Sunday Sundries 009: Halloween Reads & Fall Bags
Plus, come hang with me IRL at 3 upcoming events!
Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries.
Hello from the LaGuardia Delta lounge!
I’m en route to Chicago for a friend’s 40th birthday celebration. Though when you read this, I’ll be on my way home. The 40th birthdays are a *thing*, huh? I’ve had four close friends turn 40 so far, and in each case, there’s been a big bash (and in two instances, a trip). Honestly, it’s fun! I haven’t been to a wedding or bachelorette party since 2019, so it’s a great excuse to travel with friends.
This trip is definitely the high point of my week. Otherwise, things have been quiet and productive, just clacking away on the latest draft of my book. I’ve been re-reading
’s book, 1,000 Words, for inspiration and finding it in spades. The book is made up of mini pep talk essays from prominent writers. I found myself highlighting an entire essay by Maggie Shipstead. Here’s just a taste:“Sometimes, especially in a first draft, I get paralyzed by a fear of doing it wrong, of taking an approach that I’ll eventually have to undo. I might be worried about a question of plot, or I might be unsure about the voice I’ve adopted, obsessing over first person versus third or present tense versus past. It’s difficult for me to make peace in advance with the inevitable detours, backtracks, wrong turns, dead ends, flat tires.”
Even though I’m on a fourth draft, this really resonates. Maybe it does for you, too. It’s advice that feels equally applicable to both writing and life.
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff…
📚 6 Halloween Reads
Since today marks the official start of fall (and not just my personal fall, which started Sept 1), it’s time to talk about seasonal reads. Are you a seasonal reader? Historically, I have been: picking up a witchy book as the weather cools, reading holiday books by the stackful in the glow of Christmas tree lights, subsisting on summer romances with beach motifs on the cover from June to August. But, I’m feeling a little behind reading-wise, so this fall may be more about “catching up” than “catching the vibes” for me (my fall TBR guide will be coming to you in the next few weeks!). But if you’re looking to embrace the season I have 6 suggestions:
2 brand new releases:
FANG FICTION by Kate Stayman-London (Bookshop | Amazon): A woman gulps down vampire novels at her night shift job, but she doesn’t actually believe vampires are real… until a character in her favorite series is trapped, and only she can rescue him. This is at the top of my seasonal reading list. It sounds campy and FUN. And, personally, I could use more purely fun books. (Out Oct 1)
LIGHTNING IN HER HANDS by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland (Bookshop | Amazon): This is the second book in a series of connected romance novels following three sisters with witchy powers that the author bills as a Latinx Practical Magic. The first book, which came out last year, is called WITCH OF WILD THINGS. (out Oct 15)
3 older titles worth another look:
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness (Bookshop | Amazon): I ALL-CAPS LOVED this series that’s part creature romance (a witch falls for a vampire… très scandal!) and part academic mystery, but the reason I’m recommending it now is because the three-season TV adaptation recently arrived on Netflix. Originally, it was only streamable on AMC+, so I think a lot of people missed it. You could make a whole fall feast out this series and its TV cousin.
THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES by Sangu Mandanna (Bookshop | Amazon): Did you love THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA? This one has similar vibes IMO. Very cozy, a little romance/a little saving precocious children. It feels like a warm hug.
ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Elizabeth Klehfoth (Bookshop | Amazon): Another facet of fall reading? A good campus novel! And there’s nothing I love more than rich, poorly supervised teens. This book about a secret society at an elite boarding school delivers. The description compares it to “the dishy gamesmanship of Gossip Girl with the murky atmosphere of The Secret History." Who are we to resist?
1 scare-your-pants-off rec from a thriller connoisseur:
If you’ve been here a bit, you know scary is not my strong suit, so I phoned a friend to ask for the most terrifying book she’s read this year. Here’s
:The scariest book I've read all year was THE MIDNIGHT FEAST by Lucy Foley. Why? BIRDS! This one has a supernatural element that I couldn't get over. It also felt very realistic to me. A luxurious "goop" style resort opens in the middle of the woods. The blue-collar locals are not amused. Scary stuff ensues with a little help from the birds.
PS: If you’re looking for more thriller recs, you can search all of Grace’s reviews here.
For my fellow seasonal readers, what else is on your list this fall?
🛍️ Shopping For: A Fall Purse
Another thing on my mind with the switch of seasons: the need for a new fall purse! Maybe something a little roomier and less structured than the bags I’ve been carrying recently. While chocolate brown is trending, I’m looking for something a bit more versatile that I can also pair with black, which I have more of in my closet. I rounded up the ones on my radar (including the two I bought!)
A few splurgy options:
A few more wallet-friendly options:
Madewell The Essential Sling Crossbody Bag in Tawny Khaki ($145)
Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Mini Hobo Bag in Cognac ($99)
Anthropologie The Love Knot Slouchy Bag: Buckle Edition ($98)
Winners: I went with the Sezane Claude bag, which I’ve been eyeing for a while, and I think I can get use of year round (lol @ me picking the one heavily structured bag in the bunch). I also bought the Madewell Sling Bag (which I swear is cuter in person than it looks in this pic) after
raved about it! There’s also a larger hobo version if you’re looking for something bigger.🎉 Let’s Hang IRL: 3 Upcoming Events
I don’t have a book coming out this year, but I’m excited to celebrate some other book launches. If you live in New York, I’d love to meet you at one of these events:
Oct 8: I’ll be in conversation with Kate Stayman-London for the launch of FANG FICTION at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn at 7pm. Tickets are $21 and include a book. Grab a ticket here.
Oct 17: Already ready to deck the halls? I’ll be in conversation with Georgia Clark for the launch of her latest, MOST WONDERFUL, also at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn at 7:00pm. Tickets are $20 and include a book. Grab a ticket here.
Oct 26: My podcast co-host
is spearheading an adult book fair in the Hudson Valley at Lasting Joy Brewery. Come any time from 12-5 and hang out with us plus , Jessica Goodman, Becky Chalsen, , Chelsea Devantez, Jane Rosen and more! No tickets required. More info here.
Where to Next? More Links to Stave Off Your Scaries:
- launched a newsletter about status and culture and from the first issue, I have a feeling it’s going to be a must-read.
PSA: My favorite Skims underwear is on sale—like, I got rid of all my others, so it’s always a favorite underwear day.
The full brief and the t-shirt bra are also great and included in the sale.
If you’re feeling confused about what socks are in style
enlisted to be our professor at “socks school.”After reading this post, I grabbed a couple pairs of the 70s-inspired Le Bon Shoppe girlfriend socks.
It’s time for Sally Rooney’s single interview to coincide with her book launch. It’s vague as hell. I devoured it. Then go read
’s commentary.I had to reopen the issue because yesterday Rooney gave another interview to the New York Times [gift link], which is more expansive, but still frustratingly reticent.
I have Nicole Kidman’s episode of Elin Hilderbrand’s podcast, Books, Beach, & Beyond, queued up for my return flight from Chicago. Hoping for lots of behind-the-scenes intel about The Perfect Couple adaptation.
See you next Sunday!
Becca
This Nicole Kidman podcast sounds like one I would enjoy
I just started Fang Fiction on audio! 🧛♀️ 🩸