Summer Reading

Sloane Crosley is hands-down my new favorite author.  She is full of sardonic wit and charm and the situations she finds herself in are absolutelt hilarious.  As soon as I finished this one, I ordered and read her newest book, How Did You Get This Number, which is also fabulous.  If you read either of these books, you will not be disappointed -- plus you will get a serious ab workout from laughing so hard.

Joan Didion reflects on her marriage and family life while coming to terms with the loss of her husband.  A poignant writer, Didion fills her memoir with truth, fondness, regret and humor.  An excellent read -- so excellent, in fact, that I just ordered one of her earlier memoirs, Vintage Didion -- I'll let you know how it is!

Charlie read this and LOVED and was dying for me to read it.  I did, and I concur -- it is an extraordinary novel filled with intrigue, oddities, drama, and passion.  I liked the flashback-form in which the novel is written, as well as the vintage circus photos -- very cool touch.

I love Peggy Guggenheim.  I have been fascinated by her ever since I saw her collection at her museum in Venice a few years ago.  I also am obsessed with modern art, so I flew through this book in 2 days.  I loved reading about Peggy's lavish lifestyle and passion for modern art.  Her relationships and interactions with all the emerging artists of the '20s, '30s, and '40s are fascinating, as is her role as patron and collector in the center of the Abstract Expressionism movement. 

This is the amazing memoir of George Dawson, the grandson of a slave, who learned to read at age 98.  His sage advice and take on life in the last century is truly remarkable and inspiring.  Loved this one, too!

This is Elizabeth Gilbert's novel pre Eat, Pray, Love.  I love her style of writing, which was just delightful in this quirky novel.  Set on a tiny, isolated island in Maine, the story's protagonist, Ruth, grows up surrounded by greedy, odd, and territorial lobstermen.  Determined to stay on the island and work on the water herself, Ruth is a delightful and stubborn heroine, with a big heart and a sharp tongue.  Another great read!