This week’s panelists are the host of the NHPR podcast The 13th Step, Lauren Chooljian, and Jonquilyn Hill, who hosts the Vox podcast The Weeds. We talk about whether we indulged in Barbenheimer, then recommend some stuff to read, do, and listen to this summer.

Then, Aomawa Shields tells us about her circuitous trajectory towards astrophysics! Her new book is called Life on Other Planets.

Here are their recommendations:

Lauren’s recommendations

Read: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Do: Buy an inflatable pool!

Listen to: The This American Life episode about rats

Jonquilyn’s recommendations

Read: The Guest by Emma Cline (and pair it with Raven Leilani’s Luster, if you’re so inclined)

Do: Romance yourself!

Listen to: The audiobook of Imani Perry’s South to America and the music of Victoria Monet

Greta’s recommendations

Read: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Do: Take yourself out to dinner!

Listen to: The audiobook of Ann Patchett’s newest novel Tom Lake, narrated by Meryl Streep!