Words by Allyson

I've recently done a good bit of spring cleaning. After cleaning out my closet, I've found a couple of gaps in my wardrobe.

I've heard somewhere that there are three things that are ideal when shopping for clothes:

    1. For them to be affordable

    2. For them to be easy to find

    3. To love everything about them: the style, fit, fabric, etc

And you can only pick two.

I nearly always sacrifice the third, but this means that there's often something just a little off about my outfits. 

The tops are too cropped, or the sweaters pill quickly. The trousers could use a hem, or the shoes and belt are different enough shades that they look like a mistake. The purse is the right size, but not fancy enough. The dress is just outdated enough that it's starting to be noticeable. 

It's never the end of the world, and I push through the discomfort. Usually, once I'm no longer looking in the mirror, I don't think about it much.

But I'd like to get it right. To give up convenience of ease, and spend the time and effort required to get exactly what I want at a price I like. To have a closet full of things that make me feel great every single day.

Someday. I'll get there.

A real mixed bag this month!

1. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano - This is the 5th book in this series and it is definitely my favorite one so far. I wasn't the biggest fan of the previous book, so I was thrilled this one did not disappoint! It was a perfectly silly time. 10/10.

2. A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young - I read another Adrienne Young book in January that I loved, so I was very eager to pick this up. This one is even more character driven than the first, but it still kept me engaged the whole time. The main character suspects foul play in her brother's death, and I loved the mystery part. I really love Young's writing, and I want to read more from her!

3. Die with Zero: Getting All You Can From Your Money and Life by Bill Perkins - This was our book club pick this month and everyone had opinions which made the discussion really fun! The book was helpful in making me feel like I had a lot of options with my money, but spending has never been my problem. I still think I'll lean on the saving side. Still, it was definitely thought provoking!

4. Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck - This is next month's book club pick and I picked it. I don't even know what to say about this book. This was one of the most bizarre reading experiences I've ever had, which is to be expected when the synopsis is a man slowly turning into a great white shark. I was not expecting this amount of body horror (I'm not sure that's the right term but I'm not sure what else to call it), and I felt like the momentum really died about halfway through. And yet, there is one scene that left me in heaving sobs, crying into my pillow. A real rollercoaster of emotions, and I will be very selective about who I recommend it to. Can't wait for book club, and scared that all of my friends will hate me for picking it.

I have tracked my reading on Goodreads for the past several years, but I'm not great at writing reviews or putting down my thoughts. I used to keep a reading journal but have since fallen off that, so this is my attempt. We'll see how many months I keep up with this, but I'm choosing to be optimistic. With that...

1. Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig - I devoured the first book in this duology in December and was eager to finish it off. I read it in just a couple of days and thoroughly enjoyed it. This author has a new book coming out in a few months and now I'm very eager for it.

2. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett - I've decided that Ann Patchett is an author I don't need to revisit again. This is the second of her books that I've read; both were fine and entirely forgettable to me. I need more plot, more stakes, more characters I care about. I'm not mad I read it, but I won't be lining up for her next book.

3. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young - This was my favorite book I read this month! This is the kind of time travel I like. The main tension with this time travel deals entirely with relationships. How do you handle it when you arrive back in time and confront someone you know, but at a completely different stage of the relationship than you have ever experienced? It was brilliantly done - could not put it down.

4. I'm No Philosopher But I've Got Thoughts by Kristin Chenoweth - I don't really have kind things to say. I read this for my book club and it was sweet and also completely forgettable. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it, but I also would never recommend it.

5. How to Read a Book by Monica Wood - This one sort of breaks my heart. I loved the first two thirds of this book. But the ending was so disappointing that I would hesitate to recommend it. There were just enough convenient choices by the author that really ruined it for me.

6. The Dry by Jane Harper - This was fun! I was recommended this book by my boss, and it reads like a pretty classic mystery. There are more books in this series with the same investigator, and I would read more of them.

7. Talking at Night by Claire Daverley - I bought this book in an airport last summer and it just was not the right time for me to read it. On this revisit, I can still say I don't think this book is for everyone. The writing was really beautiful and I absolutely loved the language. But it does move rather slow and the characters can be sort of unlikeable. It worked for me, but I will be selective about who I recommend it to.

When I was in the seventh grade, I read Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. The novel begins, 

"When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy. I would figure it out this or that way and run it down through my head until it got easy."

A brilliant opener that sent a pang through me the first time I read it. That's a feeling I've been chasing with each book I've picked up in the 20 years since I first experienced it. There's an immediate awareness that something profound will follow. That reading this book will be an experience to savor. 

Here's to the power of an opening line.

Cari Cakes - I'm obsessed with her vlogs, and her book content.

Needlepoint. It's my favorite way to wind down before bed right now.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Rooting for her to win gold tomorrow!

The pool. I feel so lucky to have a neighborhood pool.

I loved this post and I've read every single comment on it.

I made the best sandwich today for lunch and the minute I finished it, I started looking forward to tomorrow when I get to have it again.

I just got this sweater and I'm so excited to wear it this fall.

The Olympics. I haven't had to look for plans in days. At any given time, I can turn on the Olympics and I'm content.