The June Collection
There ain't no party like an S Club party in June 2025.
Did anyone else spend the summer of 2000 watching back to back episodes of S Club 7 in Miami until you were told to play outside? Maybe you need something to jog your memory.
I don’t remember the band members’ names, the plot of the show, or any significant details—other than one episode in which they sang “Dancing Queen” as an ABBA tribute. I don’t remember why I loved the show. Was it the accents? The exotic Miami setting? The music? It doesn’t matter. It was part of my summer routine because there was no such thing as too much screen time and life was good.
I am sure we took a family trip up north or went to the zoo. I am sure I had playdates and summer camps and lots of time spent reading books outside. But I only remember S Club 7 driving their convertible through Miami.
I have to know. What is one nostalgic television show or movie you associate with summer?
The June Collection
June was peony month! My peonies bloomed for about two weeks, and I enjoyed every minute of their pink, fragrant flowers. Next up on our foliage watch: raspberries! We have a bunch of raspberry bushes along our fence line, and some berries are starting to turn pink.
I am delighted to report that the PurAqua Mojito Mocktail Sparkling Water from Aldi is delicious. I will be stocking up for the rest of summer.
Since I’m in a weird in-between time, still breastfeeding, still experiencing lots of physical postpartum changes, I’m trying hard not to purchase any new clothing this summer. And yet, I crave feeling a little more put together day to day. I picked up this button down on a whim, and I reach for it all the time to complete my outfits. Then I end up feeling like a disheveled chicken with my head cut off by the time I leave the house with my children anyway, so did it help? Who can say.
We are ALL IN on our library’s summer reading program. Theo has no concept of reading for prizes, but I, on the other hand, am determined to win a raffle prize for the adult summer reading program. Apparently, free library events bring out my competitive side.
Theo’s favorite library book in June was Disney Maps: A Magical Atlas of the Movies We Know and Love. He studied those maps for solo reading time, giving me a few minutes to finish my morning matcha or catch a much needed break during the day. Otto has yet to latch onto a specific book, but he is obsessed with this ice cream scoop counting set (to chomp, not count).
We watched The Ballad of Wallis Island on Peacock, and it was a sweet, cozy perfectly mid movie. It made me want to listen to The Civil Wars.
The rest of my to-watch list is quite short, consisting only of The Gilded Age season three. Soon, you can read all about my random Carrie Coon connection in an introduction to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Coming Up
Speaking of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, want to read it with me? In July, my readalong crew will read, watch, or listen to the play. It’s full of fairies, frivolity, and a very famous line about love. You don’t need any prior experience reading Shakespeare in order to join in. I’ll be seeing the play at my favorite theater this summer, and I can’t wait!
July 4th: Pre-Reading Newsletter
July 11th: Discussion for Act I-II
July 18th: Discussion for Act III-V
July 25th: Post-Reading Reflection
Substack Saves
Why I Teach Literary Theory to High Schoolers (and you should too) -
My Epiphany About Picture Books That Make Electric Read-alouds -
Anticipated July 2025 Reads
This Much is True by Vivienne Lorrett
These Summer Storms by Sarah Maclean
Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
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When our kids were younger, my sister and I used to rent a house together at the beach for a week. Six females (4 tweens/teens and 2 adults) and a lot of classic rom-coms and Alfred Hitchcock. I still love to watch Vertigo, To Catch a Thief, and the remade Thomas Crown Affair every summer!
Speaking of library reading program prizes, APT, AND Midsummer Night's Dream ... I WON the adult registration drawing at our library! And the prize was two tickets to any APT show this season! I haven't had a chance to choose a show yet, but MSND is high on the list. It's my favorite Shakespeare play.