I’ve decided to try something new! A monthly recap of my favorite things I’ve encountered in July. Let’s get started, shall we?

The Babysitter’s Club

The Babysitter’s Club on Netflix has been my favorite, favorite show adaptation I’ve come across in a while. I adored the books growing up and begged my grandmother to buy me new ones every weekend at the used bookstore in town. And the styling and costume design is A+++, with plenty of homages to my beloved nineties (Alicia Silverstone!!!) The twins and I flew through all ten episodes and I’m so excited to see what comes next.

And did I immediately go on Etsy and order the twins’ Claudia’s watermelon earrings? Most definitely. And if you want the full experience, The Bookshelf, a sweet bookshop in Thomasville, Georgia, is offering a The Babysitter’s Club online book club experience. I missed out on the first round but I’m seriously considering joining the second round starting in September!

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series

Thanks to the awesome ladies at Read It or List It Podcast, I am now an avowed Peter Kavinsky-stan. Yes, I know, I JUST now read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. It’s about time, right? I inhaled all three of the Lara Jean books within a week and I’ve promised myself time out to finally catch the movies on Netflix. In the meantime, I had to have chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting with Reese’s Pieces, just like Lara Jean’s recipe in P.S. I Still Love You.

Jenny Colgan’s Newest Release

Speaking of things I love like cake, Jenny Colgan is one of my fave British authors for closed door romance. My husband and I adore Scotland after visiting in our early twenties, and especially Loch Ness in the Highlands. Most of Jenny Colgan’s romances center on this gorgeous village that is near the Loch and her imagery is spot-on—I always feel like I’m right back there alongside the protagonists. Her newest novel 500 Miles From You is my favorite of hers yet. She’s really grown into herself as an author and I’m so enjoying the journey!

DIY Cupcakes from The Chocolate Moose Bakery

The decorate your own cupcake kit from The Chocolate Moose Bakery was the PERFECT way to spend a hot afternoon. Highly recommend!

Lightning Round

Just quick fire links to lovely things.

She-Ra is fabulous and fabulously gay and it makes me so happy!

Tula Sunscreen is my go-to this summer.

I made Chrissy Teigen’s spicy miso spaghetti every single week of July.

I don’t think there’s been a Jeni’s Ice Cream collection I’ve wanted more than this one!

So what do you think? I really, really want to share here more and I would love for anyone to let me know what you’d like to see!

So I read. A lot. My kids also read a lot. And that’s only increased since the twins are now able to do full chapter books and I work part-time at a library. And given how much time I’ve been spending on Bookstagram, I found that I wanted to actually participate and start a positive, kid-friendly bookstagram account. Thus began Iris Reads.

I’m already having so much fun, too! If you are at all interested in books, from fiction to nonfiction, from middle grade reading to young adult reading, please follow me on Instagram at iris_reads. I’m hoping to do a monthly recap journal entry, too, with my favorite reads for the month along with some standout reads that my kids want to share. January’s recap will be forthcoming this week and I’ve already knocked out two books for February, too!