The Year In Recommendations, 2023
The best places we visited, and things we read, listened to, watched, made and bought in 2023 -- in no particular order.
This is the free edition of Rich Text, a newsletter about cultural obsessions from your Internet BFFs Emma and Claire. If you like what you see and hear, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Rich Text is a completely reader-supported project — no ads or sponsors!
“Maybe Once, Maybe Twice,” by Alison Rose Greenberg. I may be biased (I admit it!) because Alison is a dear friend, but I think she is a truly refreshing voice in the romance space. Her second novel follows Maggie Vine, a singer-songwriter who finds herself 35, single and wondering if she wants a child. I feel like I consume so many stories about women in their 20s having romantic dramas and pratfalls, and as a 36-year-old I now crave stories that speak to my experiences directly. Also, Alison knows how to write the FUCK out of a love triangle that will keep you guessing until the end. -Emma
“Bright Young Women,” by Jessica Knoll. Knoll’s fictional reexamination of a famous male serial killer’s final murders is masterful. Instead of centering the killer (no name necessary) — something our culture is wont to do again and again and again and again, searching for motives or evil genius or both — Knoll’s novel looks at the young women he targeted. These women, with hopes and dreams and drive and potential. These women, with bright minds that the banal killer could only dream of. -Emma
“My Murder,” by Katie Williams. I love a murder mystery, and Katie Williams expertly plays with the genre tropes of a thriller, turning them on their head. “My Murder” takes place in a not-so-distant future, where a government commission has the power to bring back a -Emma
“The Guest,” by Emma Cline. I love a novel with a somewhat unreliable, sometimes unlikeable narrator, and “The Guest” has both in spades. It follows a young woman who is grifting her way through an area of Long Island that is very clearly The Hamptons, but Cline never names it. If you have ever been to The Hamptons (or even just heard of them), you’ll enjoy the sharp, satirical sendup of rich people culture through the eyes of a twenty-something outsider who wants to take and take and take. I finished it in one sitting. -Emma
“Biography of X,” by Catherine Lacey. I adore Lacey’s writing. Her latest novel is set in an alternate-history America that has recently reunified after a 20th-century marked by Southern secession, and it takes the form of a gripping biography of a fictional artist and cultural icon, X, written by her bereft and increasingly disillusioned widow. In investigating her late wife’s mysterious life, the author takes herself on a journey through the dark history of her country and comes to realize how little she knows about her beloved and her homeland. -Claire
“Terrace Story,” by Hilary Leichter. A whimsical but sharp-edged fable of modern life, much like her wonderful first novel “Temporary,” Leichter’s latest begins with a young married couple with a new baby who find a magical terrace in their poky apartment — a terrace that only appears when the wife’s work friend comes to visit. It’s a dreamy novel about love and family, and how we find space for ourselves in the world. -Claire
“The Daydreams,” by Laura Hankin. I’ll be open about my bias: Laura is an old friend. I also happen to love her books, which are light and devourable but also smart and thoughtful, with touches of darkness. “The Daydreams” is my favorite yet: the cast of a Disney-Channel-esque musical TV show from the aughts, long since moved on, reunite for an live special, reopening old wounds and old hopes. -Claire
“Tom Lake,” by Ann Patchett, a novel inspired by Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” During the summer of 2020, in a cherry orchard in Michigan, a mother tells her three grown daughters about her youthful romance with a famous actor as they harvest the fruit. Most of the book is made up of this story-within-a-story, and it’s the most compelling part, but together it’s a lovely meditation on aging, ambition, and the circle of life. -Claire
“The Fraud,” by Zadie Smith. Smith’s latest is a wildly entertaining take on the Victorian novel, featuring fictional versions of real figures in the English literary scene of the mid-19th century. At the center of the novel is Mrs. Touchet, a widow cousin of a famous novelist, who takes us from abolitionist women’s groups to the trial of the Tichborne claimant. It’s a shrewdly funny, well-observed, and profound exploration of identity and fraudulence. -Claire
“Piglet,” by Lottie Hazell, a novel about a cookbook editor with everything going for her — a blossoming career, a devoted fiancé, a beautiful home, and impeccable taste. That is, until her fiancé makes a devastating confession shortly before their wedding, sending her into a tailspin. There’s a scene involving croquembouche that is more deeply upsetting than I ever imagined a scene about French pastry sculptures could ever be. -Claire
“The Girlfriends” is the exact kind of true crime podcast I love. It explores the communities impacted by Bob Bierenbaum, a seemingly perfect, charming Jewish doctor who turns out to be an abusive partner. It also does right by Bob’s first wife Gail Katz, who disappeared in 1985. (In 2020, Bob confessed to killing her.) “The Girlfriends” is hosted by Carole Fisher, a woman who dated Bob after he left New York for Las Vegas, and Gail is humanized beautifully by her sister. I found this series to be deeply affecting, despite being told with a somewhat light touch. -Emma
Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album, “GUTS,” spoke to my soul in a way that felt embarrassing, given that Rodrigo is nearly 20 years younger than me. Then I remembered that the experience of teenage girlhood into young womanhood is so knotty and particular, and leaves such lasting scars (beautiful and otherwise), that it never really leaves you — even when you’re older. -Emma
“Ghost Story.” There’s a reason I recommended this podcast in at least two other newsletters this year. It has it all: family lore, family drama, sharp storytelling, deep reporting, a potential ghost and a real Hugh Dancy. -Emma
“The Dream” season 3. The third season of Jane Marie’s fantastic podcast (if you haven’t listened to season 1, which explores MLMs, go listen immediately), dives into the world of life coaching. Marie does a great job of critiquing the griftier aspects of the coaching world (of which there are many), while still remaining open to the possibility that she might find a coach who can help her lift herself out of her post-pandemic malaise. -Emma
“Sold a Story,” an APM Reports podcast about the phasing out of phonics in American schools, and the devastating effect this move has had on children’s literacy. I got turned on to this 2022 podcast in early 2023, and as someone who learned to sound out words with phonics and became an avid reader, I was shocked to learn that many kids are now taught to read with a predominantly vibes-and-guessing approach. Phonics forever! -Claire
“First Two Pages of Frankenstein,” The National’s new album, which was a rare successful effort to get into recently released music not by Taylor Swift (it helps that I love millennial dad rock). “Once Upon a Poolside” and “Grease in Your Hair” were particular favorites, but I love to just put the album on and let the melancholy wash over me while I take the baby for a long walk. -Claire
“Slow Burn: Clarence Thomas,” the podcast that helped me understand one of the worst Supreme Court justices better than years of news coverage, digging into his childhood (and the lies he has told about it), his college years, and his rise to prominence in conservative spheres. -Claire
“Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding?”, a briefly viral podcast originally released in 2020. Hosted by two brides and the friend they had tapped to lead an investigation into an apparently human turd found on the floor of the bathroom at their wedding, it’s a (mostly) deadpan, absurd spin on the true-crime genre. -Claire
The new podcast “Bachelor in Retrospect” brings the exact type of analysis I most enjoy in my reality TV coverage (snarky and academic) to the “Bachelor” back catalog. While many seasons are now impossible to find online, the hosts have been working forward from Jason Mesnick’s season, and it’s fascinating to hear them discuss these older seasons from a media studies perspective. Is Jake Pavelka a natural outgrowth of the Proud Boy era? Was Brad Womack’s second season the 2011 version of a Notes app apology for not proposing the first time around? These and more questions are explored thoroughly and entertainingly. -Claire
An air fryer that’s much more than an air fryer. My boyfriend was skeptical when I told him that I’d be purchasing Our Place’s Wonder Oven, but in the weeks since it’s arrived I have used it daily, often multiple times a day. It toasts, it bakes, it roasts, it reheats, it broils and it air fries! Making dinner is about 1000x easier now. Plus, it looks cute on our counter. -Emma
The Dyson Airstrait. This hair tool is worth every freaking penny. It’s a straightener and a hair dryer and a sleek styler all in one. And it has essentially zero learning curve. I bought the Airstrait thinking I’d try it out and then return it, but no, Dyson’s products really do live up to the hype. My slow-to-dry long hair is grateful every time I whip this bad boy out — especially during the winter months where I really can’t be going outside with sopping wet hair scrunched up in a claw clip. -Emma
Jenny Bird’s Nouveaux Puffs earrings. My friend Fatima wore these out to dinner, and I basically ran home right after to purchase them myself. They are sophisticated and make a statement without making too much of a statement. My ear lobes feel v chic every time I wear them out, and they can dress up an otherwise classic outfit. -Emma
A dress that has become my go-to fancy tunic. The Hill House Cindra dress/duster isn’t something I would have gravitated towards online. But I tried it on in the Hill House store and was immediately sold. You can wear it buttoned-up as a dress, fully unbuttoned as a duster, or — and this is my preferred method of styling — bottom half unbuttoned as a flowy top that shows off jeans or trousers. It’s comfy, it’s stylish, and I feel absolutely amazing in it. -Emma
The perfect winter moisturizer. Dieux Instant Angel moisturizer feels nice on the skin, is fragrance-free, and hasn’t inflamed my sensitive, acne-prone skin. What more could I ask for from my workhorse moisturizer? -Emma
A hangover preventative that actually works. I am honestly not overstating when I say no purchase has changed my life more this year than a subscription to ZBiotics. This little pre-alcohol drink, which helps your gut process acetaldehyde, has all but eliminated the terrible after-effects (headaches, stomach aches) that now befall me after just a modest night of drinking alcohol. A true game-changer for times where I want to indulge (in moderation!!). -Emma
The Dyson Supersonic hairdryer was a post-Christmas splurge almost a year ago, and I still have no regrets. My hair is finicky — breakable, dry, frizzy, with assorted unmatching textures and a tendency to sop up oil. Nothing will ever make my hair perfect. It is a constant project. But this hairdryer really helps. -Claire
Denim! This was the year of me trying to find jeans that are comfortable and stylish. After Covid times, I can’t bring myself to wear pants that cut into me, so it’s a constant struggle. My favorites were Zara’s TRF Mid-Rise Tapered jeans (mostly sold out), Everlane’s Utility Barrel Pant in New Blue, and (for a splurge!) Kallmeyer’s Deep Pocket Wide Leg Jean in Vintage Blue. -Emma
Anything in the charcoal scent from Apotheke. I truly cannot get enough of this scent, especially during the winter months. The charcoal candle and charcoal diffuser are absolute staples in my home. -Emma
The Ethereal Eyes palette from Makeup by Mario. There’s a reason this eyeshadow palette keeps selling out. It’s extremely useful, easy for beginners (a.k.a. people like me, who are absolute dummies when it comes to eye makeup), and full of shimmery neutrals. My friend Liv convinced me to get it, and I’m already running low on some of the colors because of how often I reach for it. -Emma
My feet’s winter uniform: the Laguna Chelsea boots from Sam Edelman. I wear my black and brown pairs to everything, from the playground to date nights. I wear them with dresses, leggings, and wide-legged jeans. I wear them in rain and even light snow. And they come in wide sizes! -Claire
A new Hill House silhouette, for a change. I’m a certified devotee of Hill House Ellie dresses (those are the classic ruffle-strapped midi dresses that fueled the company’s success). Usually their other silhouettes don’t end up working well for me, as I am cowed by giant sleeves, inflexible bodices, and short hemlines. But the Norah dress turned out to be a winner, with a tamer, less puffed variant of the big sleeve trend, a smocked bodice, and a scooped neck. I have found it surprisingly flattering and versatile. -Claire
The Babybay cosleeper/bassinet, which made me wish I could go back and do my first baby phase over. It latches securely onto our bed, but keeps the baby on his own separate sleep surface — easy to reach for a feed or a comforting tummy rub in the middle of the night, while he stays safe on his own mattress. I also love that it is visually pleasing (hi, yes, I’m still shallow) and made of solid wood instead of the agglomeration of plastics that make up so many baby items. Mine is getting passed on to a loved one soon, and I will miss it. -Claire
Speaking of doing the first baby phase over, I routinely bemoan how little baby-wearing I did with my firstborn. Solly wraps changed all that. When my second son was born, I wore him almost constantly, and even now that he’s more alert and interested in flexing his own muscles, nothing soothes him faster than being taking for a walk cuddled up in one of these stretchy, cozy wraps. I have a few, and appreciate how easy it is to make them just another part of my outfit (again, still shallow) and to launder them when inevitable stains occur. The wraps definitely made transitioning to life as a mom of two easier, and I think they also helped me quickly build the bond with my second even though my conscious attention often needed to be elsewhere. -Claire
Shelter cardigans from Tradlands, the chunky, baggy cotton cardigans of my dreams! These cardigans are like the blue jeans of my upper half. I dress them up with sundresses and down with sweats, I reach for them in every season, and I firmly believe they go with almost anything. I’m also trying to wear more sustainable clothes (natural fibers, well-constructed garments, responsible brands) and Tradlands checks all the boxes. -Claire
Storq was the maternity-ish brand of my second pregnancy, and their Foundation Sweats and giant Mama+BB Nursing Cardigan are still staples in my wardrobe. They specialize in lusciously soft, effortlessly capacious clothes that work through pregnancy and beyond, so I rarely feel I’m compromising on quality or style when I put one on. -Claire
Christy Dawn cotton dresses became a new addition to my warm-weather uniform of floaty sundresses. The original Dawn dresses, with their short sleeves and faux-wrap bodice, are, like classic cotton Ellies, perfect outfits to me. They’re breathable and light, pregnancy and nursing compatible, and transition effortlessly from a playground hang to a grown-up party. -Claire
“The Bear” season 2. I didn’t know it was possible to love this show more after season one, but somehow it’s sophomore season was even better???? I loved that more of the ensemble cast got to shine (see: the Richie and Marcus capsule episodes), I loved the Jamie Lee Curtis and Olivia Coleman cameos, I loved the sexual tension between Molly Gordon’s Claire and Jeremy Allen-White’s Carmy (I will never stop thinking about that grocery store scene), I loved the debate about Carmy-Claire and Carmy-Sydney shipping, and I loved watching this rag tag crew try to open a fine dining establishment. Season 3 can’t come soon enough. -Emma
“Succession’s” final season. So many great shows don’t manage to stick the landing when they end, but “Succession” really, truly did. I loved every last minute of the entire fourth season. HE IS THE ELDEST BOY, GODDAMNIT. -Emma
“Barbie” was smash commercial success for a reason: it’s a goddamn delight to watch! Was its feminism perfect? No. But, honestly, I’m fine with it. Greta Gerwig took what could have been an absolute bland piece of garbage and elevated it into a great story that made women and girls feel seen and centered. I saw it twice in theaters, and honestly I’d see it again. Plus, “I’m Just Ken” is a banger. -Emma
“Past Lives” is a movie that broke me wide open. If you want a truly cathartic cry that will leave you a bit scooped out, but hopeful, I recommend watching Celine Song’s masterful exploration of identity, love, and paths not taken. -Emma
“Poor Things,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film, starring Emma Stone. I loved “The Favourite,” so I was excited to see “Poor Things.” It’s not a perfect film, but it is an absolutely gorgeous one, and Stone’s performance as a baby in a woman’s body, who matures into a fully realized, self-sufficient, highly sexual woman, should certainly earn her some Oscar nominations. There have been a lot of debates about the limitations of the film’s sexual politics, and though I agree with some of the critiques, I still found myself loving the experience of watching the film. Plus, there’s something enjoyable about a movie that spawns a lot of interesting dialogue in its aftermath. -Emma
“Aftersun,” from debut director and writer Charlotte Wells, which stars Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio as a young separated father on a Turkish vacation with his daughter, as she documents their mundane holiday activities — applying sunscreen, playing around the pool, going out for food — on a small video camera. Later, as an adult expecting her own child, she remembers this rare time with her father, whose depression is more obvious from an adult perspective. It’s a melancholy movie, but entirely absorbing and deeply felt, with superb performances from the leads. -Claire
Kelly Reichardt’s “Showing Up,” which stars Michelle Williams as a downtrodden ceramicist whose landlady Jo (played by Hong Chau) has found innumerable ways of making her life more miserable: failing to fix the hot water, being a more successful artist, adopting an injured bird and bringing it into their home. It’s a quiet film but funny and moving; like “Aftersun,” it’s the kind of film that you really need to watch without constantly glancing at your phone. -Claire
“The Afterparty” on Apple+, now canceled after two pleasingly silly seasons, was an early mat leave binge that got me through marathon feedings and hours-long nap traps. The hilarious Sam Richardson (of “Veep” and “Detroiters”) stars as Aniq, a warmhearted former nerd who is hoping to get the attention of his high school crush (played by Zoe Chao) at their high school reunion. Instead, their most famous classmate, pop star Xavier (Dave Franco), dies at an afterparty, and the night turns into a murder investigation. The twist: every episode is in the style of a different film genre, and tells the story of a different character’s evening. -Claire
Soup I want to make weekly. Jake Cohen’s harissa tomato bisque is delicious, rich in flavor, and very easy to prepare. Plus, swapping out the heavy cream for a vegan cream means that my stomach isn’t eating itself after I eat this soup. I discovered this recipe at a pop-up event in my neighborhood for Cohen’s new cookbook, “I Could Nosh,” and it was love at first taste. -Emma
Alison Roman’s luckiest biscuits in America are my absolute go-to each and every year. They are flaky, and salty, crisp on the outside and steaming hot and moist on the inside. A perfect biscuit, and I don’t say that lightly. -Emma
Air fryer salmon. A revelation!!! Every week, I’ve been marinating filets of salmon, sticking them in the Wonder Oven for 10 minutes, adding a bit of water to the device’s steam infusion feature, and letting it do its thing. Sometimes I’ll even get a lil fancy and broil the top. -Emma
Kay Chun’s sheetpan scallion chicken, which is as cozy and comforting as a steaming hot toddy but light and flavorful enough for a summer day. Juicy chicken thighs smothered in ginger, garlic, miso, scallion and mustard nestle up against charred wedges of baby bok choy, which are also dripping in delectable sauces from the chicken. This recipe has a five-star rating for a reason. -Claire
An easy and beautiful moss-stitch baby blanket I found online while trying to find something I could actually finish before my son was born. I even copied the yarn selection from the original This Yellow Farmhouse blog, and it’s gorgeous. I adore moss stitches because they aren’t terribly difficult (it’s just simple knit-purl) but they look so elevated compared to a basic garter stitch — ideal for a quick blanket project. -Claire
Local Milk’s herbes de provence olive oil cake is an old favorite recipe. My friend made it for me once years ago, and I’ve made it quite a few times since for brunches and dinner parties. It’s always a crowdpleaser, suitable for any meal, season, or occasion, with a moist crumb and savory-tinged sweetness. (I always skip the rosewater, and the citrus and herbs pack in plenty of flavor.) -Claire
Los Poblanos in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first time I visited New Mexico, I instantly understood why its nickname was The Land of Enchantment. Albuquerque wouldn’t normally be at the top of my list of places within New Mexico to visit, but Los Poblanos, an organic farm, inn and restaurant, is an enchantment all of its own. I’ve been here in both winter and summer, and they are equally delightful. Plus the food at the onsite restaurant, Campo, is unparalleled. -Emma
The cutest cafe in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I love finding a place that the locals of whatever city I’m visiting love as much as the tourists do. Miscelánea Vallarta is that for me in Puerto Vallarta. Away from the main hotel stretch, you can sit outside and enjoy an absolutely divine cold brew drink with a side of chilaquiles verdes. I went here every single day I was there in March. -Emma
I’m currently in India, and can’t resist recommending The Amanbagh, a resort built into the Rajasthani countryside. I’m not exaggerating when I say it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in my entire life. The food is insanely delicious, the service is unparalleled, and the physical splendor of the property is unmatched. Every single vantage point of every single spot is perfect. And the twinkly lights that the staff set out all around the extra-large central swimming pool at night make you feel like you’re in fairyland. If you ever find yourself in northern India, come here. -Emma
I went essentially one place this year: Hotel Esmé in South Beach, where we had our babymoon. All I wanted was to be in a well-decorated and hot location, lying down as much as possible, and Esmé fulfilled every count. We ended up spending most of our time in Miami simply shuttling between the shaded lounge chairs by the rooftop pool and the bar/restaurant several steps away. Plus, now I am constantly recognizing its very photogenic interiors and exteriors in influencer content! -Claire
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Emma, I just finished Maybe Once, Maybe Twice - thank you for the recommendation! I had some quibbles and questions, but it definitely was a satisfying page-turner.