Novels:
Ahab's Wife: or, The Star Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund
I read this on the recommendation of someone I used to be in a book club with many years ago (I actually dislike book clubs intensely, so I'm not planning on joining any in the future). I didn't think I'd like it because it's about the wife of Captain Ahab from Moby Dick. I've never even read Moby Dick. But DAMN was this a good book. Sena Jeter Naslund has a way with words. I couldn't put it down. I immediately went out and got another of her books, Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, which I also loved. Highly recommended!
Amends by Adriane M. Ziemer
You're goddamn right I'm plugging my own book. In these uncertain times, even the small royalties from purchases of my books are welcome. ;) This is a short novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo in 2012 and self-published in 2015. I wrote it as if it were a 1930s film—cheeky and stylish, but not brimming with substance. I still love reading it, but then again, I wrote it for myself. However, you might also enjoy it, so here you go. It's about seven strangers invited to a house party and shit goes sideways. There may or may not be ghosts and witches involved. (You can also check out my collection of short stories and novelettes called Tales of Magnificence, Moxie, and Magic if you are so inclined.)
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
I have distinct memories of reading this book on my solo trip to Leavenworth, WA in the springtime years ago. It was sunny and I was sitting on a bench next to the gazebo, sipping on a chocolate coconut Frappucino and listening to the delightful German music in the background. All of this has nothing to do with the book other than to say it is a wonderful read in the spring. It's about four strangers in the 1920s who come to Italy to escape dreary England and stay in a medieval castle. Love it!! The 1991 film version is also delightful.
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
Yes, another book set in the 1920s—of course! This one is about typist Rose Baker, working for the NYPD. New typist, Odalie, comes along and rocks Rose's world. I found it riveting and the surprise ending still has me stunned. I read awhile back that they were going to make it into a movie with Keira Knightley as Odalie, and I must say that she is exactly who I pictured when I read this book. I hope it does happen one day!!
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My favorite book ever—well, probably tied with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland for "all time", but still a favorite. I bought this book solely based on the cover and this is one of those rare times when you can judge a book by its cover because this book is fucking amazing. It takes place in Barcelona in the 1950s and centers around Daniel Sempere, the son of a bookstore owner. Daniel's father takes him to a magical place known as the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, where he chooses a book written by a mysterious author named Julián Carax. Daniel becomes obsessed with learning more about Julián and epic stories ensue. The writing is so, so beautiful. Carlos Ruiz Zafón wrote this book in Spanish and it was translated into English by Lucia Graves. If the English version of this book is this fucking gorgeous, I can only imagine how exquisite it is in Spanish. Sigh. This is actually the first in a series of books about the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and while the others are good, this is the only one that I truly fell in love with.Authors You Should Read Everything By:
Book Series:
All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
These are truly fantastic reading. Witches, vampires, and daemons mixed with history, alchemy, and modern science. The research Deborah Harkness must have done to write these books blows my mind. Highly, highly recommended. I've read these at least three times each, I love them so.
Bridget Jones books by Helen Fielding
Full disclosure, I have only read the first two, but I love them so much I had to include them. I identify with so much of Bridget Jones's innermost thoughts and feelings and I feel embarrassed and excited for her as if this were all happening to me. I'm older and wiser now than I was when I first read these, but at the time, I totally identified with Bridget, including all the toxic diet culture bullshit she goes through. They are totally worth a read, even if you too are old and wise. ;)
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
I fucking love these books. That is all.
Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
These are some fucked up books here. Serious fucked up shit happens in Sweden, apparently. I remember how much reading these books made me want to smoke and eat Billy's Pan Pizza (whatever the fuck that is—we don't have that brand in the States). I also remember finishing The Girl Who Played with Fire and being so impatient to start on The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest that instead of waiting to hit up the bookstore the next day when it opened, I placed an Amazon Fresh order that consisted solely of that book and six cupcakes from Cupcake Royale. Why the fuck not? Incredibly engrossing—and as aforementioned, fucked up—reads.
Phryne Fisher mysteries by Kerry Greenwood
Kerry Greenwood writes other books with other heroines, but the Phryne Fisher series is the best! Phryne is a lady detective in 1920s Melbourne who sleeps with hot guys, carries a handgun in her purse, and dresses like a fashion model. I picked up Away with the Fairies at the library back in 2008 based solely on the cover (apparently I like to do that), and became obsessed with Phryne Fisher. I went back to the beginning and read all the books in order (although you don't technically need to). I was ecstatic when they made a TV series based on these books—and now there's a movie too!Books about Show Business:
Complicated Women by Mick Lasalle
Pre-code films are my favorite. FAVORITE. If you're not familiar with the Motion Picture Production Code, it's basically a set of guidelines put in place in 1930 to make films meet moral standards. These guidelines were voluntary until 1934. If your film didn't meet the code from 1934 through the late 1950s, it wouldn't be shown in the vast majority of theaters. So "pre-code" films are ones made before the Production Code became the law of the land. This book focuses on some of the most famous pre-code actresses (and my personal favorites), such as Norma Shearer, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Anna May Wong, Clara Bow, Mae Clarke, Jean Harlow, Barbara Stanwyck, and Miriam Hopkins. Old Hollywood at its best!
First of all, if you haven't read Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes, do so right away. Some of this book is written from the perspective of the heroine of those two novels, Lorelei Lee. The rest is other writings by Anita Loos, many about her time in Hollywood, writing movies. It is a fascinating glimpse into her magical life during that magical time.
Lulu in Hollywood by Louise Brooks
A short memoir of sorts by talented film star and dancer, Louise Brooks. She had a complicated relationship with Hollywood and films in general, and this book is packed with her personal stories and plenty of pictures—many of which I'd never seen before! This is truly a gem.
Sin in Soft Focus by Mark A. Vieira
Why yes, this is another book about pre-code Hollywood. Weird. This is a big coffee table type book with lots of gorgeous pictures, but it also has a lot of great information about the Code and how these films tried to get around it. It is probably the most gorgeous book I own.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Hey look, a book about modern show business! I do like modern stuff too! I adore Amy Poehler and this memoir made me laugh so hard. I love the way she writes. I love that each piece is its own little thing. And I love the humorous photos of Amy sprinkled throughout. It's fucking fantastic!
