Books Page: Winter Reading

What's on your reading list for winter? As soon as I finish Serial (yes, I know I'm a little behind), these three titles are first on my list. Here's why:

1) Delancey by Molly Wizenberg uncovers the personal side of the restaurant biz after a husband-and-wife team find themselves the owners of a successful pizza spot. I've always been curious about the restaurant life and can't wait to read about it, as told through the eyes of a marriage.

2) Searching for Grace Kelly by Michael Callahan is a throwback to New York City in 1955. Three roommates are living in the Barbizon Hotel and searching for love, romance and fun. I love the setting of this novel—the location and the decade.

3) Funny Girl by Nick Hornby is another book that that takes us back, this time to 1960s London. Sophie Straw ("a provincial ingénue turned TV starlet) leads a cast of characters that sound quirky and delightful. I've enjoyed so many of Nick Hornby's books—can't wait for the next! 

My Amazon order has been placed! What are you reading right now?

More great books here, here, here and here.

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How to be Parisian (wherever you are)

I know that I mentioned the books that I'm reading this fall, but my discovery of How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are, by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas, somehow trumped that list (I'll get back on track soon!). I couldn't help but wonder what these four accomplished ladies had to say about what it really means to be a Parisienne, including how to dress, entertain, go on dates, and have fun. Plus, the book had a promise: it's funny! So far, I love it, and find many parts that are worth repeating to friends, family, coworkers, boyfriends. :) For example, the book's guide to the city's signature colors, all defined by it's culture. I'll explain...

This bright orangey red is reminiscent of seats in a movie theater in Paris (and if you ask me some of the pretty café tables that brighten up a rainy day).

Going to Ladurée? You'll definitely spot this subtle, yet eye-catching hue. According to les femmes parisiennes (aka, the authors of this book), it's the color of a rose-flavored macaron. :)

But of course, this rich and decadent shade defines French color at it's best. It's the shade of a tall glass of Bordeaux, n'est-ce pas?

There are tons more cheeky color definitions where these came from, but what a brilliant idea to create a palette to describe such a unique place. In fact, the reds and greens and blues and yellows and pinks are one of the first things I think of when reminiscing about my travels there.

What are you reading right now?

PS: Another French book I read and loved.

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Books Page: Fall Reads

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What are you reading this fall? I have quite a few books in rotation right now, but the titles above are next on my list:

• I'm a fan of Girls (and totally adore Lena Dunham's tweets), so I'm curious to see what she talks about in her memoir Not That Kind of Girl, due out this month. Here's an excerpt, in case you missed it. 

• Amy Poehler's memoir—called Yes, Please—hits shelves late October. She's such a funny, brilliant lady. I can't wait to read her thoughts and advice on life.

• Last, there's Gone Girl, a title I can start now since it's been out for quite some time! But with the movie due out in a few weeks (here's the trailer), the pressure is on. I definitely want to read the book before watching the Ben Affleck flick.

Now, you go: What books are you excited about right now?

The weekend is here!

What are your weekend plans, my dear readers? I am so excited to kick back and relax. I'm also hoping to do a bit of reading. I just picked up this book—have you read it? I need to see it before the movie comes out this fall! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

My favorite poem.

The large print.

Pop culture weddings you've actually attended yourself. (#1 might be my favorite.)

Crinkle fries are back!!

The prettiest yellow bra.

The best Broadway news.

A sun shade for people who burn easy (like me!).

In a word: Breathtaking.

Birthday cake crumbles.

Garlic-roasted tomato sandwiches. Um, yes, please.

(Image via Design Love Fest)

Made me laugh.

Did you know that Diane Keaton is on Pinterest? I love her boards! This pin of hers made me laugh—perfect for a Thursday, right? :)

PS: Are you reading her new book? I loved her last one!

(Image via Pinterest)

Books Page: What I'm reading now

What are you reading this spring? I just stocked up, and these three books are at the top of the fiction pile. Pretty in Ink by Lindsey J. Palmer is a fun and zesty peek into the magazine world (and our next NYWICI book club pick!), while A Wedding in Provence by Ellen Sussman and The Vacationers by Emma Straub both offer a taste of travel and family dynamics. Love!

What books are at the top of your list this month?

PS: More books I loved here and here and here.

(Image 1, 2, and 3 via Amazon)

Book Page: Cooking Up a Business

Have you read the book "Cooking Up a Business"? If not, you should! Written by Rachel Hofstetter—a former food editor for Oprah magazine—it's full of advice for food lovers with entrepreneurial aspirations and ideas. Rachel herself explains in an interview with I Want Her Job that her book should come with a warning sticker on the front: "Warning—you might be inspired to start your own business!" After reading it, she's totally right.

I'm thrilled that, tonight, Rachel is joining New York Women in Communications and the Young Professionals committee to share her own experience and entrepreneurial expertise. Tickets are still available, and it should be an incredible night. 

Do you ever feel that pang of a good idea? Or that itch to start your own business (food-related or not)? If you do, you should read Rachel's book!

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Books page: What I'm reading now

What are you reading right now? I just finished Party Girl, a fun and juicy read by my friend Rachel Hollis (check out her fabulous blog, The Chic). Now, I'm rotating between two new books: One More Thing by B.J. Novak (his fiction writing is terrific), and The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer (the next pick for my NYWICI book club). Whenever I start a new book, I'm so thankful for my longer subway commute from Brooklyn to work. It's one of my favorite places to zone out and read.

Now, your turn: What book is at the top of your list for March?

PS: My January book picks.
PPS: For help choosing your next book, check out Critics & Writers (Matt's site!).

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The end of a really good book

Last week, I finished reading Paris in Love, one of my January book picks. Then, I stumbled across this clever pin quoting J.D. Salinger. It's so true, and exactly how I felt reading Eloisa James' book. The second to last chapter—describing her reason for packing up her life to move her family to Paris—gave me chills. I wanted to call her up and hear more and more.

Have you ever felt this way about a book?

(Image via Pinterest)

What I'm reading now

This month, I have a few books in the mix—all equally hard to put down: 

1) The Most of Nora Ephron
2) Paris in Love by Eloisa James
3) Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York

I'm realizing that I'm reading a lot of short stories lately. Paris in Love is a novel, but it's written as a collection of quickie (and funny and beautiful) updates about the writer's year abroad, so it's easy to think of it in a similar light.

Truthfully, short stories are kind of perfect for my 30-minute subway commute. I can usually get through two to three, and when we arrive at my stop, I don't feel like I'm tearing myself away mid-plotline. Then, I can start fresh the next time I snag a seat on the train. 

What about you? What are you reading this month?

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The coolest bookstore ever

I stumbled across this bookstore thanks to Bri over at DesignLoveFest. It's called the Cité du Livre, and it's located in Aix en Provence. Apparently, it used to be a match factory, and to get indoors, you have to go through three giant books! The titles that lead you to the entrance are Le Petit Prince, Le Malade Imaginaire, and L'Etranger. Don't they look so cool supersized? I've just added this spot to my list for my trip to Aix en Provence later this year! 

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The gift of comedy

I've been a Steve Martin fan from the beginning. The guy always makes me laugh. That's why I was delighted to see him on the cover of "Comic Genius: Portraits of Funny People," a new coffee table book by photographer Matt Hoyle that captures not only Steve, but so many of the kings and queens of comedy that make the year funny and bright. Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Nick Offerman—these are just a few of the names included in the book. Each portrait is accompanied by a first-person reflection on life and why there's always a reason to laugh. 

Not a bad gift for anyone with a sense of humor in your life, right? :)

PS—A video clip from Steve Martin's portrait shoot.

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The weekend is here!

Happy Friday, my darling readers! What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? I am so pumped for the weekend. I can't wait to kick back, relax, and brainstorm ideas for the next NYWICI Young Professionals' book club. We just finished Top of the Morning by Brian Stelter, so if you have any recommendations for what to read next, send them my way! Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Googling Gosling.

Pretty gold earrings.

Subway exercises.

Have you ever gone tidepooling?

The house Pete Campbell built.

The sweetest Christmas card.

Channeling Sally.

For the love of brussels sprouts.

I'm Ron Burgundy?

How darling!

(Image via I Dream Of...)

Mad about the boy

Today's the day! The third installment of Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones book series (called Mad About the Boy) is out. Will you read it? The first novel—and the subsequent movie starring Renée Zellweger—has always been my cultural comfort food. I love to watch it in those moments when I need a quick pick-me-up. Or a good laugh. Or when I simply want to gaze adoringly at Colin Firth. :)

Yes, I'm devastated at the news that he's been cut from the third book. But I think I'll still give it a read to see how things turn out!

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Summer Reading: In Review

What books did you read this summer? As I gear up for the next meeting of New York Women in Communications' Young Professionals book club (check us out here and here), I thought I'd look back at some of the books I read this summer. Truthfully, Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple might be the best book I've ever read. It's unique—and fun.

Now, I'm on to my next book: David Sedaris' Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls, which I'm enjoying so far.

What's next on your reading list? Would love to hear your picks!

PS—More recent books here and here.

Book Page: Sad Desk Salad

Thanks to a book recommendation from my friend Marnie, I just finished reading Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose, a former blogger for Jezebel. Have you read it? It's hilarious—and chick lit at its best. Not only is it a great (and quick!) summer read, it's a window into the juicy world of gossip blogging and all the drama that comes with it.

My favorite part has to do with the title—how many of us spend our lunch breaks eating variations of a "sad desk salad"? I'm taking this book as my personal call to action to get outside during my lunch break more often this summer. You should, too! :)

A recipe for a not-so-sad desk salad.

The book I'm reading next!

More book recommendations here.

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Mapping Manhattan

What if New York were a blank slate, and you could map it out the way you imagined it to be? That's what author Becky Cooper attempts to do with her new book Mapping Manhattan: A Love (and Sometimes Hate) Story in Maps by 75 New Yorkers. I first heard about the book when I saw postcards for it in Ted and Honey—my new, go-to neighborhood spot, and where Becky apparently works.

The book is an inspired idea. In 2009, Becky passed out hundreds of hand-drawn maps of NYC and asked the strangers she gave them to for one thing: To fill out the map with whatever best captures your experience in New York. A month later—and flooded with mail—Becky got exactly what she wanted: Beautiful self-portraits of New Yorkers providing their own artful definitions of the city they call home.

This past weekend, the New York Times' Sunday Magazine wrote about the book and reprinted a few of the maps featured in the book. I love this one, called "Met My Wife", and this one, which captures the geography of significant moments in one man's life.

Have you ever thought about how you would define the place you live? How would you do it?

(Images via The New York Times) 

Books Page: What I'm reading now

What are you reading this month? Now that I have a longer commute, I love that I plenty of time to actually delve into a book. And maybe even get through a chapter or two! :) 

Right now, I'm juggling two books at once: "Where'd you go Bernadette?" by Maria Semple and "Wallflower at the Orgy," another Nora Ephron book. They are both so good! 

Do you ever alternate between books and read two at the same time? 

More book picks here.

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Spur of the Moment Reading

Over the weekend, I found myself on the Upper West Side — the weather was perfect, and I had no place to be. I stumbled into Westsider Books, a delightful used bookstore, where I planned to browse, not buy. But, while looking through the fiction titles, I came across Heartburn, the first-ever novel written by Nora Ephron, a woman whose writing style I will always admire and adore. The copy was pristine — whoever read and owned the book before treated it with care. I purchased it for a bargain rate and ventured over to Central Park to read. I'm hooked! And also happy to report that I was able to squeeze in another Saturday in the Park before the weather turns freezing cold. :)

What are you reading now? For lots of great book pics, check out Critics & Writers!

Seems like old times

I was so excited this weekend to unwrap an early Christmas gift from Matt! He got me an autographed copy of "Then Again" by Diane Keaton, a book I can't wait to read. Most intriguing? This memoir is as much about Diane as it is about her mom. It's also filled with lots of interesting tidbits, including details about her love affairs with leading men such as Woody Allen, Al Pacino, and more. But through it all — the acting, the style, the romance — Diane's biggest strength was never losing sight of her dreams:

''Could I have made a lasting commitment to them? Hard to say. Subconsciously I must have known it could never work, and because of this they'd never get in the way of my achieving my dreams.''

What do you think? Is this a book you'll read? 

(Image via Tomboy Style)