My Book Turns 1 Today
A map of 12 personal easter eggs in my debut novel
I love collecting little personal holidays. I celebrate my 12-year New York anniversary later this week (September 29), every year I mark the anniversary of the first episode of Bad on Paper on March 28 (it’ll be 7 next March!), and today I get to add another to my calendar… my debut novel, The Christmas Orphans Club, turns 1!
In my mind, it feels like it’s been much longer. Even when the book came out last September, I was 9 months into living in the world of my second novel.
I think, now, with a year of distance it might be nice to re-read it this holiday. The last time I read the book in full was for my pass pages—the step in the process where the author reviews the formatted book for any final errors. That was the first time I could see the book with any objectivity. I really liked it! I was proud of it! Even a few months prior, when I handed in the final draft in January 2023, I was needlessly knotted over the last few sticky bits I wasn’t sure I’d fully solved. I’d read the book so many times while editing, I’d become immune to its many charms.
Maybe you’re also planning on reading it this holiday season. (I’d be honored!) If so, I thought it’d be fun to give you a map of some of the personal easter eggs buried in the book’s pages. Grab your cargo vest and giant cartoon magnifying glass, we’re going book spelunking!
“Konstantine” by Something Corporate: Hannah pitches this nine-minute song as the focus for an episode of the music history podcast she wants to produce. She says something about it being the cornerstone of every playlist she made in high school. Same, girl. While every character has pieces of me, Hannah got my music taste—especially in our respective early years. Dashboard Confessional, Bon Iver, and Ben Folds Five are all name-checked in the opening pages. But I didn’t realize how many others also had a special connection to this song until we took the book on submission, and it was instantly an ice-breaker with certain editors. Fast-forward to the book’s release and it’s definitely one of the most commented on references.
Boston College: I had to give Hannah and Finn my alma matter. I had so much fun writing the first chapter, which takes place on campus, and specifically in Lower dining hall. Even though it was the right call, I was sad to cut a reference to the Screaming Eagle cheesesteak in an earlier draft (iykyk).
Chili’s: If you listen to the podcast, you already know I’m a Chili’s diehard (their salsa is a perfect food). Unfortunately, there’s no Chili’s in Manhattan, so it didn’t make sense to have the characters go there. Instead, a scene takes place at the Times Square Olive Garden (never been; truly a lapse in my Manhattan landmark literacy), but Hannah sneaks in a remark about how they’d have gone to Chili’s if there was one closer. TBH, getting to mention Zuppa Toscana was a solid consolation prize.
The Immigrant wine bar: Hannah and David have their first date at this wine bar in the East Village, which was my go-to first date spot when I lived nearby.
The Swimmers painting: In an early-ish chapter Theo takes Hannah to an art gallery and they’re drawn to a painting of swimmers. It’s never named, but I was describing the work of one of my favorite contemporary artists, Chrissy Angliker.
Pies ‘n Thighs: In the Thanksgiving chapter, Hannah researches the best pie in the city and winds up at this spot in my current neighborhood.
Polo Bar: In the present timeline, the group has a private Christmas dinner at Polo Bar, which really is more
’s thing than mine. But I’ve had many celebratory meals here—though never Christmas. Recently, I was trying to snag a last-minute res and I considered telling them I’d set a scene in my book there, but wasn’t sure if that would ultimately help or hurt my chances.
Dunkin’ Iced Coffee: I’d like to think I’m an honorary Mass-hole, having spent 7 years in Boston for college and the years directly after, and there’s nothing I love more than a medium iced regular. I rarely have a sense of complete certainty in my writing, but when I wrote a line in the final chapter involving both a Dunkin’ iced coffee and Ben Affleck, I knew I’d nailed it.
Sheet Game: In one of the past Christmas chapters the gang plays “sheet game,” which has been a long-time favorite in my friend group. The rules are explained in the book, but when I had another friend beta-read it, I learned that her friend group plays in a different order! Truly, some of my hardest laughs have been during this game. There’s nothing funnier than sheet charades.
Rolf’s: I love this Christmas-themed bar in Gramercy. It’s over-the-top in the best way. As Hannah mentions in the book, I’ve also gone in June and can confirm it is balls-to-the-wall Christmas year-round. Since my book came out, this place has become even MORE special, as it’s where I had my book launch party for friends and family.
Melissa Clark Coq au Vin: At one point, David says he’s going to make Melissa Clark’s coq au vin from NYT Cooking, which is one of my favorite winter recipes to impress people.
Holbox: The epilogue takes place in Holbox, an island off the coast of Mexico, which I’ve visited twice. They stay at my favorite hotel: Punta Caliza, which I truly believe to be one of the most magical, restorative places I know. One time, I saw a flamboyance of wild flamingos while visiting.
This concludes our tour. Please exit through the gift shop and make sure to grab a copy of the book so you can find all these little moments. Welcome to the club!
Book party at Rolf's is GENIUS! Could not love that idea more.
Also absolutely love that swimmers painting!