The Girl's Guide to DC
Issue 18: DC's Hottest Book Club Is...
Welcome back! If you missed my last issue, find it here.
I want this newsletter to be about you, the ladies of DC, so send me your feedback by replying to this email.
What They Don’t Tell You
I got a little help from a friend for this week’s newsletter. You may have read my interview with Rebekah Hoshiko earlier this year. She’s an amazing hostess and long-running organizer of a women’s book club on Capitol Hill.
Check out Rebekah’s top tips for starting your own book club and connect with her on Instagram here.
Rebekah’s Book Club Tips
By Rebekah Hoshiko
Just do it!
When I first moved to DC, I kept waiting for people to invite me to things. I was dying to be a part of book clubs and other social events, but I also didn't want to just invite myself to an already-established group. Finally, I decided to stop sitting around and figured other people would like to be invited to things too, so I put together a small Facebook group and added some friends I thought might enjoy getting together once a month to talk about books.
It can be intimidating to put yourself out there (what if no one comes??) but I promise you it's worth it! I've found that it's also super helpful to have an established event to invite new friends to. Instead of getting stuck in permanent "let's get coffee sometime" purgatory, tell them you host a monthly book club and they should join! Not only will they meet some new people, but it also gives you a launching pad for conversation with someone you don't know really well.
Keep it simple.
Hosting a book club does not have to break the bank or be an extravagant affair. Just use the space you have and what you have on hand! This month, our kitchen cabinets literally fell off the wall (long story) so while we're waiting for our contractors, we've had to store our groceries in the living room and put all our glassware on the bookcases.
In short, my house is a wreck but instead of cancelling book club, I just pushed it all to the side and had gals over anyway. Absolutely no one cared! Point being, don't let a tiny apartment or messy roommates keep you from your ultimate goals.
You don't have to go crazy with food either — I typically just make a batch of cookies or lemon bars and put out something to drink. If you're feeling fancy, put together a cheeseboard (just don't forget to include things for anyone who might be gluten free).
Lastly, decide on the format you want for your book club. Once a month? Biweekly? Read a full book and then discuss? Break it up into portions? Personally, I think it's easiest for scheduling if you pick one book per month for everyone to read in advance. But do what's best for you and your friends!
Don't be afraid to pick "bad" books.
I have a very haphazard method of picking out books to read, typically a combination of friends' input, Reese's Book Club picks, what I've seen on Instagram, and how aesthetically pleasing the cover is. I typically don't read the book before I decide on it for the month, and usually I'll try to go back and forth between fiction and nonfiction.
The biggest thing, though, is you shouldn't be nervous about picking a book that everyone ends up disliking. People have very different tastes when it comes to writing styles, character development, plots, etc. I've actually found that some of our best discussions have been about books we didn't like! No one will view this as a reflection of you, a book picker, and will be thrilled to vent all their thoughts to a receptive audience.
Make sure to subscribe to the Girl’s Guide to DC to read next week’s issue where Rebekah reveals her reading list!
Send me your favorite book you’ve read this year by replying to this email!
Interview with Abby Schwartz
Meet Abby Schwartz, a DC gal who’s had a whirlwind year. She and her fiancé Houston got engaged earlier this summer, and Abby is embarking on a new chapter at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University this fall!
Find Abby on Instagram here.
What do you love about your neighborhood?
I live in Alexandria with my fiancé. I really love all the history in this area, and all of the GORGEOUS architecture. It's just the perfect distance from DC to get into the city easily, but has a more relaxed feel (and way more nature).
What’s your favorite restaurant in the DC area?
My favorite restaurant in the DC area is probably Hong Kong Pearl Seafood in Falls Church. They have dim sum there on weekend mornings (think carts of delicious Chinese dumplings, buns, vegetables, sweets, and noodle dishes). The food is delicious, but choosing the food from the carts going around is definitely my favorite part.
In DC proper, I love to eat at Purple Patch, a Filipino restaurant in Columbia Heights. They have all these delicious foods made with taro (a type of purple sweet potato) and I can't get enough of it's unique flavor — especially in ice cream!
What’s your favorite book?
I LOVE to read (and was even an English major in college) but always have such a tough time choosing a favorite book. While I can’t turn down a good mystery or work of historical fiction, some that I’m always recommending are: Life of Pi, The Five People you Meet in Heaven, Murder on the Orient Express (or anything else by Agatha Christie), 1984, Into the Wild, and Revolutionary Road.
What’s your post-quarantine beauty routine like?
My quarantine beauty routine really embraced the "natural look." I love wearing lipstick when out, but masks made me have to redirect my makeup focus. Not wearing makeup most days meant time to really focus on skincare. One of my favorite products (especially in the summer) has been the Trader Joe’s overnight watermelon face mask. It makes my skin feel so cool and refreshed!
How would you describe your sense of style?
My sense of style tends to lean more casual and comfortable while still looking feminine and put-together. I love prints (especially florals) and try to wear sundresses as often as I can in the summer. During the fall and winter I love wearing boots everywhere, and having fun with outerwear. I've also gotten really into following vintage style bloggers on Instagram and these ladies are ICONIC.
As a history lover, I've always loved the outfits of the past, and it's so fun to see how these looks can be made with modern touches. Some of my favorites are @madame.rhos, @shirinatra, and @lira__karina.
The Haps
I Wish I Looked This Good at 70
Check out my latest story for Evie Magazine, which is all about my favorite '70s, '80s, and '90s style icons and how they still look amazing (especially Jane Seymour — how is she 70 years old?!). I’m super excited for fall to be here, and these ladies’ vintage styles will definitely be inspiring me as we approach autumn.
The Gym Bros Were Right
You know how gym bros refuse to use baskets or bags and just carry all their groceries in their hands? Turns out they’ve been right all along. Much to my dismay, The New York Times reports that the reusable canvas bags we thought were saving the environment are actually bad. 20,000 reuses before offsetting “overall impact of production?” Paper or plastic? Sounds like neither is a good choice!
Here are some other links to what I’m reading this week:
Bama Rush is trending after non-Southern people discovered sorority sisters’ #OutfitOfTheDay videos on TikTok. One brand was a clear winner among these Southern belles: LoveShackFancy. Click here to read Amanda Lauren’s backgrounder on the popular brand and its expansion into home decor.
There’s a dark side to Bama Rush, however, according to The Cut. Click here to read a former Alpha Gamma Delta member’s account.
Reader’s Corner
This week’s Reader’s Corner is a little different than usual because I need your help! Send me the title of the best book you’ve read this year and why you enjoyed it by emailing girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com!
Ask Evie
Have a question you want me to answer in the newsletter? Click this link to send your question anonymously!
I can’t promise to have all the answers, but I will consult with the experts, a.k.a. the plotlines of my favorite 2000s romcoms.
Tweet of the Week
Congrats & More
REBEKAH HOSHIKO (featured above) celebrates her birthday on August 26! Read my previous interview with her by clicking here.
Got feedback, or just need to vent about a bad date? Email me at girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com.