Kate is shown reading a book, 'Assassination Vacation', by Sarah Vowell. That author appears in a brief but credited role as a shopper. The actress playing Kate, Catherine Keener, is also a featured voice in the audio book of 'Assassination Vacation'.
In a 2010 interview with ABC Radio National, Nicole Holofcener spoke about the basis of Catherine Keener's character: "She's completely based on me. And I could give you a whole thing about my theories about middle class or something but frankly it's just my personal struggle with being a fortunate upper-middle-class person who can have essentially anything she wants, really or anything I need, more that. And have it deal with what's right outside our doors, my door. And how to give and what's the best way to give. How to deal with my own guilt. I've had a lot of ridiculous experiences volunteering. Some were gratifying, some were embarrassing and pathetic. Kind of what I represented in the movie."