tremendous rapid read if you like intrigue, misunderstandings, and ultimately getting to the heart of what makes people.

The Fiancée | Kate White

A fun ‘Who dun it’ if I ever read one! Kate keeps you on your seat guessing the whole book, which for many of us ‘long time’ readers is a challenging task. Hats off, for I was in complete ‘???’ the entire time.

Dear Wife | Kimberly Belle

If you can keep me guessing in a psychological suspense novel, I consider it a winner. Dear Wife is precisely that. Creative in narrative, quick in story progression and delivers a wholesome punch at the end.

TV SERIES / FILMS OF NOTE
Hocus Pocus - because it was Halloween night & what else would you watch on Disney+?

No Great Mischief | Alistair MacLeod

For anyone who enjoys personal reflections and recollections of memories alongside the atmosphere of the east coast Alistair MacLeod gives us his own and those within this greater family of Scotland, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and beyond. As a Nova Scotian, I enjoyed the journey. As a reader, I relished the art of language made as rugged as the terrain.

A Thousand Mornings | Mary Oliver

Beautiful.
“Sometimes there are no rules.”

Mary Jane | Jessica Anya Blau

I deeply enjoyed the protagonist within this story. She’s as protected, innocent and curious with awe and wonder at what she doesn’t yet know as I remember my own youth. This novel is a capture of what it means to grow up restricted and struggling with the limitations of your upbringing while also being protective and desiring connection with those who have raised you.

Big Little Lies | Liane Moriarty

Having watched and loved the series but not the novel, I felt it was time to read the source material. Liane writes a riveting tale.

FILM/TV SERIES OF NOTE:

Red Sparrow - Because espionage and survival are themes I enjoy when done well.
Selling the O.C. S02 - Because a reality show with pretty houses and silly drama’s takes the edge off of real life.

Sweetbitter | Stephanie Danler

Being that I enjoyed season one of the television series I assumed I would enjoy the novel. Apparently not as much. Sweetbitter, although a great setting and a relatable lost protagonist was a hard read for me to follow. Great characters and atmosphere… somewhat confusing regarding full plot and pacing.

Happy Place | Emily Henry

A pleasant summer rapid read following a group of adult friends reconnect at their favourite summer cottage. As per any friend group stories, things are not all that they seem. And for the protagonist, we find her dodging as many moments as she can with her still secret ex-fiancé.

Pineapple Street | Jenny Jackson

I have a deep love for books on family dynamics, class and MORE dynamics over a summer. Pineapple Street delivered beautifully in every way. Will be hoping Jenny has more books up her sleeves.

The Moment of Tenderness | Madeleine L’engle

A collection of unpublished short stories from Madeleine. I was not moved by every single one, but enough spoke to me for me to continue flipping pages.

TV SERIES / FILMS OF NOTE
The Incredibles II - Because a rainy day at the cottage requires a good summer animation viewing.

It Starts With Us | Colleen Hoover

A sequel to Colleens ‘It Ends With Us’. This addition brings a full circle moment of what it means to grapple with choices and the emotional processing that can occur post an abusive relationship.

The Club | Ellery Lloyd

Being a Reese Witherspoon pick, I assumed I would find this a rapid read, but not so. Be it the wrong timing for me or just simply not enjoying the writing style….
although read it - It was a struggle. I like the idea of a ‘who dun it’ set in a high society club / island retreat, but the execution of this read was hard to follow for me.

To Sir Phillip With Love | Julia Quinn

Another book in the Bridgerton series with perhaps my favourite character in the family. Eloise. Quippy, sassy, independent and gutsy we get to see her fumble her way through a relationship. I loved every page. A great indulgent ‘just for fun’ summer read.

TV / FILMS OF NOTE

Barbie - because not only is it the perfect summer film, but it also flips everything upside down in the most beautiful side wink way.
The Incredibles - because every eight year old needs to see this animation.
Jury Duty S01 - a social experiment done right. Although shocking in it’s premise, it is a heartwarming and beautiful work of art that has an uplifting outcome.

My Body | Emily Ratajkowski

This read hit a thousand nerves. Those I knew about and those I didn’t. I would tingle at the end of each segment, knowing that Emily was laying bare the truths so many of us women walk around with, no matter our physical classification. Her obvious ‘hinting’ at various people makes me slightly unsettled. I would much rather her say their names outright since it was so obvious with her descriptions, but perhaps this was changed in edits for legal reasons.

Illogical | Emmanuel Acho

I have admired Emmanuel and his grace-filled way of addressing life and society's circumstances. This book is the same. He so puts, without elevating himself, how he has been able to push beyond the logical limits of his life. There is no trick, simply a way of thought that has helped propel him forward. I enjoyed the reflections at the end of each chapter to help put his ideas into personal perspective.

Home | Julie Andrews

Julie writes and talks in a way that reminds me of my late paternal grandmother. In that classic British way yet with the colour and grit of someone who is not above a dirty joke or can’t see the humour in tragedy. Reading Julie’s reflections on her life makes me feel slightly connected to that crass classy side of my grandmother and to the beautiful makings of who I would say is one of my childhood and adult icons. I admire that Julie has kept onward and upwards in every aspect of her life.

The Awakened Family | Shefali Tsabary, Ph.D.

I have been picking away at this read for several years now. Mostly with my partner, but recently I decided to pick it back up to finish it. Although I found Dr.Sheflai's “Conscious Parenting” book more enlightening, I found nuggets of reflection in this read. It doesn’t read easily, but it is profound in its content.

FILM/TV SHOWS OF NOTE

Ted Lasso S03 - This show has carried us through the worst of the pandemic world, and hopefully, with its end, we will also see a little more light. The type of light it has given us in every uplifting episode where it subverts what our suspicious minds have so easily misread and misjudged.
The Little Mermaid Live Action - A memorable moment in the cinema with my favourite girls & a great elevation of the Disney classic. Prince Eric is now a three-dimensional character. Bravo Disney.
Julia S01 - Quite literally one of the most beautiful pieces of television I have watched. Based on Julia Child’s rise to become a famous television chef, this series was the warm French meal we didn’t know we needed. I shouldn’t have been surprised that the creator behind it was also on “The Marvellous Mrs.Maisel” team—elegance and depth in storytelling echo throughout these projects.
Encanto - Another deep tale centring around Mariable Madrigal and her big magical family and home. In case you missed it, this animation gives light on generational trauma and how it ripple effects into the next generations. It’s deeply compelling and musically excellent.

The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit | Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson is not just an actor, she is also a beautiful story teller. I love her wit, her groundless and especially this special addition to a beloved character. If you come across this sweet children’s book, please give it a read.

The Penderwicks on Graham Street | Jeanne Birdsall

Another children’s book in the form of a group of sisters who are despairing their fathers potential courtships years after their mothers death. Each character gives a sweet image of girlhood, sisterhood and all that makes childhood entertaining, despairing and utterly dramatic.

A Court of Mist and Fury | Sarah J. Maas

The second in A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Being an avid studier in storytelling and all that makes a series work, this second novel didn’t disappoint. I could see the reveals that were coming and yet even still they were expertly places and beautifully executed. It’s no wonder it will be turned into a television series adaptation. And if anyone is wondering, the heroine remains as riveting as ever.

Films / TV Series of Note

CODA - Because he needed to see it, and the second re watch was just as moving. Makes me miss the friendships and connections made through my first career as an American Sign Language Interpreter…. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my partner cry as hard during a film as he did in this one.
Game Night - Anytime I thought the twists were done, there was another. Impressive.
Succession S04 - For the incredible Shakespearian style storytelling paired next to modern day ridiculous behaviour that… unfortunately is more relatable than we’d like to admit.
The Marvellous Mrs.Maisel S05 - Drawing out each and EVERY episode.

Flatlay of three books: The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Penderwicks on Graham Street, A Court of Mist and Fury