June Worthwhile Stuff

 📚 Books
Dial A for Aunties, Jesse Q. Sutanto: This is a super cute and fun romance-murder novel (trust me, it somehow works, though it does require a bit of suspension of disbelief) with Crazy Rich Asians vibes (and a dash of Weekend At Bernie’s) that made me literally laugh out loud many, many times. A perfect brezy summer read.

The Lost Man, Jane Harper: Another tour de force mystery from Jane Harper that kept me guessing right up until the very end. The Lost Man is just as well-written, skillfully plotted, atmospheric, and filled with foreboding and dread as her previous books. Though this story takes place in another desolate Australian landscape, it does not involve Aaron Falk, but there is a great little easter egg / cameo for anyone who has read The Dry.


🎶 Music
"Last Train Home", John Mayer: This is one of those songs that I want to be able to live inside. The line "I'm not a fallen angel, I just fell behind" makes me melt in the most exquisite way, and I am in love with the whole pastel-drenched Sob Rock aesthetic. With "Last Train Home", John Mayer has tapped into my love of Yacht Rock (it features two members of Toto!) and taken it to the next level, with the result being a nearly perfect song. Nearly, because the one problem it has is that it's too damn short – but that's what the repeat button is for. Needless to say, I can't wait for the whole album to come out next month.

The Golden Hour, Dave Koz & Cory Wong: This album, full of breezy jazz saxophone intermingled with funky guitar riffs, is perfect for the time of day it's named after. Dave Koz seems to have a knack for finding wildly talented collaborators from all corners of the music world, and Cory Wong is no exception. Listening to this album, it's clear that these two musicians bring out the best in each other. Highlights include "Today", the title track, "Little Rascals", "Engine 71", and a wonderful new recording of the Koz classic "Together Again".


🎤 🎭 Performance
Carbon Leaf at Lookout Farm, Natick, MA: I first saw Carbon Leaf live 15 years ago in June 2006 at Outerland on Martha's Vineyard, and this concert in Natick marks my 15th Carbon Leaf show (though there were some years with no Carbon Leaf, and other years with multiple shows). This show lived up to the milestone: the weather was perfect, the venue was gorgeous, there was tasty food, and the band sounded fantastic. To celebrate their return to live performance, they guys played a set stacked with their more upbeat and Rock-esque tunes, filling the late afternoon and early evening with high energy and good vibes. It was a great way to kick off my 2021 concert season, and the rest of the shows I see this year have a high bar to reach.