We Must Discuss: June Deep Dive
Books, Movies, TV, Summer Feelings & Recommendations!
I made a list in my notes app a few weeks ago — headline: Summer 2025 Wishlist; deck: Things that have nothing to do with productivity! On it: get an excellent tan, jump off a dock into a lake, visit a few hot restaurants, double dates with our neighbours, local community theatre, and other low-lift, high-return efforts and desires. After life got extra twisty for me last month, I knew that I needed to lock in some summer joy before the scaries came for me.
I want to know: what’s on your summer joy list? I also want to know: Why did Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez get married on a Friday? Was the venue cheaper? What did Orlando Bloom say when Kim Kardashian asked about how Katy Perry is doing, gesturing to her breakup-confirmed absence? I’m not sure if you saw, because he’s so good at being incognito, but environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio trotted around the wedding by feel. There is something charming about DiCaprio’s insistence that he needs to hide himself, Hunter Harris wrote in Sunday’s Hung Up newsletter. He acts like the most famous person to ever live, and so we treat him that way. (If I were him, I would not draw so much attention to my neck beard.)
So many things about the loser convention to ponder over!
Anyway, I’ve been dying to tell you all the things —what I've been reading, what I’ve been watching, what’s getting me through summer in the city. Let’s dive into June…and I guess, very shortly, July.
Summer Recommendations for the Summer Agnostic
I’ve talked at length about my challenging relationship to the summer season, my body, and navigating the heat in a small Vancouver apartment with no central AC….it can be a lot for a girl like me. But every year, I also work really hard to fight against the summer bummers, and that usually means I am adding. to. cart. Capitalism wins in the face of depression! I don’t make the rules! Here’s what I can’t live without: July-September.
Beauty + Apparel
Did you know that L.L. Bean Boat and Totes are actually pretty reasonably priced—and built to last a lifetime? It’s like legacy brands know what they’re doing or something. I got my monogrammed large open-top tote two years ago, and it’s been everywhere with me. It’s held up beautifully across many terrains. Studies show that personalizing your belongings can trigger a little dopamine boost. Treat yourself!
I have been a Megababe truther for years and years now. For my friends with thighs that touch: wear the dress, and save yourself the agony with the Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick. It’s 100% worth it.
Bumpy arms? Yeah, me too. The First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub works. It feels euphoric after 34 years on this earth to find a product that smooths my arms down and works as a great pre-wax/shave exfoliant. A major confidence booster! Money can buy happiness in sleeveless tops!!!
Last year, I ordered a few athletic dresses for European heatwave sightseeing, and revisited them this week as temps picked up in Vancouver. I forgot how cute and perfect an athletic dress is!? You can give Tashi, or you can give Soccer Mommy, or you can give Girlie On The Go — whatever your flavour, I recommend! Mine are from Abercrombie, but I see that the Gap and lululemon have some cute ones to peruse as well.
Linen button-downs are kind of duh, but if you’re feeling weird about what to put on your body, may I suggest a linen button-down, always? I love them for every outfit and every occasion, but a beach cover-up is my favourite modality. I have many, from many brands and price points, but Aritzia’s are always a good standby.
I wanted to participate in mesh ballet flat culture, but the harsh heels deterred me. Upon relentless research, I found these and made the splurge. So, very worth it. Cute, comfy, no blisters.
📚 Books
On my Summer Wishlist is to read. You may have noticed I haven’t offered a lot of book fodder on here this year, and that’s because my brain has been on strike from reading, but I am happy to report we are so back!
📕Over the last couple of weeks, I broke the seal with Open Throat by Henry Hoke — a quick and charming novelette about a hungry, lonely, and existential mountain lion living in a park at the Hollywood sign. It’s told entirely from his perspective, and has a few lines that will puncture your heart. I wept. 10/10 recommend.
“I have so much language in my brain,” our lion says, “and nowhere to put it.”
📕I was duped by the incredibly-boring-no-vibes-on-every-list-but-why!? No Fault divorce memoir by Haley Mlotek, and I needed a re-do on the divorce memoir front (DON’T WORRY, I’m still happily married, I just had a book itch to scratch!!). I lapped up Scaachi Koul’s Sucker Punch, and yes, I am thrilled to report that this is what I was looking for. I love Scaachi’s honest and scrappy writing — and I love her for sharing her divorce tea wrapped in a chuggable memoir.
📕Somehow, someway, I never got around to reading everyone’s favourite book, On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous. But Oprah’s viral Reels with Ocean Vuong righted my wrongs, and I am now about 25 per cent through Ocean Vuong’s latest, The Emperor Of Gladness. Every sentence that Ocean writes is a delicious feast — knowing that he writes his books pen to paper, will also make you want to savour every succulent page. I was a bit deterred by the lyrical intensity of his language at first, but I adapted to his rhythm after a few pages. Looking forward to reporting back at the end of my read! I have a feeling it’s going to be on my all-time list.
🎥 Movies
While battling a grim, nasty cold/flu situation earlier this month, I watched Good Time (2017), a Safdie Brothers movie featuring Robert Pattinson’s best work (said with my chest). I do not recommend this movie if you are trying to rest in any capacity, but it is a Very Good Movie, coincidentally about a Very Bad Time.
The Materialists: Let’s tackle this in list form, shall we? I’m feeling defensive.
Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal didn’t have any chemistry because they weren’t supposed to! Their conversations skimmed the surface and revolved around each other’s shortcomings and misgivings because it wasn’t right from the jump. That was the whole point!!!!!!!!
$80k before taxes is an incredible line. Lucy’s wardrobe doesn’t match her salary because she has made peace with credit card debt, and therefore, shops anyway (credit card debt girls have a sixth sense on these things). Why do you think she’s so hellbent on getting married rich—girlfriend has bills!
Yes, it was not the rom-com we thought it was going to be. Okay, whatever, get over it, Ms. Song is clearly a bit of a dark gal… what we did get is a rom-dram, that is cynical and clinical about love, people, and commodity versus romance. Some of you weren’t ready for that dose of reality!
Okay, yes, Chris Evans was miscast.
The sexual assault storyline was off-kilter and gave us nothing, I agree. But Dakota Johnson, in buttoned-to-the-top trench coat and dad cap, did give me a lot, actually.
If you haven’t fought with your significant other about money, ambition, self-righteousness, and/or the price of parking, I don’t trust your lens on relationships, sweetie!
I don’t know how I feel about the ending. The paper ring in the park pissed me off. I don’t know why she didn’t have any other friends, or romantic prospects living in New York, working in the dating industry and looking like that — but love won in the end, I suppose. I’ll be happy with that. Marriage is a business, and she chose to set up shop in a fixer-upper.
Brokeback Mountain was released 20 years ago this month, so I gave it a little rewatch that felt like seeing it for the first time — I hadn’t watched it since I was in my early 20s! It’s always worth revisiting the classics whose brilliance doesn’t fully land until we’re ready for it. What a masterpiece. And what a loss, not having the privilege of watching Heath Ledger age. I’ve been thinking about that a lot today. Reconsidering where Brokeback sits on my all-time list… it deserves a spot.
📺 TV
I’m so sorry that I don’t watch Love Island! I am regretful! But I am enjoying The Discourse! Next season, I’ll give it a go! I also haven’t started the new season of The Bear yet, but it’s top priority!
Overcompensating (Prime Video)
Perhaps I am partial because I am a diehard Benny Drama fan, but Overcompensating, in all its silly-goofiness, is my favourite thing I’ve watched in months. Tvscholar nails it when he said that Overcompensating finds itself in the latter half of the season, no doubt thanks to Desiree Akhavan’s directing. Instant cult classic in my home! I am very moved by Benny and Carmen’s friendship. Renew it, Bezos!
Adults (FX)
Behind Overcompensating’s shadow is FX’s Adults. A weird first ep that almost lost me launched into another silly, goofy show that saw me through the trenches of June's aforementioned illness. It’s messy, and raunchy, and makes me nostalgic for friendship in my 20s! More to come, as I finish the season/
And Just Like That (HBO)
Michael Patrick King continues to commit heinous crimes and light the legacy of Sex and the City on fire, one masturbation scene at a time. AJLT watchers are braver than the troops. I have so many thoughts and gripes, and pain points about the strange brushes used to paint these characters, but I’ve decided to save the details of my thoughts for an end-of-season discussion.
The latest episode was more tolerable, no? Surely, thanks to Rachel Palmer taking the pen. I am ready for a new love interest for Carrie. Aidan has tortured us enough.
That’s all from me! Let me know what you’re watching, reading, and wearing this summer. Oh, and if you’re looking for a new podcast, I am loving Amy Poehler’s Good Hang show — specifically, this fantastic episode with Natasha Lyonne. 🎙️
xox Brit
Why DID they get married on a Friday…!??!!! Asking the hard questions!! 🕵🏻