As you might already know, I consume a lot of content each month — and I mean A LOT. I read every single day, watch TV most nights, and also listen to either music or a podcast each day as well. A few months back, I shared a few things I’d recently enjoyed in my August Favorites post. I got a lot of positive feedback on that post, so I figured it was worth making into its own series. So here we have what I’m currently calling Read, Watch, & Listen. We’ll see if that name sticks over time. For now though, here’s a list of my recent reads, recent watches, and favorite listens.
Recent Reads
If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll know that I’ve started sharing my recent reads on a weekly or biweekly basis. I mostly read on my Kindle but also enjoy a physical book every now and then as well.
I usually read all my romance novels on my Kindle and then reserve physical books for nonfiction, self-help, biographies, and things like that.
I’ve cracked open a ton of books since August, so I think I’m going to split my recent reads into this post and another post that I’ll share in November. All right, let’s dive into what I’ve read recently.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Like many of you, I’ve seen this book everywhere over the last few months! It’s been on all of the book club lists, so I figured it was time I gave it a read too!
People We Meet on Vacation follows best friends who are complete opposites, Poppy and Alex, as they go on platonic vacations together and then discover that maybe there’s more than friendship between them.
This story is super fun and moves quickly enough to keep you entertained but not so quick you’re left wanting more!
Beach Read by Emily Henry
After reading and loving People We Meet on Vacation, I knew I had to read Beach Read as well. Another great book by Emily Henry.
Beach Read is about two writers and college enemies named Gus and January. They end up neighbors after January leaves her hometown to get away and deal with some family business. While neighbors, Gus and January make a bet to see who can write the other’s genre better.
Again, Emily Henry came through with another fun story that will make you say, “just one more chapter” as your bedtime comes and goes!
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
I discovered Love Lettering while scrolling through the Kindle Store before heading off on vacation in early September.
What drew me to this book was one of the main character’s interests — hand lettering! As you may know, I love lettering too, so I couldn’t resist reading a book where that was the character’s passion as well!
Love Lettering follows hand-letterer and bullet journaler, Meg, as she navigates a huge creative block with a former client, Reid, by her side. They spend their days walking around NYC and looking for signs (both literally and figuratively).
I absolutely loved all the lettering and type references in this book. It was fun to know exactly what Meg was talking about when she referenced a nib or the ascender on a particular letter. Regardless of your interest in lettering, this story is great and worth a read.
Chance of a Lifetime Series by Kate Clayborn
When I finish a good book, I often check out other books by that same author. That’s exactly what I did after reading Love Lettering and quickly discovered the Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Clayborn.
I absolutely love a book series! So much more than a standalone. So I knew as soon as I discovered this series that I would be reading the whole thing! I’ve read so much over the years, that it’s getting harder and harder to find a new book series.
Beginner’s Luck, Book 1
The first book in this series is called Beginner’s Luck. This story follows Kit, a scientist, and Ben, a recruiter who tries to get her to switch companies and move away from the town she just started calling home. Also, Kit just won the lottery with her two best friends Zoe (book 2) and Greer (book 3), which adds another interesting element to the story.
Luck of the Draw, Book 2
The second book in the series follows Zoe, a semi-retired lawyer, and Aiden, a paramedic. What’s interesting about Zoe and Aiden’s story is that when she was working at a corporate law firm, Zoe wronged Aiden’s family. That tension makes for an interesting dynamic as Zoe agrees to help Aiden with a special project.
If you like fake dating, you’ll want to give this book a read!
Best of Luck, Book 3
The third and final book in the Chance of a Lifetime series follows Greer, a college student and social worker, and Alex, a photographer and Kit’s brother. Gasp! Alex agrees to help Greer with a photography class that she needs to ace in order to graduate and Greer ends up helping Alex find his way after being lost for many years.
I greatly enjoyed all three books in this series but would probably rank book 2, Luck of the Draw, as my fave!
With You Forever by Chloe Liese
You know how I just said I love a series, well the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese is the best series I’ve read in a long time! There are currently four books in the series (With You Forever just came out last month) and each book follows a Bergman brother (and one follows a sister) as they navigate their love lives.
What I really like about this series is the characters! They’re incredibly well written. So much so, that I’ve had a hard time putting each book down.
With You Forever follows Rooney and Axel, family friends who often avoid each other but are thrown together after a little miscommunication (or was it?) leaving Rooney staying in Axel’s family vacation home while Axel is staying next door. Axel reluctantly asks for Rooney’s help with something and the rest is history!
This story has some fake dating/ forced proximity as well, so if you enjoy stories like that, give this one a read. But first!! Read books one, two, and three in the Bergman Brothers series.
- Only When It’s Us, Book 1
- Always Only You, Book 2
- Ever After Always, Book 3
I read each book in this series in a matter of days. They’re just so good. I read With You Forever in less than 48 hours. I really do live by the phrase, “just one more chapter!”
Recent Watches
Do you like documentaries? Young Natalie would probably be pretty shocked to learn how often current Natalie watches documentaries in her free time.
You may not know this (or maybe you do!), but I am a huge fan of true crime. I also really enjoy content about organized crime and cults. A little dark, I know. What can I say though, it’s incredibly intriguing.
The Way Down on HBO Max
This multi-part mini-series chronicles Gwen Shamblin and her journey from a Christian-based diet workshop teacher to the leader of an infamous new church in Tennessee swirling with cult-like tendencies and rumors of emotional, psychological, and physical abuse.
Prior to seeing the trailer for this show on Instagram, I had never heard of Gwen Shamblin nor the church she led. It was all very intriguing to me and perhaps you will find it intriguing as well
LuLaRich on Amazon Prime
LuLaRich is a four-part series chronicling the unraveling of LuLaRoe, the popular comfy clothes and leggings brand that was extremely popular in the late 2010s.
I don’t personally own any LuLaRoe merchandise, but I vividly recall when it started popping up all over Instagram. Particularly in the planner community in which I was entrenched from 2014-2017 or so.
If you’ve not heard of LuLaRoe, it is a MLM company that sells T-shirts, leggings, dresses and more. Sounds totally normal until you learn about what was going on behind the scenes at the company.
Marketing messages that were deceiving, encouraging women to overdraft their bank accounts to buy product, promises of financial freedom, etc.
Watching this documentary was like watching a train wreck. It was equal parts baffling and sad when you hear from the people whose lives were derailed by LuLaRoe.
One thing I found super interesting ablut this show was that the company’s founders made up a large portion of the interviews and commentary. That never happens in a tell-all like this.
If you have any interest in MLMs or cult-like things, give this series a watch!
RBG on Netflix
Last but not least in my documentary round-up! RBG!
This documentary is all about, you guessed it, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. RBG just hit Netflix this month but actually came out in 2018.
The documentary shares a lot about Ruth’s personal life and the beginnings of her law career, how she got to The Supreme Court, and about a few landmark cases.
All in all, it was very enjoyable. Both humorous and educational. Definitely worth watching!
Recent Listens
This month’s featured “listens” are two Spotify playlists that I listen to on the reg.
Country Coffeehouse on Spotify
First up, Country Coffeehouse!
I’m not sure how I first came to discover this playlist. I think Spotify just picked it and played it for me one day, and I’ve never looked back!
I listen to music all the time, but I’m not what you would call a big music person. Rarely do I know what a song is actually saying, what it’s called, or who sings it. I never have been big on those details and I likely never will be. With the exception being the latest Taylor Swift or John Mayer, which I’ve had on repeat for months.
That being said, I don’t know what songs are on this playlist, but I do know that I like it!
I like softer, more mellow music in the morning or while I’m working and the Country Coffeehouse playlist is my go to!
Spotify describes the playlist as low-key country. It’s exactly what would be playing at your favorite coffeehouse, which must be why I like it as background noise while I’m working.
Guilty Pleasures by Rod on Spotify
And last but not least, the Guilty Pleasures playlist by TikTok and Instagram famous Rod.
If you’re a millennial and don’t know Rod, look him up! I’m sure you’ll find his content relatable and hilarious!
Over the last few months, I’ve enjoyed listening to his guilty pleasures playlist while running. It features some iconic songs from the Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears, the Spice Girls, and more.
I like to run to upbeat music and this playlist is absolutely perfect! It’s pretty short with only 21 songs, but I’m not running marathons over here, so it totally works for my purposes.
If you’re looking for something nostalgic to keep you moving when you’d rather be on the couch, give this playlist a listen!
Well, there you have it! My recent reads, watches, and listens! Have you read, watched, or listened to any of these before? If so, let me know what you thought!
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