Nora Ephron Meets Jenny Offill

Maggie, a new novel about motherhood, divorce and a tumor.

Apparently this post is “too long for email” so you might have to click to read the whole thing 💚

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The first thing that popped up on my phone yesterday was a video from that summer camp in Texas — girls not much older than my daughter, Faye, running around on a grassy field. Then Faye curled up on the couch before it was time to get ready for her own summer day camp. She pulled the blanket we call “the softie” up under her chin, seeking comfort as she told me about a terrible dream she had. In her nightmare, there was a fire and she couldn’t find me or her dad and she had to keep her sister safe, but the fire was so big and moving so fast.

What happened in Texas is the stuff of nightmares. It is her terrible dream come true and I am anxious and sad and also clinging to moments like we had over the weekend with a real ferocity.

We went to Dillon Beach and ate clam chowder at Nick’s Cove. We spread out blankets and listened to live music on the 4th while the girls played on the giant inflatable slides, even though no one was feeling particularly patriotic (this 8-minute episode of We Can Do Hard Things helped reframe patriotism for me). We pitched the tent in the backyard and lit sparklers. There was a pool party and smashburgers and homemade strawberry ice cream.

It felt like honest-to-goodness summer and it was all I could do to keep from getting under that softie with Faye and staying there indefinitely.

Lately, I’ve fallen out of some of the habits that help keep me steady, like exercise. I resubscribed to The Class because I find that moving my body—I mean, really moving my body by shaking and dancing and lunging and sweating—helps regulate things. And that’s what I did. I jumped all around the living room and then packed myself a lunch, switched to work mode and headed out the door because that push and pull is the stuff of life, right? All of it.

• I’ve had this colorful English cottage in an open tab for weeks now… I like to look at it when I need a jolt of happiness. That little wallpapered alcove with the matching curtains to hide storage (or maybe a washer/dryer?)!

• A nautilus shell ring 🌀

• I’ve been using this eyelash serum for months now and am in l-o-v-e. Even my hair stylist commented on the length of my eyelashes while she was shampooing my hair, which I think says it all. The mascara is pretty tempting too.

• I find myself hitting play on this Elsie Green (my favorite for French antiques) Pop Girl playlist in the car constantly. I am not a Charli xcx fan, but apparently I am a big Olivia Rodrigo fan. “So American” is catchy as hell.

• Why am I embarrassed to say this?? But we have a third bedroom that is currently a playroom/guest room/office mashup. It’s under-loved and under-used. But, as Faye gets older and thinks about moving to her own room (😭), I’d love to get it ready. We already have this gorgeous Nordic Knots rug in there. So pretty.

  Eyeing a few things that would help warm it up like the sweetest floor lamp and this flush mount to replace the one that came with our rental. These modular bookcases in a very unexpected shade of oxblood. Maybe a cute striped beanbag chair. The most magical Morris & Co sheets! And an oversized sunflower floor cushion for a sunny place to rest.

Maggie; Or, A Man and Woman Walk Into a Bar

The publisher, Summit Books, reached out to me on Instagram (I feel like such an influencer) to see if they could send me a copy of this book. They said it’s for fans of Nora Ephron and Jenny Offill and Crying in H Mart (me, me, me) and how could I refuse??

If you look at the pages, I think I’ve underlined something on nearly every single one. There is so much about motherhood and marriage and illness that spoke straight to my heart. It is messy and funny and incredibly profound.

There are twinges of Dying for Sex, which you’ll remember I waxed poetic about here. Namely, there’s similar Jenny Slate best friend energy in Darlene, a ceramist. It was so relatable! The narrator navigates her life falling apart (a divorce and a breast cancer diagnosis) while trying to be a good mom.

The cancer stuff is mostly background though (so not like Dying for Sex)— sort of “cancer lite”—as it focuses on the narrator, her kids and the woman, Maggie, who her husband left her for. Hilariously, she decides to name her tumor Maggie as well. Both carry a weight of their own.

Normally her husband does story time while the kids are in bed and, in her newly single life, the narrator takes on the ritual, retelling Chinese folklore that she learned from her own mother. Such gorgeous moments! And a beautiful way to connect one’s past to the future.

It is about also about identity. The narrator, as mentioned, is Chinese American. Maggie, the other woman, is white. The ex is white in a very chino wearing, moneyed, Hamptons kind of way and, as the kids are split between the two households, they are also split between two cultures. I think it’s interesting that the UK book cover leans into that. It makes me wonder if the publisher thought it would be off putting to Americans.

The UK cover — fascinating! The the many, many pages I dog-eared.

I loved the way the narrator talked about her kids which can sometimes be hard to do without veering into the saccharin or mundane. I loved the way she talked about the ex-husband in ways that didn’t make you hate him, but with just enough eye rolling to understand how the divorce will be the right thing for her in the end. I thought it was hugely entertaining and life-affirming.

Maggie; Or A Man And A Woman Walk Into A Bar will be out 7/22

1. I don’t know why Myths of China is only available on the European Yoto site, but I would love to get my hands on this for my own kids! After story time they pop on a card on (usually Boxcar Children or Charlie and The Chocolate Factory or maybe Charlotte’s Web) to listen while they fall asleep. With two kids who are VERY into Greek mythology, Chinese mythology would blow their little minds.

2. As someone whose parents divorced when I was a kid, I understand the complexities of packing every week as you flip flop between two houses! Get these kids some pouches.

3. And a duffel or two.

4. Her son is really, really into trees. This book would be a beautiful addition to his collection.

5. One night during story time they talk about the Chinese zodiac. I love these letter charms and would absolutely wear one for each kid as a subtle nod to the year of the snake.

6. I don’t want to give too much away, but Darlene, the best friend and ceramist, makes the narrator an urn. Her’s is purple, but I really love this creamy terracotta one.

7. Maggie; Or, A Man And Woman Walk Into A Bar by Katie Yee

8. The narrator wears an underwire bra to her oncology appointments! Get that woman a perfect, wire-free upgrade (and a sheer version to feel really good in).

9. You know what makes oncology appointments easier? A button down. I love a men’s poplin (currently on sale).

Hope you’re reading something good!