Fancy Party Report
And what to read in June
Last night, the Guggenheim Foundation had a party at for the new class of Fellows. The party was at the Century Club, on 43rd Street, from 4-7pm, which is actually a great time for a party. I wish all parties were from 4-7pm. Here is what the Century Club looks like.
Like, if you roll up to a place that looks like this, you know it’s going to be a good party. My father used to be a member at the Century Club, and he would sometimes invite me to have lunch with him there, and I would steal piles of their nice Century Club paper from their letter-writing stations.
Did I take photos inside the party? I did not. Was it filled with gorgeous people in cool outfits? Yes, those were the choreographers and the photographers and the fine artists. There were neuroscientists and historians and poets and all sort of people, and we were all WINNERS. It was like going to a mass wedding with no guests. We were all the brides, and so everyone you talked to, you could say CONGRATULATIONS. I spent most of my time hanging with Emma Cline and Julia Phillips and Tom Beller, all of whom I already knew, because that’s what happens at parties, but I also made lots of new friends. Did I talk about the New Kids on the Block over and over again with literal geniuses? I did. Listen, you can give me a fancy award, but I’m still going to be me. Here is the only picture I took.
Literally everyone I know is publishing a book this month, and lucky for me, I only know geniuses. (Okay, I have yet to meet Rufi in person, but I LOVED her book, and she and I will be in conversation at Books Are Magic on June 20, and I haven’t met Catherine, but I feel like we’re friends anyway, a fact she can feel free to confirm or deny, I claim friends very easily.) I’m probably forgetting some, because I am disorganized, but here’s a solid list to get you started.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Rufi Thorpe—in convo with me at Books Are Magic on June 20!
Swift River, Essie Chambers—at Books Are Magic on June 6!
Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones, Priyanka Mattoo—in convo with me at Books Are Magic on June 26!
Sandwich, Catherine Newman—at Books Are Magic on June 24
Honey, Isabel Banta—at Books Are Magic on June 25
Four Squares, Bobby Finger—at Books Are Magic on June 17
The Memo, Lauren Mechling and Rachel Dodes—at Books Are Magic on June 18
Thank you for taking us to that celebration, Emma. I look forward to your notes and I make lists from your lists. Last Night at the Lobster was my best book .. now I have a (sub?)stack of Stewart O’Nan on my table. Keep writing!! Write your “working” book and write to us often. Thank you so much!
I always enjoy your stories. Thank you!