Summer 2020: My Sanity-Saving Books & Beats On Repeat
Every year, I regret not taking off more time in August.
It’s that special time filled with…
Glorious, gorgeously long stretches of sunshine. Beaches and brambles of berries.
Sun-soaked pavements and spicy fried chicken-induced crashes at 3PM on Sundays. (At least in our house.)
Cold craft beers and bicycling through breweries. Bare-chested runners and too-short shorts making their debut.
Guitar strings strumming late at night. Farmers market hauls and coconut-raspberry gelato that drips down sweaty arms.
THAT is summer.
Sure, this year looks a lil' different (I see more discarded masks than beer cans on the street)...
But honestly, it's reminded me that this isn't the time of the year where any of us really love to be working.
So — in the spirit of summer and leaning into rest, I thought I’d share what I've been consuming… Besides my email and Google Docs of copy.
And for me, that’s always music and books.
I’m that friend who always has a custom reading list for you… Even if we’ve just met.
And every close friend I have has always been because we connected through similar taste in music.
So is this one giant test to see if we’d be besties? Just kidding.
If you need a new summer read or want to listen to what I’m groovin’ to when I’m pretending I can dance with someone who isn’t my dog… Keep on reading.
Every Book I’ve Read So Far This Year
You’ll notice that most of my reading is fiction or a memoir — it’s how I thrive and keep creative juices alive! Wherever possible, I’m always striving to seek out more debut authors of colour to support and learn from, too.
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Incredible commentary on what it means to be a black woman living in the UK.
My Sister, the Serial Killer: A Novel by Oyinkan Braithwaite
I’m halfway through this right now, and it’s SO GOOD.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
I’ll never look at trees, water lilies, ponds or corn the same way again. An incredible marriage of Indigenous wisdom and science that I wish we learned in school.
Less (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize): A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer
The toils and joys of being an “old” writer. If you dig satire, you’ll love it.
We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib
Exploring sexuality from Pakistan to Toronto, the challenges of an immigrant family in Canada and how religion factors into all of it made this read pretty unputdownable.
Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
I’ve been waiting for fantasy rooted in African narratives to go mainstream and Tomi DID IT! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.
Bead Bai by Sultan Somjee
I’ve been reading more about my own heritage — my ancestors immigrated from South Asia to East Africa — and this book explores how my own community settled in Kenya (where I grew up). I’ll be reading it again.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
Some books just remind you of the power of beautiful storytelling and the innocence of childhood. Kids teach adults so much more about themselves than we know. This is one of those books.
From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle
Jesse’s story showed me how much I don’t know about how easy it can be to end up homeless when the system is not rooting for you. With part of his story based in Vancouver, where I live (which has a significant homeless population), this was such an eye-opening memoir into real truth, grit and resilience. I read this one in 48 hours — it was just that captivating.
In Five Years: A Novel by Rebecca Serle
Beach read alert! Sometimes we all need a light read to zip through. Highly reco this one for this summer.
Writers & Lovers: A Novel by Lily King
Is it weird that I love books about unsuspecting writers writing books? No? Then read this one.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
My mentor Shannon encouraged me to start reading this book when I was struggling with some major inner critic voices this year. It’s the kind of book you read slowly, but so far it’s been pretty life-changing. (Note to self: turning our mean voices into a best friend who sits in your room with you all day makes you realize that you ain’t got time for friends like that.)
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
I've read this book twice, and picked up on different tidbits the second time around. This is a fascinating commentary on race in America and how even “well-meaning” humans get it wrong. Like, really wrong.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Oh, Glennon. This book. It’s become a huge success for a good reason — for anyone who identifies as a woman, her writing feels like it’s speaking directly to your soul. I’m so glad I have a Kindle, because I feel like I highlighted pretty much everything in this book.
Small Island by Andrea Levy
Digest this one as an audiobook. It’s so much more powerful for it.
Patriarchy Stress Disorder: The Invisible Inner Barrier to Women's Happiness and Fulfillment by Valerie Rein
One more reco from a mentor, Tarzan — for women who wonder why they keep chasing burnout even when they have it all, or reach their goals… This book will tell ya why.
Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Ambitious Women by Kate Northrup
Kate, I’m really trying. I promise. I pick this one up to remind myself that it can all be much easier if I let it be.
The Water Dancer: A Novel by Ta-Nehisi Coates
A fantastical and honest journey through slavery in America that truly sucks you in. This is the kind of book you’ll read multiple times.
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters: A Novel by Balli Kaur Jaswal
One more beach read for the brown girls who want to read about the challenges we’ve all seen between our aunties.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Weird and wonderful and powerful all at once — a read for anyone who wants something written really well to devour in a weekend.
Sanity-Saving Music
Dig R&B, hip hop and a little chill in between? You and I have aligned musical taste, my friend.
Here are some playlists I’ve curated and albums that I adore right now, that have made the last couple of months infinitely better.
Personal Playlists
My 2020 Quarantine Summer Playlist — for good vibes in the sunshine.
My Spring Playlist — for relaxing days at home.
My Wedding Playlist — for dancing by yourself or with your besties.
Albums
Chilombo by Jhené Aiko — her voice is actual #healing.
Ugh, Those Feels Again by Snoh Allegra — Snoh is the Sadé of our time. Ya heard it here first.
The Ungodly Hour by Chloe x Halle — some of the most talented teens of our generation. Their harmonizing makes your day better.
Kiki by Kiana Ledé — new talent we should all know about. Her music is smooth like butter.
What’s lighting you up this summer?
Share with me in the comments — I’d love to know what’s fuelling your creativity and your rest right now :)
P.S. Want to start creating your own work that inspires others? Start by letting your voice flourish in your business. You can do that in my intimate copywriting + group coaching program The Intention Infusion — and it’s re-opening for enrolment soon. Pop your name on the waitlist here if you want early dibs. (Oh, and it’s the best way to work with me for the rest of 2020!)