A Cup of Jo reader named Alex recently commented that she’s stuck in a reading slump. For suggestions, we reached out to our friend Ruby Smith, who writes the books newsletter Ruby’s Recs. “When I’m in a drought, I feel like nothing will ever pull me out, not even a really good book,” says Ruby, a former Three Lives & Company bookseller who now lives in Washington, D.C. “Eventually something always does.”

“In college, I would read with a headlamp to avoid bothering my roommates. Years later, I still read with my headlamp because it feels comfy and cozy — even though I’m alone in my apartment!”

To break out of a slump, Ruby suggests a) trying a backlist book by a favorite author, b) listening to an audiobook while walking or folding laundry, or c) choosing a very short book. “Whatever it takes to get back your momentum,” says Ruby.

Finally, in case they help you, too, Ruby shares eight gripping books that have pulled her out of slumps:

Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston
“I was in a reading drought when I brought home this short story collection with the goal of reading just one story. I ended up tearing through the whole book. Most of the funny, big-hearted stories take place in the American West and center around relationship dynamics between men and women. Houston’s writing is clean and funny, like if Ernest Hemingway and Nora Ephron had a baby.”

The Body in Question by Jill Ciment
“I raced through this novel about two jurors who are sequestered for a murder trial and have an affair. It sounds super salacious, and it is, but the story is also very thoughtfully told. And it’s not long — less than 200 pages — so I think anyone would have a fun, easy time reading it.”

Blob by Maggie Su
“Vi works the front desk of a cheap hotel in her Midwestern college town. After getting dumped, she finds a blob outside a bar and drunkenly decides to take it home. It slowly becomes sentient, learning to communicate, imitate, and want. Blob is a stylish and surreal coming-of-age story about loneliness, attachment, and the way we try to create meaning when our lives have stalled.”

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
“The rare short story collection that also manages to be a page-turner! Deesha Philyaw dives into the lives of Black women and girls who are trying to find their place within (or outside of) the church. These stories grapple with the intricacies of family, death, and religion, and they are a lot of fun to read.”

Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis
“These hilarious essays recount the author’s upbringing in Alabama and her subsequent life as a Southern transplant in New York City. She writes about everything from the utility of the phrase ‘bless your heart’ to the time her father faked his own death for her 13th birthday party.”

Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami
“This quiet but riveting novel follows Tsukiko, an office worker in Japan, who rekindles a friendship with her old high school teacher, ‘Sensei.’ As the two spend time together, playing pachinko, sipping sake, and foraging for mushrooms, they find solace in each other’s company. It’s earnest, gentle, and really lovely.”

Open Throat by Henry Hoke
“Open Throat is a novel told in verse from the point of view of a queer mountain lion living in the Hollywood Hills. Stay with me! Our narrator lurks under the Hollywood sign, eavesdrops on tourists and hikers, and contemplates eating a person. One of the most imaginative novels I’ve ever read!”

Quiet by Susan Cain
“When I read Quiet in high school, it changed how I see myself and the world. It validated that, as an introvert, my way of moving through the world wasn’t wrong, just different. I made everyone in my (very extroverted) family read it. One big insight is that our culture disproportionately rewards extroverted traits. The loudest person in the room is often mischaracterized as the smartest. Introverted traits, like observation or deep thought, are equally valuable, but not always celebrated.”

Now it’s your turn: have you ever been in a reading slump? And what was the last book you read and loved?

P.S. Tell us three things, and we’ll recommend a book you love, three favorite books of all time, and seven short, perfect books.

(Photo by Katie+Jo/Stocksy.)

What are you wearing these days? Half of me is still in summer-vacation mode, and the other half is already pining for layers. J.Crew just released their August drop, and IT IS SO GOOD — think: slip dresses, chunky knits, and bright greens. Here are my favorite picks, and I’d love to hear what you think…

This reversible sweater is a two-for-one: Wear it buttoned in the front as a cardigan, or flip it around so it’s a rollneck. How would you style it?

And, of course, we love J.Crew’s classic rollneck — I got my first one when I was 18 and heading to college! I love the slouchy fit and 80s/90s vibes. The new colors are great, especially these stripes.

These silky pieces are actually made of cupro (also known as “vegan silk” — how cool?). It’s light and fluttery, and has just a hint of sheen. The best part is you can toss everything into the washing machine.

Wouldn’t these drawstring Luna pants be perfect for traveling? They’re 100% cotton and loose enough for a long flight or a squishy car ride, but they still have a tailored look. This vibrant green looks crisp and fun, and they have corduroy ones that are perfect for fall.

Oh my gosh, I love, love, love this canvas car coat. You could wear it over anything — sweaters, jeans, dresses — and it would even pair well with Wellington boots (it’s water-resistant). Makes me excited for drizzly days and puddle jumping.

Finally, ballet flats are forever-cool and so easy for fall. They have a ton of colors, but I’m into this bright red and this green lizard-embossed leather.

Thoughts? What would you wear? See all J.Crew’s new arrivals here. And how cute is this dress for the end of summer?

P.S. Three beauty products our editors are loving, and Nicki Sebastian’s eyeliner trick.

(This post is sponsored by J.Crew, a brand our family has worn for decades. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Cup of Jo running.)

TL; DR: Lego and Olivia Rodrigo surprised 100 fans at LA’s Licorice Pizza Records, turning the store into a life-sized Lego build featuring her Guts World Tour Concert Moon. It kicked off a global hunt for 333 limited-edition brick-built Lego vinyl records hidden in stores worldwide, with clues dropping on social media over the coming weeks.

Lego and Olivia Rodrigo surprised 100 fans on Monday with a takeover of Licorice Pizza Records, one of LA’s most iconic record stores, transforming it into a full-scale Lego build to mark the arrival of the new Lego Editions Olivia Rodrigo collection.

The highlight of the takeover was a giant Lego version of the floating moon Rodrigo performed on during her Guts tour, built from 77,000 Lego bricks. She actually sat on top of it and answered fan questions. More than 110,000 Lego bricks went into transforming the whole store, and it took over 500 hours to build.

Then came the bigger surprise: Rodrigo kicked off a global scavenger hunt for 333 limited-edition, brick-built Lego vinyl records, hidden inside record stores around the world. Over the next couple of weeks, Lego and Rodrigo will drop clues across their social channels, pointing fans toward where these vinyls are hidden, and fans who track one down are being asked to share their find using #FindAStoryInEveryPiece.

This all ties into the Lego Editions Olivia Rodrigo collection, which we covered when it launched — five collectible sets inspired by songs, performances, and moments from the Sour, Guts, and You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love eras.

Credit: The Lego Group

The collection was developed in close collaboration with Rodrigo, with each set designed to hide references and details that fans can dig into. Julia Goldin, Lego’s Chief Product & Marketing Officer, said the Vinyl Hunt was built to take that idea of discovery “one step further,” turning it into a real-world event that brings fans together in record stores and communities globally.

The Lego Editions Olivia Rodrigo collection is available to pre-order ahead of its global launch on Aug. 1 at Lego, Lego stores, and select global retailers.