Style and Savings Reads – March 2016

 

 Here are 5 books on my “To Read” list. As I haven’t read them all yet, this is a list of recommendations (not book reviews)

Title: The Status of All Things

Authors:  Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

Back of the Book Synopsis: Kate is a thirty-five-year-old woman who is obsessed with social media. So when her fiancé, Max, breaks things off at their rehearsal dinner—to be with Kate’s close friend and coworker, no less—she goes straight to Facebook to share it with the world. But something’s changed. Suddenly, Kate’s real life starts to mirror whatever she writes in her Facebook status. With all the power at her fingertips, and heartbroken and confused over why Max left her, Kate goes back in time to rewrite their history

Why I would pick up this book: I generally have an interest in how Facebook and social media is shaping social interactions online and offline and how someone’s Internet self – representation compares to his or her real life. I have gotten a little over half-way through this book and it is very  light-hearted in that it requires you to suspend reality and believe in magic like a Disney Channel movie (i.e. Freaky Friday).

---

 

  Title: Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be                                                           Your Own Person

Author: Shonda Rhimes

Inside cover synopsis: In this poignant, hilarious and deeply intimate call to arms, Hollywood’s most powerful woman, the mega-talented creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away With Murder chronicles how saying YES for one year changed her life―and how it can change yours, too.

Why I would pick up this book: Shonda Rhimes! TGIT is a weekly social event at my place.  I chose this book for my book club’s January selection because I felt that it would serve as motivation to say “yes” to new experiences in the new year. I am finishing the last chapter of this book (which is equal parts memoir and advice) and I have enjoyed learning more about Shonda’s background and how she writes pieces of herself into her characters. My favorite part of the book was her commencement speech at Dartmouth. As a recent grad, there were parts that I could really relate to!

---

   Title: The Girl on the Train

Author: Paula Hawkins

Synopsis: Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Why I would pick up this book: This book was suggested by one of my book club members as our next book. I had seen it mentioned on other blogs and book lists and became interested because it sounded suspenseful. I started reading it a couple days ago and it is really a page-turner.

---

 

  

Title: The Glitter Plan: How We Started Juicy Couture for $200 and Turned It into a Global Brand                    

Authors: Pamela Skaist-Levy, Gela Nash-Taylor, Booth Moore 

Goodreads Synopsis: Part memoir, part business manual, and 100% juicy—the inside story of Juicy Couture, one of the most iconic brands of our times

Why I would pick up this book: Occasionally, I like to ready business book especially related to entrepreneurship. A couple summers ago, I read Girl Boss and I think this book will have a similar feel. Also, I’m a big fan of Juicy Couture. Their first perfume is one of my favorites and I used to search ebay for used Juicy bags in college and found a genuine leather one for $30 !

  

---

  Title: The Real Thing: Lessons on Love and Life from a Wedding                                                           Reporter’s Notebook

Author: Ellen McCarthy

Goodreads Synopsis: From a Washington Post weddings reporter who’s covered more than two hundred walks down the aisle comes a warm, witty, and wise book about relationships—the mystery, the science, and the secrets of how we find love and make it last.
 
Ellen McCarthy has explored the complete journey of our timeless quest for “The One,” the Soul Mate, the Real Thing. This indispensable collection of insights—on dating, commitment, breakups, weddings, and marriage—gives us a window into enduring romance:

Why I would pick up this book: As you may know from my Wedding Wednesday posts, I’m getting married this summer. It’s so easy to get caught up in the fun of event planning, but once that day is over, it would be good to have advice on how to have a happy & lasting marriage

---

 

  Title: Bad Feminist

Author: Roxane Gay

Goodreads Synopsis: “Pink is my favorite color. I used to say my favorite color was black to becool, but it is pink—all shades of pink. If I have an accessory, it is probably pink. I read Vogue, and I’m not doing it ironically, though it might seem that way. I once live-tweeted the September issue.”

In these funny and insightful essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of her evolution as a woman of color while also taking readers on a ride through culture of the last few years and commenting on the state of feminism today. The portrait that emerges is not only one of an incredibly insightful woman continually growing to understand herself and our society, but also one of our culture.

Why I would pick up this book: I think this book will be funny and filled with pop-culture references while also analyzing serious topics such as equality, what it means to be a feminist, and what changes can be made to make the world a better place for women. Also, Roxane Gay is currently teaching at Purdue in the College of Liberal Arts

 

 

 

: