WVBC monthly: chapter 02
plus, recapping our Winter Literary Salon!
Hello, dear readers!
While it may be the shortest month of the year, February was a busy one for WVBC. We launched, sold out, and hosted our first ever public event, and admittedly, are still riding the high of meeting so many new friends. You all made that frigid night feel filled with warmth and positive energy. But before we gush all over the community we’re building here, we’ll begin by sharing last month’s send in case you missed it!
Included in this month’s edition:
Recap of our February WVBC pick: How To End A Love Story
Member Moment: Meet Caylee Ashwell
WVBC Winter Literary Salon, plus, our giveaway winner!
Local business love: Bedford Studio
What else we’re reading right now: a peek into our ‘Just Read’ lists
ps. this post is too long for email, so we suggest reading it on Substack!
WVBC February Pick: How To End A Love Story
You had to know we’d pick a romance this month and the title How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang was intriguing enough. As Emily Henry fans, we were excited to learn that the author is the adapting screenwriter of People We Meet on Vacation and the writer and director of the forthcoming Beach Read film.
The novel follows an author whose book is being adapted to a TV series, taking us between New York and LA (we love a book about writing books/the publishing industry)
This isn’t your typical “enemies to lovers” trope, there are some pretty heavy dynamics between the characters that make it unexpected in many ways
We can confirm this one is pretty spicy but somehow not cheesy!
Overall, we loved this book! It definitely isn’t your typical romance but the writing was witty and even a bit dark at times. We really enjoyed learning more about what it looks like to be a screenwriter and found we were quite invested in the relationship between our main characters. The book flips between Helen and Grant’s narration, giving us both sides of the story. This was a wonderful book club pick in that it sparked much discussion.
Member Moment: Meet Caylee Ashwell
WVBC: Rapid fire intro Qs!!
Zodiac sign? Aquarius
Kindle or physical book? A true 50/50 split. Kindle when I am traveling, book when I have time at home!
Preferred audiobook platform? Spotify (included in premium!)
Most beloved NY bookstore? McNally Jackson on Prince Street
All-time favorite author? Dolly Alderton
Favorite book of all time? Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. The most gorgeous writing!
WVBC: Caylee, tell us about what brought you to New York.
I grew up in California, so New York always felt like a far-away, exotic, fairytale of a city. The backdrop of all my favorite teenage movies (Serendipity) and TV shows (Gossip Girl) and home to the Olsen twins. The first time I visited I was 14 and knew in my bones I was meant to live here one day…and I am so glad I am!
WVBC: All of WVBC looks to you for creative inspo—whether it be sewing classes or building a Christmas village, you're our crafty guru! What tips do you have to cultivate a curiosity around making things?
Expressing my creativity is my therapy! And it can take so many forms. Last year my ‘word of the year’ was create and I leaned in to as many mediums as possible: sewing, beading, embroidery, drawing, watercolor painting, the list goes on! I think the best way to go onto a new creative venture is to have zero expectations for the outcome. The first time you try, you’ll be bad! The next time, a little better! I think honing in on the craft and progressing over time is what makes creating so special.
WVBC: Speaking of...you just launched your own Substack, extra dressed. What's the ethos behind it, and what can readers expect from the newsletter?
Eeee, yes! Extra dressed is my cute new online sanctuary! I wanted to create a space to discuss all of my passions, ranging from how to style to tights, to lessons in girlhood, to how to get involved politically. Everything you want to add a little more dressing to.
WVBC: Tell us about your approach to hosting our most recent meeting to discuss How to End a Love Story.
I am a lover of all things romantic and girly, so I was thrilled to host Galentines for our February meeting. I wanted it to be a mix of high and low (the best things are!) – so cocktail attire served with NY pizza, a fruit and veggie platter, and sugary candy. My favorite decor was the hanging roses which I picked up at Michaels!
WVBC: Any general hosting tips to impart to our readers?
Always moodboard on Pinterest!!! I have a Valentine board where I pulled so much inspo - from the decor to the food to the vintage cupid style invites!
WVBC: What has your journey as a reader looked like?
Well, I had my 4th birthday at the public library, so reading has always been a big part of my life! The world can be spinning around you, but you can always open a book and get lost in a different world for a while. How comforting is that?
WVBC: Outside of what we read as a book club, what does your lens to decide what to read next look like?
I love a sweeping and poetically-written historical fiction or bildungsroman (a novel dealing with someone’s formative years). Something you can’t stop thinking about for days after you finish it!
WVBC: What are some of your go-to West Village spots? (cafés, bars, restaurants, shops, etc.)
Dauphinette: my favorite store in NYC. They have the most whimsical, unique pieces and a mix of their own bespoke items and excellent curation of vintage
Entwine: cozy cocktail bar that’s great for a date! Love coming here after walking through The Whitney museum, too
L’industrie: my fave slice in the city! Get the burrata, and yes, it’s worth the wait in line
Lin & Daughters: the best dumplings outside of Chinatown, my go-to for a casual lunch or takeout. You know it's good when they bottle & sell their sauce…
Aux Merveilleux de Fred: such a stunning little shop with one of my favorite sweet bites in the city. Their little puff balls of meringue and whipped cream are so special. I love bringing people here!
WVBC Winter Literary Salon, plus, our giveaway winner!
In last month’s newsletter, we announced that we’d be hosting our first-ever public event in the hopes we could connect our community with like-minded readers. We were blown away to have the event sell out in mere days after only sharing it here on Substack, but even more pleasantly surprised to meet the absolute sweetest group of humans. The room was full of brilliant women hailing from across the creative, healthcare, hospitality, and fashion industries and we certainly never ran out of things to discuss!
Attendees received an advanced copy of our WVBC April book, Summer in the City, thanks to author @alexaster and our friends at @harpercollins, @innbeautyproject Extreme Cream, @dieuxskin Forever Eye Masks, @korres Greek Yogurt Foaming Cleanser Eye Serum, and @tula Protect + Glow SPF ($160+ value!). One lucky subscriber and Instagram follower also won a gift bag of their own. Congratulations, Katie Kennedy!
Local Business Love: Bedford Studio
We couldn’t resist doing a little shoutout to our friends at Bedford Studio (62 Bedford Street) who run a café by day and an event space by night. This is where we hosted this month’s WVBC Literary Salon and had the best experience working with their team to set it all up! If you’re ever in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by for a latte and tell them we sent you.
What We’re Reading and Loving This Month
Last but not least, we’ll close each monthly letter to you with a recap of the books our members are reading that go beyond our WVBC picks. What are you currently reading? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Chelsea’s Corner
Connect with Chelsea on Goodreads, Instagram, and subscribe to her Substack!
The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn satisfied all of my woo-woo, manifesting desires (y’all will learn quick that this is my jam). Written in 1920s, I love seeing how this book is still so relevant and the practices can still be applied 100 years later! Ultimately, your mindset is everything and a positive attitude and affirmations hold immense power in your life. Thank you Xan for the rec!
Laura’s Corner
Connect with Laura on Goodreads and Instagram
Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan was published when the author was only eighteen, the first of her historically charming and engaging novels. In 1954, when this was translated from French, it was considered quite scandalous by American readers. I giggled throughout this telling of Cécile’s attempt to ruin her father’s relationship and her sexual adventures with a “tall and almost beautiful” law student.
They’re Going to Love You by Meg Howrey gripped me from the very first chapter until the last page. Carlisle is entranced by her father’s partner, James, who is as troubled as he is loving and brilliant. She aspires to follow in the footsteps of her mother as a ballerina, all in an effort to impress James. I love a book set in New York City, even better, in the West Village. This novel explores New York in the 80s, ballet, art, literature, gay culture, love, heartbreak and complicated family dynamics.
Do You Mind if I Cancel by Gary Janetti is a must-read (or listen) for anyone with a sense of humor. I had the pleasure of meeting Gary at an event a few weeks ago and was able to share with him how much I loved his work. He told me how grueling the reading of his own audiobook was and I shared how much I love to listen to audiobooks read by the author. He told me he just listened to Cher’s memoir and I told him my dog’s name is Cher. Making Gary laugh is a moment I will never forget. I read this book shortly after it was published a few years ago and recommended it to everyone. It was even better the second time on audio. Listening to his audiobook feels like you’re being included in an inside joke with Gary. This book perfectly encapsulates his wit and humor, I only wish it were longer.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros was just as addicting as the first two books in the Empyrean saga. I don’t read fantasy but I flew through both The Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. I was excited to jump back into the dragon world and although I wasn’t able to remember much about where we left off or what the character dynamics were, I still had a great time. Similar to the first two, I had no idea what happened when the book ended. I am still not sure.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara turned TEN this year with a new audio version of the book, read by Matt Bomer. I’ve had this book on my list to read for years, putting it off due to the intimidating page count, however, 814 pages was not enough. I fell in love with these characters and I miss them. The writing is cinematic and set mostly in New York. Although this book is extremely graphic and traumatic, I will think about the relationships between these characters forever. It’s an undertaking, the audiobook is over 28 hours and the material is emotionally heavy but it is critically acclaimed for very good reason.
Laura and Kayla’s Corners Collide!
Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging by Brooke Shields was such a refreshing and inspiring read. As I mentioned above, I love listening to a memoir read by the author and this one was such a treat. Brooke was honest and inspiring and this novel left me feeling empowered and wanting to call my mom. Brooke covers a wide range of topics including aging, motherhood, the West Village, Bradley Cooper (a fellow WV resident!) and more.
Echoing Laura’s sentiments, this book made me want to call my momma! I loved learning about Brooke’s life for so many reasons, but particularly because it acted as a healthy reframe on just how much more I should be appreciating my 31-year old body; Brooke Shields is nearly twice my age and has such a powerful perspective on what a gift it is to get older.
Kayla’s Corner
Connect with Kayla on Goodreads, Instagram, and subscribe to her Substack!
I'll Have What She's Having by Chelsea Handler was released just this week on Chelsea’s 50th birthday and it was an audio I couldn’t get in my Libro.fm cart fast enough! I whipped through this one while getting ready and on my morning commutes in the past few days, savoring each of Chelsea’s anecdotes about how her entire life is motivated by her pursuit of freedom. It’s not the old brand of shock-factor humor she became known for, but instead, a much more self-actualized version of her humor with plenty of mentions of therapy and how much work she’s put in to become a less reactionary person.
The Myth of Making It: A Workplace Reckoning by Samhita Mukhopadhyay had been in my Libby holds for a while and I was excited to dive in when it cleared earlier this month. Samhita talks about working through the hustle culture of the 2010s to become the former editor of Teen Vogue (seemingly a dream job) only to realize, it wasn’t all she’d dreamt of. This examination of workplace feminism and the death of the Girlboss™ as we instead look at how to liberate ourselves from being so damn tired of the hampster wheel.
Comedic Timing: A Modern Romance by Upasna Barath is the latest release from 831 Stories. I loved this compact 159-page novella for its New York City setting and the way it showed a mid-twenties protagonist rethinking her sexuality. This story follows Naina falling for David after leaving her ex-girlfriend and life in Chicago behind and surprising herself in the process. Highly recommend if you are seeking a different type of romance in all the best ways.
Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum was a fun depiction of a highly toxic and dysfunctional executive team on a retreat in Miami. When a team member goes missing, the layers of deception are seemingly never-ending as this startup is in the midst of being acquired, despite its valuation being based on a bed of lies. Emma has a knack for writing about the way being ‘out of the loop’ can really drive a person mad.
Jenna’s Corner
Connect with Jenna on Goodreads and Instagram
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins was an immediate add to my TBR list following Kayla’s rave review! I love listening to nonfiction audiobooks during my morning walks to & from workouts, and learning how to “let them” was the perfect way to start my February days. Mel’s engaging narration left me feeling empowered with cognitive tools to apply to situations and internal dilemmas I face daily. Highly recommend if you’re a chronic over-thinker like me!
Xan’s Corner
Connect with Xan on Goodreads and Instagram
The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont by Shawn Levy was exactly what I needed when seeking an escape into old Hollywood. This book has been on my radar for a while, as I am a former film and television industry gal, and I love to nerd out on old Hollywood lore. The rich history, legendary guests, and behind-the-scenes drama made it an endlessly fascinating read. I will caveat that the very beginning section is deep into the actual procuring of the land and construction of the hotel, and it can be a little dense to dive into, but all the subsequent sections are well worth the beginning real estate lesson. It also provided me with several other books that I’ve now added to my ‘Must Read’ list!
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LOVED our event & can't wait for more!
Loved our event so much!