A Funny Conversation
Last night, I was lucky enough to chat with my food-writer friend Adam Roberts about his funny new novel, and I laughed a million times…
We met at the Brooklyn Heights Library, which was bright and busy (which feels so good in this day and age!).
When we walked into the room, we spotted this table stacked with Adam’s debut novel, Food Person. His comedy of manners follows an unemployed food writer, Isabella, who agrees to ghostwrite a cookbook for a badly behaved starlet hoping to revive her career and reputation. The writing is hilarious and thoughtful, and how great is that cover?!
Adam’s husband Craig (left) was one of the first to arrive — panting after running to three different branches of the library — and we all loved Adam’s shirt with embroidered dinner ingredients.
It was also a treat to meet Jenny Jackson, Adam’s editor, and assistant editor Tiara Sharma.
More people poured into the room, including our beloved Jenny (who had just gotten a new haircut!).
We’ve written posts on what we’ve spotted people wearing in New York and Paris. As for a micro-trend report at the Brooklyn Heights Library on Cadman Plaza? Gingham! (Here are the pants-that-look-like-a-skirt on the left, and a similar gingham tote and polka dot skirt.)
After everyone sat down, Adam and I took to the stage! It was such a joy to chat about books, food, marriage, all the things.
Here’s the video of our conversation, if you’d like to watch :) It’s a little blurry, but hopefully that’s charming!
A quick breakdown, if you’d like to jump around:
4:15: Why Adam reminds me of a jaunty young chef in a Pixar movie
4:40: Why Adam is “a modern-day Nora Ephron.”
5:05: Adam’s strong thoughts on bagels
5:16: Adam’s strong thoughts on tuna (and my not knowing how to pronounce “abstemious”)
6:10: Moving from L.A. to NYC
13:25: What Hollywood actors Adam would cast in the movie version of his book
18:25: The nuts and bolts of writing a novel
24:00: How Adam hosts FIFTY DINNER PARTIES per year and his tips for low-stress entertaining
26:31: Adam’s take on the most controversial thing we’ve ever written on Cup of Jo: that you should be 10-15 minutes late for a dinner party.
28:35: The most controversial thing Adam ever wrote
33:35: Adam and his husband Craig’s secret to a happy marriage
37:29: How NYC isn’t always nice, but it’s kind
38:50: Audience Q&A
Such a wonderful night!!! Thank you so much for having me, Adam! If you’d like, you can find his book here and follow his newsletter here. Thank you for reading. xoxo
(Photos by Nato Tuke for Cup of Jo)
Comments
70 commentsI’m about halfway through the audiobook version of this and it is oh so delicious! The characters have depth, the description of the food is drool inducing, the conflicts internal and external are so relatable, this is such an incredibly fun book! I had seen this on COJ but didn’t fully hopped on board till I read Vulture’s write up about great audiobooks to listen to this month. I might be taking my time to finish this because I want it to keep going forever!!!!
Have just ordered the gingham pants and will likely pick up the book soon too! But commenting to ask about Joanne’s navy blouse! I remember an old post here on Cup of Jo about the ideal sexy navy blouse—and it looks like she found it. Any chance of getting a link to it?
oh yes!! it’s from quince, I wear it all the time: https://www.quince.com/women/silk/silk-blouse
What a fun night! This will be my next fun, summer read. Also? Just bought the brown gingham pants. Trying not to buy fast fashion, but these have pockets and look like perfection for hot, sticky days ahead!!
Is the editor Jenny Jackson of Pineapple Street fame? I loved that book!
So I have this really weird personality trait… despite apparently being quite funny (???) I do not enjoy comedy, ever. Even if I find something funny, even hilarious, it isn’t a way I like to feel. My idea of absolute hell would be a comedy event, much to the dismay of everyone I know.
I don’t think that’s so weird. I do like comedy in shows and movies but I never laugh out loud, ever. My children think it’s strange because I do laugh a lot in “real life” but not when watching something funny even though I may be greatly amused. Crack a smile? Sure. But apparently I’m subconsciously saving my laughter for in-person hilarity.
I have been waiting for a chance to share a life hack with the CoJ friend group, and this seems to be it. For those of you that lost the keychain library card ten years ago or if you can only fit three cards in the back of their phone… you can take a picture of the bar code on your library card, and then scan *that* at the checkout machines rather than the card itself. For extra accessibility, I have my library card as my second lock screen for easy access. Now you can go to the library on anyone’s whim! Just place a hold on Food Person!
This is SO SMART
don’t your libraries do digital cards yet? In Australia we can have hard cards or digital ones, and if you download the app you can reserve books, renew them all from your phone.
But Sarah, I had to come back to your comment… I absolutely LOVE that this is your life changing hack and I wish we could be friends. At 50 I decided to quit my job in executive management to become a librarian, and honestly it is everything I ever thought it could be when I was eight! Libraries are so awesome. Love that you love them…. hopefully Trump won’t destroy them along with everything else. Did he really just sack the Head librarian of the Congress Library? sometimes I just don’t know what is fake.
Wish we could be friends, too, Kirby. I am in awe that the library exists and that I get to go there and that the maximum allowable number of checked out books is 100. Recently at our tiny local branch the librarian said, as I hefted several tote bags onto the desk to return, “Wow! You’re our best customer!” and it was the proudest moment of my life. Can I get that on a t-shirt? Yes, Hannah. So happy for you to have this in your life.
Sarah – you must know that all the librarians love you the most – seriously, the thrill we get from avid readers is probably a bit crazy.
LIFE CHANGING!
If you are a BPL cardholder, you can also access your digital card on the app, as well as check out physical books on your phone using the camera and the barcode! (Plus, you can now access ebooks and audiobooks from within the app.)
Stop the presses! Adam’s shirt is from Service Works, it’s the Picnic Short Sleeve Shirt :)
THANK YOU!!!
YAY. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing the link to the video! By the time I saw the link to get tickets it was all booked up. I’m happy Adam had such a successful night. Please tell him to drop where he got the shirt. I’m not sure if I want it for myself or for my dad, but I do want it haha
There are two people I would watch interview anyone in the world: Krista Tippett and Joanna Goddard. This is just delightful.
Is he selling this cute Food Person hats??
YES! I want hat hat too. It would be a great gift also.
I love everything about this post. I love that top photo of Adam (who I do not know from Adam nor ever read a thing he wrote). Based on that photo alone I will be buying his book. He is the person I would want to meet up for dinner with, sit and the bar, and make up stories about everyone surrounding us. Just look at that smile about to explode into laughter! Your video summary just piques all my curiosities and I can’t wait to listen. Also, I had long written off gingham because I thought it was “too youthful” for me. Now I am ready to give it a go again but styled sophisticated rather than gamine.
The book cover fits the synopsis so well, I am intrigued to give this book a go!
The only blogger I’ve been following longer than Cup of Jo, at this point, is Adam’s, so your friendship delights me (and makes me envious!) All the way back to the Amateur Gourmet, Janet Jackson cupcakes days! Can’t wait to read his book!
Jo- your pretzel legs are cracking me up. I do the same! Big smile watching the video and thrilled to order the book. Thanks for being friends with– and sharing– such great writers!
oh my gosh, I know!! haha I was like, what am I doing
Love this and can’t wait to read, but where do we get these HATS,?? Soooo cute!!
they were for the publicity run, not to buy publicly, but I’ll tell Adam there is demand!!!
So fun! Just placed a hold at my library :)
I just fininished an ARC of the book and it is fantastic!!! I am a bookseller in Virginia and can’t wait to press this into our customer’s hands. Love all the food writer references and it delivers laughter with heart. Also love Adam’s shirt soooooo much!
Ooh, Shayne, I am in Virginia, and would love to patronize your bookstore if we’re in the same general area! What’s the name of your shop?
I’m so excited to read the book! Where can I find one of those wonderful “Food Person” hats?
same!
they were part of the press kits — I’ll ask them if they’ll make them available for sale!
I think the cool lady’s gingham skirt might come from Muji. I tried on one that looks just like it there myself a few days ago! They also have a dress version that I ended up buying.
Oh yes I think you’re right! https://www.muji.us/collections/womens-shorts-skirts/products/womens-high-twisted-veil-gathered-patterned-skirt-be1ww25s
How are Muji’s clothes? The quality, will they last more than 1 season, (like Old Navy’s) if you aren’t too hard on them? Would like to try a few things, but haven’t taken the plunge yet.
Hi!! That’s me :) They’re actually these pants. I adore them!! https://www.amazon.com/chouyatou-Womens-Elastic-Gingham-Palazzo/dp/B0B2R2T46Y/
My daughter bought a similar skirt from Uniqlo in blue gingham (avail in black gingham too). It’s very cute and breezy. Has a stretchy waist and pockets. https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E477691-000/00?colorDisplayCode=65&sizeDisplayCode=003
Rachel, I’ve bought Muji clothes here in London over years, and I have no complaints about the quality at all, so I hope that helps? I must also add that I don’t think she’s wearing the Muji skirt; the one in the link has a different sized pattern and the material doesn’t look the same 🕵🏽♀️
Thank you so much for sharing, Madeline!
Obsessed with the gingham skirt lady. She looks amazing! I love her haircut too!
That’s me!! You’re so kind. This made my day!!! <3
agreed. madeline you’re my mood board. also your name perfectly suits you.
Absolutely a fan of your style, haircut and presence, Madeline! You’d be a prime candidate for a few shares of looks of a COJ reader! 🤍 Late to the comments here…
i loved the interview and i am very curious about the book :) one thing i loved about this is that adam seems like a genuinely nice person, someone you’d love to be friends with :) and i also loved that it was a conversation among friends! i feel like if i lived in new york (i’m portuguese and i live in portugal) i would love to live in brooklyn and go to that library :) thank you for sharing :)
For events like this I want to live in NY. But only for this ;)
Love the book cover. And Adam’s shirt – Chef’s Kiss.
This is fantastic! I can’t wait to read Adam’s book. I love his substack so much. It was great to see the interview – you’re such a warm interviewer and your friendship shines through.
I just finished an advance copy of his book over the weekend, and flew through it! Very enjoyable, big congrats to Adam!
The book sounds amazing! I am planning on ordering it, as well as a gingham skirt (both perfect for summer vacation!)
I watched on YouTube Live and it was such a charming mood boost of an interview! Looking forward to reading Adam’s book!
Link to ‘Food Person’ hats?
Just ordered Adam’s book…perfect for a summer day!
oops, turns out it was loading slowly and the 720p was just fine, I apologize! I used to read the Amateur Gourmet blog back in the early 2000’s, lost touch when he moved to a new format but was a regular til then! So great to see he seems so happy and is still writing, and with Craig.
720p video quality? Doesn’t everyone’s phones have HD now? Would have loved to watch but it was so blurry I couldn’t!
I listened instead, which was great. Also I periodically looked at the video and noticed that quality improved as it went along.
Joanna, how about a post of favourite food books – fiction & non-fiction and/or favourite food movies.
I’m here for all of the food books! I especially love Elin Hilderbrand and Louise Penny books for this reason, and The Pairing by Casey McQuiston also had me very thirsty and hungry while reading!
Love this idea!
Congrats to Adam! This novel looks incredible. And for those wanting to watch the video, know that the issue with the resolution resolves around 8 min in — keep going!
This was SO charming and fun to watch. Thank you for recording.
Oooh, I just received an ARC of this, I’m going to save the interview until after I read it, just in case there are any spoilers!!! Can’t wait!
How exciting to see a photo of myself on a Cup of Jo post! Joanna and Adam were so charming and entertaining the whole time! I’m excited to tuck into the book ASAP :)
So charming! Looks like a fun night at the library celebrating food and friendship!
CupofJ has made this reader a much better reader! On the library list for Adam’s book. Great interviewer questions!
Thanks for sharing this with us! I can’t wait to watch.
I spy another trend – embroidery! Feat. Craig’s adorable shirt and Tiara’s beautiful jacket. Love it.
Ack that’s Adam’s shirt. #brainfog