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Bookworm: My Last Supper

Bookworm: My Last Supper

January 8, 2013

This Christmas, one of my dear friends gave me an absolutely wonderful and delightful book, My Last Supper. In the book, (the photographer and creator) Melanie Dunea asks famous chefs what their last meals would be. No, it’s not macabre (for the record, I love using that word!). Rather, it’s quite inspiring and amazingly beautiful. Apparently, chefs have been playing this “Last Supper” game for ages, but (until now) it has always been an insider’s game. Below are some of my favorite selections: Daniel Boulud His meal would depend on whatever Alain Ducasse cooks for him, but could possibly include a soup, a foie gras terrine (duck or goose liver cooked in earthenware), lobster, pheasant, partridge, a cheese course; and to finish, at least two dessert courses, followed by chocolates and petits fours. Elena and Juan Mari Arzak For Elena, her main course would be a fresh, locally caught whole …

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Bookworm: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

It’s been a long time since I’ve been blown away by a book. Well, it was worth the wait. The Fault in Our Stars is the kind of book that you don’t want to put down…and think about first thing in the morning…and artfully arrange the next possible moment when you can come back to it. A kind woman at Book Passages in San Francisco recommended (basically insisted that I buy it) by saying, “It’s going to be the best book you’ve ever read, but don’t read it in public because you will cry – A LOT.” She was spot on. I’ve been thinking about how to (accurately) describe it? Hmmm. Well, heartwrenching, beautiful, genuine, moving, powerful, sarcastic, genius, witty, and transformative are all words that immediately come to mind when I think about this book. However, these descriptions seem so inadequate. Seriously. It’s that good. One could argue that this is a cancer …

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Bookworm: Capturing Camelot

Bookworm: Capturing Camelot

December 19, 2012

My affinity for the Kennedy’s grew leaps and bounds when I met my husband. Why? Because the BOTY (at the time, Boyfriend Of The Year) had an incredible Mom! My future mother-in-law could talk for hours about the Kennedy’s.  I always loved finding a new book to share (and discuss!) with her.  Sadly, she died several years ago. I miss her (and our conversations) so very much. She would have loved the new book, Capturing Camelot by Kitty Kelley and photographer Stanley Tretick because in addition to presenting never-before-seen images, it does an extraordinary job of capturing the optimism and joy of family (Silver Lining).

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Big Questions from Little People and Simple Answers from Great Minds

Hope that you all have had a beautiful, ThankFULL weekend!  I’ve been brimming over with ideas and topics about which to write, so get ready. Let me begin the week with the most divine feel-good book that recently came into my life: Questions from Little People and Simple Answers from Great Minds. In this book, Gemma Elwin Harris asked thousands of primary school children between the ages of four and twelve to send her their questions and then invited some of today’s most prominent scientists, philosophers, and writers to answer them. Isn’t that so clever? This book is not only charming but also quite informative!  Here are some of my favorites: Alain de Botton explores why we have dreams Particle physicist and cosmologist Lawrence Krauss explains why we’re all made of stardust Neuroscientist David Eagleman explains why we can’t tickle ourselves And this is one of my favorites: If you don’t …

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Bookworm: Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls

When I was in graduate school, I was introduced to psychologist Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. Wow. It was perhaps one of the most important components of my graduate education. Why? Well, because it was transformative — in a stratospherically profound way, both personally as well as professionally. As a result, every so often I revisit Reviving Ophelia as a reminder of the importance for women of all ages to stay true to themselves. Easier said than done, I know, but for the sake of our children and our friend’s children and our children’s children, it’s so worth the effort (herculean in my case)! Pipher based her title on Shakespeare’s character Ophelia from “Hamlet” who suffers tragic consequences when she lives her life trying to be what others want her to be (which happens to explain my entire childhood!). In Reviving Ophelia, Pipher points to …

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Bookworm: Canada by Richard Ford

“First, I’ll tell about the robbery our parents committed. Then about the murders, which happened later.” Those are the first two sentences of Richard Ford’s new novel, Canada. Quite a whopper of an opener, right? I just read the book for my book club and boy oh boy, am I ever glad that I/we did! I never would have picked it up on my own, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. There were times that I read and then re-read lines because the words seemed to dance on the pages. Literally. The New York Times refers to Canada as “being blessed with two essential strengths in equal measure – a mesmerizing story driven by authentic and fully realized characters, and a prose style so accomplished it is tempting to read each sentence two or three times before being pulled to the next.” Need I say more? I …

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Bookworm: Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life

Yesterday was a happy, happy day because I received my highly anticipated copy of Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life. Her Visual Life is a virtual Visual Feast! In the book, she shares her lifelong passion for beautiful and artfully arranged scrapbooks and collages. The book is organized by some of my favorite themes: travel, gardens, interiors, entertaining. Charlotte also invites some fabulous women of style to share their Visual Life, including Wall Street Journal Magazine editor Deborah Needleman, Vogue editor Candy Pratts Price, former Town & Country editor Pamela Fiori, interior designer Alexa Hampton and Washington philanthropist Deeda Blair. I feel incredibly inspired and motivated to (finally!) contend with my boxes and piles of photos and keepsakes (including a multitude of ticket stubs!)…which is a major Silver Lining of this book! Below are some snippets from the travel section of the book. Hope that you enjoy this book as much as I am! Egypt Italy Russia France  

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Bookworm: La Dolce Vita

Bookworm: La Dolce Vita

November 1, 2012

With the end of October (a/k/a breast cancer awareness month), I have some pink ribbon (actually pink in general) fatigue. I do. It’s true. As if I weren’t already aware. Ha! Every single time I take a shower, I’m aware. Just sayin’… Anyhoo, as a result of my Pinktober hangover, I’m doing some lighter posts this week.  Time for some frivolity (Silver Lining). No better place for dreaming of frivolity than the new book, La Dolce Vita. Between the beautiful covers, Editor Christopher Sweet curates a gorgeous compilation of images from legendary society photographer Slim Aarons’ time in Italy which happens to span four decades. Lots and lots of drool. Buona lettura i miei amici! Godere di questo rivestimento d’argento. * Yes, I used Google Translate. I only wish I were that cool!!!

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Bookworm: Little Black Jacket

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was when Mr. UPS delivered my copy of The Little Black Jacket: Chanel’s Classic Revisited By Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld. My oh my. The book is a tribute to Chanel’s iconic black jacket. The little black jacket is, some would argue, one of the most important contributions that Chanel has made to fashion. The history of the jacket began in 1916 when it was designed, produced and even worn by its founder Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel. “I always make the first design for me” said the petite Coco who believed that women could be elegant while wearing clothes that didn’t trap the body into an unnatural form. The original tweed jacket had some very unique and original details, including overcast and topstitched seams for an even surface and a gilt chain weighing down the inside hem of the jacket so that it took (takes) the shape …

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Bookworm: Sutton

Bookworm: Sutton

October 19, 2012

This weekend, I am sooooooo beyond excited to begin reading J.R. Moehringer’s new book, Sutton. Willie Sutton was the prolific United States bank robber convict who, when asked why he robbed banks, responded: “That’s where the money is.” During his 40-year criminal career he was known for his disguises, garnering two nicknames, “Slick Willie” and “Willie the Actor.” This book has been described as a sympathetic narrative about a one-man Occupy movement who did more than protest banks. I adored his first book, The Tender Bar. In case you don’t know him, Moehringer is a Pulitzer-winning former reporter who collaborated with Andre Agassi on the tennis star’s acclaimed 2009 memoir, Open.  You know where I’ll be this weekend…what are you up to?  

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