Friday Favorites: Books, Brunch + Greenspaces

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time to share a few of my favorite things from the week! This week I’m sharing a book I just finished and absolutely loved, a brunch spot in downtown Calgary that did not disappoint, and something I’ve genuinely been so grateful for lately. Let’s get into it!

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I just recently finished reading Atmosphere, and I might be the last person to read it, but I really loved it. The story pulled me in right from the beginning and I genuinely could not put it down. I had more than one late night because I kept telling myself “just one more chapter.”

Atmosphere follows Joan, an astronomy professor at a university, as she applies to NASA to become an astronaut, goes through training, and actually makes it to space. Along the way we learn about her family, her love life, and the sacrifices she’s willing to make to turn her dream into reality.

I’ll admit I only picked it up at first because it was everywhere online, but now that I’ve finished it, I completely understand why. It really is that good. It’s the first Taylor Jenkins Reid book I’ve read, and I can already tell it won’t be the last.

One unexpected thing I loved was how much I learned about space and astronomy while reading. I like to stargaze every once in a while, so all the details about different stars and just how vast space really is made the story feel even more special.

Brunch at The Beltliner

I was craving brunch, so I made a reservation for my boyfriend and I on Saturday morning at The Beltliner in downtown Calgary. It’s a good thing I did. Five minutes after we were seated, they were already putting people at the bar.

I ordered the avocado toast, which came with arugula, pico de gallo, two eggs, avocado, multigrain toast, and a side of hashbrowns. When it arrived, it was hard to see much under all the arugula. Apparently it had been a while since I’d eaten it, because I had completely forgotten how peppery it is!

Everything on my plate was delicious. They were generous with the avocado (even though it’s hard to tell from the photos!), which made me happy. It’s definitely something I’d order again. It’s also lacto-ovo vegetarian friendly, which is surprisingly hard to find at some restaurants. I honestly expected there to be more options out there.

If you haven’t been to The Beltliner before, it has a diner feel without being stuck in a ’50s theme. It’s super cute inside, and even though it was busy on Saturday morning, the tables were spaced well enough that I never felt cramped. And it’s not too far from the train if you’re taking transit downtown. Highly recommend!

Greenspaces for Walks

With all the walking I’ve been doing to prepare for the 5K I completed last weekend, I’ve gotten to know my neighborhood and the surrounding areas really well. And while I don’t mind walking along sidewalks, I’d much rather be out in a greenspace. I’m happy to say I’ve found so many of them.

I’m genuinely grateful to live in a part of Calgary with such an amazing pathway system. I know not everyone has that kind of access, so I really do appreciate how much is available just a short walk from my front door.

Honestly, I had no idea so many of these greenspaces even existed before I started walking more. They’re not just big and open — they’re well-maintained, and I always feel safe out there on my own. I feel so lucky.

A Few Good Things

This week reminded me how much joy can be found in the little things, like getting lost in a really great book, sitting down to a meal you’ve been looking forward to, and stepping outside into fresh air and open space. None of these are big or complicated, but all three genuinely made my week better.

I’m planning to keep taking advantage of the greenspaces near me even now that the 5K is done. I’m already thinking about which Taylor Jenkins Reid book to read next. As for brunch, well, I don’t think I need an excuse to go back.

I’d love to hear what you’ve been loving lately! Drop your favorites in the comments below – whether it’s a book, a restaurant, a walk, or something else entirely. Happy Friday!