Hi Reader, Hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend. I had the luxurious experience of reading one full book from start to finish in one afternoon outdoors in the cool but sunny late spring/early summer weather. It was delightful. Now that it's beach read season, I'm excited to share with you a brand new release out today that's perfect for summer and fans of Gilmore Girls, which it references! Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a multi-generational women’s story about found...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I'm excited to speak with you about a really HOT book topic courtesy of a sponsor today. Sponsors have become crucial to keeping this book business in operation. It helps me earn money for my time, experience, and expenses while providing you with free content in exchange. Sponsored by: 1440 News. Without Motives. That’s 1440 Over 4 million readers rely on our 5-minute newsletter for a clear, fact-based view of the world. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you unbiased news on...
6 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, I just finished the new Fredrik Backman book, My Friends, and think it's poised to be THE book club book of summer 2025. Besides being set during summer and already an instant bestseller by a popular, beloved author, it's ripe with lots of really big themes to discuss, from friendship (obviously) to trauma, grief, and art as healing. Aspiring artist Louisa becomes captivated by a mysterious painting featuring three small figures at the end of a pier. Her interest in uncovering...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, It's officially graduation season, and I have a few posts to help you! First, these are my top 10 books for graduates, which I just updated for 2025. They also work for anyone looking to start the summer with an impactful self-help read. Second, I simply *must* share details on the books referenced in Rory Gilmore's graduation speech on Gilmore Girls. I know how many of you around here are fans, and it's one of my personal goals to read ALL the ones she spoke about. Hope these...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Olive & June's summer nail collection is giving Taylor Jenkins Reid! This tennis-inspired collection, with shades like Game Set Mani, Aced It, It’s Serving Melon Cocktails, Rally Ready, Love All, and Tennis Skirt, reminds me of two tennis-infused books by the popular author: Malibu Rising: ★★★★★ Amid the backdrop of a legendary 1980s Malibu party, tennis "serves" as a quiet but powerful thread shaping the Riva family. Carrie Soto Is Back: ★★★★☆ This novel dives deep into the world...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Want to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month through words? The Asian American experience in literature offers impactful themes of immigration, racism and discrimination, generational trauma, biracial experience, assimilation, and intergenerational conflict. On The Literary Lifestyle, you’ll find my favorite books on "walking a mile in their shoes" in various genres from young adult to mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, historical fiction, and literary fiction. Hint: Many are...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Want to take a virtual vacation to the most jaw-droppingly beautiful bookstores around the world? I’ve realized that what makes these spaces so special is not just their architecture. It’s the artistic beauty of books that makes their homes feel like a museum, and the hope springs from picking up a new book. So many possibilities! On The Literary Lifestyle you’ll find some of my personal favorites from my travels, including Tampa’s Oxford Exchange, and some of the most swoonworthy...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, We're just days away from Mother's Day! Naturally, the best books about mothers are emotional. Good books about motherhood are as all-encompassing and immersive as this role is in real life. They span relatable and raw non-fiction books, as well as thematic fiction that explores the maternal bond, generational trauma, self-sacrifice, caregiving, the postpartum experience, grief and loss, and more. In my curated list of the best books about mothers, you’ll find something for your...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Today's email is a more personal one. Yesterday, I celebrated my sixth wedding anniversary. (Bookmark is very old from Etsy and the shop is no longer active.) In case you were wondering, yes, books were mentioned in the ceremony! My husband and I each filled out a questionnaire for our officiant, and I talked about The Five Love Languages in mine, which he repeated to our closest friends and family: If you all know Julianne, you'll know that she's literary. She's a reader, a book...
25 days ago • 1 min read