Weekly Musings August 22, 2026
I love traveling, and writing about it, but I also love other things.
I used to post weekly on my blog: random books I was reading, thoughts, things I was loving and recommending, and some Odds & Ends I just happened to come by. It was a source of joy and relaxation for me, and I want to bring it back alongside the travel content.
This is the perfect weekend read with a cup of coffee in the morning, or a glass of wine (or a cocktail) at night. Enjoy, and I would love to hear what YOU are currently reading and recommending.
READING
It has been a good month on the reading front. I got absorbed into a lot of books, some disappointing, some thrilling.
I did very little audiobook listening while I was away. The scenery in Scotland was too beautiful and the roads were too terrifying to listen to anything besides my own heart beating. But a lot of physical and e-book reading, which has been a true joy.
Here is what I have read so far in August.
The Calamity Club - So sweet, and it has stayed with me long after finishing. It follows a little girl who is orphaned and what she endures, along with the people in her life: her mother, the couple who adopted her, and of course the ladies of the Calamity Club. Multiple storylines, and they flow beautifully. I did not want it to end and I was not ready to part with the characters. Highly recommend.
The Divorce - I should know better by now. This is not brain surgery. It is candy, it is a very quick read and absurd, but honestly it held my attention and is perfect for mindless reading and entertainment.
The Foursome - this had been endorsed by a few friends, and I can see why. Its historical fiction and I am not quite finished, but loving the journey it has been taking me on.
Helpless - this has mixed reviews , myself being one of them. It is dark, the content is ….weird and unsettling. But overall it is a quick read, but I find I have to be in a certain mood to read this
The Night We Met - I cannot remember if someone recommended this or if I heard it on a podcast, but I am truly enjoying it. About 50% in and it is fun, serious, funny and sweet. An immediate laugh out loud moment: a pharmacy customer wants her birth control prescription switched into her boyfriend's name, because HE has been taking it instead of her, since it makes her moody and irritable. I snort laughed.
Sunlight Finds You - Beautiful prose and a great story line. I really enjoyed this one.
The Mad Wife - This started out strong for me, then about 75% fell very flat. I don’t think I could stand behind recommending this one!
The Shampoo Effect - I just don’t get the hype here. It was fine, but nothing remarkable or new? It was a miss for me.
**Currently Amazon is having a huge sale on books!! Hardcovers at VERY good prices
MUSING
Here is the thing I have not stopped turning over since I got home.
I spent months planning that trip. Spreadsheets, maps, podcasts, Reddit threads, Facebook groups, you get the point. And the best day of the entire Scotland trip came from a (Polish) waitress in a hotel bar who mentioned, offhand, that I should drive over to a fishing village on the Moray coast. It was not on any list. It was not in the spreadsheet. It became the best walk I did in Scotland. The weather cooperated and it was just what I needed.
The second best thing came from my host on Lewis, who sat me down my first night, poured me a dram, and drew on a map for thirty minutes, pointing out various sites and what roads to avoid. I found so many hidden gems here (An honest mustard stand, a black house, and a most stunning beach) I am not saying not to plan. I am a planner by nature and I would be miserable otherwise. But I am starting to think the plan's actual scaffold and to leave room for exploring, recommendations, and just…..getting lost. Thinking back, those have been all the best times I have had….
Amsterdam - Finding the tiny boat museum on a canal
London - Gordons wine bar (With vegan cheese charcuterie)
Scotland - blackhouses and little pubs with live bagpipe music
Poland - the hidden underground bar that looked like a cave
Nantucket - a bus that would take you and pick you up from a distillery
Portsmouth - The Isle of Shoals (pretty ferry ride over to this interesting little island)
Philadelphia - stumbling my way onto Elfreths Alley
Edinburgh - walking back from Britannia instead of taking the bus, and finding shops and galleries the whole way
RECOMMENDING
This new blush/stain. I dab a bit on my lips too, love it and it is long lasting
This play suit! I love the, I own it in green
Each time I wear these, I receive compliments! (Super light as well!)
I can’t rave enough about this phone case with a hidden credit card holder. This was so useful when traveling. Everything you need right there! I can’t take credit for this, this was Nick’s find!
Finally! An exfoliator I will purchase on repeat
I own these in black and feel they are the perfect travel and walking sandal!
Mini Gap logo bag, under $20, I love the red polka print, perfect for back to work and back to school
A really cute (open back) Tennis dress
I think I will try these on my next long flight
This may just be the perfect LBD
ODDS & ENDS
The BEST Coffee Shops Across America - can’t wait to try Thank you, Thank you , in Philly!!
The NY Times 50 Best Thriller Books - How many have YOU read?
This looks CUTE, from the makers of “THe Hangover”
This 7 episode documentary audio series sounds scandalous!
I’ll admit, I am an anxious flyer, but not out of fear, more because I have been burnt many times with delays, cancellations, etc, so I REALLY enjoyed these tips from an airline Gate Agent, as well as the Reddit post
I recently made this, and think I need to make it again!
Read all about my recent Scotland adventure HERE
A great wet weather travel packing guide
Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only ever point you toward things I actually use.
