WVBC monthly: chapter 06
Recapping our summer camp offsite in Bozeman, Montana!
Hello, dear readers!
It’s officially summer, and we’re fully in the swing of the [beautiful] madness that this season brings. While June swept the West Village with 100° heat waves, we found solace in long weekend getaways (we had way too much fun on Nantucket!), rooftop hangs, Pride celebrations, and, of course, diving into total beach read bliss.
We’re giddy that we still have two months left of summer (!!), a season that will be perfectly bookended by WVBC member, ’s wedding! In the meantime, a few of us are headed to Spain to spend the 4th of July through ’s birthday in Mallorca and Formentera. So if you follow us on Instagram, be prepared for Balaerics’ content with our beach reads in tow! And if you don’t yet have us on IG, we’re linking up our account, @westvillagebookclub, so you can follow along with the fun.
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 June WVBC pick and meeting, Outlawed by Anna North
Member Moment: Meet
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 June Pick: Outlawed by Anna North
Last weekend, we flew to Bozeman, Montana, for our June meeting in the mountains, thanks to our fabulous host . This is our third WVBC offsite with the previous two taking place in Paris and Montauk; we were thrilled to switch it up and head out West—a treat only possible thanks to our new favorite home away from home, Getaway Ranch (but more on that oasis in Xan’s Q&A below!).
Our dreamy meeting backdrop found us amid the Bridger Canyon mountains, where Xan’s friend Shelly was kind enough to host us on her picnic hill. The menu included local Bozeman provisions, including a cheese board from Maven’s, BBQ and all the fixins from Bourbon, and a strawberry lemonade cake from Wild Crumb Bakery (who also makes the most delicious huckleberry scones and turkey sandwiches, which we brought for our Lava Lake hike!)
Our book club discussion not only focused on the western theme of this novel, but also delved deeper into its themes, including the societal pressure to have children, gender roles, the idea of chosen family, and what happens when you don’t quite fit the mold. Outlawed had us laughing one minute and digging deeper the next, especially with the Montana wilds setting the scene. We highly recommend this one as a book club pick!
And if you’re headed to Bozeman anytime soon, WVBC member queued up the below guide with Xan’s help!
Member Moment: Meet Xan Angelovich
WVBC: Rapid fire intro Qs!!
Zodiac sign? Libra, duh!
Kindle or physical book? 50/50. Physical book is always preferred, but Kindle is great for travel and limited storage in New York City. If I fall in love with something I read on my Kindle, I will buy a physical copy.
Preferred audiobook platform? Not an audiobook gal!
Most beloved NY bookstore? The Shop Around the Corner! Although it may not be a real bookstore, it’s still my favorite in New York. You’ve Got Mail made me fall in love with the idea of the city, and with the magic of small, local shops. It inspired me to seek out and support independent bookstores wherever I go.
All-time favorite author? Impossible to choose!!
Favorite book of all time? Lonesome Dove! I feel such a connection to it since it takes place in Texas and Montana!
Xan, you’re a Texas native with big ties to Bozeman (more on that later!), but you moved to New York last year. Tell us what brought you to the city.
I always knew New York would be important in my life, and I started declaring that I would live here as early as 3rd grade. I spent a lot of time in NYC growing up, as the majority of my dad's business was based in the city. I fell in love with it right from the jump; everything was larger than life.
It felt like I could escape reality and be my authentic self in the city, buying "out there" clothing, listening to different music, meeting new and different people, and getting lost in the crowds on the streets.
It's always funny how the universe delivers in ways you don't expect! I worked in film and television production before real estate, and I always assumed that would be the ticket to bring me to New York, but it never did. I honestly figured maybe the time to live in New York had passed me by, as other aspects in different stages of life came more into focus. Still, my dad never forgot my dream and one morning over coffee said, "Well, you better start getting organized if you're going to move to New York!" A few months later, the perfect opportunity came to invest in a new development project my team was selling in Greenwich Village. Within 10 minutes, I had said yes, and here we are! One of the best decisions I've ever made!
What has your journey as a reader looked like?
I’ve always loved reading, and I was lucky that my parents helped nurture that from a young age by building a little personal library just for me. I’ve always been curious and eager to learn, so reading naturally became a way for me to explore new ideas and worlds.
My taste in books really developed thanks to the women who raised me. Both my mom and grandma were voracious readers. It was actually my grandmother who introduced me to Harry Potter when the first book came out, and my mom used to read them to me at night. She would put on a British accent and do all the characters' voices. Many of my most cherished memories from growing up are of her reading to me in bed.
As I got older, I leaned on both of them for book recommendations. After losing both of them, I went through a big reading stall. The Nightingale was the first book that broke the spell and got me back into reading. Now, I love that I’ve come to trust my own taste; there’s something really special about picking up a book on instinct and discovering it’s precisely what I needed.
Outside of what we read as a book club, what does your lens for deciding what to read next look like?
I tend to choose books through an emotional and intuitive lens. I'm drawn to stories or subjects that reflect where I am or where I want to go. Sometimes I read to feel less alone; other times to be jolted out of myself entirely. I think that ultimately, I like to be moved, to underline passages, to wrestle with big questions, and to carry something with me long after I’ve closed the book. I try to throw in some sexy, easy beach reads every now and then for the vibes!
You often refer to Bozeman as your “happy place”. What’s the backstory on Getaway Ranch and how this oasis became your family’s home away from home?
My family is from Colorado and Wyoming, so although I was raised in Texas, we have strong ties to the mountains. We spent summers and holidays visiting family in Colorado throughout my life. My parents decided it was too hot to be in Texas year-round and missed having a piece of the mountains to call their own, so one day they announced to me that they had put in an offer on a house in Montana. I acted like a total brat over it! I had never been to Montana and couldn't understand why we wouldn't just go back to what we knew in Colorado. But within 5 minutes of getting off the plane in Bozeman for the first time, I knew this was the place for us.
I always take the biggest inhale of the sweet mountain air as soon as I arrive! When I meditate, this is where I go- I see the beautiful view off our back deck. The problems of everyday life never feel as big here. We named it Getaway because it's our getaway, and also my dad said he wanted to get away from people! Haha
You just hosted the most epic WVBC summer camp weekend at Getaway Ranch. Tell us about how you approached designing these gorgeous few days of fun!
Thank you so much, I'm glad everyone had fun! I'm fortunate to get to host a lot in Montana, and I'm always trying to convince everyone to come out there! I knew I wanted to take the girls to some of my favorite spots and curate a mix of great food, fun drinks, music, and cowboy bars, and of course, get outside and experience the beautiful scenery and nature. I've curated a lengthy list of activities over the years, so creating a Montana itinerary comes naturally to me. The best part is there's a wealth of options to explore in our area of Montana, so we definitely didn't do it all! It makes me excited for everyone to have a reason to come back again and again!
Earlier this year, you launched Estate of Mind, your Substack that acts as a love letter to real estate, New York, and the hyper-detailed detours that make real estate feel more like a love language. Tell us about it.
I have always enjoyed the format of a newsletter, so I knew I wanted to follow in that path and realized Substack had basically zero real estate content! I was excited about the prospect of introducing a new subject and perspective to the platform. I receive numerous real estate newsletters while working in this industry, and I have many examples of what I didn't want to do. I wanted to discuss the fun, niche aspects of real estate that interest me and provide new insights to help people learn about the industry, whether that's what to expect when closing, the co-op board process, or investment opportunities, among other topics! Real estate, especially in New York, can feel intimidating, exclusive, and like a world reserved for the 1%. But I see it differently. Estate of Mind is about making real estate fun, playful, and inspiring, more like your favorite Pinterest board than a finance report. A space where conversations about real estate feel accessible and exciting. Formal<<< fun!
Whether it’s books, real estate, or fashion, WVBC knows they can turn to you to point us in the right direction. What advice would you give readers on how to up-level their homes and style as summer unfolds?
Feel first, shop second! Instead of asking what’s in style, ask: “How do I want to feel this summer?” Radiant? Carefree and Effortless? Adventurous? As a Libra, I'm drawn to beautiful items by nature. I enjoy being surrounded by beautiful things, and I love curating! That being said, I don't want to shop just for the sake of shopping, and I have found myself drawn to things that feel authentically me. Instead of just focusing on the beauty of something, I am seeking out pieces that feel worthy, focusing less on trends and more on unique, special items that hold meaning for me.
I also suggest using scent as a portal for the seasons! A hair fragrance or special body oil can be delicious for summer and adds a little something extra! Choosing a signature scent for your home with a room spray or incense, or even a new soap, fresh herbs, or citrus in the kitchen. Let your senses guide 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!
Laura’s Corner
Connect with Laura on Goodreads and Instagram
The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown is a must-read for lovers of media, pop culture enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by the intersection of power, personality, and publishing. Brown’s prose is fast-paced and unapologetically sharp—much like the magazine she helped redefine. I stopped multiple times while reading to Google covers and shoots mentioned throughout the book. I could not have loved it more.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a beautifully written novel that lingers long after the final page. While the plot stretched plausibility at times, Bel Canto is less about reality, focusing more on the characters’ emotional truths. It explores how art can elevate the human spirit, even in the darkest of circumstances. This wasn’t my favorite book by Ann Patchett and I’m not sure I’d recommend—only because I loved Tom Lake and The Dutch House so much more!
The Island by Elin Hilderbrand is perfect for anyone who enjoys character-driven fiction with depth and a coastal backdrop. I can’t stop thinking about these characters. The Island isn’t just a beach read; it’s a novel about second chances, the bonds of sisterhood, and the slow, sometimes painful path toward self-discovery. Elin never misses.
Vegas by John Gregory Dunne is more essay than travelogue, the book mixes history, gossip, and critique into a fascinating portrait of a place where illusion is reality. This book made me laugh out loud—I particularly enjoyed the chapters about Artha, she is a sex worker who keeps a detailed log of every “date.” I decided to read this book while in Vegas on a work trip (I love a themed read) and fun fact, the author was Joan Didion's husband.
Caylee’s Corner
Connect with Caylee on Goodreads and Instagram
The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J.Crew―The Epic Tale of American Fashion Style and Retail Evolution by Maggie Bullock
Fashion girlies, rejoice! This book was an excellent deep dive into J. Crew and their unique journey to household name brand status. I especially loved learning about the brand’s early days as a family company and how the boss’s daughter, Emily Cinader, was the true creative visionary behind the campaigns that established J Crew—an especially huge feat for the late 1980s/90s. Highly rec!
Beautifully done. I just love you all!