Pages and Pentacles

🎒🎱 Chaos Control: Quick Reads, Planners, Monthly Tarot Spread, What I read in July & Free Printables! 🗓️🔮

The Dinner Party: The Ultimate Parking Lot Read for Busy Moms🚙

3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

🟢SPOILER FREE REVIEW🟢

I’m giving Freida McFadden’s, "The Dinner Party" a solid 3 stars. Not terrible, but not great either. It was... okay. However, with August here and the inevitable back-to-school chaos kicking into high gear, let’s get into exactly why you should still read this book and why it’s the perfect, highly convenient read for the busy "mom on the go."

Though it isn't "God tier" nor full of unpredictable twists, it is the PERFECT read for surviving the hectic transition back to school. Think of it as your convenient escape for in-between meetings, waiting in the parking lot for drop-off/pick-up lines, or during your athlete's first fall warm-ups. This is because the book has a simple enough plot that it's easy to pick up where you left off without getting confused—even if you have to leave it for a few days when school/sport schedules get crazy. Yet, it’s still fun enough to keep your interest. It’s a light read at only 196 pages.

"The Dinner Party" is more of a game than a book. You are given two different options to choose how the character moves forward every few pages, and based on your choice, the book tells you exactly which page to turn to. There are 22 different possible endings, which means you can reread this book many times for a whole other story.

So, even though this book may not be as good as her traditional thrillers, it is still very much worth your time. I could also see this being a great option for people in a reading slump. The times I am in a slump, I am definitely not going to fix it by picking up one of my 700-page fantasy books with paragraphs of world building.

That being said, I probably would skip out on this if I was in need of something to keep me company for my last summer vacay, or wanting a thriller that got my heart pounding. This Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style is more predictable than McFadden's standard work. I also found the characters to be rather dry, but it is such a short book that you don't really have time to become invested in them anyway.

Think of, "The Dinner Party" more as light on the plot, heavy on the convenience.

Overall, I think this book is great if you pick it up at the right time. When you need something quick, interactive, and easy to survive the fully booked day.

The Bookmark: Bite-Sized Reads for Busy Lifestyle🗓️

Whether your planner is packed with school drop-offs, back-to-back work meetings, or if you just have commitment issues, finding time to read shouldn't feel like another chore. These quick reads are great to fit into the chaotic & busy lifestyle.

The Low-Commitment Thriller: "The Dinner Party: A Pick Your Poison Adventure: by Freida McFadden-

Our main feature this month! This isn't just a low-commitment book—it is a survival game.

You play as a broke waitress trapped in a creepy mansion, and your choices decide if she makes it out alive. It is the ultimate fast-paced distraction for busy brains. (192 Pages)

The High-Visual, Low-Effort Romance: This modern Greek myth retelling and fantasy romance is full of beautiful artwork and short dialogue. The graphic novel quickly became popular with women of all lifestyles—myself included!

The story is told entirely through beautiful panels that deliver a full, dramatic romance between the king of the Underworld and the goddess of spring.

This book is paced to easily be read in an hour or less—perfect for squeezing in between meetings or during your athlete's warm-ups.

Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Two Different Worlds, Love at First Sight

The Fast Paced Lunch Break Read:

This story is only 72 pages on Kindle which makes it perfect to read during a lunch break or while drifting asleep.

Our main character is out for her daily run when she gets attacked and kidnapped.

She needs to utilize survival instincts to not only save herself- but many others, as she continues to unravel her attackers reasoning/justification.

The Kids Shelf📚

August is hectic between sports, back-to-school shopping, and squeezing in the last few fun activities before summer vacation ends. It is important to slow down and find quiet moments amidst the chaos.

We allow our children to read in bed after their goodnight hugs to help them wind down, enjoy the silence, and drift off to sleep- as well as it teaches them to be content in their own company.

Here are a few books my eight-year-old turns to in her quiet moments, along with her completely unfiltered thoughts and ratings on each one:

• Kpop Demon Hunters: The Official Deluxe Junior Novelization- 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Difficulty: Medium)

"The pictures are so pretty and it follows the show perfectly. I used to read it on the bus- but I also like to re-read it before bed too. I only did a 4 instead of 5 because certain parts are harder to read and understand."

• "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss- 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Difficulty: Easy)

"I like it."

"Frozen: The Complete Frozen Story"- 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Difficulty: Hard)

"I really like Frozen- my favorite part of the book is when they build the ice castle. I like to read this book whenever I find it- but also at bedtime.

Its a really, really long book so I have to come back to it when I'm reading."

For the Toddlers (My 2-Year-Olds Verdict):

Since my two-year-old cannot give me a rating yet, I am tracking the vibes.

My toddler constantly is seeing his mom or sibling read- so naturally he is looking at books quite often on his own as well.

These are the ones he tends to look at during bedtime.

1. "Moo, Baa, La La La" by Sandra Boynton
2. "The Little Engine That Could" by Watty Piper Reimagined by Dan Santat

🍊August Releases🌼:

Thriving VS Surviving Productivity Method:

For busy mothers, working women, and sports moms heading into the chaotic back-to-school season, traditional to-do lists can quickly become a source of overwhelming guilt/piled up clutter on your desk.

Instead of staring down an endless, exhausting list of chores and appointments, the key to sustainable productivity is redefining what a "successful" day actually looks like.

By choosing just three non-negotiable Top Priorities that absolutely must get done, you establish a realistic day. If you complete those three tasks, your day is a total success; anything accomplished beyond that priority list means you are officially thriving.

This simple mental shift protects your energy, eliminates mom-guilt, and keeps your household running without burning you out.

I use this method both at work & at home for house chores. I actually get my priority list for a few bucks off of Shein (photo below).

Every morning when I get to work, I fill my water bottle, check my calendar and emails, and then fill this planner out for the day while drinking my coffee or Alani Nu. (Though, I try to do it before leaving the day before if possible!)

I start by brain-dumping my bulk to-do list. From that master list, I pick the top three things that HAVE to be finished that day, no matter what.

I typically use the "Don't Forget" section for personal errands I need to handle on my break, like paying bills, tracking appointments, or making phone calls.

The "For Tomorrow" section is a safety net for the rare occasion that I don't get to something on my priority list. Let's face it—things happen. If a task gets bumped, it immediately becomes my number one priority the next day.

I use this exact same setup in a more minimal way on my whiteboard at home for house chores. I write out my bulk list and either put stars next to my top three tasks or write them clearly right at the top.

Listed below are photos and links to products to help stay organized & productive:

(This clothing organizer completely transformed our morning routine. My oldest child and I fill it together every Sunday right after I do the laundry. Now, I have one less task to worry about each morning and no longer need to prep outfits the night before. It has also served as a wonderful, gentle tool for building her morning independence.)

(This would be perfect after being laminated to use weekly with a dry erase marker)

(This marker board is what I personally have always used as a, 'family command center' in our home. It worked great- but now that my family is growing I may look into getting something a bit more complex- if you only have 1-2 children this works fine though.)

(I personally use this Priority To Do List at my job & love it. It helps me map out my day, reduce burn out, meet deadlines, & finish tasks on my lunch break as well.)

(I don't personally have this- but it would be perfect for someone with older kids to put permission slips or other forms needing parent signatures in the folder as they come home so they aren't forgotten until the next morning right before school/work.)

🔮✨Your Monthly Tarot Spread: August 2026✨🔮

✨🔮🎱The August tarot pull for viewers is showing a stability in finances, high motivation, along with emotional intelligence.✨🔮🎱

In Depth: August will have its ups and downs. I see it more as a balance of events and emotions, rather than chaotic/one extreme to the next.

🫰❤️‍🔥In August, I see you stepping up to move towards someone or something you are very passionate about, or that you feel will make you happy or more fulfilled.❤️‍🔥🫰

You are leaving practical and logistical thinking behind (in a healthy way, not an impulsive way.). If you were allowing yourself to hold back from something due to money- you are reconsidering this.

I don't see you making any huge leaps in August—but you're taking a step in the right direction. You are advancing/upgrading or moving up in some way with small steps/changes

Almost like dipping your toe in the water versus doing a cannon ball.

🪄🎱This is a general reading NOT a personal read so details will vary. Below I put in different variations.🎱🪄

✨So, for those that this is within a relationship, you're probably not commiting to them just yet- but rather you might bring them a coffee, give them a evening phone call or a daily good night text, you are somehow making a small effort that goes a long ways & that makes your intentions clear to avoid confusion.

If this is in career/school, you're not getting the promotion or job right away possibly. However, you are applying, you are taking on extra responsibility, cleaning up your resume, investing into your new business. You could be touring colleges, following people who's TikTok or YouTube niche is studying or planners, or somehow setting yourself up for success.

If this is regarding a move, you may not be purchasing a new home- but you are saving a down payment, applying to new jobs in the desired area, talking with your bank, etc.✨

You could be either dealing with someone whose birthday is in the fall months (Sept, Oct, and Nov) or something significant will happen around October for you.

The Short & Easy Version: ✨In August, you experience a balance of positive & negative events while navigating a new passionate beginning.✨

✨🎱Something in the fall will be of significance (Sept, Oct, Nov).🎱✨

July Reads🌞🩷📚:

The books I read this past month & what I rate them...

Winter is finally escaping a toxic marriage and swearing off romance for good. Then she meets Theo, a persistent bull rider who refuses to be ignored. Following a passionate one-night stand, they agree to walk away: Winter to heal her deep-seated childhood wounds, and Theo to return to the rodeo circuit. But their clean break turns complicated when Winter finds out she's pregnant.

The Romantasy features a street fighter living in extreme poverty who enlists in the military after her little sister becomes one of the many children kidnapped by Siphons for unknown reasons

She leaves behind her mentally ill mother, determined to cross into enemy territory and bring her sister home. Before she can march to war, she must survive a deadly trial and a grueling 12-month training camp.

Along the way, she clashes with a fierce yet gorgeous coach while navigating how to bond with her stubborn & witty direwolf.

a deeply emotional, slow-burn contemporary romance that follows Justin and Emma, who connect online and decide to date 'just for the summer' thinking it will help them find their soulmates while both are dealing with severely traumatizing life events.

While on her daily run our female lead is attacked and kidnapped. She must use her survival instincts to free herself & stop her kidnapper from hurting anyone else.

A fun & easy book in which you are given various options to decide how the main character (a broke waitress) proceeds in a creepy mansion in the middle of no where.

Free Bookmarks

​Purple bookmark Mama_20260728_132929_0000.pdf​

​Orange bookmark_20260801_135855_0000.pdf​

Click on the links above for 2 free downloadable bookmarks

The Sip Feature: The Coffee & Energy Drinks Keeping Soccer Moms on Time☕⚡:

Between summer vacation with three kids, newborn life, and sports schedules, I take my caffeine seriously. Here is exactly how I am fueling my days this month:

The Morning Kickstart: An Alani Nu Energy Drink. I drink this while getting everyone ready to go out the door or while tackling my morning chores. I am religiously sticking to the Cotton Candy or Purple Cotton Candy flavors lately.

The Grocery Run Lifeline: A hot Triple-Triple from Tim Hortons. My husband treats me to this while the kids get lollipops or Munchkin donuts for behaving.

The Evening Stroll Treat: Dunkin’s Fluffernutter Coffee Chiller. This is my ultimate reward during a evening family walk- my favorite part of the summer day.

The Nightcap: 1 to 3 cups of Tim Hortons home brew. I sip these final cups while reading, folding endless laundry, or cooking a late dinner.

(My mother is now more than likely calling me to tell me how I can't just have a diet of caffeine & how unhealthy it is 😉..)

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Thanks for keeping me company during this issue of Pages and Pentacles! Cya next month!

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