On My Nightstand

We got back from Miami last night, and while traveling is usually the time when I make loads of progress in the books I have going, let’s just say that when you have an 18-month-old in tow, things are a little different. “Downtime” typically doesn’t even make an appearance! Towards the last half of our flight, Phoebe finally crashed in my arms, and I ever-so-gently switched my iPad from Elmo’s World to iBooks, digging into This Is Not the Story You Think It Is for a blissful 60 minutes. This month’s selections include a brilliant new fashion mag, a cookbook that’s getting me excited to try out some new recipes this week, a heartbreaking yet empowering memoir, and an interiors tome that is inspiring me to make a few tweaks around the house for spring. Here’s what’s currently on my nightstand, and I’d love to hear about any books you guys would recommend – I’m always looking to add to next month’s list!

Porter. After scooping up this brand new glossy mag created by luxury retailer Net-A-Porter at the airport the other day, I found myself instantly hooked. Sure, it boasts its fair share of unattainably high-end fashion, but the voice manages to be inspiring rather than intimidating, as well as chock full of well-written lifestyle pieces aimed at the modern, intelligent woman.

The Inspired Home, by Karen Lehrman Bloch. As one who finds myself magnetically drawn to interiors that are calming, serene and balanced, I knew upon first glance that The Inspired Home would become a new favorite. Stepping inside 25 gorgeous homes around the world, including those owned by Vicente Wolf, Donna Karan and Alberta Ferretti, the reader is taken on a sensory journey of stunning photographs and simple, applicable design principles.

This Is Not The Story You Think It Is, by Laura Munson. This diary-style memoir chronicles a rocky period in Munson’s marriage, but from where I am at the halfway point, I’m discovering it focuses as much on her inner peace-finding journey as it does on her relationship with her husband. In the midst of incredible sorrow, the author learns the real meaning of inner serenity and the power of positivity.

One Good Dish, by David Tanis. After reading an Alice Waters biography several years ago, I became obsessed with all things Chez Panisse — including a handful of the great chefs who honed their craft there like David Tanis. As a New York Times food columnist and author of A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes, Tanis has developed a style all his own that embraces the less-is-more, simple and seasonal ethos that Waters pioneered. This book is full of no-fuss but inspired dishes that can stand alone as a satisfying meal for one or for a crowd, and I think it’s going to prove an irreplaceable addition to my cookbook shelves.

Now it’s your turn! Let me know what you’re reading this month… and for other book ideas, be sure to check out the last few editions of On My Nightstand.