Books that Pass the Vibe Check

Sponsored by Gallery Books.

When it’s announced that 1958 will be the last year debutantes are to be presented at court, thousands of eager mothers and daughters flood the palace with letters seeking the year’s most coveted invitation: a chance for their daughters to curtsey to Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society. To appease her traditional mother, Lily Nichols agrees to become a debutante and do the Season, a string of countless balls. But when Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family, she’s forced to ask herself what really matters: her family legacy or her own happiness.

Happy New Year and welcome to In The Club, a newsletter of resources to keep your book group well-met, well-read, and well-fed.

Phew! We made it, y’all. What exactly we made it to is still developing— *cries in 2020, too*— but at least we’re here! I hope the past couple of weeks have been restorative and pleasant for everyone.

I’m still in that relaxed mode and not trying to do too much of anything serious. The world, as usual, is doing too much (exhibits 1 and 2), and I’m just trying to maintain my vibes over here, you know what I mean? For this club meeting, we’re just going over some feel-good memoirs.

Now, to the club!

Nibbles and Sips

I love the sentence that introduces this list of recipes: “In times like these, what we need most is bowl food.” Pretty much how I feel at the moment. I honestly love soups and stews year-round, but especially when it’s cold and I want to bundle up. Fire up those instant pots and what have you, and get to it!

Sn: They all look good, but the tomatillo one is calling to me.

Now for the books!

Low-Key Reads for the New Year

These memoirs can get a little real, but will still get you in the ribs. Just what I need in these trying times.

If You Ask Me by Betty White

First of all, BETTY! How many universally loved people are there in the world, really? She was definitely one of them, which was interesting because I feel like she didn’t pander and was honest. In this memoir, Betty speaks on the many different aspects of her life —love, friendships, aging, television, as well as her love for animals. You can, of course, expect her trademark humor throughout. *cues up Golden Girls on Hulu*

Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

The title of this book is something I resonate with on a spiritual level. Irby also has a newsletter called bitchesgottaeat, so you already know she’s funny. Here, she talks about the new things going on in her life— like leaving her veterinary clinic job, leaving Chicago for a small, white and Republican city, and life with her wife— as her fortieth birthday messes with her body and self-esteem.

“Hello, 911? I’ve been lying awake for an hour each night, reliving a two-second awkward experience I had in front of a casual acquaintance three years ago, for eight months.”

Can relate.

Here for It by R. Eric Thomas

Thomas is the author of Elle Magazine’s “Eric Reads the News,” and brings the same wit and humor to his essays. There are recurring themes of otherness throughout, with him trying to reconcile his religion with his sexuality, as well as trying to navigate being one of the few Black people at his suburban high school and later Ivy League college. His essays are funny, heartfelt, and relatable.

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Suggestion Section

Here are some challenges to set for your 2022 reading

Our 2022 Read Harder Challenge

Along with a reading log

The School for Good Mothers is Jenna Bush Hager’s January pick

I don’t feel attacked at all by this post about books that help you to build habits and keep them *coughs*

Here are some interesting books that have been translated from Japanese

I hope this newsletter found you well, and as always, thanks for hanging out! If you have any comments or just want to connect, send an email to erica@riotnewmedia.com or holla at me on Twitter @erica_eze_ . You can also catch me talking more mess in the new In Reading Color newsletter as well as chattin’ with my new cohost Tirzah Price on the Hey YA podcast.

Until next time,

-E