5: July 12-18, 2021

At the start of the week, Naomi turns five weeks old. She is starting to grin at us all the time, which is just about the best effing thing ever. At the end of the week, we take Saturday and Sunday to drive to Michigan, and Naomi has her first tent camping trip at a little county park in the U.P. on the shore of Lake Michigan. On Sunday night we reach Ferndale!

• The Killings at Badger's Drift, by Caroline Graham (2)
• a book for whom the adjective "cozy" is made. British detective story/murder mystery. The main character, and thus, I'm sure, the author, are big fans of English gardens. Rather dated, some problematic language. 
• Want, by Lynn Steger Strong (3.5)
• really loved Strong's writing. This book doesn't have much of a plot, per se, but deals with motherhood, depression, female friendship, teaching high school, and bankruptcy. very good. 
• Love and Gelato, by Jenna Evans Welch (YA 2)
• recommended by my lovely baby cousin Liv who is reading the series now. Great to scratch the wanderlust itch. A pretty light, fun YA about a girl moving to Florence and finding a dad, true love, and tasty gelato. 
• Confessions of a Domestic Failure, by Bunmi Laditan (2.5)
• a very funny, light novel about the challenges of being a first-time mom. which I am! pretty relatable, pretty reassuring lil novel. major plot points were very predictable (and not at all realistic) but the day to day descriptions of caring for a small baby were great and Laditan is genuinely funny.

Favorite of the week: