WVBC monthly: chapter 07
plus, a Member Moment with our very own Jenna Rice!
Hello, dear readers!
If you’re anything like us, the first day in August finds you listening to Taylor singing about salt air and rust on your door…it also has you wondering where the heck summer is going! We’re looking to savor every last moment—a feat we are tackling head-on calendars packed with summer travels, weddings, and alllll the dining al fresco in between.
Speaking of summer travels, as mentioned in last month’s send, a few of us went to Spain mid-July (paperbacks and Kindles in tow) to every beach and pool we could find. We returned having tackled many ‘Want to Read’s on our Goodreads lists and with a very healthy list of books to share in our monthly recap of reads. Laura even found a gorgeous copy of The Great Gatsby in Spanish to add to her collection at a stunning bookstore we stumbled upon in Palma, Mallorca, called Babel that you absolutely must check out if you find yourself on the island.
ps. if you’re new here (welcome!) or missed last month’s recap, be sure to check it out below!
Aaaand before we dive into this month’s send, as a sneak peek looking ahead to fall, we’re thrilled to share that we are nailing down details on another event! We’re not quite ready to share, but you’ll be the first to know when it’s locked in.
Included in this month’s recap:
Recap of our July WVBC pick, Hotter in the Hamptons
Member Moment: Meet Jenna Rice
Local Business Love: Casa Magazines and Casa Next Door
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 July Pick: Hotter In The Hamptons by Tinx
Tinx’s Hotter in the Hamptons is exactly what you’d expect from the queen of dolling out dating advice—sharp, funny, and a little unhinged (in the best way). Set against the hustle of New York and the sun-drenched backdrop of the Hamptons, this book follows an influencer, Lola, as she navigates being cancelled, shortly followed by a breakup with her long-term boyfriend. The result is her getting her life together a summer out East, all while falling for the girl next door…no, really.
Beyond the glossy beach houses and rosé-fueled soirées, the novel actually digs into something meatier: how we curate our lives versus how we live them. Notably, it also caused some raised eyebrows for its exploration of same-sex relationships with the help of her ghostwriter, Gabriella Korn. In true Tinx fashion, this story is equal parts escapism and chaos. We loved it for book club because it sparked all kinds of conversation about identity, sexuality, and what it looks like to put your life online.
And when it came to hosting, Jenna truly outdid herself hosting this month’s gathering. She pulled out all the stops, including buttery lobster rolls served alongside bottles of Hamptons Water rosé, followed by a surprise Magnolia Bakery cake to celebrate Chelsea’s birthday in typical West Village Book Club style. It was the kind of thoughtful, chic spread that felt both effortless and deeply considered—the ultimate love language for our book club crew.
Member Moment: Meet Jenna Rice (…soon to be Jenna Baer!)
WVBC rapid fire intro Qs!!
Zodiac sign? Taurus sun, Leo rising!
Kindle or physical book: Physical book
Preferred audiobook platform: Spotify for nonfiction
Most beloved NY bookstore: Three Lives and Company
All-time favorite author: Rebecca Serle
Favorite book of all time: 28 Summers by my queen, Elin Hilderbrand!
WVBC: Jenna, you’re an OG member of WVBC. How has being a part of book club changed the way you approach reading?
Jenna: I’m so lucky to have been a part of WVBC from the very beginning! I’ve never considered myself an avid reader, but I always feel my best when I prioritize reading as part of my routine. As the saying goes, “the people we spend the most time with shape our thoughts and behaviors.” For me, I’m lucky enough to spend a lot of quality time with five voracious readers who have kindled my love of reading and help hold me accountable.
I’m definitely the one who is cramming to finish the book at the final hour— ok, sometimes minute— but what can I say? I read well under pressure. More than anything, I try not to take reading too seriously. While every once in a while I surprise myself and fall deep into our more literary picks like The Nightingale or All the Colors of the Dark, I tend to lean towards breezy beach reads.
WVBC: You live in West Village and work in influencer marketing—two worlds that feel steeped in inspiration. How do your surroundings (and job!) shape the way you approach books and tastemaking alike?
Jenna: Working in influencer marketing means I am constantly thinking in a content-first mindset, which definitely comes in handy when curating WVBC meetings and creating shareable @westvillagebookclub posts. That said, spending so much time on social media has deepened my appreciation for being offline and reading. Living in West Village has only added to that experience. The neighborhood is full of charm and makes the perfect backdrop for an audiobook stroll. Some of my best listening happens on the West Side Highway!
Jenna: This past month, you hosted the sweetest summer night with a Hamptons-themed menu as a nod to our July pick, Hotter in the Hamptons, and back in December, you hosted the most epic Christmas-themed meeting. When you host, how do you go about curating a thoughtful gathering?
Jenna: Hosting is absolutely my favorite part about book club (sorry, books!). I love drawing inspiration from the book itself to inform how I approach the menu and decor. I like to follow the “if you’re going to do it, do it right” mantra—I love going just a little bit over the top in an effort to wow everyone (a true over-indulgent Taurus!). I always consider the guest experience when planning and think through the “flow” of the evening; prioritizing comfort, ease, and overall good vibes.
I like to push myself to do something a little unexpected each time I host. For our Christmas meeting, this meant a hot cocoa bar with personalized mugs for each of the girls to take home, and in July, this looked like getting 10K balloons to surprise Kayla for hitting an Instagram milestone (cue the giggles). There is truly nothing that fills my cup more than the gals leaving my apartment raving about the night—words of affirmation is my love language!
WVBC: You’re low-key planning the wedding of the century. What are you most looking forward to when it comes to your big day in Newport at the end of this month?
Jenna: Ahhh, I can’t believe I’m a month out from my wedding! While cliche, I’m most excited about marrying Matt. WVBC has been with me on this journey from the beginning—from dating and its many disappointments to finally meeting “the one.” I feel so incredibly lucky and am definitely soaking up this chapter. Beyond that, I can’t wait to see my vision come to life! From the ceremony to the florals and all the little details in between, I can’t wait to experience the weekend I’ve been dreaming up for the past year.
WVBC: And finally, how would you spend a dream Sunday in West Village?
Jenna: Oooo, I love this question! I moved to West Village in early 2020, literally right before the pandemic. More than five years later, and this neighborhood still makes me swoon on a regular basis. My dream Sunday would start with a coffee from Casa Next Door, followed by a stroll to New York Pilates for a late morning class. Afterwards, I’d grab a breakfast malawach wrap and liquid sunshine from Edith’s. The afternoon would look like popping in and out of shops on Bleecker and ultimately making my way to San Sabino or Don Angie to put my name in for a walk-in. I’d head home to freshen up and sync up with Matt, and we’d get a text around 5:30pm that our bar seats are ready. After a stroll back home, I’m showered and in bed by 9pm, reading this month’s WVBC pick. Life is good!
Local Business Love: Casa Magazines and Casa Next Door
Casa Magazines has long been the West Village destination for print lovers—often hailed as New York City’s “magazine mecca.” Located on 8th Ave between 12th and Bleecker, this tiny corner shop packs an outsized punch for its lean square footage over 2,000 international fashion, design, and culture titles, from rarities to mainstream glossies. Founded in the 1970s and run by Mohammed Ahmed (later joined by our dearest Ali!), it has persevered through print’s decline and even a COVID-era closure, supported by a neighborhood GoFundMe and media attention highlighting its irreplaceable community role.
Walking in here and being recognized as we pick up our papers and magazines is a special kind of magic in an otherwise digital-first world.
Next door, Casa Next Door opened this fall, extending that vibe into a light-filled haven of books, coffee, and community. This café-bookstore hybrid is run by the same team behind Casa Magazines, reimagining the building’s previously shuffled retail spaces into a welcoming gathering hub. With its front room devoted to curated books—travel, art, fashion, design—and the café in back serving espresso-based drinks like the signature “Casa latte” made with espresso, honey, cinnamon, plus rotating pastries, the space encourages lingering and actually meeting your neighbor instead of just strolling (or scrolling) past them.
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!
Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand
I went to Nantucket in July so in preparation for my trip, I indulged myself in two Elin books I had yet to read (shocking to think I still haven’t read a handful of my girl Elin’s books!) This one was fun and different from past Elin books I have read, although definitely an interesting subject matter (it was written in 2002… might be a bit too scandalous nowadays!) I won’t spoil much but I do enjoy the female friendships (albeit messy) component of it, and the book has you constantly guessing what happened that fateful night!
A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand
One thing I love about Elin’s writing is her character development, but this one didn’t really hit the mark for me. I just didn’t love the main characters? (I did enjoy some of the fringe characters' fun, however). But I do love some Nantucket escapism and a big gala!
Laura’s Corner
Connect with Laura on Goodreads and Instagram
Just Kids by Patti Smith is an immersive and cinematic memoir that captures the raw beauty of Patti Smith’s early years in New York City alongside photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. With poetic honesty, she paints a portrait of two carefree, starving artists chasing meaning, survival, and art in a gritty, electrifying world.
The Vacationers by Emma Straub is a sharp, witty, and heartfelt novel that explores the complexities of family, relationships, and personal growth—all set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Mallorca, Spain. I was lucky enough to read The Vacationers while visiting Mallorca, and seeing the landscapes Straub describes—the beaches, the hills, the quiet charm of island life—made the novel feel even more immersive and alive.
The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway is set along the sun-soaked coasts of the French Riviera and Spain, capturing a sense of restless wanderlust—and I was fortunate enough to read it in kind, starting the book on a boat and finishing it at a beach club in Mallorca, which only deepened its dreamy, disorienting pull. This is one of Hemingway’s lesser-known works, published posthumously in 1986. I was immediately drawn to complex psychological fiction, as this novel delves into themes ahead of its time—such as gender fluidity, obsession, and creative control.
All The Sad Young Men by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a collection of short stories, rich with the melancholy, disillusionment, and emotional fragility that define the post–World War I generation—young people chasing dreams in a world that no longer feels solid beneath their feet. The characters are beautiful, privileged, and lost, clinging to romance and youth even as they watch both slip away. This collection captures a mood of fading glamour and quiet despair with haunting beauty. It’s a moving snapshot of the Jazz Age’s emotional aftermath and a powerful companion piece to The Great Gatsby.
Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik is a vibrant “dual biography” that intertwines the lives of Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. I loved the audiobook, which is read by Anolik featuring Emma Roberts, who pops in as the voice of Eve, narrating private excerpts from her journals and letters to her dearest friends and controversial lovers. The book reanimates Babitz with vivid affection, simultaneously dragging Didion. Either way, it’s a vivid reading experience for lovers of literary gossip and cultural biography alike.
Comedic Timing by Upasna Barath is a quick, impactful read—funny and sexy, yet emotionally honest. It captures the messy exhilaration of unexpected attraction and the profound work of accepting yourself in flux. Centering on Naina Rao, a bisexual writer navigating post-breakup life in New York City, it’s both a friends‑to‑lovers romance and a moving exploration of identity and queerness.
The Story of a Single Woman by Uno Chiyo (translated by Rebecca Copeland) follows the life of a fiercely independent woman navigating love, loss, and societal expectations in early 20th-century Japan. With elegant prose and emotional depth, Chiyo paints a vivid portrait of personal strength and quiet defiance. Another timeless gem about a woman considered controversial during her time that still resonates today.
Caylee’s Corner
Connect with Caylee on Goodreads and Instagram
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is my new favorite TJR. Set in the 1980s in Houston, the story follows an inspiring astronaut, Joan, as she chases her dream of finding herself up in space amongst the stars… and ends up finding her most authentic self on the way. Tears were shed! A touching story and as always, so beautifully written.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a riveting historical fiction centered around an 18th-century midwife named Martha Ballard and the murder mystery that unfolds in her town of Hallowell, Maine. Martha is talented, experienced, intuitive, and trusted by many in her town, but her confidence, skill, and power make her the center of many sexist remarks and attacks. This book felt like a love letter to the brave, revolutionary women that came before us… because damn, they fought hard.
Kayla’s Corner
Connect with Kayla on Goodreads, Instagram, and subscribe to her Substack!
Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell was the perfect thriller to dive into after a string of lighter summer reads. I opted for this one after reading ’s review and she certainly didn’t steer me wrong! The fast pacing of this one was exactly what I look for in this genre, not to mention, the trope of a man living a double (or in this case, way more than two!) life was right up my alley. The way this story brings together three women who are being conned by one man will have you devouring Lisa Jewell’s latest.
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is a second chance romance just as captivating as everyone (including Reese’s Book Club) claims. Set in the UK countryside in the 1950s-1970s, this story follows a woman wrecked by the heartbreak of losing her son on their family farm who finds solace in taking care of her first love’s child. What ensues is a love triangle for the ages, where she is forced to make impossible choices. With intermittent flashes forward to the murder trial that is the major mystery at the heart of this novel, it’s an emotional rollercoaster that paces like a thriller and will have you guessing until the very end.
Care and Feeding: A Memoir by Laurie Woolever is my favorite memoir I’ve read in quite some time. This deeply personal story follows the life of a New York City-based food writer whose career found her working with both Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain. Beyond the anecdotes of the powerful men whose shadow she found herself in, her relationship to alcohol and men outside her marriage was riveting. Couldn’t recommend this one more for anyone who is interested in the food world.
The High Dive by Chelsea Fagan was a fun summer read, perfectly matched for a European vacation. This story takes place aboard a ten-day chartered yacht trip through the Mediterranean as a group of college friends reunite before a wedding. I really appreciated Chelsea’s commentary on social class and the ever-present money anxiety that plagues the protagonist, who is notably an outsider on this trip with her wealthy friends. Ultimately, this book is a second-chance romance, which is another one of my favorite tropes.
Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino felt like another one destined to be a vacation read, and that it was! This novel follows a recent divorcée on a journey to find herself after her separation—a journey that finds her starting up a new business while she’s diving back into dating. Notably, one of the more impressionable parts of this book is its focus on body image; I actually enjoyed those bits more and the many mentions of the West Village more than the romance plotline. A cute one to add in the mix if you want something super light and breezy.
Xan’s Corner
Connect with Xan on Goodreads and Instagram
What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill Of course, I had to read the iconic memoir by my favorite Real Housewife of New York. What Remains is a story about grief, love, and identity... but it’s also a time capsule of 80s–90s New York, American royalty, and a world of princes and princesses.. If you’re interested in JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette, or the social fabric of that era, you’ll love this book!
But the real gift of this book is how Carole captures the surreal disorientation of loss without ever being heavy-handed. Her honesty made me feel less alone in my journey with grief, especially the way she writes about her husband’s cancer battle. At its core, it's a story about being young and in love. It’s a reminder that the most devastating stories are often told with the lightest touch.
Scruples by Judith Krantz I heard there’s a Barneys TV show in the works, so naturally, I had to throw it all the way back to 1978 and finally read Scruples. Set between Paris, Beverly Hills, and NYC, it’s full of fashion, sex, reinvention, and indulgent 70s excess. I loved watching the main character, Billy, ’s transformation from an insecure outsider to a savvy businesswoman and boutique owner. It’s campy, outrageous, and chic!
And that’s a wrap! We can’t wait to be back in your inboxes ASAP with event details. Until then, we hope to hear from you in the comments about what you’re reading and loving! xx WVBC