Sunday Sundries 045: Big Book Casting News, A Debut Novel to Watch, & Do We Have a Book of the Summer?
Plus, links. Lots of them.
Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries.
Hi friends,
Big week over here, because I’m prepping for the third annual lobster roll off next weekend. If you’re new here, every summer my college friends and I host an incredibly competitive lobster roll cooking competition.
If you’re picturing standard lobster rolls—a choice of butter or mayo—WRONG! You’re going to need to be a lot more creative to win this competition. Last year, I tied for first place with a buffalo-style lobster roll. My co-champion had a caviar and creme-fraiche-topped roll. There are lobster-themed outfits, a rotating signature cocktail, a playlist (I’ll be singing “Rock Lobster” by the B-52s under my breath for weeks to come).
On the prep front, I’m testing my roll this weekend. (I’m a Virgo, did you think I was just going to wing it?!) I have a solid concept, but I don’t know if it’s my year to win again. I’ve heard whispers about some of the other rolls, and I think competition is going to be particularly fierce. I also shipped a secret ingredient and some lobster-themed hostess gifts ahead of me (aren’t these lobster claw salt & pepper shakers hilarious?). I have multiple days worth of lobster outfits ready to go. It’s truly one of my favorite weekends of the year.
But while we wait, let’s sundry!
🍷A New-to-Me Organic Wine Brand
This section is sponsored by Avaline.
You know what goes great with a lobster roll? A nice full-bodied chardonnay or a crispy glass of rosé. Have you heard of Avaline? It’s a wine brand founded by actress Cameron Diaz and WhoWhatWear co-founder Katherine Power. Their wines are made with 100% organic grapes, no unwanted additives—did you know winemakers are allowed to up to 73 different additives to wine?—and 0g sugar in every bottle, which is perfect for me because I like my rosé bone dry.
If you order online, you can get access to limited-edition wines—like their online-exclusive chardonnay (highly recommend)—and have them shipped right to your door. (NYC girls know this means less schlepping.) They also have fun variety packs, like this one if you want to host an at-home tasting party. They offer free shipping over $150, and you can take 15% sitewide with code BECCA15.
🎥 3 Big Pieces of Book Casting News
I try to save all the book adaptation news for my monthly book report—something about me: I love arbitrary rules—but this week has brought bombshell after bombshell that I just couldn’t wait to discuss.
The News: Regé-Jean Page is starring as Gabe Parker in the TV adaptation of Elissa Sussman’s Funny You Should Ask.
My Take: I’m so excited to see Page return to the romance adaptation world! I can see him crushing this role. (TBH, I could see him crushing as almost any romance book lead.) Also: I wonder if Chris Evans was ever in the mix for this, since it’s rumored his 2011 GQ cover story inspired the novel. It feels like he has the right sense of humor and “down-ness” that it wouldn’t have been a nonstarter. That would have been fun casting, too.
The News: Lili Reinhart is starring as Olive Smith in the film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis.
My Take: This isn’t how I pictured Olive, but I’m excited—I loved Reinhart in Netflix’s Look Both Ways. My biggest overarching question is how R-rated any of these adaptations of books that rely heavily on spicy scenes will be (I’m also thinking of the adaptations of Off Campus by Elle Kennedy or Twisted Love by Ana Huang), and, if not, how well the adaptations will work without those elements.
The News: The full main cast was announced for the TV adaptation of Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After.
My Take: I haven’t heard of any of these people (not surprising, I don’t have a great mental rolodex of teen/early-20’s actors), have you? I’m also curious if there will be separate casting for the adult versions of Percy and Sam or if these actors will play both versions. In the book, their story starts when they’re 13 and goes until they’re 30—that’s quite a spread. Perhaps they’ll condense it in the show?
We’ve got a lot to chat about in the comments.
📗 A Debut Novel (I Loved) Releasing this Week!
Remember this book I was raving about a couple months ago? It’s finally out on Tuesday. As a refresher: this novel follows a woman dealing with the one-two punch of her husband leaving her for another woman (named Maggie) and a breast cancer diagnosis (she also names her tumor Maggie).
The voice of the novel reminded me so much of Catherine Newman with the narrator’s hilarious in the face of awfulness inner-monologue. But it’s also completely its own thing: the narrator is in her thirties and parenting younger children than Newman’s characters, and also Asian-American. (There’s a great plot line where she’s teaching her children Chinese mythology while trying to one-up her ex’s bedtime story game.) Chocolate-pretzel book lovers—those wanting a mix of salty and sweet—this one’s for you!
Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee (out 7/22) · Bookshop · Amazon
☀️📖 Do We Have a Book of the Summer?
Before summer even started, I was eager to make some predictions about what the book of the summer (BoTS) might be. Now that summer’s in full swing, I want to know what YOU think the book of the summer actually is. Tell me your thoughts HERE. I’ll be putting together an analysis looking at my predictions, Goodreads data, and your thoughts later this month!
- , author and owner of Brooklyn’s Books are Magic bookstore, is launching her own book club subscription box called “Emma’s First Editions.” Her inaugural pick is Heart the Lover by Lily King—an excellent choice!
I’m eyeing this raspberry-print swimsuit for some late summer vacations. There’s also a matching dress.
Emmy nominations were announced this week, and I’m real butt-hurt that Industry was snubbed—IMO, one of the best shows on TV.
As someone currently planning a 40th birthday trip, I devoured this article about 40th birthday friend trips.
Spotted these (on sale) designer sunglasses in my friend
’s newsletter and they’re kind of haunting me. (Can’t we see them with the Doen scarf dress in Sicily?1)I’m not exactly sure what an UNO social club is, but I’m positive I’m intrigued.
More soon,
Becca
This is the current filter through which most of my fantasy life is envisioned. Spritz, ocean view, la dolce vita.
You know I immediately thought of you when I saw Emma Straub's first pick for her book club - you called it with the bumped up release date for Heart the Lover! Maybe Jenna too?! Would absolutely love that for Lily King!
🪨🦞 you butter bring your A game! My roll is a star!