Last month’s On My Nightstand turned into such an inspiring give-and-take of reading ideas, I decided it must become a monthly installment, no? Two of my current selections were ones that y’all recommended, and my only problem now is deciding which to pick up every night since I’m so excited about tackling each one. Currently on my nightstand…
{1} Bringing Up Bébé seems to be the talk of every mother and preggers girl I know right now. During my first trimester, I read a couple of awesome books on pregnancy (this one knocked my socks off), and now I’m officially ready to move on to a few parenting books. Bringing Up Bébé is the story of an American journalist who has a baby in Paris, and goes on to observe some of the fascinating differences between French and American parenting styles. Have any of y’all read this one yet? Would love to know what you think.
{2} The Sweet Life in Paris is David Leibovitz’s adventures living in the city of lights (just realized I have a francophile theme going this month!), complete with hilarious tales of cultural differences and the way he slowly morphs into a bit of a Parisian himself. And it wouldn’t be a Leibovitz book without a collection of totally drool-inducing recipes. (thanks to Krista for the great rec!)
{3} Okay, this bag really isn’t on my nightstand…but I thought it was hysterical, and I had to share.
{4} My Year with Eleanor was recommended last month by reader Julie, and I have a feeling that the minute I flip to the first page on my iPad, I’ll be completely addicted. I love memoirs with juicy plot lines, and this one is about former entertainment blogger Noelle Hancock losing her job, and her subsequent journey rediscovering her identity. Inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt’s “Do one thing every day that scares you,” advice, she dubs the months leading up to her 30th birthday her “year of fear” and in the process, discovers who she really is.
I’ve spilled, now it’s your turn! Leave a comment and let me know what you’re currently reading (or any recent book you highly recommend!)
I’m not a mom (and I don’t plan to be anytime soon!), but I recently finished reading Bringing Up Bebe and I loved it. So fascinating and it got me thinking about parenting from an educational standpoint. I figure it won’t hurt to start thinking about these things long before the time comes, too. It made for some interesting dinner discussion with my boyfriend (and with friends—though I got some funny looks when I said I was reading a French parenting book!). I think you’ll find it provocative, and I really enjoyed Druckerman’s voice.
I’m just about to start reading Jonathan Fields’ Uncertainty.
I loved Bringing Up Bebe! It has some really great advice that I found myself thinking, yep, that’s how I would raise my kids. There’s just a really strong theme of respect and routine which really benefits everyone.
I’m reading the sweet life in Paris right now and its so good! So many recipes that I’ve flagged.
Hey Camille! Just discovered your tasty site. I’m super inspired. Must read My Year with Eleanor.
My favorite pre pregnancy book that I took to the hospital was “Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives” by Deepak Chopra. Here the link!
http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Beginnings-Enchanted-Deepak-Chopra/dp/0517702207
Oh my … I’m between The Sweet Life In Paris and My Year With Eleanor! I think you’re right – this MUST become a monthly installment! I am really looking forward to what you pick now and what you choose later
Oh, I adore David Lebovitz! I swear it was the highlight of my month when he tweeted back to me once, hehe.
I just finished reading Emma and have decided to balance out every classic with a juicy cop/doctor thriller who-dun-it. Scary books are my guilty pleasure for sure. If you ever have an inkling get lost for a few hours in a crime drama I recommend Tess Gerritsen. She’s the author of the books “Rizzoli & Isles,” the TV show, is based on.
I’m sure to get a bunch of reading done over this rainy Los Angeles weekend, although the majority will be catching up with Vanity Fair. I hate falling behind on mags, don’t you?
-Ashley
anylovelything.com
Yes – and so often, my magazine addiction is what keeps me from cracking open a really good book! All in balance, I suppose…
I read the Sweet Life in Paris last year and really enjoyed it; although it will make you jealous about life in Paris!
I just finished The Invisible Bridge and An Object of Beauty, both of which I really enjoyed. Bringing up Bebe is next on my list too…I’ve heard lots of good things.
I’m about a third of the way through Bringing Up Bebe. I have a two-year-old son and a daughter on the way. I’m really enjoying the book and will be utilizing some of the philosophies with both kids. So far I like their thoughts on babies sleeping through the night at an early age and teaching patience. I thought my son did both of these things pretty well, but apparently not compared to the French. My Year with Eleanor will be my next non-parenting related book. Love this post!
Very excited to read Bringing up Bebe – may head to B&N this afternoon! xo, Liz
Hooray for books! If you’re feeling Frenchy with Bringing up Bebe, you should read The Paris Wife – lovely and romantic. I really enjoyed This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper – it’s a kind of dark but very funny family drama. And I recommend anything by Nicole Krauss, especially The History of Love, which is completely magical.
Haha, Kate – check out last month’s recommendations… we are sooo on the same wavelength!
Camille – I love this monthly installment!! Bringing up Bebe looks like a great read, very fascinating. After reading everyone else’s comments on it, I will definitely check it out.
My daughter turns two in April (tear), so I love parenting books. Another good one and is a quick/month-to-month read as your child ages from birth to a little over a year old is The Wonder Weeks (http://www.amazon.com/The-Wonder-Weeks-development-predictable/dp/9079208043/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331929939&sr=1-1)
I found it so interesting and eerily right on track for developmental phases my daughter went through. I even noticed numerous times I found myself taking Kensi in to the doctor during the exact phases of each “wonder week” because I thought she was sick or something was wrong with her fussy and uncharacteristic behaviors. Sure enough, they always passed. Several moms I know have kept the book on hand too and thought it was helpful. It might be one of those books you take with a grain of salt at times, but I liked it.
Another excellent and scientific/brainy read is ‘Whats Going On In There’ by Lise Eliot. (http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-There-Brain-Develop/dp/0553378252/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331929783&sr=1-1) I was totally consumed in reading it. I loved the scientific/research/neurologically correct info on how the brain develops from fetus to 5 year old. So many great things to implement! Its a bit outdated somewhat now in regards to where she discusses which artificial sweeteners are OK while pregnant (in my opinion) but otherwise its very interesting!
Keep the great reads coming!
Kirbi
Thanks so much Kirbi – can’t wait to check these out! I’m so fascinated w/ learning more about how children develop right now, both in the womb and afterwards! Can’t get enough…
These all sound great – I can’t wait to get My Year With Eleanor!
I haven’t read it recently, but my all-time favorite book is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos (the book that the famous Marilyn Monroe movie was based on), it’s so funny and written like a diary, so you really get to know the characters better than you do watching the movie. And if you like memoires, maybe you’ll enjoy Summer At Tiffany by Marjorie Hart – she and her best friend moved to Manhattan for a summer in the 30′s and worked at Tiffany & Co. – so cute!
Love this series, Camille, such a great way to trade book recommendations!
that bag is hilarious! the books look great too, especially “the sweet life in paris”
http://howtowindowshop.blogspot.com/
I always love getting book recommendations! My Amazon wishlist is FULL of books. I review books on my blog too.
Two of my recent favorites are “Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me?” By Mindy Kaling & “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” by Rob Lowe. I highly recommend both of them!!
http://sugarfooteats.com/books/
On the same notes as “Sweet Life,” I recently finished reading “My Life in Paris.” I’ll be posting my book review shortly! I’ll have to check out Sweet Life as well.
Just added My Year with Eleanor to my goodreads list. Thanks!
I love love love “the Spellman Files”, by the in comparable Lisa Lutz. Izzy Spellman is probably my favorite literary character of all time, next to Zooey Glass. Picture Zooey Deschanel as a Jewish Girl detective( she was actually attached to the movie version), and you got it, escapist summer beach literature at its absolute best.
and there are two sequels and another in the birth canal!