What I’ve Read Recently, Vol. 1
š 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 itās completely overlooked. Maybe itās because I spend more time at home, but Iām happy to report that Iām reading again! Iāve read through ten books in just the past few months, averaging about one per week. Hereās a quick look at the new additions to my bookshelf and what I’ve read recently.
The Season
While I was not raised with the debutante life and didn’t know much about its history, I found The Season to be absolutely fascinating. The author, Kristen Richardson, expertly unveils and explains a lesser-known side of women’s history in the United States and internationally. To understand the future of the feminist movement of today, you need to have a solid understanding of the past.
Carnegie Hill
Maybe it’s because I’m more homesick for NYC than I realize, but I could not put Carnegie Hill down! I completely devoured it in under 48 hours. While I had the privilege of living in this chic corner of the Upper East Side, our building wasn’t a co-op. Still, I can perfectly picture some of the characters based on my previous neighbors. This coming-of-age novel perfectly depicts the insecurities that can arise when change happens, even when it’s a good change.
Sister Parish
While reading Bunny Mellon: The Pursuit of Perfection, I kept seeing another name appear throughout her life. Sister Parish was an American interior designer and the first practitioner to decorate the White House during the Camelot years. Like Bunny Mellon, I loved reading about women who followed their passion during a point in history when women were expected to raise a family. Itās a great source of inspiration to pursue your interests and turn those endeavors into widely successful and cherished businesses.
The Invitation
The Invitation was my first book of 2022. I have a goal for reading 50 books throughout the year, so I decided to make more novels a part of that list. I love reading non-fiction or biographies, but it sometimes takes me a few weeks to finish them. This book is historical fiction about a journalist on a press tour in Italy for an upcoming film. If youāve ever seen Breakfast at Tiffanyās, I imagine Paul Varjakās character before becoming Holly Golightlyās neighbor.
French Exit
If you have a penchant for Wes Anderson films, youāll simply love French Exit. It follows a mother-son duo in Manhattan and Paris after learning that their fortune has run dry. Oh yeah, they also believe that a stray cat contains the husbandās soul. I know that sounds quirky, but the story discusses important themes like status, redemption, and hope. I sincerely enjoyed reading this book and felt so connected to each character.
The Dollhouse
Yes, another New York-based novel because theyāre my favorite. A story just comes alive when you can perfectly picture the setting! This is Fiona Davisā debut novel, and since, she has written five additional books with NYC as the backdrop. The Dollhouse takes place at the Barbizon, both in the present as a luxury community and during the 1950s when itās a hotel for professional women. It feels like there are two stories in one, plus an incredible twist at the end!
I Left My Homework in the Hamptons
As a former teacher in an Upper East Side private school, I was hooked by this title alone. Since I was with a class full of first graders, I never heard āI Left My Homework in the Hamptonsā as an excuse. Instead, I had several students with either beach homes in the Hamptons or country homes upstate. I thought this book was really insightful and serves as a reminder to let kids be kids.
Limelight
Okay, one last book about New York, I promise! Well, at least for this blog postā¦ Limelight was a wild ride and had me instantly in love with Amy Poeppelās writing style. I canāt wait to read her other novels! This story follows Allison Brinkley and her family, who has just been uprooted from their lives in Texas to move to Manhattan. From my own time in the city, there are many elements that I connected with. Even better, I loved seeing the growth with each character from chapter to chapter.
The next book on my journey to 50 in 2022 that I’m currently reading is Educated by Tara Westbrook. As a former teacher, this has been on my radar for a while. I just regret not picking it up sooner! I’m just about halfway, but I already know this is a book that will linger with me for years to come. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review on 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,Ā here.
