A commune cook, Miss Salad, foodwriting, screenwriting, a giant Zucchini, + piu!

what could be better?

Author

Paige Lipari
August 19, 2025

the latest

No. 1  →

Join us tonight for a book event with moderator Justine Doiron and new author Rosie Kellett for her debut cookbook In for Dinner. Think commune cooking with zero body odor.

No. 2  →

Pre-order a copy of beloved Hetty Lui McKinnon’s latest book LINGER from us to receive a free 5” x 7” print of MISS SALAD, illustrated by artist Phthalo Ruth. Each print will be individually numbered and signed by Hetty. The book comes out in early October. We are in support of this delight.

MISS SALAD herself

No. 3  →

The writing class that will never die because it’s so good is here once again! Join freelance food and travel writer and cookbook author Devra Ferst this fall for a six week intensive course in food writing. I think we have done this class 40 times? I would have to count. Read Devra’s Eater article on Elbow Bread.  

No. 4  →

Speaking of courses, have you been curious about our screenwriting course? It’s seven weeks of focused energy and real care around your project. You know, the one you can’t seem to get going and can’t seem to let go of? If this is you, join us. Hunter/Archie professoressa Sophie Finklestein can be seen below with a giant Zucchini (gifted from the lovely as ever Daniel Zender). What could be better?

zucchini and roses

No. 5  →

Did you know we have a philosophy club? And that it is quite excellent and run by a doctor of philosophy? For August we will read a selection of Blaise Pascal’s Pensées, available HERE. I think it’s about warm porridge, but you tell me on Monday.

No. 6  →

So, I’m kind of THRILLED about having started this paige LIPARI ISLAND newsletter. You know when your stomach feels like it’s jumping out of your belly and it’s all very scary and also a big YES? This is how I feel. It’s not even anywhere near where I want it to be! It could be so much better! But I know it’s getting better each time! I can feel it getting closer and I love doing it! When you sign up, you get access to every issue past and present. (Si, meet me here in a year and this statement will have more impact.) Anyways, if you desire famiglia and Sicilia and dare I say joy and dare I say delicious recipes you already love, this is where you sign up.  

  • recipes from a sicilian barbecue

  • an exclusive bazaar of antiques and ephemera (featured a the bottom of this email)

  • book recs

  • a film review

  • a recorded interview with writer Susannah Cahalan

  • the secret of excellent pane cunzatu

  • a kitchen tip

  • an ETNA MESS recipe (and then another one at the Cripes! level)

  • attempted closure on that time the ETNA MESS was stolen by a friend and published in their cookbook

This is not a joke: One of the BEST WAYS to support Archestratus is through our Bookshop.org shop. It is one of the last great remunerative book bastions! Perhaps you are getting into Egyptian goddess work and are reading Normandi Ellis ?

clipped of the week

a reminder that this email sometimes gets clipped!

Rosie Kellett and the reality of starting and running a supper club! Rosie lives communally and cooks for her housemates weekly. Get a close look at her life in ‘the warehouse.’

featured title just cause!

I’m starting to sell off titles from my personal collection. Come visit the shop to take a look.

THE NATURAL SUPERIORITY of THE LEFT_HANDER: Cartoonist James T. de Kay takes a hilarious look at the inside-out world of left-handedness, and in the process proves what left-handers have always secretly suspected... they are not only different from everybody else, they are better. Drawing on everything from NASA statistics to the latest neurological surgical research, this book makes its points with sly good humour and what can only be described as left-handed wit. An all-new companion to the classic The Left-Handed Book., "One person in ten is a left-hander. And every last one of them thinks he's sort of special. Which is probably true . . ."

our upcoming events + happenings

A special selection of vintage items I’ve been hoarding, giving love, and now must release to you exclusively. Feel free to purchase or just admire here.

A framed vintage cocktail poster of unknown origin (circa 1970), $75 (includes frame). Something cool about this piece is that it has a ‘hexadecimal timestamp’ which is a numeric system that divides time into 16. I can’t really explain it, but underneath the Daiquiri it says "627C” which translates to January 1st, 1970. Fun.

A 9" Round Vintage Glasbake Jeanette (unmarked) Casserole Dish in Smoked Brown with Yellow Daisies, $30. Oven safe, Dishwasher safe, and a really beautiful amber/brown color that isn’t coming through in this photograph. To be honest with you, I know this is Glasbake, but I’m not sure if this pattern is officially considered a “Jeanette Glass Company” floral pattern. Do you know what I’m talking about? I hardly know, it’s a whole thing, but it’s very pleasant, si?

An old Thomas' Bread Delivery Box, $200. Yes, Thomas’ Bread! Store this box in your nooks and crannies and make them easily accessible and less nook and cranny like, okie?