My Literary Hot Girl Summer
Exploring Eve Babitz’s role in transforming my understanding of “hot girl” literature
Illustration: Harvey Doniego
My search for the perfect line-up of books to read in the summer began last year, when I realized that my own book collection was lacking. Summer books, to me, are different than the types of books that you read in any other season. They must match the laid-back, carefree vibe of summer- I’m not looking for anything too intense. Of course, after months of schoolwork, I also don’t want anything overly educational. Naturally, I took my search online, where I was first introduced to Eve Babitz, an American visual artist and author. After someone described her writing as “something between a beach read and literature,” I was instantly enticed. I’m not into beach reads or young adult novels, but I’m also not willing to pick up a copy of War and Peace in the middle of July. Babitz’s work seemed to be exactly what I was looking for.
The two works by Babitz that I read last summer were her memoir collections, Black Swans and Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, The Flesh, and L.A. I instantly fell in love with these books. Slow Days, Fast Company details Babitz’s life in Los Angeles in the 1960s and 70s, and Black Swans extends this narrative into the 1980s and 90s. In these works, Babitz posits herself as a carefree party girl with connections to some of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities. When reading these books, I was reminded of the term “hot girl summer,” which was originally coined by rapper Megan Thee Stallion and has since gained popularity on the internet. In considering her criteria for having a hot girl summer- “women…being unapologetically them” and “being the life of the party”- it is evident that Babitz was the original literary “hot girl.” The topics that she wrote about- partying, romance, and materialism- are often dismissed as frivolous or unimportant. However, Babitz’s writing disputes this understanding. Her works demonstrate that she considered her party-girl persona not as a fault, but something that was a key part of her identity. This authenticity is a central aspect of her writing.
I took Babitz’s books with me wherever I went last summer. She was my go-to author on the dock at the cottage, on my roadtrip to Chicago, and on weekends, when I would lay in my backyard tanning for hours on end. Babitz’s gossip-like stories perfectly matched the carefree vibe of summer. Her description of LA’s party scene, its extensive displays of wealth, and her relationships with famous Hollywood figures provided me with endless entertainment. In conveying her ability to shamelessly find fulfillment in supposedly frivolous, yet pleasurable experiences, Babitz inspired me to hold a greater appreciation for what life has to offer. In our current era of hustle culture, it was refreshing to indulge in Babitz’s celebration of her hedonisitic lifestyle. Her recollection of her friend’s advice in one story- “life is too short to be miserable!”- perfectly encapsulates her life philosophy.
As a literary “hot girl,” Babitz’s work also disputes the idea that literature must be centered solely around serious topics. Oftentimes, discussions of partying or materialism are scorned and seen as undeserving of literary attention. There are gendered implications at play here- in pop culture, women who are concerned with “frivolous” subjects are often regarded as unintelligent (think Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.) This is something that I have noticed in my own life, as well. I vividly remember someone from my highschool calling me “ditzy,” probably because I loved gossip and was always informed on the latest celebrity drama. In reading Babitz’s work, I saw some aspects of myself reflected. Babitz was a materialistic, gossip-loving party girl, but she was also a revered writer and cultural icon. These two truths did not negate each other.
Reading Black Swans and Slow Days, Fast Company was a memorable part of my summer last year. There’s nothing better than being immersed in Babitz’s gossip-like stories while lying under the sun. Reading Babitz in the winter definitely doesn’t have the same effect. Aside from enjoying her writing about her “hot girl” pursuits, viewing the world through Babitz’s eyes was influential in introducing new perspectives to myself. She will surely remain my go-to “hot girl summer” author for years to come.