2025 Summer Favorites

Dear Diary,

Since summer is coming to a close, I wanted to put together a little collection of my favorite things that have made these very hot months more enjoyable. I also have already mentioned some of these in a previous post; Sorry about that!

Number 1 (in no particular order) is the album "Seventh Tree" by Goldfrapp. I have listened to this thing so many times. My YouTube Music Recap (lame, I know) is about to be only this album. The album cover is so beautiful and it grabbed my attention immediately. I just love the 60s-ish feeling of it. Compared to their other work, I think this album is still my favorite because it's so folky and really shows off how different all of their music can be.

Number 2 is a perfume by The 7 Virtues called "Cherry Ambition". It is just wonderful and it makes me feel like a confident lady who has her life together. It doesn't smell like cough syrup (which is always a concern with cherry-scented things) and I feel like vanilla and marshmallow are really special when mixed with cherry. I do kind of struggle with the saffron when I first spray it; it feels like it overpowers the rest of the fragrance, but after that wears off it is just so wonderful.

Number 3 is the book "Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance" by Alison Espach. It is haunting and kind of sexy and tragic and strange and really just wrecked me. I finished it all almost in one day, which is a rare feat! If you have sisters, this will definitely hit home for you. It gives a wonderful insight into a how a younger sister views her older sister, and what it means to grow up without someone you're so used to building your world around. Also, while I was searching for the book cover to post here, I found out about the genre "Bildungsroman". It means following the growth of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood, and those are the kind of books I really feel moved by.

Speaking of, Number 4 is another book: "The Graphic Adaptation of Anne Frank's Diary", adapted by Ari Folman and illustrated by David Polonsky. This was a really meaningful and engaging way to introduce myself to Anne Frank's diary. I had never read the original published version before, and I always feel kind of intimidated by historical works, but this was just incredible. The way she wrote and thought was just so relatable and human. She was incredibly smart and had so much insight, especially for someone so young. It was also really meaningful that it included her musings about being attracted to women, because I know some versions omit that detail. Overall, it made a historical text more accessible and it was extremely meaningful to be able to witness that snapshot of her life. It was also very timely and somewhat ironic about what's going on now. It made me wonder what she would think about the Palestinian genocide and famine.

I think that is about all for me right now! I have also been enjoying painting my nails and paying more attention to taking care of myself. Started some L-Theanine supplements and it seems to help in conjunction with my #Zoloft and #Concerta. Overall, just trying to not lose my shit constantly at what is going on in the world and focus on the things that I can change in my town and in my circle. I always feel a weird combination of gratitude, feeling fortunate, and feeling guilt and anger. Mostly anger and wanting to strangle the people making those big decisions that are ruining and ending lives. That is enough rambling for me, thank you for listening. I hope you have a bright and beautiful day and feel the breeze on your face!

Much love,

Lilith