The hyphen in Molly Jong-Fast’s last name bridges two distinct lineages of wordsmiths. Her father, Jonathan Fast—an author in his own right—is the son of Spartacus writer Howard Fast (often known by his pen name, E. V. Cunningham), who inspired the 1960 eponymous film, starring Kirk Douglas. But ladies come first in the Jong-Fast household, both in name and in ideals. Molly’s mother, Erica Jong, wrote the groundbreaking 1973 novel Fear of Flying, which helped to propel second-wave feminism. Molly dives deep into her complex relationship—or lack thereof—with Erica in her sharp and beautifully written (no surprise there) new memoir, How to Lose Your Mother. To celebrate its release, she shares her least favorite things. —Carolina de Armas
Least favorite number: 13.
Least favorite color: Yellow.
Least favorite team: In sports? What’s that?
Least favorite James Bond: George Lazenby.
Preferred deadly sin: Frosting.
Food that makes you gag: Oat milk.
Book you never finished: The Power Broker, by Robert Caro. (Sorry.)
Film you walked out of: I’ve not walked out of films, but I have fallen asleep during them. (Sorry.)
