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I came home to the best bookmail tonight - a copy of Courtney Walsh’s upcoming release, Brighter Than Before. I ADORE a ...
05/29/2026

I came home to the best bookmail tonight - a copy of Courtney Walsh’s upcoming release, Brighter Than Before. I ADORE a matching book mailer!

If the cover didn’t clue you in yet - let me confirm that this story takes place in my fav city in the world - Chicago. And it centers around a forty-something MC who moves to the city after her life falls apart and decides to go on a journey of self-discovery, conquering her fears and showing herself that her life can be brighter than she imagined.

I absolutely LOVE Courtney’s writing and cannot wait to sit down this weekend and treat myself to this story as I know it’ll be hopeful, relatable and just a delightful experience.

Also - can we talk about this cover art!!!! Perfection 💕

A big thank you for making my day!

This one releases on June 9th so order it now so you get it as soon as it releases!

Summer weather showed up for the weekend in Chicago this past week and it was glorious. And with the 80 degrees & sunshi...
05/19/2026

Summer weather showed up for the weekend in Chicago this past week and it was glorious. And with the 80 degrees & sunshine - backyard reading season was ushered in.

I grabbed this upcoming release - Down With The Shipman’s by because it’s a story about three adult sisters.

They’ve all come home to their family beach house for the first time since their mom passed away a year or two ago. The story is told over the one week together - with each day a separate section. I’m on Wednesday and loving it.

Thanks for the gifted copy of this June 2nd release.

Here’s hoping that the summer weather shows up again this coming weekend so I can sit back out here and read.

It’s been a week since the May Chicago Literary Salon event with Author Nicola Harrison and I’m still riding the high of...
05/13/2026

It’s been a week since the May Chicago Literary Salon event with Author Nicola Harrison and I’m still riding the high of such a fun, intentional night out.

Chicago Literary Salon founder definitely has a gift for pulling together a thoughtful, intentional space for community. From gorgeous spaces with great service to welcoming touches like a sponsored cocktail to curated discussion questions.

This month there was a fun element with present to type up custom poems on any topic. I bought a few as gifts including the one pictured for my mom.

Hearing all about The Island Club directly from was delightful. And as always, I got to make some new friends and have great discussion around identity and motherhood and gender roles.

Shout out to for hosting and for the delicious welcome drink!

This was my 3rd event and I can’t wait to make it to another one.

There are so many amazing books that published this week that I didn’t get a chance to share them all yesterday. I just ...
05/06/2026

There are so many amazing books that published this week that I didn’t get a chance to share them all yesterday.

I just read this book over the weekend and loved it. How the Story Goes by Andrew Forrester is a debut novel that you should have on your radar.

This story follows novelist White Longacre as he is reeling from the loss of his wife, Helen, an acclaimed author of a bestselling children’s book series and attempting to not only raise their 8 year old fighter but also complete Helen’s final wish. Her wish being for White to write the final book in her series. After a year of writer’s block - he enlists an up and coming MFA student named Merritt to help him with this task.

What ensues is a story about shared grief, writing and what it looks like to move on.

Again, I loved this book and having a weekend poolside reading allowed me to read it in a day or so.

Cheers to and for the copy of this delightful novel

Happy Pub Day to Summer State of Mind by Kristy Harvey This was such a fun read that captivated me right away - it has ...
05/06/2026

Happy Pub Day to Summer State of Mind by Kristy Harvey

This was such a fun read that captivated me right away - it has a little mystery, some real life heartache and loss to work through, a budding romance and all the drama that a large extended family can bring - all rolled into one novel.

I highly recommend pairing it with a frozen mango margarita and a gorgeous pool/beach reading spot to elevate the experience.

This new novel brings together a high school baseball coach, a pediatric trauma nurse and an eccentric elderly woman - all with baggage in their own past they’re looking to overcome and all heavily invested in what will happen to a newborn infant that was recently rescued after being abandoned.

I sat and read this in one day - many thanks to and for the gifted arc.

Who else is ready for poolside reading?!?

Happy Pub Day to Mikki Brammer and her new novel: Good Joy, Bad JoySeveral years ago, I read her debut novel, The Colle...
05/05/2026

Happy Pub Day to Mikki Brammer and her new novel: Good Joy, Bad Joy

Several years ago, I read her debut novel, The Collected Regrets of Clover which immediately became one of my most recommended novels. I’m always skeptical that second novel will be a five-star-read as well. I’m so happy to report that Good Joy, Bad Joy gets all the stars from me as well.

This novel follows two childhood friends through to their late 80s - showing that importance and life changing influence of friendship.

I savored this novel taking it from downtown to Chicago to the hot springs in Zion National Park to an international flight - savoring it during a very busy month.

If you love stories that highlight the power of love (not just romantic) and the idea that it’s never too late to change and live more boldly - this one is for you!

A big thank you to for the advanced readers copy.

Who else has this on their tbr?

April 26 —> Nov 26What a difference 5 months and being uterus-free can make! I posted this in my stories this past week ...
05/01/2026

April 26 —> Nov 26

What a difference 5 months and being uterus-free can make!

I posted this in my stories this past week but it deserves a spot on the grid because it’s one of the most life changing things that has happened to me recently.

After 30 years of endometriosis and all the associated issues - last year, I found a doctor who listened to me and said “this isn’t normal and you can have a batter quality of life” so I had a complete hysterectomy where it confirmed I also had Adenomyosis which is probably why my symptoms and issues only got marginally better after my excision surgery last April.

Just 3 weeks prior to my hysterectomy, I also had a bunionectomy and had to start from scratch on walking and exercising with my right foot.

The last 6 months have reminded me that I am more than chronic pain, I can do hard things and that I do have the ability to be consistent she I don’t have multiple chronic health issues getting in the way.

Back in November - I was hopeful for what lies ahead and being able to regain some activity. This week - I got to reap the benefit of surgery and months of physical therapy & Pilates by climbing Scout’s Run and Angel’s Landing Zion National Park.

As a reader, I adore stories but I especially love the one I’m rewriting right now about my own life. Thanks to everyone who has been cheering me on during the many hard days and now the good ones, especially that guy in the background who always shows up for me❤️

Out of Office, hallelujah
04/30/2026

Out of Office, hallelujah

A big thank you to and for the swag and book as part of joining their 2026 influencer program. I am a big fiction re...
04/18/2026

A big thank you to and for the swag and book as part of joining their 2026 influencer program.

I am a big fiction reader but I also read nonfiction for my own development and growth and was excited to be able to start learning more about this imprint’s focus of transformative books for mins, body and spirit.

How To Retreqt by Caroline Sylge is the perfect book for this very busy and stretching season that I’m in right now. Thi guidebook is separated into different goals of retreating - Purging, Creating, Connecting? Etc. And each category has a plan for an hour, a day or longer so it’s easy to test it out with whatever amount of time you have.

I’ve been on a lot of different retreats - from reading to spiritual to team building to silent ones.

Have you ever bee on a retreat?

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