who says LA doesn't have seasons?
awards fun, plus Emily Henry's new book, and the 2013 tv show I can't stop binging
Thank you for reading The Lately! If you like this newsletter, please consider becoming a subscribing member.
Ladies and gentleman, Award Season is upon us!
Here in Los Angeles, almost every weekend January through March boasts at least one award show where Hollywood A-Listers get dolled up to be asked invasive red-carpet questions, eat mediocre food, and perform general merriment while the masses sit at home on their couches to judge. We love it!
Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to attend The Golden Globe Awards Billboard Official After Party as well as the Moet After Party. And I can’t lie. It was very cool. The night included lots of celeb sightings, immense amounts of dancing to stay warm at a party almost entirely outdoors on the windiest, coldest LA night of the year, and a (free) Moet champagne vending machine.
The highlight of the night was absolutely receiving friendship bracelets from Flavor Flav on the dance floor after he saw my friend and me losing our minds singing along to Taylor Swift’s Blank Space. You can see more pictures from the evening over on my instagram if you’re curious.
Watching Lately
As a member of SAG, I get to vote in the SAG Awards. I received access to my screeners this past week, so bear with me while I play catch up on this year’s nominated movies — Poor Things, Maestro, The Holdovers, The Color Purple, Killers of The Flower Moon, Nyad, and American Fiction are all on my I-Will-Be-Watching-In-The-Next-Two-Weeks list. I know, I’m VERY behind.
I’m Chronically Online so — of course — I participated in the craze that was Barbenheimer (Barbie and Oppenheimer) this past summer. So I have at least those two checked off my list.
And frankly, I’m upset not to see the cast of Past Lives or Charles Melton from May December nominated for any SAG Awards. If you have not yet watched Past Lives, it was one of my favorite films of the year. Though as evidenced by the films listed above that I HAVEN’T yet seen, I have some homework to do and maybe my favorites list will evolve. Though if my sobbing in the theater at the end of Past Lives is any indication, it will remain firmly on the list.
We need to talk about The Americans
Why haven’t I been a good little LA actor and watched all these buzzy Oscar films you might be wondering? Well, it’s because at the end of 2023, I finally started watching The Americans, and it has consumed my life. Yes, it came out in 2013, and yes, my acting professor in college specially told me to watch it then. But better late than never, right?
My professor was correct. The acting is absurdly good. The Americans is on almost every “best TV shows” list, but I have actually found myself wondering why more people (not just critics) don’t talk about it in the same breath at Mad Men or Succession. I really think the work Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, not to mention the brilliant supporting cast, is that good. My best guesses are a) it came out too early to get the full twitter treatment and b) it is an FX show. Maybe if it had been on AMC or HBO, I would have watched it sooner. There is also always option c) People have been talking about it— it did win a few Emmys and a Golden Globe — and I have been wildly oblivious to it. After all, someone did tell me to watch it in 2013. Thoughts?
I just finished season 4 by the way, so please no spoilers! I have been uncharacteristically good about avoiding spoilers thus far, going so far as to only look up the actors playing certain characters after said characters have been killed off. That said, odds are good I’ll finish the final two seasons by the end of January. So we can discuss in greater detail then.
Love Island UK All Stars also started on January 15th, and I now eagerly await the day it starts dropping on Hulu so I can lose another 60 hours of my life to that! I’m buzzin!
Reading Lately
Firstly, in case you missed it, our Reading Lately Book Club January book is The Good Part by Sophie Cousens AND Reading Lately Book Club is also now on IG! Follow and tag us if you’re reading along with book club or just to let us know what you’re reading lately.
So far, January has been a good month for reading and listening to audiobooks! NetGalley spoiled me with early copies of books by some of my favorite authors, including Emily Henry’s soon to be released Funny Story! And I am currently listening to the audiobook for the January Reese’s Book Club book First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston and really enjoying it!
Here’s a few thoughts on what I finished reading in the first half of the month…
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
Alex Michaelides debut novel, The Silent Patient, remains one of those genre defining thrillers I can’t stop thinking about all these years later. And that has almost been a disadvantage to Michaelides. He’s cursed with having set the bar so high for himself. His sophomore novel, The Maidens, while good, was forgettable in comparison.
Perhaps enough time has passed that I was able to read The Fury with a much more open mind. It’s quite different than The Silent Patient — though still plenty twisty —and it’s great on its own merit. A Greek island locked room murder mystery perfect fans of Knives Out or Agatha Christie. Theatre lovers will especially enjoy the homage to a five act greek tragedy in this story told by an utterly unreliable narrator. I absolutely did.
I’ve seen some online reviewers complain they felt it was slow, but I disagree. It wasn’t action packed per say, but I enjoyed how much time Michaelides took building up tension and crafting intricate backstory, all of which allowed the story to reveal itself in a very satisfying way.
Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena
Another great read from one of my must-read thriller authors. Everyone Here is Lying is a domestic suspense in which nine year old Avery goes missing and suddenly the small, quiet town of Stanhope doesn’t feel so safe. As witnesses come forward, assisting in the search for Avery, lies rise to the surface, and it seems like no one is telling quite the whole truth. A really quick read that will suck you in from the very first chapter.
Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
Book two in the Rachel Krall series (you don’t have to have read book one to enjoy this one) Dark Corners tells the story of true crime podcaster Rachel Krall as she searches for a popular influencer who disappears after visiting a suspected serial killer in prison. This story is super dark (maybe the title should’ve tipped me off more) but I couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook, which I recommend because the podcast format in it adds an extra fun little element.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Emily Henry has done it again. Funny Story by Emily Henry (out April 23rd) tells the story of Daphne and Miles, two seemingly opposite people thrown together out of necessity when Daphne’s fiancé breaks of their wedding for his childhood best friend, who just happens to be Miles’ girlfriend. In desperate need of a new living situation, Daphne moves into Miles’ spare bedroom. And in an effort to prove to their exes how well they’re doing, they decide to pretend they are dating. What follows is, in true Emily Henry fashion, a smart, beautiful, thoughtful story that had me constantly on the verge of happy tears.
Tropes include fake dating, friends to lovers, and forced proximity for those who care.
All of Henry’s books are winners, but after reading Funny Story, my current ranking of Emily Henry books is as follows:
1. Book Lovers
2. Beach Read
3. Funny Story
4. Happy Place
5. People We Meet on Vacation
I go back and forth on 4 and 5. I’ve realized books 3-5 are placed where they are because they contain some of my least favorite romance tropes — fake dating & friends to lovers. I know. I’m weird.
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
One of my goals for 2024 has been to cook at least one real meal a week that doesn’t use any frozen Trader Joe’s food. So far, I’m three for three. And so, it felt like the perfect time to listen to the audiobook for Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. While a lot of it feels like an outdated product of its time (it’s pretty darn sexist) it was still worth listening to. Incredibly entertaining and highly educational.
Products Lately
If you’re doing any Valentine’s Day shopping (or just trying to cure the winter blues) here are a few things I’m enjoying lately, along with some discount codes! I also always (try to) link everything I’m wearing and sharing on my LTK shop!
Tavi Active — you can use discount code SAMANTHA for 20% off site-wide from Vooray, TAVI, and ToeSox, and code SAMANTHA30 for an additional 30% off sale items
Rent The Runway — you can use my code RTRCUR252EC4 for 40% off your first month
Dyson Airwrap — I did just post a sponsored Dyson hair tutorial on my IG, and I know the price tag is steep, but I’ve become a convert. Follow the first link for the airwrap and a few of my other haircare essentials
Java House Cold Brew Pods — if you’re looking for an easy, inexpensive addition to your morning coffee routine, these pods are delicious
YSL Black Opium Perfume — the only scent I’ll be wearing for the foreseeable future
Lulus Sweaters — I’m living in these cozy, affordable sweaters right now
Okay hitting publish now because I need to go film an audition. Send some good vibes my way please :)