Thursday 16 December 2010

The Make Do Style Christmas Book List

Whilst Rome and London have been burning (figuratively ref political riots) I have still failed to turn a page on my bedside read of Proust. I've read magazines and newspapers in true Proust avoidance tactics.

I though it best to line up a few old favourites and a couple of new numbers to end 2010 on a reading high and begin 2011 with a book reading habit re-established. The first three are great reads, capturing an essence of the period they were written in.

1. The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe



2. The Green Hat by Michael Arlen



3. The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks
The next two are non fiction, one of which I choose due to a need to discover more about places Dickens uses in his novels. Fashionistable inspired me to discover more about Dickens locations when we took a photo of an American over from Washington outside the Old Curiosity Shop during a project. The lovely American lady also loved the fact you could find places from the pages.



4. Dickens England by David Nicholas Wilkinson


Then there is my continued fascination and interest in the live of Marilyn Monroe. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1954) is one of my all time favourite films. Both Marilyn and Jane Russell show to great effect their comedic timing and utter brilliance as actresses. I really cannot think of any two actresses paired together now that would deliver such wonderful performances. If you haven't seen the film then make a date with it over Christmas.

5. Marilyn Monroe: Fragments edited by Buchthal & Commet




All images from Amazon.com except Street Style photograph by Fashionistable

13 comments:

  1. What a great book list for winter reading!

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  2. ooo thanks MDS, I was looking for some reading inspiration over Christmas that didn't involve a mandatory vampire! How stunning does your American Lady look, I love that stole.
    MFSxxx

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  3. Nice list, I will check some of these out! If you haven't read it already I recommend One Day by David Nicholls, I'm still obsessing over it.

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  4. Coco - Oh no I haven't so will get that sorted asap. I feel inspired now I've dropped Proust!

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  5. Well I hope you PAID for those newspapers!!
    I like your book list, I shall be adding several of these to my already pages long Amazon wishlist.

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  6. Are you considering tackling À la recherche du temps perdu? Don't bother, honestly, it's dire! I've been struggling through for my 20th century french novel module and I wish I could drop it and pick up one of these books instead.

    May I also suggest:

    The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides - I read this in one night recently, beautifully written, I just couldn't stop.

    The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - Enthraling family saga narrated by 5 American sisters living in a Congolese village in the 1960s.

    Tender is the Night by F.Scott Fitzgerald - By far is most beautiful and tragic work.

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  7. I love how you make literary fashionable!xo

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  8. What a wonderful, eclectic list!

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  9. I'll put some of your suggestions on my reading list, I'm hoping to get at least one day over Christmas to relax and read a book. I've just treated myself to Five People You Will Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albon that's had really good reviews.

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  10. Dear Kate, love your suggestions. I'm off to Amazon now. I think Proust can wait 'til January surely? Hope you've had a good week xx

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  11. Thanks for your suggestions. I so need something to read at the moment. It was a nice surprise to see one of the shots we did and the inspiration is has inspired. I love Marilyn. Xxxx

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  12. Hi there-fabulous picks here my dear, great inspirational picks for over the festive season xx

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  13. Terrific book list - some great suggestions for my own holiday reading as I am a voracious reader and need recommendations on an hourly basis. BTW if you still need Dickens locations contact me re a tour of Gray's Inn. (See my recent blog post.)

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