Entre Nous.

Currently on the Nightstand

 

I cannot wait to dive into my latest stack of library books. My perpetual resolution, along with reading more, is to check out more books than I purchase.

 

 

 

 

Blogger Book Club (May & June) - White Girl Problems

 I picked up "White Girl Problems" because I thought it would be a cheeky read. Initially though I found it even too vapid for me. Yes, I do realize that's the point. After taking a hiatus from the book, I realized I had to give it another go. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it when I gave it a second chance. I appreciated it for what it was, a lighthearted tip toe through life via the lens of a privileged white girl. Perhaps you have to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate Babe Walker's humor.

Have you read "White Girl Problems"? If so, what did you think? Do tell! 

My next pick for Blogger Book Club is my idea of the quintessential summer read, "I Take You" by Eliza Kennedy. I'm trying not devour it, as it's a story line I quite want to savor.

"Meet Lily Wilder: New Yorker, lawyer extraordinaire, blushing bride. And totally incapable of being faithful to one man.Lily’s fiancé Will is a brilliant, handsome archaeologist. Lily is sassy, impulsive, fond of a good drink (or five) and has no business getting married. Lily likes Will, but does she love him? Will loves Lily, but does he know her? As the wedding approaches, Lily’s nights—and mornings, and afternoons—of booze, laughter and questionable decisions become a growing reminder that the happiest day of her life might turn out to be her worst mistake yet. Unapologetically sexy with the ribald humor of Bridesmaids, this joyously provocative debut introduces a self-assured protagonist you won’t soon forget."

As always you'll have two full months to read "I Take You", then we'll discuss on August 31st. Use the hashtag #bloggerbookclub if you're reading along.

Girl, Read On

 

 

You all just have no idea. I absolutely fell head over heels for this novel. I'll admit I hadn't a clue who on earth this Zoe Sugg person was; that is until last December when I read somewhere that her debut novel outsold JK Rowling's in the first week. I mean, how is that even possible? So color me intrigued. It turns out that the author of "Girl Online" is also know to those in the You Tube know as Zoella. I had no idea how absolutely clueless I was about You Tuber culture until I stumbled upon Zoella. She's cute as a button and produces videos, mostly about makeup, but also about her life in general via her Vlogs. From there I fell down the You Tube rabbit hole and started subscribing (You Tube lingo) to all her other 20something British friends; who also happen to be successful You Tubers. But I digress, I'll compile a list of my favorite You Tubers another time. Let's discuss the book.

I'm well aware that this book was not written for my demographic, i.e. not the young adult set, but that didn't deter me. It did take a bit of time for me to actually get into the novel. It wasn't love at first few chapters, let's put it that way. But soon enough I was hooked. Does it try to hard to address universal teen themes like anxiety, why yes, yes it does. But I managed to push past that and eventually really couldn't wait to read on. So if you're looking to live vicariously through a British teenager, then "Girl Online" is going to be your summer jam. This book is a beach read if I ever did see one. 

 

 

Sea & Smoke

So proud of my friend, Blaine Wetzel, and his book Sea And Smoke. The book is set on the island where I spent my formative years and is bound to be a bestseller. On the heels of his second James Beard, win not to mention hitting the number two best restaurant in the country, this is certainly his year.

"Sea and Smoke is as much a culinary adventure as it is a serious restaurant book, chronicling the plucky ambition of a young chef who was determined to create a world-class dining destination on Lummi Island (pronounced like “yummy”). After working at Noma in Copenhagen, Chef Blaine Wetzel took the principles of hyperlocalism stateside to celebrate what was good and nearby and tasty, off the rugged coast of Seattle.

The “sea” and “smoke”  from the Pacific Ocean and the restaurant’s own smokehouse, plus foraged ingredients and a local farm, yield a colorful playground of ingredients for the restaurant’s nightly 20-course prix fixe. Recipes include Smoked Mussels, Herring Roe on Kelp with Charred Dandelions, Aged Venison Legs and Wild Lettuce with Seeded Bread, Warm Blueberries and An Ice Cream Made from Sweet Woodruff, and more, all of it mirroring the verdant, sea-salty, foggy surroundings of the coastal Pacific Northwest. If you can’t hop the ferry or charter a plane to Lummi, this book is the next-best thing."

Sea And Smoke is currently available for pre order through Amazon and will be released in October 2015.

Blogger Book Club (March & April) - I'll Drink To That

For the sixth installment of Blogger Book Club we read the compelling, I'll Drink To That: A Life In Style, With A Twist by Betty Halbreich. The 86 year old personal shoppers memoir was a delicious read. I truly adored this book from beginning to end.

Betty is a true original. She basically coined the phrase "personal shopper" when she started working at Bergdorfs some 40 years ago. Her memoir is a roller coaster of highs and lows.

Here are a few Betty gems:

“My clients often ask for advice on how to get rid of clothing. I always say to keep the beautiful pieces: embroidered, beaded, or one-of-a-kind looks. They are usually sumptuous and feel new when revisited. Treat them like lovely antiques.”

“I tell all my clients that you should love yourself in something immediately: nothing gets better the more times you look at it in the mirror.”

“Even more important than having a keen sense of fit and color is the ability to discern another person’s deep desires, which I can only do in a one-on-one situation. That’s why I’m constantly trying to push others out of my fitting room”.

Now I want to watch the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorfs, for even more Betty.

 Have you read "I'll Drink to That"? If so, what did you think? Do tell! 

I've had a really challenging time sorting out what to read next. Typically there's a few books making the rounds on social media that are on my to read list. But of late I was at a total loss. I was scrolling through my wish list on Amazon and came across the book White Girl Problems by Babe Walker. It's currently en route to my house and I'm quite excited to delve in. Here's hoping it's the perfect start to summer reading season, when you're looking for a bit of fluff. As always you'll have two full months to read "White Girl Problems", then we'll discuss on June 29th. Use the hashtag #bloggerbookclub if you're reading along.