The Shows and Reads Stealing Our Sleep This Summer

Lifestyle

Jul 11

You know that feeling when you tell yourself “just one more episode” — and suddenly it’s 1am? Or when you keep saying “just one more chapter,” even though your eyes are barely open? We’ve been there. Our contributors have been sacrificing sleep for the sake of good storytelling, whether it’s buzzy new shows or can’t-put-down books. From thrillers and rom-coms to prestige dramas and poolside paperbacks, here’s what’s been worth the late nights lately:

Adrien, Adrien Cotton Wellness: Binge Worthy Show: The Better Sister. Although I don't typically love thrillers, I'm so impressed with Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Banks is great and I’m always a Corey Stoll fan. I’m reading The Celebrants now, after having finished ALL of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books!

Jennifer, Vitality-Led Health: The Secret Book of Flora Lea pulled me in with its movement between World War II–era London and 1960s Oxford, and held me with its layers of love, memory, and emotion. The themes of resilience and belonging stayed with me. It was one of those books I didn’t want to end.

Luis, Stylists at North: I’m diving into The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and The Gilded Age, obsessed!

Gabby, Coastal Collaborative Care: This is a loaded question because I love watching TV shows and have really gotten into audiobooks lately. I finished a Sarah J. Maas series over the spring and just started a new one—A Court of Thorns and Roses. So far, I’m not loving it quite as much as Throne of Glass, but it's starting to grow on me. Now, when it comes to TV shows—that’s my jam! I’m into action, rom-coms, coming-of-age stories—you name it. Right now, I’m watching Halo, but I’m SO excited for the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty and Wednesday Season 2.

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Drew, Old House Provisions: I’m finally getting around to watching The Bear. I like to channel my inner Chef Carmy by wearing my Merz b Schwanen 215 Loopwheeled Tee (available at Old House Provisions) while watching. I’m also reading biographies of Vice President Henry Wilson aka the “Natick Shoemaker” – one of the most laudable but overlooked public servants in the history of our country.

Katelin, Family First Law: For me, it's the current F1 season! The driver's race is a hot competition between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri currently, and my team Ferrari has one point in the constructor's race on Mercedes for the number two spot! Hoping Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can widen that lead! I have also been enjoying watching all the rookie drivers this season.

Lauren, XML Financial: I just finished the book Fever in the Heartland, which was really eye-opening. I’m now getting into The Lowland, my first Library e-book. I can’t wait to hear from others what I should add to my Libby hold list!

Amy, Red Barn Mercantile, Penny Post, and Pippin Toy Co.: Dept. Q and Death Valley are two British crime dramas keeping me up at night. The first is just out of my comfort zone for creepiness and gore (yet totally worth it!), and the other is what I call a palette cleanser - tame and silly enough to calm me down after a real nail biter.

Amanda, Patina Polished Living: Finished watching Netflix’s Dept. Q – a bit unsettling but done so well. The acting is amazing.

Maria Elizabeth, Salon deZEN: I’m absolutely obsessed with The Gilded Age—the drama, the outfits, the hair… I’m here for all of it!

Kait, Renée C. Gage Photography: America's Sweethearts —these women are amazing. So strong, and true athletes. It's a good mindless binge.

Dr. Shara, Back to Health: My daughter and I stumbled across a show on Amazon Prime that we watched together and absolutely loved: Motorheads. Teen angst, fast cars, and one of my 90s crushes (Ryan Phillippe) led to a multigenerational fun watch.