Open Tabs is Sunnie’s weekly newsletter, where we share what we’ve been watching, listening to, reading, buying, and thinking about. Plus, we ask someone cool what they’ve been up to.

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Our first Sunnie Select for Sunnie Reads, Beth is Dead, made The New York Times Best Seller list — as it should!! Author Katie Bernet gave us a behind-the-scenes look into how she put a modern, murder-mystery twist on the classic Little Women. We chatted about the inspo behind the book, her writing process, and obviously, if she’s a Jo, Amy, Beth, or Meg. 

This is kind of a funny story. My first memory of Little Women was in first grade when I was at a sleepover at my best friend's house, and her older sister was bawling while watching TV. I remember walking in and asking, “Hey, are you okay…what's going on?” And she said, “Beth just died.” She was watching Little Women.

So, before I ever read the book in high school, I knew that Beth was going to die, and that intrigue is partly what got me into it. I wanted to know how that was going to happen! Then I read it in high school and loved it immediately. I have two sisters, and we’re really close, so I loved the sisterhood element.

Honestly, it wasn’t a conscious choice — it was more from my first impression. I read the book knowing that Beth was going to die, so that's kind of where the idea came from. 

But logistically, it started from a love-hate list I made, which is kind of like a pro-con list. First, you divide your page in two. Then, you write all the things you love on the left side — books, movies, tropes, life experiences—and all the things you hate on the right side. I had Little Women and mystery thrillers on the love side, and I pulled that out and thought, “actually, that could work.”

Jo, for sure, and I've always said that I was a Jo. Obviously, I wanted to be a writer– I’ve had that dream for a long time, and I also kind of share Jo’s temper. 

But now I’d say Beth. I gained a completely new understanding of her while I was writing this book, and I have an appreciation for her that I didn't have before. I was afraid to admit that I liked Beth, but I really do.

So many of our experiences made their way into the book, not in a particular scene, just in the essence of how it felt to go through life events with them. The biggest thing for me is the unconditional love that we have for each other, and you see that with the March sisters. They will literally accuse each other of murder one second, and then they’re so loving and supportive in the next. That's a unique thing with sisters — you have this really deep bond where you know you can fight but you're always going to be fine. 

When we were younger, we would always say that I was Jo, my middle sister was Amy, because she was a dancer and very artistic, and my youngest sister was Meg, because she was the most sociable.

Jo was actually the hardest, and I think it's because I share a lot of her flaws. Also, I actually think Jo would be the perfect Gen Z teen. She had a lot of challenges in the 1800s because she was pushing up against the expectations and limitations that were placed on women, but in today's society, she would fit in so well. So I really had to consider what her struggle would be today. That was challenging, but it was a lot of fun to think through!

Amy was definitely the easiest — I had a lot of fun with her. She's so snarky, and she says things that I would never say out loud. So it was really fun, and kind of freeing, to write her. 

When I was in high school, I was a dancer, and I wanted to be a choreographer, so I wasn't writing. As I grew up, after my freshman year of college, I decided not to major in dance anymore. I realized that the storytelling aspect was my favorite part of dance, so I started writing a little bit here and there. I took a creative writing class in college, but I didn't start writing seriously until really after college. 

My routine has changed significantly in the past year, because I worked in advertising full time for about 11 years. During that time, I mostly wrote in the mornings. I got up at 5:30 every morning and wrote for two hours before work if I could squeeze it in, and then sometimes at night and on the weekends. But now, I'm a full-time writer. So it's been completely different, and I'm still learning my routine. Currently, I'm just writing all day, every day, and I'm sure that will change.

While I’m writing, I love a candle — I write better when I have one lit. My current favorites are the seasonal Trader Joe’s candles. They’re so little that I can actually burn them and not feel bad about it. Also, I need to write in silence, with no music playing or shows on. But when I’m done and it’s time to unwind, I really love shows like The Office or Parks and Recreation. 

The best thing I've ever done is find other friends who also want to write, because then you can help each other with reading, giving feedback, and developing stories together. You also can have a fun community to talk about writing and the challenges that come along with it. So that's my biggest piece of advice — whether it's through the internet or through a school, just find other people who are interested in the same thing. 

Join our Sunnie Reads community here, and we’ll see you on the first page!

First, awards season…

✦ It was a “Golden” night at the Globes for K-pop Demon Hunters! The movie won Best Animated Film, and “Golden,” the bop none of us can get out of our heads, took home Best Song. In singer/songwriter Ejae’s acceptance speech, she shared that she’s spent the last decade hearing she wasn’t good enough for K-pop stardom. But this movie proved everyone wrong! “Rejection is redirection,” she said, and she ended her speech quoting “Golden.” “It’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.”

✦ Kylie is all about analog. This awards season, she’s been spotted toting a film camera, snapping pics of Timothée on stage with other A-listers enjoying the fun! Her handiwork (wink) featuring her hand made it to Timmy’s Golden Globes Insta dump as an official online soft launch of their relationship.

✦ Young Hollywood took the Golden Globes in style! From Jenna Ortega’s fringed gothic-inspired (oh hey, Wednesday) dress to Elle Fanning’s silver, shimmery Gucci gown, the town’s young stars each embraced their own unique looks. For an awards show known for its playfulness, these stars proved that having fun with your look can be the real win! But… we’re sure they wouldn’t mind the statues, too.

In other news, we’re loving that… 

✦ HARRY. STYLES. IS. BACK. In case you haven’t heard, everyone’s favorite sequined stomper has returned from his nearly three-year hibernation with an album announcement!!! A few weeks ago, he started dropping a bunch of cryptic clues, including a YouTube video that everyone was super chill about it (“I feel like a Victorian man seeing a woman’s ankles for the first time,” a top comment says). Then, posters showed up around town reading “We belong together,” and rumors of a 20-show Madison Square Garden residency started to spread. Soon after, his website asked fans to enter a ton of personal information for no apparent reason — which, obviously, we all did. On Wednesday he sent out a voice memo singing “we belong together.” And finally, Thursday morning, the moment we’d all been waiting for: he announced his new album, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.,” set to drop on March 6th. So, yeah…now seems like a good time to start stretching for the Ticketmaster battle of 2026.  

✦ Ashton Lansdell signed with Banana Ball! Hello Sunshine’s very own Collective member is officially going to be playing for “The Party Animals!” Ashton will be the first, and only, woman (so far) to join the baseball team’s roster. The whole point of Banana Ball is to make baseball more “fun,” with jokes, dances, challenges, and new (and some might say, improved) rules. We can’t wait to watch you party, Ashton!

✦ Jennifer Lawrence might be in the new “Hunger Games” movie, and we’re freaking. In an interview with Josh Horowitz, she said she’s “maybe already” had a conversation with director Francis Lawrence about the film. True “Hunger Games” lovers know about that epilogue at the end of “Sunrise on the Reaping,” so the odds are looking like they may be in our favor for that long awaited JLaw x JHutch reunion. 

✦ e.l.f Cosmetics just dropped a new Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm shade called “Candied Cranberry,” a purple-y color perfect for winter. The balm is made with a butter blend and a hyaluronic acid blend, and it's exactly what our dry lips need in these trying times (the cold). BRB, we might need to try all 10 shades.

✦ Donna Kelce made the whole place shimmer on “The Traitors”… until she was swiftly voted off. We’re sorry to Taylor’s future mother-in-law, but in a unanimous vote in episode 2, Donna was benched for the season. It’s not a total loss, though! Before she left, we got to witness the unlikely dynamic duo of Mama Kelce and Rob Rausch from Love Island. “I love that woman,” Rob said. Maybe he’ll get an invite to the wedding! 

✦ “Bridgerton” premiered in London, and it was an influencer-studded ball. The swoon-worthy show will be back with Season 4 on January 29, and this time it will focus on Benedict — the mysterious/arty brother. And dear readers, we can’t wait for this season’s piping hot tea (literally).

✦ This Aerie’s Mini Clip Bag exists. We always love a mini accessory, but add some functionality and we’re literally obsessed. It’s the cutest storage for your favorite lip gloss, claw clips, and car keys. Plus, a pop of color and a puffy purse are the perfect ways to brighten up a dreary winter walk. 

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