Friday Favorites : Summertime
Happy summer, Memphis! We’re bringing back our beloved Friday Favorites series! Every Friday this summer, our contributors will tell you all about five things they are loving right now. Maybe you will discover some new favorites!
Without further ado, here is my list:
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion
If you have spoken to me in the last month or so, I have probably tried to convince you to read these books. There are currently eight of them. As of this writing, I have read the first six. They are very quick reads; the first is only 125 pages or so. Emma M. Lion is a young lady in her early 20’s in the most unusual neighborhood in London in 1833. She’s got a lot going on in her life that could make her a depressing character, but she is so full of charm and whit, and she gathers an unusual menagerie of friends, that I kinda wish I could just go into her world and be one of those friends. It’s comfort reading at its finest.
Marbles
Move over Mahjong, Marbles is coming for you! Probably not, but my friend group is a little obsessed with this game. I think it’s technically called “Marbles and Jokers,” but we just call it Marbles. You play (shocking, I know) with marbles and decks of cards. You can play with either 4 or 6 players (though I think some versions will let your play with up to 8). You play on your own, kinda, but also work with the person sitting directly across from you. The rules are too complicated to go into here, but simple enough that you can hang out, play, and drink a couple of glasses of wine while your kids run amok around you (Ask me how I know you can do that.). Looking for a fun group game to play this summer? Look no further!
StoryGraph
Am I still using Goodreads? Yes. Do I like StoryGraph much better? Also yes! You can rank your books in quarter increments (think 3.75 stars). You can download a very pretty reading summary every month (see mine from May above). You can create Book Clubs within the platform, do a buddy read with a friend, get matched with other readers with similar tastes in books to get more curated recommendations, etc. It’s a great app for readers!
Plain Sparkling Water
This one is a bit of a “Hear me out.” I get that this SEEMS to be a boring choice for a drink. But there is something about drinking an unflavored sparkling water on a hot day that just hits right. I can’t explain it, but try it out for yourself and you will understand. I think it’s the crispness of the bubbles that does it. It’s just the most satisfyingly perfect drink. Take my word for it. (Note: I’m not tied to this brand, but figured it was the most recognizable one so chose it for the image. Give me one from Kroger or Walmart and I’ll still be a happy camper!)
Ranger Station Candles
I discovered these Ranger Station candles right before Christmas last year at, of all places, a yoga/pilates studio (shout out to Mind/Body HAUS in midtown!). Each candle, once finished burning, turns into a cocktail glass. Made in Nashville, they have their base scents as well as seasonal scents. Each candle is beautifully packaged and comes with a match box. The company also sells perfumes, diffusers, and body washes in their scents. They even have a subscription candle club!
Those are my five! Let me know if you discover any new favorites!
