The Raw and The Cooked - Simple Rhythms for SAHM, Honest Motherhood, and Books Worth Reading

This week on The Raw and the Cooked, I'm sharing my completely accidental Lily King reading binge.

After walking past Heart the Lover at the library for over a year, I finally picked it up—assuming it was a light rom-com (I was very, very wrong). Less than 24 hours later, I had finished it, given it five stars, and immediately downloaded Writers & Lovers. A few days later, I picked up Five Tuesdays in Winter... and suddenly I'd read three Lily King books in a single week.

In this episode, I share what made these stories so captivating, why Heart the Lover has become one of my favorite reads of the year, my thoughts on Writers & Lovers and Five Tuesdays in Winter, and why discovering a new favorite author is one of the greatest joys of being a reader.

If you've been looking for your next literary fiction read, this one's for you.

Books mentioned:

• Heart the Lover by Lily King ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Writers & Lovers by Lily King ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
• Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Our fourth baby turns two very soon, and I can finally come up for air, now that the dust has settled in the transition from three to four children. So I figured, today I'd share the sequel to the episode I recorded, back when I only had three children: Episode #82: Going from 1 to 2 to 3 and More | What the Transition Was Like After Each Baby. 

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Summer can easily become a season of chaos, so I’ve been focusing on small systems and simple changes that make our home run more smoothly. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 things simplifying my summer — from a bread slicer and better food storage systems to homemade pizza lunches, high-protein yogurt breakfasts, a kitchen reorganization, a simplified wardrobe, slower mornings, and our weekly library hauls.

These are the little rhythms, routines, and tools that are helping our family create a summer that feels lighter, calmer, and more enjoyable:

1. Bread Slicer
2. Plastic Wicker Baskets + Wax Paper
3. Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe 

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Looking for the perfect summer read? ☀️📚 In this episode, I'm sharing why Abby Jimenez has  become my go-to romance author. After finishing Say You'll Remember Me, I realized I've loved every one of her novels I've picked up—a rare feat these days. I compare her books with two other authors I've loved, Emily Henry and Katherine Center, and talk about what happens when a favorite author's formula starts to feel a little too familiar.

We chat about Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, Happy Place, Funny Story, Great Big Beautiful Life, Things You Save in a Fire, How to Walk Away, The Bodyguard, Hello Stranger, Part of Your World, Yours Truly, Just for the Summer, and Say You'll Remember Me. Plus, I share the surprising fact I learned about Abby Jimenez after finishing her latest novel and why I think her books continue to stand out in a crowded rom-com genre. If you're looking for your next beach read—or just love talking books—I think you'll enjoy this one.

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One of my favorite rhythms we've added to our summer is a weekly trip to the library.

In this episode, I'm sharing everything I've borrowed over the past few weeks—from books I absolutely loved to the ones I returned after only a few chapters. That's the beauty of the library: when the books are free, it's so much easier to take risks on new authors and genres.

Not every book was a winner, but each one taught me something about my reading tastes.

Books Mentioned:

Returned Early

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
• Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
• A Better World by Sarah Langan
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Worth Borrowing (But Not Buying)

• The Names by Florence Knapp
• Exiles by Jane Harper
• The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strong
• The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovitz
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Not for Me

• Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke

Mentioned in This Episode

• Episode #224: Camp Mommy

I'd love to hear from you! Have you read any of these books? What should I borrow from the library next? Come join the conversation on Instagram or leave a comment on the blog.

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Ann Patchett has done it again. In this episode, I'm sharing my spoiler-free thoughts on Whistler, why I think it's one of her strongest novels to date, and the surprising ways it echoes my all-time favorite, Commonwealth. 

Then, after a clear spoiler warning, I dive into the themes, family dynamics, and character parallels that had me immediately listening to Commonwealth for the third time. If you're an Ann Patchett fan—or wondering where to start with her work—I think you'll enjoy this conversation.

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This week I'm sharing the non-fiction books I'm exploring in 2026 and what they reveal about the season I'm currently in. From marriage and communication books like Fight Right and You're Not Listening, to health and healing titles such as Good Energy, The Body Keeps the Score, and Healing Trauma, my reading list is centered around healing the body, mind, relationships, and nervous system. 

I'm also diving deeper into Torah study through my 5786 Parsha Project, reading works by Dennis Prager, Rabbi Abraham Twerski, Gedale Fenster, Ruchi Koval, Nahum Sarna, D'Vorah Miller, and others, while revisiting favorites like The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Join me as I discuss the books shaping my year, the somatic therapy conference that changed my perspective on healing, and my desire to grow closer to God through wisdom, study, and intentional living.

Several of these books have made such an impact on me that I've recorded entire episodes about them. If one catches your attention, you may enjoy these deeper dives:

• #66 You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy
• #197 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• #206 Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means 

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In a culture that constantly encourages us to upgrade, replace, and start over, there is something deeply countercultural about slowing down long enough to ask: Can this be repaired?

From fixing a stand mixer and restoring outdoor lighting to learning basic sewing and tackling first-time DIY projects, this episode examines how stewardship is about more than saving money. It is about developing skills, building confidence, and discovering that many things—and many people—are far more capable than they first appear. Sometimes the most meaningful things in life become valuable precisely because someone stayed long enough to maintain them. 💛

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This week I'm sharing my thoughts on The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan. We talk about audiobook narrators, friendship, reinvention, second chances, and why I kept inventing household chores just to listen to one more chapter. 

Plus, my one major frustration with the story—and why I still ended up loving it.

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Summer is here — and this year, we’re embracing a slower, simpler rhythm. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I plan our “camp mommy” summers with four little kids: creating gentle structure without overscheduling ourselves, organizing outings, simplifying meals, planning around swim lessons and library trips, and preparing our home for a calmer season. If you’re hoping for a cozy, manageable summer at home with your kids, this episode is for you. 🌾☀️🧺

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