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Nights in LA are starting to get down to the 60s (!!) and it’s officially fall. There’s something about a light jacket (and not being able to tell if I’m hot or cold when I wear it) that makes me want to curl up with a(n iced) coffee and a book. Versus the rest of the year, when I want to be on the beach with an iced coffee & a book. I contain multitudes.
Reading Lately
So far, September has been full of exceptional reads. A lot of literary fiction, all of which I recommend. And, as it turns out, a lot of celebrity/high profile book club picks, too. It’s sort of best to go into each book not knowing TOO much, I think. So below please find quick descriptions (pulled from the publishers.)
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (Read with Jenna)
In this contemporary interpretation of Little Women, three estranged siblings return to their family home in New York after their beloved sister’s death.
Colored Television by Danzy Senna (GMA Book Club)
A darkly funny novel about love and ambition, failure and reinvention, and the racial-identity-industrial complex.
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
The story about friends, lovers, Ireland in chaos, and a young woman desperately trying to manage all three. So smart and funny, I become immediately obsessed with Rachel and her journey.
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowel (Reese’s Book Club)
A friends to lovers, second chance romance spanning high school to adulthood. the story of two kids who fell in love before they knew enough about love to recognize it. Two friends who lost everything. Two adults who just feel lost finding their way back to each other.
You can find everything I’ve read in 2024 here.
And stay tuned for an issue coming soon filled with fall reading recs!
Watching Lately
English Teacher
An absolutely fabulous new comedy by FX on Hulu. Four episodes in, and I find myself consistently laughing out loud. I cannot wait to see where Brian Jordan Alvarez takes this show.
Uglies
Based on a YA novel from my teen years, Uglies imagines a future in which upon your 16th birthday, you are forced to undergo a producer to make you “pretty.” And as some on TikTok are saying, the movie depicts said “prettiness” as basically you’re forced to permanently wear the Bold Glamour filter. That’s all I’ll say for fear of spoilers.
As I’m not a teenager, I’m probably not the target demographic for this film. And I certainly wouldn’t say it’s going to be getting any Oscar buzz. But it’s absolutely entertaining and I’m embarrassed to say if they make a sequel (the film ends on a cliff hanger so it’s clear that’s Netflix’s intention) I’ll be streaming it immediately.
The Chicken Sisters
Reese’s Book Club and Hallmark invited me to the premiere of this book to screen adaptation, which was followed by a talkback with the cast and show runner moderated by the author of the book, KJ Dell’Antonia. Decades of family drama comes to ahead when the town’s feuding chicken restaurants go head to head in a kitchen wars style televised showdown. The first episode left me smiling and craving fried chicken.
Chicago at Cinespia
One of the most quintessential LA experiences is enjoying an outdoor film at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Big thank you to Amazon and Cinespia for inviting this musical theatre girlie to a screening of Chicago. It remains clear why it won The Academy Award for Best Picture.
Products & Affiliate Codes Lately
Quick reminder I (try to) link all my outfits and products on my LTK shop, so if you follow me on other social pages and ever want to know where something is from, you can check that out HERE!
Tavi Active — code SAMANTHA for 20% off site-wide from Vooray, TAVI, and ToeSox, and code SAMANTHA30 for an additional 30% off sale items
Pixi Beauty — code PIXIEGLOW for 20% off
Berlook — code Dockser20 for 20% off sitewide
RIHOAS — code Dockser22 for 22% off
Birthdate Candles — code Samantha10 at checkout
Our Place — discount applied through this link
Karma & Luck — code SAM30 for 25% off their site