Reading, Watching, Listening (July 2026)
/Trying to make the best of the summer heat . . .
READING
(1) Famesick - Lena Dunham has always been a bit “much” - a trait (is “much” really a trait?) that society has alternated between loving and hating her for. And this book doesn’t change that. It’s an incredibly fun, engaging read (I dare you not to finish it in under a week), full of some gossipy tidbits (after finishing I spent HOURS rabbit hole googling Jack Antonoff). And it’s hard to pair the fact that Dunham disliked so much about fame with the fact that writing this memoir made her famous again. But oh well. Throughout the book I alternated between wanting to be Dunhan’s best friend and blocking my imaginary best friend’s phone number. But the scene with Bruce Springsteen is SO GOOD. I can’t wait for her next memoir.
(2) Yesteryear - This novel, about a modern day farm “trad” wife who is transported back to earlier times, has gone viral, and for good reason, making me wish I was still in a book club. While the main character is, in general, selfish and unlikable, the author does an amazing job raising several issues about what it means to be a woman in 2026 and how hazy the lines are between disdain and envy. That being said, some of the plotlines never really come together.
(3) This Is Not About Us - I loved this collection of related short stories centering around an extended family that the NY Times describes as, “ a nimble, heartfelt, acutely written collection that forms one wonderfully cohesive unit . . . . a wise, witty exploration of a contemporary American family, and a deliciously readable book. As Goodman writes of one character, “Family was her addiction. She could not stop loving them.” I read a review somewhere that said you are bound to recognize yourself in at least one of the characters. For me, that story was the college-counselor-mom who’s son refused to take any of her advice.
(6) Lost Lambs - Did anyone else read The Road to Tender Hearts? Because this novel by Madeline Cash is very similar. It starts off humorously cynical in documenting a suburban family’s demise. But by the end you end up caring about all the characters despite their (MANY!!) faults. That being said, the plot is SUPER weak, so best read for the writing and the quips, not for the endgame.
(7) Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead - Much like Yesteryear this is an unreliable narrator book, with a somewhat unexpected twist at the end (though this one was much easier to see coming). This novel has been on my reading list for a long time, so I wanted to like it more. But, honestly, I don’t quite understand how it won the Nobel.
(5) The Force of Such Beauty - Why haven’t more authors thought to make the princess story into a horror story? Such a great (and thoughtful) read.
(8) The Debut - I don’t even know how to describe this one - other than it is both incredibly cynical (is anyone likable?) and readable. I finished it in a few days. And even though I sort of disliked all the characters I was sad to come to the end.
(4) Hot Milk - As always, I love a novel about a dysfunctional mother daughter relationship. Levy’s writing is incredible, but almost too opaque. At times this reads like a poem and everyone always seems to talk in code. Every once in awhile I could have used a “real” conversation. That being said, it made me want to travel to Spain and swim in the ocean, even if there are jellyfish/medusas everywhere you look.
WATCHING
(2) Neighbors (HBO) - WTF? Seriously, WTF? I am enthralled. I am appalled. Why can’t we all just get along.
(1) The Bride (currently on HBO) - The bad reviews for this movie boggled me, as I found Mallie Glynhall’s take on the Bride of Frankenstein campy and fun. I loved the random flash mob and Jessie Buckley’s acting is (as always) wonderful.
(4) Off Campus (Prime) - By all accounts this show should be horrible, as it takes every college stereotype (the girl who wants to sing! the star hockey player! a romance that would never work! the quirky best friend! the evil parent!) and blends them into 8 episodes. But somehow, against all odds, it works. Like well. Really well. Why aren’t more shows this good? Such a fun, happy upbeat watch. I read somewhere that women especially love it because it portrays masculine men as empathetic and three dimensional. Swoon.
(3) Outlast- the Jungle (Netflix) - I am a total sucker for a nature-themed competition reality show. That being said, some of the early episodes are just pure evil - I’ve heard so much about the manosphere and toxic masculinity, but seeing it in action in this way was disturbing to say the least. But the end is pure gold.
(6) Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV) - I’m a little mixed on this miniseries about a single mom needing to resort to Only Fans to make money (and then loving it!). On one hand, it brought up a lot of serious issues, but then kept them pretty campy and surface level (sex work is art!). But Elle Fanning is great as Margo. And all in all it was an easy watch.
(5) The Drama (theaters) - The “secret” to this movie is revealed early on, so hopefully I’m not giving away any spoilers when I tell you the plot. Robert Pattinson, who play’s Zendaya’s fiance, finds out a few days before their wedding that in high school Zendaya’s character had planned a school shooting but didn’t go through with it. The resulting film is dark comedy as Patterson tries to deal with the fact that his perfect fiance is more complicated than he realized. You can’t watch this movie without questioning the people you know and the person you are. In other words, do we really believe that people change? Or is this something we’re just conditioned to say?
(8) My Best Friend’s Wedding (currently on Netflix) - Parker was sick a few weeks ago so we rotted on the couch and watched old movies from the 90s. I promised her this was a good one. But, well . . . um?? The singing scenes still hold up (perhaps they’re even better with time), as does Roberts’ gay bestie (honestly, he makes the movie). But I had forgotten that Cameron Deiz’s character is only 20 (she can’t even legally drink) and her fiance BERATES her when she says she might want her own career and/or to graduate college (maybe the manosphere has always been around?). In fact, the only thing Diaz’s fiance seems to love about her is her willingness to do anything for him. Parker and I spent the whole movie plotting Diaz’s rescue and manifesting a prenup. How is this romance?
(7) Succession (all seasons) (HBO) - I watched this show in real time throughout the years, but Parker’s home from college this summer and has decided to watch for the first time. And then rest of the family joined in. So in our living room on any given day a random episode of Sucession will be playing. When I watched originally, I was so concerned with plot that I didn’t notice much else, but now I’m fascinated by the visuals and the dialogue. You would think a show where nothing really happens would be visually boring. But yet Succession is SO FUN TO WATCH. I stumbled on this youtuber who helps explain why. How has it taken me this long to realize that there’s a master class in cinematography going on in each episode? Fascinating.
LISTENING
(1) Railbird Playlist - In the beginning of June our family spent the weekend in Lexington, KY at the Railbird musicfest - all of the artists we saw were so good that I put together my favorites in a playlist, which has become the music of this summer.
(2) Lorde Lollapoolza Setlist - I kind of forgot about Lorde after Pure Heroine, but then my interest was piqued after reading Lena Dunham’s Famesick (they are NOT friends). And now she’s headlining Lollaplloza so I figured I’d download the setlist and it’s pretty good. I’m excited to see her live.
(3) Empire of the Sun Setlist - I clearly don’t pay attention to the details as I had no idea that “The Spins” was just MacMiller rapping/talking over Empire of the Sun. So I started listening to their setlist (also because they’ll be at Lolla) and found it pretty addictive. I guess it’s a setlist summer.
(4) Olivia Rodrigo/ You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl in Love - I love that this album has a 90s vibe with so many Cure references (Robert Smith even sings on one of the tracks). And I love that it tells the story of a relationship from beginning to end. Drop Dead is probably Rodrigo’s best song yet. But as a whole I’m not as in love with this album as everyone else. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really good. But some of the lyrics are a little trite. Maybe I expect too much.
(5) Noah Kahn/ The Great Divide - Controversial opinion - I like Noah Kahn’s music, but I don’t love Noah Kahn’s music. Some of the songs are great, but the motifs become repetitive after awhile. I do, however, love Kahn’s public persona (did you see the Netflix movie?) and how he’s trying to show that vulnerability and rock stars can go hand in hand. There are some great songs on this album (I’m a huge fan of Dan, Doors, and American Cars), also some filler. But definitely worth a listen.
(6) My All-Time Favorite Songs (Spotify) - When the kids were little we didn’t have a tv on the first floor (as I insisted on trying to keep everyone off devices, having no idea that ipads would change everything about how we view tv). Instead we had a family desktop computer in the kitchen that we’d mostly use to play music. So when Spotify came out with personalized all-time-favorites playlists, mine was a wonderful time capsule into my kids’ childhoods. Where else does Josh Ritter mingle with Ariana Grande?? So much nostalgia.
(7) Muna/ Dancing on the Wall - I saw Muna live a few years ago at All Things Go and, honestly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps even a little bored. So I’m a little shocked by how much I love the new album, every song is catchy and high energy. Perfect for summer.
(8) American Daughter: A Memoir of Intergenerational Trauma, a Mother’s Dark Secrets, and a Daughter’s Quest for Redemption - As always, I love a dysfunctional mother-daughter memoir. And for some reason I prefer to listen to memoirs and read fiction. The twists and turns of the story were heartbreaking and a horrible reminder that everyone’s life is always a bit of a mystery, so we need to give people grace because we may never know why they are the way they are.
WHAT ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE? ANY GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS?
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Darcy Troutman Photography is a Northern VA/Washington DC/Maryland documentary-style family photographer, who believes in capturing real moments. Interested in learning more? Please click here to sign up for my newsletter or schedule a session.