I’ve been in a major reading mood lately, curling up in bed almost every night with a book or mag that I can’t put down until my eyes force themselves shut. Thought I’d share what’s currently sitting on my nightstand…
{1} The Paris Wife finally broke my streak of reading only nonfiction, after I decided that a novel might help me achieve this New Year’s Word by losing myself in a spicy plot line and spending time being entirely unproductive. Well, it’s totally working: The Paris Wife is the captivating story of Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley and their whirlwind life in 1920′s Paris that includes passionate love, betrayal and friends like Gertrude Stein and the Fitzgeralds. Completely addictive.
{2} She Walks in Beauty is Caroline Kennedy’s compilation of works by the poets that have influenced defining moments in her life, like Anne Sexton, Pablo Neruda and Edna St. Vincent Millay. It’s lovely and thoughtful and just what I need to quiet my mind after a day of emails and social media bombardment…
{3} Plate to Pixel is my newest addition, and while I’ve only given it a few quick skims so far, I’m already giddy with excitement over the invaluable photography instruction provided by Hélène Dujardin in its pages. (Definitely think this one’s going to be a great help with New Year’s Word #3!)
{4} Vanity Fair, March 2012. This one hardly needs an explanation: it’s the Hollywood issue, and so far, it’s gorgeous.
I’ve spilled, now your turn! Leave a comment and let us know what you’re currently reading (or any recent book you highly recommend!)
Thanks for the recomendations. I may even do something similar on my blog, I’ll let you know. How inspiring!!
Currently reading On China by Henry Kissinger. But feel like I’m the last person to read Tina Fey’s Bossypants — that’s next!
I listened to the audio version of Bossypants on a long road trip, and I highly recommend… it was so amazing to hear Tina reading it aloud, adding her own hilarious voice inflections and impressions. I almost didn’t want that road trip to end!!
I have heard excellent things about The Paris Wife, it’s on my list as well! I just finished the midwife of venice, a quick read but it’s got a rather pulse pounding plot line
I juuuust finished the new Jeffrey Eugenides book, “On Marriage.” I love his style, and Middlesex was one of my very favorite books. On Marriage is still good too!
I haven’t read either, though have heard great things…am adding both to my list!! Thanks Jennifer!
I’ve been looking for some new reads – thanks for the ideas!!
She Walks in Beauty is on my nightstand. Caroline has endured so much tragedy in her life.
I find it fascinating to read what has touched her heart. Perfect bedtime reading.
i like Plate To Pixel a lot.
lovely greetings
Maria
You just reminded me that I have a few books on my list to read…I’m so busy right now that I may have to wait until Spring Break to start! Have a great day!
I just started the Paris Wife last night and I’m already totally into it! I love the authors writing, it’s so easy to get lost in the story.
I have been reading tons, too! I just finished Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond. It’s a GREAT love story about how Ree met her hubby. Ree is a fantastic writer and is hilarious, too. I am attending one of Helene’s workshops in November. I can’t wait to meet her!
Oh my gosh, have got to check that one out! Ree cracks me up with her tweets, so I’m sure an entire book would be hysterical!
Perpetually on my night table lies the Maira Kalman illustrated The Elements of Style. It shares space, currently, with s book of short stories by Miranda July called “No one belongs here more than you.” I’ll get to it after I finish MY Vanity Fair, Oscar issue. Quite the tomb.
Oooo I just read Recipe for Life and The Villa Girls – both great reads!
Ok, now I am so buying The Paris Wife, sounds like a perfect way to remove myself from “busy” and enjoy a great novel! Another book on my to get list you might like is coming out in April about food/prop styling: http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Your-Career-Photo-Stylist/dp/1581159102/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329402932&sr=1-2 Like you, I am trying to learn and grow more in this area this year. Plate to Pixel looks wonderful as well!
Thanks for sharing!
Kirbi
I actually am about halfway through She Walks in Beauty and I started reading The Paris Wife two nights ago. I’d love to read your reviews after you’re finished!
This is such a lovely way of trading ideas for books. I really enjoyed both of J. Courtney Sullivan’s books, Maine and Commencement.
Thanks for the recommendations. What’s on my nightstand: The new issue of Cook’s Illustrated and a bag of Hall’s cough drops! xo.
Oh I adore Cook’s Illustrated… I need to subscribe. Their baking cookbook, Baking Illustrated, is one of my kitchen bibles!! So fun to read the science behind all their recipes…
I have Plate to Pixel too! I also have The Great Gatsby, The Square Foot Garden, Five Love Languages of Children and Poised For Success.
really LOVE this post!!! Hope it continues regularly!! <3
The Paris Wife definitely grabs my attention – I love reading about places I know..
Emma x
I too am a bedtime reader! I always have a stack of books and magazines on hand. Last night I made the mistake of reading a cookbook in bed…bad idea. My stomach was not a happy camper! Plate to Pixel is now officially on my wish list!
I loved the Paris Wife, and finished it just before Midnight in Paris came out, which was super fun because all the characters were fresh in my mind.
I read for primarily for fun a bit in bed each night, but could amp up the learning/knowledge books. I should definitely pick up Plate to Pixel – learn about something I love (and could really use some help on
). Thanks for the rec!
I have The Paris Wife on my night stand to read, but haven’t had a chance yet. I’m glad it’s good. I can’t wait!
I just got From Plate to Pixel as well and can’t wait to start using it!
Kacie
I just picked up The Paris Wife today and am so excited to read it before I go see the Stein exhibit at the Met! Have you ready Mindy Kaling’s biography yet – Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?? I finished that last week and it was SO funny! Highly recommended – reading it will be a highlight of your day, for sure.
I just finished The Paris Wife, I loved it! I also enjoyed “My Year with Eleanor” by Noelle Hancock so far this year. On my nightstand now is “The Baker’s Daughter” by Sarah McCoy.
Although it’s considered a “young adult” novel, I’ve been obsessed with The Hunger Games. I cannot put it down, I mean seriously, I’m losing sleep. I also have David Lebovitz’s The Sweet Life in Paris on the night stand, that’s for when I want “sweet” dreams.
I just finished Safran Foer’s “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.” A must read! Going to see the movie soon.
Camille,
The Paris Wife is such a good read! I also loved seeing many of the characters pop up in Midnight in Paris shortly after finishing.
Next up was Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. I simply adored this book! It’s a glamorous yet down-to-earth glimpse into NYC society in the late 1930s. Any girl will love it!
I was on such a roll – now I’ve got nothing to curl up with! Will look out for future recap posts!
Your blog is incredible. Such a source of inspiration, practicality and loveliness. Keep up the very hard work!
Reading ‘Plate to Pixel,’ too! Any other photo books that you would recommend?
Oh, I might just have to read The Paris Wife! I would suggest reading My Life In France, it’s a beautiful story about Julia Child’s life in France. I haven’t finished it myself yet, but so far it’s been perfect.
xxx
thanks for the lovely reading ideas!!
thanks for the recommendation. one of my new years resolution was to get back to reading….and i think i may have to pick up ‘the paris wife.’
The Paris Wife sounds great, it is next on my list. I know this post about books, and maybe you have mentioned it somewhere, but have you seen Downton Abbey- I wish it was a book, I’d read 1,000 times. Excellent show on PBS. I had to watch the first season on Netflix, and caught up on Season 2 on PBS. I’ll just tell you now that from the first episode, I watched the entire season in less than 3 days. Highly recommend that too!!
The book The Last Days of the Incas is wonderful as well (by Kim McQuarrie).
I love my Plate to Pixel book. I refer to it all the time. I would just love to attend one of the amazing photography workshops Helene hosts. Someday:)
Amy R.
{plain & fancy living}
Camille~ I finished reading The Paris Wife this weekend after seeing your recommendation on this post! It was a wonderful read and I have become so obsessed with Paris and Hemingway as a result. It really is addicting in such an interesting way. I want to read A Moveable Feast next to go along with it! Thank you for sharing this and keep the reading lists coming!
Kirbi