Summer Reading

Just started reading Fifty Shades of Grey. Let's see if this lives up to the hype!

Show me your bookshelf and I'll tell you who you are

I love books. They inspire, entertain, transport and teach me. I am trying to learn that there are different kinds of books; most books fall into the category of read and let go - those you can download on the iPad, borrow from the library or from the office swap. But then there are those books that must be purchased because they either look too beautiful in print, or it's a book you keep coming back to.  Most of my books have been stored in the attic since we moved, waiting for the right bookshelf space. But because I cannot totally live without books, a few piles have found their way here and there. And in this family the kids love books too - maybe because I love reading to them.

Style Advice Books

Here' the deal: Ines de la Fressange is coming out with a new style book. I have read a few books in this genre (Rachel Zoe, Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn)  and have never been very much impressed. After thumbing them in the book store, I went to the library and ordered them from there, and was happy I did. None of the books made me want to own them. But I have very high expectations for Ines' book. And not only because her style is such classicly and beatifully French and Chic, but because I saw a sneak peak into the book at the DisneyRollerGirl blog and it shows the outfits on both Ines and her daugher Nine. Two takes on the same items, styled age appropriately, and so not matronly, my eternal fear and pet peeve when it comes to aging and fashion. Here, finally, may be a style advice book that I want to own. Can't wait to have it in a book store near me.

Book of the Month

As an avid reader, I totally dig Kate Spade's new clutches! They are so cute and adorable I may have to get one..although it is doubtful that I will have a chance to wear it in the few upcoming months, given my impending maternity leave and ever expanding state in which I have seem to give up all hope of ever looking stylish or cute again. I am pinning all my style hopes, dreams and wishes to January 2011 when life will return to a more normal state bodywise (hopefully).

Reader's Dilemma

I am an avid reader. As an only child I grew up with my nose in a book whenever I was home with no friends around. During long summers in the Finnish countryside I raided the local library and read almost everything suitable and not so suitable for whatever age I was at the time. I guess I've always been a bit of a dreamer and an escapist. I still always have a book (or two, or even three) that I am reading. I don't mind my long commute because it gives me time to read.. But I suffer from the very common reader's dilemma, i.e. deciding what to read next. It is always a tough choice to decide on the next book, but the decision is being made especially hard if the book that you're currently reading is very, very good. And some books are SO good, that they ruin just about any other book that you pick up after them (for example, The Kite Runner was this kind of book for me...it ruined other books for me for a long time). Anyway, I am reading one of those books now and it's John Irving's "The World According to Garp".

 

John Irving is one of my favorite authors and I have read almost all his books. For some reason, I never read Garp, which is probably his most famous book. I never even saw the movie that is based on the book. I did read the other Irving books and they are all great, but this one is above the others. And now that I am nearing the end of the book I have been worried about what to read next.

Until today...

I found the next book by accident. I had gone into a Border's bookstore to purchase a magazine, New York Spaces (interior decorating magazine devoted to homes around the NY metro area) when I saw that Carlos Ruiz Zafon had a new title out in paperback. Well ever since the "Shadow of the Wind" I have been crazy about him, so I picked up his new book "The Angel's Game".




Even though I am sad to be finishing "Garp" I am very happy because I know that "The Angel's Game" will be very enjoyable, and will hopefully avoid the letdown that usually happens after a book like "Garp".