individually abby

When the fall season comes around each year, I always think of it as a time for new beginnings and discovery of yourself and your surroundings. With fall just around the corner, today's Read-Watch-Listen circles around that theme of discovery.

READ

Arranged by Catherine McKenzie was probably my favorite summer read this year. It is a story of a 30 something girl who fails consistently in love. She discovers a service for arranged marriages and decides to forgo the norm and venture down a unique path to find love. A few plot twists in this page turner as you follow Anne through trials of finding her future. A must read that I can't stop raving about.

WATCH

Selfie is new to TV this fall. I'll be honest and say that the previews do no do this justice. It was a show I had planned to pass on, but currently you can digitally preview the pilot and the show is not at all what I thought it would be. Nothing else on, so why not? With the crazy digital/technology age we are in, it is about time to have a show that pokes fun at how poor we have become as a society in communicating person-to-person. It has a strong parallel to "My Fair Lady" that is transformed into current situations. Check it out now online or wait for the premiere later this month.

LISTEN

I am not sure how I came across Olafur Arnalds, but upon first listen I have been obsessed. For the most part, his music is purely instrumental. But there is something about a song without words that can feed your soul. It is my go to on days where I just need a breathe of fresh air. "Living Room Songs" is the first record I discovered from him, but really all of his work is excellent. Available on iTunes...check it out!

Today is my first installment of what I hope becomes a recurring post on what to Read-Watch-Listen. I am somewhat of an artistic person and love to be swept away from my world through entertainment. For the month of July, here are some of my favorite things that hopefully you will check out.

READ

Still Foolin' 'Em by Billy Crystal
I fell in love with Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally. I mean, who didn't? (If you haven't seen it, go find it on Netflix now.) In reading his memoir, there was so much more to discover about his journey in the entertainment business. He truly seems like an amazing person. You will laugh and cry throughout the book. Favorite bookstore find this month.

WATCH

Chasing Life on abc family.
Yes, I know, it is abc family. But surprisingly there can be some entertaining shows on that network. This show deals with a young woman, just starting her career and a new relationship, who finds out she has cancer. A really touching and heartfelt show that I feel has been missing on any network for all ages. Not everything should be about sex, glamour, and blowing stuff up. What happened to real life stories? I digress. Check it out if you have the network...you won't be disappointed.

LISTEN

Ed Sheeran, x

I have been a fan of Ed Sheeran since his debut last year on the radio. He has an interesting folk sound which is a nice change to all the standard pop music of today. A co-worker actually turned me on to his new album which I love. Typically I just pick a few songs off an album, but every song on this one is a gem.

I have been eagerly waiting for the 8th installment of the Outlander series to be published, and it was almost kismet that it dropped the day before my birthday this year. This series is probably one of the most cherished group of books that I have read, and I recommend them to everyone. I actually stumbled across them while perusing Barnes and Noble years ago. While I was reading the synopsis of the first book, a random woman told me that it was an amazing book and that I wouldn't regret picking it up. She was right and it started a love affair with Diana Gabaldon and her illustrious cast of characters.

Essentially the story is about a woman named Claire who visits Scotland in the late 1940s while on her second honeymoon and happens to time travel to the 18th Century through some standing stones. There her life is irreversibly altered. I won't give all the juicy details away, but at its heart it is a love story with a mix of historical fiction. And as a bonus Starz has created it into a series that will premiere August 9th. I am beyond excited to see my favorite characters come to life.

The 8th installment is not my favorite of the group,but the 7th book ended with a such a cliffhanger that it was exciting to see what was next in their lives. Regardless, I still highly recommend you check it out! :)

If you have never read a Chelsea Handler book, you are absolutely missing out. My suggestion...start with the first book and read through to her most recent. Each will have you laughing out loud and potentially receiving awkward looks from others. I loved this latest installment of the craziness that is Chelsea Handler. She is the best narrator for her life and has the most amazing/outrageous adventures. She will make you laugh, cry (from laughing so hard), and maybe make you pee your pants. It is that funny. A perfect read for lounging around this summer. Definitely check it out!

 Beach season is just around the corner. If you are looking for something easy and fun to read, then this series is definitely something you should check out. Murder mystery mixed with tantalizing recipes....what is not to like? The series follows bakery owner Hannah Swensen as she gets tangled into different murders and helps solve the cases. There are several books in the series. I am currently on number 4 and have already stocked up on a few so I can keep up with Hannah's story. These books are fast reads and very entertaining. Happy reading!

If you like a mix of vintage fashion with a love story and WWII history, then this is a great read to pick up. I love the intricate details of all the vintage clothing and there is a beautiful story line built in that keeps you hooked cover to cover. The only negative for me was the ending. I felt like the story just stopped without full closure. Regardless, I consider it a must read!

Another great murder mystery from ghostwriter Richard Castle. Deadly Heat is the fifth novel in this series that correlates with the abc tv show Castle. Whether you like the show or not, the books stand alone on their own. Interesting plot filled with twists and turns so you never know who the suspect is going to be. Follow the show...read the books...you won't be disappointed.

Yet another page turning historical fiction novel. The Paris Wife is the story of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley Richardson. Though based on true characters and somewhat real events, the story is fictional. It follows them falling in love and moving to Paris while Hemingway struggles to start his writing career. The story itself is very romantic and written beautifully so the reader can actually feel what it was like to be young in Paris during the 20's. Lots of drinking, traveling, mischief and the discovery of oneself after the first world war. The hardest part of the novel is getting used to the 20's slang. Overall, it is a heartbreaking tale that keeps you interested until the last word.

I've been pretty lazy lately and therefore have not been keeping up with my reading goals. But I can always count of the author Emily Giffin to get me back on track. Her books are always great reads with interesting story lines and well thought out characters. This past week I finished her latest book Where We Belong. It was a fantastic story of figuring out who you are and what you want out of life. I couldn't put it down. You should definitely check it out or even look at some of her other books. You won't be disappointed.