I've read 33 books so far this year...here are my 13 faves (and 13 on my list).
plus, a Mini Maine Guide!
Hello, gorgeous humans!
I’m writing to you freshly home from a week spent in Maine with family. It was my first time ever setting foot in the “Vacationland” state, and naturally, my primary goal—aside from QT with my family, including celebrating my sister’s 30th birthday—was to track down the best lobster roll. After much R&D, I have thoughts…which we’ll get to at the end of today’s edition by way of a Mini Maine Guide!
Also in today’s send, we’re going back to our roots a bit (recent issues have been very guide focused with all my travels!) and I’m sharing a curation of what’s happening in the cultural zeitgeist that’s really resonating for me, from sneak peeks of the looks on the Devil Wears Prada 2 set to an editorial on the rise of hotel-branded merch and the social cachet that comes with carrying a galley in your beach bag. Which, speaking of books, considering we are just over halfway through the year, I wanted to round up the favorite reads of the year so far; I’m excited to be sharing my top 13 titles of 2025, as well as 13 books on my radar to read next.
But before we dive in, there are lots of new faces here, so hello! If this is your first time getting The Sunday Series in your inbox, welcome to the Sunday Squad. I’m Kayla Douglas, the New York City-based writer and professional oversharer behind this weekly love letter. Think of this space as part travel diary, part cultural conversation, and an ongoing extension of book club banter from .
After over five years sending this newsletter and a decade working in the travel industry, I’ve perfected the art of romanticizing real life—preferably with a cortado or glass of Sancerre in hand. I’m a textbook Virgo, three-time marathoner, the friend most likely to ask, “So…when are we booking flights?”. I’d love for you to fully benefit from your subscription with a dive into my back catalogue of content, so I actually just reorganized some sections within TSS to make it easier to find top-performing posts, including my Travel Guides, Between The Lines Q&As, and Bookish Things. Enjoy! xKD
A curation of things I’ve consumed and loved this week: podcasts that left their mark and stories that have caught my eye
A moment for the art of accessorizing: including a 20% off code for a Mignonne Gavigan!!
The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): the 13 best books I’ve read so far this year, plus 13 more I want to read before the end of 2025
The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): Mini Maine Guide
The longlist for the Booker Prize 2025 will be announced on Tuesday, July 29th. The shortlist of six books will be announced on September 23rd, and the winner of the Booker Prize 2025 will be announced on November 10th. Judges this year include Sarah Jessica Parker and Kiley Reid, amongst others!
Are You At Risk Of Being “Forever 31”? Three fashion experts share their tips for finding your style in your 30s (and it's not just buying The Row). (Coveteur)
Every Look From the Set of The Devil Wears Prada 2. The film's on-set fashion still reigns supreme. (Harper’s Bazaar)
Are You Experiencing Posting Ennui? Sharing casual moments from our lives on social media doesn’t seem to make sense the way it used to. (The New Yorker)
Galley Envy. Could the most coveted object of the summer be an uncorrected manuscript you can’t even buy? (Airmail)
Why Luxury Hotels Are Selling Everything From Rocking Chairs to Swimming Trunks. You can check out anytime you like, but a wave of clothing collaborations, homewares, and other goods ensures you never really leave your favorite luxury hotels. (Robb Report)
For the Privileged Few, Airport Food Hits a New Height of Luxury. In pursuit of well-heeled fliers, airlines and credit card companies are stocking their elite lounges with caviar, sushi bars, and big-name chefs. (The New York Times)
Plus, a few podcasts I listened to and loved this week, including an interview with previous guest of The Sunday Series, and my dear friend Meghan, the creative behind .
With all my back-to-back travels and strict carry-on only rule, I am feeling the importance of accessorizing now more than ever. So in the spirit of summer, I wanted to put a spotlight on a brand I’ve been loving. Mignonne Gavigan’s jewelry is all about playful luxury with a statement-making twist. Her designs blend intricate craftsmanship with bold, feminine energy—think oversized floral motifs, hand-beaded detailing, and vibrant color palettes that feel both whimsical and elegant. The pieces strike that sweet spot between artful and wearable, perfect for elevating everyday looks or finishing a chic, party-ready outfit.
I’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of my favorite pieces below, each of which you can use code kayla20 for 20% off!
Emmi Necklace | Since sharing this one a couple months back, it has been a best seller on my ShopMy! It’s no wonder I’m attracted to this eclectic mix of hand-painted seashells, pearls, and gold charms because each element is a nod to the shells and treasures found on beach walks across Mallorca’s shorelines.
Baroque Freshwater Pearl Necklace | This freshwater pearl strand necklace is strung in NYC with one-of-a-kind baroque freshwater pearls and could be pulled off on the beach or at home!
Calista Necklace | Delicately strung with turquoise beads paired with colorful enamel fish charms, this necklace captures the playful charm of a tropical reef. Would be cute with a white tank and light wash jeans.
Crosby Necklace | A collar silhouette, this 14k gold-plated brass necklace was designed with sleek organic curves and a modern and feminine feel. It’d be chic with or without a charm.
Irida Necklace | Another kitschy option in this curation, this beaded necklace is playful with a colorful layering style that makes it an easy way to add intrigue to any outfit.
Rocio Necklace | This sun charm necklace pictured above features rich tiger's eye beads that bring out golden brown hues and, in turn, embodies earthy beauty. I adore how the sun charm symbolizes positive energy.
Esperanza Scarf Necklace | I find the scarf necklaces (part of this brand’s origin story) such a unique offering. This one is covered in stunning hand-embroidered motifs of blooming flowers, delicate butterflies, and lush greenery, against a baby blue silk scarf base.
Elsie Bandana | New for fall, this chambray bandana is leaning into the Western moment I’m having in my personal style right now. It features iridescent hand-drawn celestial motifs in an opulent and artful pattern.
Wynnie Pearl Hoop Earrings | Notably the best priced accessory on this list, these minimal hoops are lightweight hoops designed to be lived in.
Xia Earrings | Pictured above, this playful mix of intricately triple-tiered layered petals pops in shades of lilac, magenta, and tangerine. These ones bring the beauty of a blooming garden to life!
Mariela Earrings | This cutesy double-drop embroidery of orange sardine cans is dropped below juicy red tomato toppers. I especially appreciate how “Majorca” is embroidered on them, as you know, I can’t get enough of this island!
Emery Studs | These simple 14k gold-plated brass earrings offer a bit of intrigue at a fabulous price point.
💸 Aaaaaand as a disclaimer, this shopping section—as always—includes affiliate links. These little babes help me continually reinvest in making The Sunday Series better. I make a small commission when readers click and shop through my links at no additional cost to you—so if you found something through a link I sourced, please do consider purchasing through that link so I’m credited! Speaking of, I’ve been using the ShopMy platform for several months and love it. Want to start making commission on the links YOU share? Sign up with my referral link for a 10% bonus on your fist six months of linking.
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As I described when rounding up my favorite books of 2024, my reading taste lives at the intersection of emotionally rich storytelling, contemporary wit, and a hint of intrigue or suspense. I adore character-driven fiction that explores life’s messy middles—marriage, friendship, ambition—with sharp, stylish writing and settings that feel like characters themselves. For me, it’s all about tension with substance and stories that mix vulnerability with deep-rooted secrets. As far as tropes, I’m most drawn to rich people behaving badly, a second chance romance, forbidden love (be it age gap or affair!), living a double-life, celebrity/normal‑person romance, and messy women making even messier choices.
When it comes to nonfiction, I can’t resist voicey memoirs that spill secrets from fascinating worlds—restaurants, publishing, media—alongside reflections on pleasure and self-discovery. Always smart but never pretentious, my favorite nonfiction books made for late-night conversations and long Sunday afternoons. Which, speaking of, let’s start with my favorite so far of the year—all of which I listened to on audiobook because I have a real thing for the author delivering their story to us first hand (all of the below audiobooks are read by the author with the exception of Keith McNally).
And while we’re on the topic of audiobooks, I have a monthly subscription to Libro.fm, and app that’s an employee-owned Social Purpose Corporation that shares profits from audiobook purchases with your chosen bookstore, giving you the power to keep money within your local economy. So, I support ’s Brooklyn bookstore, Books Are Magic with each audiobook purchase.
Care and Feeding: A Memoir by Laurie Woolever | I just finished this book this week and am sure it’s going to stay with me for quite some time. Woolever’s sharp writing paints a moving portrait of food, grief, marriage, cheating, and life after loss. Her work with both Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain as a longtime collaborator puts equal parts candor and heart into this story.
I Regret Almost Everything: A Memoir by Keith McNally | Another epic memoir from the hospitality world, this unapologetic, darkly funny tell-all comes from the legendary restaurateur behind Balthazar and chronicles the chaos of New York dining and a life lived loudly. For anyone who appreciates the NY dining scene, I think this is a must-read. The impact his stroke had on his business, marriage, and writing life is particularly poignant.
More: A Memoir of Open Marriage by Molly Roden Winter | A raw and riveting deep dive into love, desire, and the complexities of non-monogamy—this memoir is equal parts confessional and cultural critique. It was my first time listening to such a detailed chronicle of an open marriage and definitely kept me sucked in at a level that’s difficult for a memoir written by a ‘regular person’ (versus a celebrity).
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