June wrap-up
All the things I read and loved in June.
Note: Post may contain affiliate links.
I know I spend a lot of time on Substack critiquing things, so I thought I would change it up at least once a month and send out a monthly newsletter that celebrates all the things I read and watched, what I want to read, and any of my assorted favorites from the past month.
So, welcome to the monthly wrap-up🎉
Favorite book: “What My Bones Know” by Stephanie Foo
Synopsis: A searing memoir of reckoning and healing by acclaimed journalist Stephanie Foo, investigating the little-understood science behind complex PTSD and how it has shaped her life.
Review: This is by far the best book about trauma I have ever read. It’s so good that I will probably write an entire post dedicated to what I learned from this book. It’s a memoir provides a raw an honest look as two what life is like living with C-PTSD, which make me feel so seen and understood. Not only is it a good book on its own, but it’s the perfect alternative to read instead of “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk, because it talks about what she learned from reading that book while acknowledging his troubling record. Note: check the content warnings before reading this.
Quick reads and watches
“We keep us safe by fighting back & taking collective risks, not by being pacifists” by Ayesha Khan, P.H.D. and Aisha Abu-Asaba
“The Gayest Thing: An Anthology” by assorted writers. Edited by Nic Marna
“78 Patients and 10 Hours Inside an Abortion Clinic in the South” by Andrea González-Ramírez
“NO BIG DATA ON A DEAD PLANET” by climateincolour
“JACK CANFIELD EXPOSED - Chicken Soup for the SCAMMER'S SOUL” YouTube video by Savy Writes Books (used as a source in my Secret deep-dive)
What I’ve added to my TBR (to-be-read)
“A Flat Place: A Memoir” by Noreen Masud: One part memoir, one part nature book, this is an exploration of flat lands and trauma.
"The New Tourist” by Paige McClanahan: A look at how tourism has changed the world for better and for worse and how we can change our travel behavior for the better.
“White Malice” by Susan Williams: The untold story of how the CIA and the US have systemically undermined independence movements throughout Africa.
“The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore: I’ve heard this described as the “thriller of the summer”, so that’s really all I need to know.
“If I Were You, I’d Kill Myself” by Imani Barbian: I’ve followed Imani, a disability advocate, on TikTok for years now and can’t wait to read her memoir.
Families I’m supporting
Mahmoud, Tamer, and Tala who lost their mother and wife earlier this year
The Tareq family including Amani who is suffering from multiple medical conditions and needs urgent care.
Mohammed’s family including his wife and three kids as they struggle to survive in Khan Younis
In case you missed it
Here’s a look back at all of my Substack posts from this month:
See you next month,
