What I Read in February
📍 Greenwich, Connecticut

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I made a goal of reading 24 books in 2024 (AKA 2 books per month). Although having a reading goal has become an annual tradition, I always lose major steam in the summertime. This year, I’m sticking to it! In February, I was able to keep working towards my goal with these 6 incredible books I devoured. Oh, the perks of getting a library card! I feel empowered and unstoppable in the book department. To help you reach your own reading goals this year, here’s what I read in February.

The After Party

One of the first reviews I read about The After Party was “A vintage version of Gossip Girl.” If that’s not enough for me to pick up a book, then I don’t know what is. This novel takes place in the landscape of high society in Houston, Texas, in the 1950s. We follow the main character, Cece, as she seemingly chaperones her longtime best friend, Joan. Joan is the darling of the social circuit, but her increasingly risky behavior becomes too much for their friendship to handle. 

Under the Influence

After reading Cultish last month, I could not put this book down. In fact, I finished Under the Influence in a day! I personally have a few problems with life gurus and the blind adoration for people we find on social media. Still, I was intrigued as Harper navigated through the cult-like pieces of her new company. The book really begs the question, “Where is the line between inspiration and toxicity?”

Deliberate Cruelty

Are you a lover of true crime stories? Have you been fixated on Feud: Capotes Vs. The Swans? If you answered yes to both questions, then you should definitely read Deliberate Cruelty. It shares the very real story of Ann Woodward, the New York City socialite who killed her husband in 1955. The book also sets the scene for Truman Capote, explaining why he was invested in this story and how it led to his tell-all book, Answered Prayers. This biography reads more like a novel, keeping me hooked on every page. 

The Barbizon

There’s something about 1960s New York City that I will always be endlessly fascinated by. It was a time of great and meaningful change in our country that helped us move toward equality. On a more superficial level, the fashion was just incredible! The Barbizon was a hotel on the pristine streets of the Upper East Side that helped facilitate some of those changes for women. It’s where independent women could come to the city and begin their careers. Some well-known women actually got their start there, including Grace Kelly, Betsey Johnson, and Liza Minnelli. The Barbizon also served as inspiration for Sylvia Plath’s acclaimed book, The Bell Jar, a book I hope to read soon. 

Kingdom of Prep

I feel like I’m way behind on reading this book, but better late than never! It’s no secret that I’m a big J. Crew fan. About 80% of my closet is dedicated to the label. The Kingdom of Prep gives a history lesson on the iconic American brand. Let’s just say that its origins probably don’t match what you’re expecting. Better still, this book serves as a time machine into the different iterations and styles that J. Crew specialized in. If anyone remembers the bubble necklaces of the early 2010s, then you know exactly what I mean!

Lady Killers

I’ve wanted to read Lady Killers by Tori Telfer since I read her book Confident Women. Again, this is another great pick for anyone who loves true crime stories and documentaries. Meet and get to know over a dozen murdering women throughout history, along with their motives and preferred methods. Each murderess is contained in her own chapter, so you’ll fly through this witty and incredibly intriguing book. 

I just started Girly Drinks by Mallory O’Meara, which uncovers the history of women and alcohol. I’m only on the first chapter, but I absolutely love it! I also have a few fun historical fiction novels on Hold at the library that I can’t wait to dive into. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review in my next issue of What I Read. Until then, happy reading!

Love from Connecticut,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England. 

What I Read in January
📍 Darien, Connecticut

The following content may contain affiliate links. 
When you click and shop the links, I may receive a small commission.

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I made a goal of reading 24 books in 2024 (AKA 2 books per month). Although having a reading goal has become an annual tradition, I always lose major steam in the summertime. This year, I’m sticking to it! This January started stronger than any other year with these 6 incredible books I devoured. Oh, the perks of getting a library card! I feel empowered and unstoppable in the book department. To help you reach your own reading goals this year, here’s what I read in January.

Social Engagement

Although I may sound hypocritical, with my blog and all, I keep many things away from social media in my life. In Social Engagement by Avery Carpenter Forrey, you meet Callie Holt. She’s freshly married, or is she? As she reflects on the events that led to her disastrous wedding night, we get a front-row seat via her social media profiles. Let this serve as a cautionary tale for all millennials who spend too much time on Instagram. 

The Editor

It’s no secret that I adore and idolize Jackie Kennedy. Just wait until you see what else I read this year. The Editor by Steven Rowley first caught my attention because of the cover with Jackie’s signature coif and trademark sunglasses. Although we think so much of her time as First Lady, her career in the publishing world never ceases to inspire me. This is the story of James, whose novel has been freshly acquired. Although it’s a dream come true, he has to navigate his family dynamic and handle criticism from the world’s most famous woman.

Hitchcock’s Blondes

One of my favorite reads from 2023 was Capote’s Women by Laurence Leamer. And yes, I am obsessed with Capote vs. the Swans. As soon as I heard about Leamers’s latest book, Hitchcock’s Blondes, I almost instantly had it on my bookshelf. I’ve long been a fan of old Hollywood movies, so to read about the women behind some of Hitchcock’s most iconic films was such a treat! Although it’s dense with information about each leading lady, it reads like a novel. If you’re anything like me, you can easily devour this in a weekend.

Jackie, Janet, & Lee

Jackie, Janet, and Lee was a Christmas gift from my very dear friend, Sydney. She truly knows and appreciates my adoration for Jackie Kennedy. This book covers the lives of Jackie, her sister, Lee, and her mom, Janet, and lets us learn intimately about each woman. Showing different life events from the three perspectives, I couldn’t put this book down. The 500+ pages breezed by, which is not something you can always say about a dense biography. Because I enjoyed his writing style, I’ve already picked up J. Randy Taraborrelli’s latest book, Jackie Public, Private, Secret. You can expect that book in an upcoming monthly roundup.

Cultish

I’m way behind the ball with this 2021 book from Amanda Montell. Seriously, why didn’t I read Cultish sooner? Regardless of what arena, something that always makes me deeply uncomfortable is fanaticism. Whether it be politics, religion, or even make-up brands, I find too much value in autonomy and independence. This book sheds light on the language that some of our history’s most charismatic leaders use to sway the masses. After reading, I felt better equipped to keep a wary eye out for when things are too good to be true. They often are.

Mrs. March

With Mrs. March, I judged a book by its cover, and I’m so glad I did! This novel is a wild ride through the titular character’s life and her seemingly privileged life in the Upper East Side. Just when I thought I had a hint of where the story was going, there was a sudden twist to the plot that I didn’t see coming. I was on the edge of my seat until the book’s final line, which I almost finished in one swoop. Rumor has it that actress Elizabeth Moss loved the book and is interested in bringing the story to the big screen!

I’m currently working on two books right now. One is a fascinating but lengthy biography of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. In Bogie and Bacall, you learn about both individual actors and their lives together. I also have The Barbizon sitting on my nightstand for a pallet cleanser. The 60s in New York City is one of my favorite eras to read about. Located on the Upper East Side, the Barbizon Hotel served as a home for countless women ready to make their mark on the world. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review in my next issue of What I Read. Until then, happy reading!

Love from New England,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England. 

What I’ve Read Recently, Vol. 3
📍 Downtown St. Pete, Florida

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When I was a kid, I was an ardent bookworm. There was always a book in my hand and my nose in a book. I really wanted to find that passion again. So each year, I set the resolution to read more, and each year it’s completely overlooked. Maybe it’s because I spend more time at home, but I’m happy to report that I’m reading again! While I set a goal of 50 books in 2022, I’ve gotten pretty behind pace. I’ll keep going, though. Who knows! Maybe I’ll be able to make up for the lost time! Here’s a quick look at the new additions to my bookshelf and what I’ve read recently.

Elizabeth & Margaret

Elizabeth and Margaret is a must-read for fans of The Crown or anglophiles. It closely follows the lives and relationships of Queen Elizabeth II with her sister, Princess Margaret. Although their personalities and positions couldn’t be any more different, they still shared an incredible bond as only sisters can. Although incredibly dense with information and stories, this felt like such a quick read.

Dress Code

The psychology behind what we wear and why we wear it never ceases to fascinate me! Dress Code opens the door to some of the conscious and subconscious choices brands, and consumers make in their daily decisions. Why do some trends come and go while others stand the test of time? Although there have never been more choices, are we starting to all dress the same? The different topics in this book will have you really evaluating what you shop for and what you have in your closet.

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

Our recent trip to Paris was a huge inspiration for picking up Z: A Novel. Sadly, most know Zelda Fitzgerald as the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby. What many don’t know is that she was incredibly ambitious in her own right. This fictionalized account follows Zelda from her beginnings in Alabama to New York, Paris, and beyond. I finished this book with an appreciation for her sacrifice and resilience against the gender roles of the era. 

Anna: The Biography

Is there a more powerful name in the fashion world than Anna Wintour? In Anna: The Biography, you learn how the editor-in-Chief of Vogue was almost destined for greatness but still worked relentlessly hard to get there. I definitely recommend this as a read for any professional woman, female business owner, or fashion lover. It was so enlightening to learn more about the woman behind those iconic sunglasses.

Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight

When it comes to First Ladies, minds tend to Jackie Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Michelle Obama. Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight gives you an intimate look at MRS. LBJ and her time in the White House. Even though it was a time of incredible change in the United States, many today overlook the Johnson administration. We think of Kennedy’s Camelot or the pain caused by the Vietnam War. While these are very fair viewpoints, you cannot overlook the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Lady Bird had a very active role in her husband’s presidency. She was a sounding board for LBJ and had her own initiatives in the arts, the environment, and education. She was such an incredible woman, and I loved learning about her work.

Better Luck Next Time

I can’t remember who recommended Better Luck Next Time, but I’m so happy it made its way to my radar! It’s the kind of story you can’t put down and is told from the perspective of our narrator’s flashbacks to 1930s Nevada. At this point, the easiest way for women to get a divorce was to stay in the state for six weeks to gain residence, and Reno was the epicenter. Wealthy women from across the country would call the Flying Leap Ranch home to begin their life as fresh divorcees. This book has wonderful character development, which I always look for when finding a good novel.

The next book on my journey to 50 in 2022 that I’m currently reading is The Grand Design: A Novel of Dorothy Draper. This is a perfect, fun read for any grand millennial or lover of interior design. It’s a unique story about the interior design of the iconic Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia, which is absolutely on my travel bucket list. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review in my next issue of ‘What I’ve Read Recently.’ Until then, keep reading!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.