The May Extra Squeeze from In the Loop!
An Extra Hello, Things to Read, Watch, Eat, and/or Dance to from My World to Yours
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Umm…we’re almost through May?! How? When the month began I wondered if it would feel like the 3 months that was January but, oh no! She’s flying. Which means it’s time to drop another Extra Squeeze for you to enjoy!
I swear I may need to expand this newsletter with a subscribers bonus because there are so many more books I want to share! I want to not only share books I’ve read recently but one’s that have stuck with me for years. Don’t worry, if I actually do this, all my long-time subscribers would get it for free for the first year. I have so many ideas! So…should I do it? What extra’s would you like to see? I’m all ears.
Anyways, let’s dive into this Extra Squeeze! This month I’m sharing one of my favorite books from a series I hope you’ll give a go and a snack that has been a part of my snack game for many, many years.
Hope you enjoy,
x, Aleka
Bonus Book
An extra title for you to enjoy
Be sure to download the app Libby & upload your library card so you can read or listen to books for free! Additionally if you’d like an alternative to Audible, Libro.Fm is a great option! Any audiobooks you purchase can go towards a bookstore of your choice. Same thing goes for Bookshop.org which is great alternative to Bez-no and supports thousands of indie bookstores.
If you’d like to track your progress, connect with other readers, and/or create reading challenges for yourself and so much more, please check out the app StoryGraph. It’s a fantastic Amazon-free alternative to Goodreads and it was created by a woman!
Here is this month’s bonus:
If you haven’t been introduced to Nisha Sharma’s books (or missed some older newsletters of mine), let’s start your journey now. Marriage and Masti is the third and final installment in Sharma’s Shakespeare-inspired trilogy and is my absolute favorite. Each book is a modern twist on Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night. Does it matter if you read them in order? Yes and no. Sharma does connect certain characters throughout bringing it all together so do with that what you will. This is kicking your feet, laughing out loud, and loosing hours of sleep because yes it’s worth staying up until 3 am to finish. No spoilers! Here’s the synopsis:
“Veera Mathur has been through a lot in the past year. Both of her friends found soul mates, the man she fell in love with got engaged to another woman, and her father fired her before selling the family company. When her twin sister, Sana, tells her there is no way of getting her old life back, Veera feels lost at sea: a single, unemployed mess with a bad tattoo and tons of talent, but nowhere to go.
Deepak Datta hasn’t had the best luck either. To secure enough board votes for the CEO position at his family's company, Illyria Media, he’s ready to marry board member and famous beauty influencer, Olivia Gupta. That is until he wakes up to a get ready with me video announcing their separation. Despite his immediate relief, Deepak needs to do something fast to repair his image.
After a series of convenient mishaps bring them together again—including a literal shipwreck, way too many drinks, and a sunset elopement on the beach—Deepak and Veera realize their accidental wedding might be the solution to their career aspirations. Together, they plot against the very company that ruined their lives in the first place.
As they try to convince the world their friendship was a ruse for romance they’ve felt all along, the line between fake and real begins to blur. Now Veera and Deepak must ask themselves the terrifying question that has haunted them since the first time they met: will love ruin everything?
With her signature humor and heartfelt storytelling, Nisha Sharma writes a messy, spicy romance about identity, family honor, and love. In Marriage & Masti, readers are sure to love the highly anticipated finale of this beloved trilogy.”
What I’m Watching
Be it a TV show or film, here’s what I’ve enjoyed:
If you have yet to watch this incredibly written show with an equally amazing cast, where have you been?! We’re on season 4 now and I’m patiently waiting for the green light for season 5. Whatever Jean Smart touches, turns to gold and Hacks is no exception. She (rightfully) steals every scene and her chemistry with co-star Hannah Einbinder is infectious. Did I mention the writing is SUPERB? You will easily binge every episode. Here is the synopsis:
“Explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.”
Snack Time
A snack I’ve been digging as of late. Let me know of any other delicious noms out there I should try!
CCHP (Chip + Cheese + Hot Peppers) = A Formula
Late night bite? Chip, cheese, and hot peppers. Quick snack that’s filling but not too filling? Chip, cheese, and hot peppers. Craving a zingy crunch? Chip, cheese, and hot peppers. Having a meal somewhere where the cooking is questionable or you’re not a fan of the food? You guessed it: Chip, cheese, and hot peppers. It may not look exciting at times but it always does the trick for me. I always have tortilla chips on hand, a block of cheddar, feta, pepper jack, or parmigiano, and a jar of hot peppers. My personal favorite combo is feta and hot cherry peppers. Pepperoccinis are great too. Happy snacking!
Down Time
Music is my everything. Here is a song that has been on repeat. You can listen to it by clicking the cover photo or via the link in the song title.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour is up and running and Act ii is in full swing. Yes, I’ve been watching every video from every angle shared on social. She is one of the greatest performers of our time and it is no secret she is one of my all-time favorite artists. SO! This month I’m sharing a song off her latest album—no, it isn’t “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”, “SPAGHETTI”, “RIIVERDANCE”, “16 CARRIAGES”, or many of the top favs. It’s “ALLIIGATOR TEARS”. I love the tongue and cheek lyrics and it’s fitting with the current mood. To me, it perfectly summarizes Beyoncé’s quote that this isn’t a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album. We know she has a vast catalogue of songs we have yet to hear–did you know “YA YA” was written over a DECADE ago?! And Act iii is allegedly a rock album? Don’t tell my credit card anything, ok? Cowboy Carter is a masterpiece of musical history and giving flowers to the countless Black and Brown artists who created the threads that expanded into the many genre’s we love today. I hope you give it a listen–really listen to the lyrics of every song and sequencing. Renaissance was a celebration, Cowboy Carter is a reclamation.
Thanks so much for following along and supporting this fun little slice of the internet! Please feel free to comment below with any books you’d like to recommend, movies or shows you’ve watched, snacks and/or songs you’re into. Please share In the Loop with friends and encourage them to subscribe below.
Until next time!
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