Hello hello! May has come and gone in a blur of sunshine, birthdays, bookish trips, and that sweet anticipation of summer. It’s been a full month—in the best way! Buuut, I still found time to dive into some really great stories!
I Read…
ONE GOLDEN SUMMER by Carley Fortune! Since EVERY SUMMER AFTER, Carley has been firmly on my auto-buy list. I love all her books, so I was counting down the days for Carley’s latest gem. The best part? It’s kind of a sequel to EVERY SUMMER, because it’s Charlie Florek’s story! I repeat: IT’S CHARLIE FLOREK’S STORY!
We love Charlie. Charlie is the best. Getting to see things from his perspective was gahhh—just so much heart! Also: Carley once again nailed the nostalgic, sun-drenched, “take me back to that one summer” feeling. Her books are like the literary version of a Taylor Swift song—perfection with just the right amount of vintage angst.
I Watched…
ANDOR season two on Disney+! Okay, sooo, ROGUE ONE is my favorite Star Wars movie, so it should come as no surprise that I was counting down the days for more of Cassian’s origin story. And mannn: did Disney deliver!
This season is gritty, smart, and full of raw, emotional storytelling—it doesn’t shy away from darkness, and I appreciate that. Also, the parallels between ANDOR and what is currently happening in the world are spot on.
At the same time, there’s so much joy in this season because of all the brilliant little Easter eggs and deep-cut references to Star Wars canon. It’s like a love letter to fans, and I ate up every moment!
I Listened to…
My ultimate soundtrack obsession this month: “Chevaliers de Sangreal” by Hans Zimmer!
It’s an oldie, but a goodie: I’ve had this track on repeat while working on revisions for my heist project, and honestly, it’s the perfect vibe: the dark, slow build! The emotion through repetition and orchestration! The gut-wrenching, glorious choir! Gahhh, if you ever need to feel like you’re planning the most cinematic heist of all time? This track has you covered! Every time I play this, I get goosebumps (in the best way)!
Also: there’s something about this track that makes it perfect for deep concentration. The gradual build and pulsating rhythm help me sink into my project. Honestly, it’s my secret weapon for getting in the writing zone!