WVBC monthly: chapter 04
gushing over our April meeting with special guest Gary Janetti!
Hello, dear readers!
While April did indeed bring showers, she also gave us long-overdue sunshine, peak tulip sightings at Jefferson Market Garden, and the kind of West Village evenings that make us wish we could stop time. It also brought one very special guest to our latest WVBC gathering—Gary Janetti himself, which made our April meeting at The Mercer feel like a perfectly scripted episode of something Carrie Bradshaw would have definitely given her seal of approval.
ps. if you’re new here (welcome!) or missed last month’s recap, be sure to check it out below!
Included in this month’s recap:
Recap of our April WVBC pick and meeting with author Gary Janetti (!!) to discuss his latest, We Are Experiencing A Slight Delay: Tips, Tales, Travels
Member Moment: Meet Kayla Douglas
Local business love: The Mercer
What else we’re reading right now: a peek into our ‘Just Read’ lists.
Also, this post is too long for email, so we suggest reading it on Substack!
WVBC April Pick: We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay: Tips, Tales, Travels
Our April meeting was, dare we say, chic as hell. The incomparable Gary Janetti joined us at The Mercer Hotel to discuss his hilarious and delightfully unfiltered book, We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay: Tips, Tales, Travels. Between rounds of Whispering Angel, plates from Sartiano’s that we pretended were “light bites,” and Gary’s signature razor-sharp wit, the night turned into one of our favorite WVBC moments to date. We gathered in one of the dreamiest suites in the city, and for a few hours, it felt like New York’s most glamorous group chat had come to life.
In case you haven’t read it yet, We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay is a collection of laugh-out-loud, self-deprecating essays chronicling Gary Janetti's travel experiences. From a wellness retreat from hell (but actually, in Italy) to dining with Maggie Smith in London, Janetti offers humorous insights into the absurdities of travel and the quirks of human behavior. His candid reflections and witty observations make this book a delightful companion for both seasoned travelers and armchair adventurers.
Member Moment: Meet Kayla Douglas
WVBC: Rapid fire intro Qs!!
Zodiac sign? Virgo. I’m a textbook Virgo…perfectionist to a fault and certainly stubborn. But we’re also quite industrious and extremely loyal!
Kindle or physical book? Physical book, though, I am low-key loving my Kindle when traveling.
Preferred audiobook platform? Libro.fm which allows you to support a local bookstore through your purchases or, Libby if the library has it (you have to have a library card)!
Most beloved NY bookstore? Three Lives & Co on W 10th and Waverly
All-time favorite author? This is SO hard to narrow down…but Carola Lovering finds that perfect edge for me of commercial and consumable fiction with often unlikeable protagonists.
Favorite book of all time? I’ll go with Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, considering it's a true masterclass in psychological thrillers with so many of my favorite tropes: an unreliable narrator, dark domesticity, and a huge second-act twist where the perspective shifts and you realize everything you thought you knew was wrong. Oh, and let’s not forget the best “Cool Girl” monologue of all time…
Men always say that as the defining compliment, don’t they?
She’s a cool girl.
Cool girl is hot.
Cool girl is game.
Cool girl is fun.
Cool girl never gets angry at her man. She only smiles in a chagrined, loving manner and then presents her mouth for fucking.
She likes what he likes. So evidently, she’s a hot, brilliant, funny woman who adores football, poker, dirty jokes, and burping, who plays video games, drinks cheap beer, loves threesomes and anal sex, and jams hot dogs and hamburgers into her mouth like she’s hosting the world’s biggest culinary gang bang — while somehow maintaining a size two, because Cool Girls are above all hot. Hot and understanding.
Cool Girls never get angry; they only smile in a chagrined, loving manner and let their men do whatever they want. Go ahead, shit on me, I don’t mind, I’m the Cool Girl.
Men actually think this girl exists. Maybe they’re fooled because so many women are willing to pretend to be this girl.
For a long time, Cool Girl offended me. I used to see men — friends, coworkers, strangers — giddy over these awful pretender women, and I’d want to sit these men down and calmly say:
You are not dating a woman, you are dating a woman who has watched too many movies written by socially awkward men who’d like to believe that this kind of woman exists and might kiss them.
I'd want to grab the poor guy by his lapels or messenger bag and say: The bitch doesn’t really love chili dogs that much — she’s pretending to cater to your story. Because you like that story.
But I didn’t do that.
I let men continue to believe in that fantasy girl, because I wanted to be that girl."
-Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl
WVBC: Kayla, tell us what brought you to New York and how you first wound up living in the West Village.
I moved to the city in 2018 for my job at SmartFlyer—the one I got via DM, a story I told The TODAY Show about earlier this year—during the golden age of SoulCycle, The Wing, and unlimited Rent the Runway memberships. It was the era of Instagramming your açaí bowl and [toxic] hustle culture worship. My first couple of years here involved a Murray Hill roommate situation with a fake wall (if you moved here in your 20s, you likely also contended with a ‘flex wall’ or two!) between my bedroom and the living room, consistently praying my debit card would go through at Trader Joe’s, and being nearly sick with worry that I’d never find my people.
Somewhere in the blur of shared Lyfts to Central Park before sunrise to train for whatever race I was pushing myself for at the time (another marathon? my first time doing Serengeti Girls Run?) and the pandemic upending our lives, I took a break from the city. When I was ready to move back, it was a DM from Chelsea Martin that changed everything for me. Long story long, I was staying at The Carlyle for one night before I left for a three-week South Africa trip when she reached out to tell me her West Village apartment was going to become available! Despite a lost PCR test that I was trying to track down to be able to board my flight to Johannesburg and a cinematic snowstorm on foot, I cabbed from the UES to WV to see her place, and immediately knew it was the one. I sent all my documentation in to apply from Franschhoek, and over four years later, I’m still in that very same studio.
WVBC: You’re the founder of WVBC! What inspired you to create this book club, and what has been the biggest surprise that has come from it?
OMG, I’m blushing! When I think back to my early days in New York seven years ago, the kind of community I’ve found through WVBC felt like a distant dream. I was starved for female friendship back then—so many Friday nights I wished I had a group chat to drop a “happy hour?” into, instead of juggling a handful of disconnected friendships that often left me feeling unmoored.
By the time I moved into my West Village apartment in 2021, I knew I wanted to be more intentional about how I cultivated connection. Chelsea had just moved into the unit across the hall after handing her old apartment off to me, and we had another neighbor, Francheska, across the hall who I’d become friendly with. When I realized we were all readers—and that I had two more bookish friends, Jenna and Nicole, who’d be game—I decided to invite everyone over for our first West Village Book Club meeting in October 2022.
The biggest surprise? That WVBC would grow into something far more meaningful than I ever imagined. What started as a few new-ish friends sitting on my floor has taken on a life and spirit all its own. We’ve evolved into a deeply connected crew—welcoming new members, traveling the world together (Paris! Bodrum! Montauk!), hosting New York events, and most dear to me, showing up for each other in quiet, everyday ways. It’s more than a book club—it’s become a chosen community that we all collectively nurture and cherish.
WVBC: What has your journey as a reader looked like?
Well, I was one of those kids in school who had metabolized that she was “bad at math,” but was given the affirmation of being “gifted” in reading and writing. So I ran with that. I actually texted my mom to get her perspective on my relationship to reading as a kid. She said, “The way I remember that is we had lots of books (many of which I still have). You and Brooke [my younger sister] both loved to be read to. You were quick to pick up reading and always loved books. You would want to tackle the summer reading list in elementary school.” And she’s right! I do remember being very motivated by that list…my version of Goodreads before Goodreads existed. I remember the library both in town and at school feeling like a magnet—a salve in so many ways. To this day, something about entering a library still feels sacred and evokes a sense of childlike wonder in me.
WVBC: Outside of what we read as a book club, what does your lens for deciding what to read next look like?
My TBR pile is…unruly, to say the least. I’m lucky to get sent advance reader copies from publishers before they hit stands (still the biggest thrill), which means I’m often reading books months before they come out—especially if there’s buzz brewing around them. But honestly, a lot of what I read comes from a combination of instinct and impulse. I’ve accumulated books from indie bookstores all over the world (I’m a big fan of Daunt Books in London and The Red Wheelbarrow in Paris), and something about physically picking one out makes it feel that much more special. I gravitate toward new releases, especially ones with strong female voices, layered characters, or a well-kept secret at the core. And I’m a sucker for anything that everyone’s talking about—I love being part of the cultural conversation.
WVBC: Any general hosting tips to impart to our readers?
Switch up your hosting focus based on the season! Last year, I hosted WVBC right before Easter, so everyone got Easter baskets. This month, I was hosting ‘the meeting before the meeting’ since we had our event with Gary the following week. I was feeling festive and silly, so I started my hosting prep by going to the Union Square Greenmarket for fresh produce and florals, and ended my shopping (which also included stops at Murray’s Cheese, Bleecker Farm, Big Night, and Gourmet Garage) at Petrossian for caviar. What better way to welcome everyone to my place on a Monday night than with a Doritos and Royal Ossetra pairing?
WVBC: In your Sunday Series, you always end your Q&As with the question of how they would spend a Sunday in their city. What is your idea of a perfect Sunday (your favorite day of the week) in West Village?
Ahhh I love this question! You’re catching me at such a fun moment—I’m in the final days of my rebrand of The Sunday Series, and this week’s guest is none other than Tinx, which feels like such a big moment for me. So, let’s just say I’ve been thinking about Sundays a lot lately. At its core, The Sunday Series has always been about creating a pause—an intentional breath at the end of the week to reflect, reset, and reconnect. It’s part love letter to New York, part cultural time capsule, and part permission slip to slow down and savor the good stuff. That’s the energy I try to bottle every week—and Sundays are when I feel most tapped into that rhythm.
My perfect Sunday begins the way all good Sundays should: waking up naturally, not hungover (a deeply underrated luxury), and easing into the morning with coffee at home while putting the final touches on that week’s edition of The Sunday Series before hitting send. From there, it’s a walk to Casa Magazines to grab the New York Times, followed by a stop at PlantShed to read it at a table in the sun with a cortado in hand. I’ll head home to make lunch with whatever fresh ingredients I picked up at the market the day before, then head out for an unhurried West Side Highway walk with a friend. I try to be back early to read and cook a cozy Sunday dinner while listening to whatever audiobook I have on deck at the moment.
Local Business Love: The Mercer
We couldn’t wrap this up without showing some love to The Mercer, who graciously hosted our most recent WVBC April Meeting with none other than Gary Janetti. From the effortlessly chic setting to the warm, welcoming team, it was the perfect backdrop for an evening of sharp wit, thoughtful conversation, and plenty of rosé. If you find yourself downtown, pop in and tell them WVBC 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!
Conservations on Love by Natasha Lunn is a book in which I may read certain chapters over and over again depending on what is going on in my life. It is a celebration of love in all its forms – from romantic love to friendship to grief and more. It’s a reminder that love exists in not only the big moments, but also in the hard or mundane. I cried, and I laughed. I read this as I was beginning my new relationship, and the timing felt kismet in reassurance that romantic partnership should feel steadfast and safe (can’t say this was the theme of my 20’s). It gave me hope that the hardships we are all bound to face in the future can be navigated with love and even showcase a more intense love. I’m a sap, what can I say!
The Tell: A Memoir by Amy Griffin has been read & mentioned by a handful of our WVBC members, so I had to read it for myself and just….wow. I will be thinking about this book for awhile, but definitely want to include a trigger warning of childhood sexual abuse.
Laura’s Corner
Connect with Laura on Goodreads and Instagram
I have not stopped talking about Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott. “An instant bestseller when it was published anonymously in 1929, Ex-Wife is the story of a divorce and its aftermath that scandalized the Jazz Age—and still resonates today.” It reads like contemporary fiction, with themes that are all too familiar today. I loved every second of Parrott’s unique view of what she called “the era of the one-night stand.” Ex-Wife is a McNally Edition (the publishing arm of McNally Jackson Books, an independent bookstore based in New York City. Established in 2021), McNally Editions focus on rediscovering and reintroducing overlooked literary works, aiming to provide readers with high-quality editions of books that may have been unjustly neglected. The afterword is written by the author’s son, giving more context to her tumultuous private life including three more marriages, rumored liaisons with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, and the jazz guitarist Michael Neely Bryan.
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl is described as a mouthwatering adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris, this book has it all. There was so much to love about this book and I really enjoyed reading about New York and Paris in the 80s, a time period I have not explored enough. This plot includes archival Dior dresses, Monet’s art, James Baldwin’s writing, Shakespeare and Company and Paris. I actually can’t think of anything that I love that wasn’t weaved into this book in some way.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami is another one I can’t stop talking about, I loved the premise. Eerie and urgent, The Dream Hotel artfully explores the seductive nature of technology, which puts us in shackles even as it makes our lives easier. This is a riveting portrayal of one woman's fight for freedom, set in a near future where even dreams are under surveillance. This book is thought-provoking and dystopian, pushing you to look at our current tech reality.
I decided to read The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand ahead of our trip to Nantucket in June (for Jenna’s bachelorette!) and Elin never disappoints. Like every other novel of hers, the transition from one character’s perspective to the next is seamless and the troupe of rich people misbehaving is a forever favorite of mine. This novel follows two best friends and the unraveling of their seemingly perfect marriages. Elin is the queen of beach reads for a reason, I’m planning to read at least one or two more before our trip!
Passion Project by London Sperry was my Book of the Month pick and I was drawn to the seemingly light premise of an adventurous romance about finding love when you least expect it, set against the backdrop of bustling New York City. I loved the depth of the characters in this novel, I found myself relating to the narrator’s feeling of being lost in a big city in your twenties. Bennett Taylor is not only struggling to find her passion in life but she’s still mourning the loss of her first love. This was such a sweet love story about friendship, love, grief and my favorite city.
Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez alternates between Justin and Emma’s narration, they are both cursed with everyone they’ve dated going on to find “The One” the second they break up. They come up with the idea to break the curse, four dates, one kiss and a breakup, what could go wrong? While the premise sounds light and a little cheesy, there is so much more to these characters, their complicated family dynamics and friendships. I couldn’t put this down and loved the ending. I can’t wait to read more from Abby’s catalog. Similar to Elin, Abby has created a universe with familiar characters making appearances throughout her many novels.
Caylee’s Corner
Connect with Caylee on Goodreads and Instagram, and subscribe to her Substack!
Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus
I’m a big celebrity memoir reader and this has to be one of my new favorites. Growing up in San Diego in the 2000s, blink-182 was the soundtrack to my childhood. They were our hometown band! Listening to Mark reflect on the inception of blink-182, his relationships with his band mates, and all of the “one-in-a-millon” moments he has had in his life (there are so many!) was both wild and inspiring. It also shows how friendships really do eb and flow — and to always leave space in your heart for forgiveness and understanding.
The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings
I’m part of the Magnolia Parks fandom, so I was excited to read this standalone novel by Jessa Hastings. One of Hastings’ talents is making you fall in looove with male characters. They’re always gorgeous, charming, and know exactly what to say. This book didn’t quite live up to the MP books for me, but I enjoyed it and was nice to get a taste of her fun, flirty writing again.
Kayla’s Corner
Connect with Kayla on Goodreads, Instagram, and subscribe to her Substack!
More: A Memoir of Open Marriage by Molly Roden Winter was such an intriguing listen (got it on Libby through NYPL!) as an eye-opening exploration of how a marriage can evolve—and sometimes, how it can survive even radical change. Molly’s honesty about love, family, and autonomy felt refreshingly nuanced, and I appreciated how she didn't tie everything up neatly with a bow.
Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore was one I got my hands on before its release (hits shelves on May 27th), and it was the perfect way to dive headfirst into summer reading season. Set on Block Island with plenty of rich people behaving badly, it delivers all the tropes we love—family drama, buried secrets, and big vacation house energy. Bonus: it’s Elin Hilderbrand-blurbed!
When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines by Graydon Carter was one I listened to and sucked into the the rise, fall (and maybe rise again?) of media. The story is told through Graydon’s rolodex of New York characters during his time at Vanity Fair, Spy, and now AIRMAIL. If you're fascinated by magazine culture, publishing gossip, or simply love a good NYC scene-setter, this one's worth a spin.
Just Want You Here by Meredith Turits was one I picked up on release day at the book launch party. This debut novel about an affair took a few turns I didn’t see coming. It's a quieter, more internal look at infidelity—less about scandal, more about the slow unraveling—and I found the twist to be unexpectedly tender.
Hotter in the Hamptons by Tinx was another one I was lucky enough to get my hands on early. This book comes out May 6th and is already getting lots of buzz…if you’re on the same side of TikTok as me, you know why. But I’m a stan! I loved this novel for what it is: pure beach-read fun. With a side of same-sex exploration and signature Tinx one-liners, it’s the perfect toss-it-in-your-tote, sip-a-spritz-while-you-read kind of book.
Summer in the City by Alex Aster was admittedly supposed to be our WVBC April pick…but I'll be honest, it wasn't quite our taste. That said, it did spark a fun project: when I hosted our meeting earlier this month, we each crafted our NYC summer bucket lists inspired by all the things I wish the characters had done. Silver linings, always!
Thank GOD for Kayla starting WVBC all that time ago!!!
A true NYC highlight moment !!!!