The Chiffon Trenches, by: Andre Leon Talley
Having always loved Mr. Talley, and watching his documentary a few years ago, I rented his latest memoir from the library. I loved reading about his lifelong fashion career at magazines like Interview, Woman's Wear Daily, and of course, Vogue. Learning about his relationships with the likes of Andy Warhol, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour and too many other designers to list was interesting. But you don't have to love fashion to enjoy this book....... Andre talks about his struggles being a black man in the industry, his childhood abuse which prevented him from ever finding love, and an eating disorder to cope with that trauma. He is the definition of classy.
The Summer Affair, by: Elin Hilderbrand
I purchased this bargain reprint at Target. Claire is a mother of 4 who gave up her glass blowing career in favor of raising her family. But when the opportunity to help plan the biggest gala on Nantucket AND create a one of a kind glass piece to auction off presents itself, she can't help but say yes. As she gets further involved in the project, she can't deny the sparks between her and the head of the gala organization - billionaire Lock Dixon. They soon begin an affair, and Claire remembers how much she missed doing her art and making her needs a priority. I won't give any spoilers, but I will say the more I read Elin, the more I feel how well she writes for women and what our gender goes through. Raising 3 kids of her own, going through divorce, and surviving breast cancer, you can see her heart in her writing!
Silver Girl, by: Elin Hilderbrand
This was another bargain reprint from Target. Estranged best friends reunite on Nantucket for a whirlwind Summer! Meredith, who is still grieving her husband's death and excommunication from their daughter, receives a call from Connie. Connie's husband has recently been jailed for fraud, losing millions of dollars for his clients. Having no idea of his actions, or if she will be charged too, Connie has no where to go. Meredith invites her to her Summer home where they spend time healing and reconnecting. For the first time in years, Meredith considers a love interest. Also, her brother Toby appears - he was Meredith's high school sweetheart - to throw a bit more drama into the picture.
Malorie, by: Josh Malerman
Could. not. wait. for this follow up to Bird Box! I read this library rental in two days! Having the setting in Michigan makes Josh's books even more intriguing because you know and can pictures the places he is talking about. I really loved getting into this world again, and felt satisfied with how the book ended.
Twelve years after Malorie and her children rowed up the river to safety, a blindfold is still the only thing that stands between sanity and madness. One glimpse of the creatures that stalk the world will drive a person to unspeakable violence. There remains no explanation. No solution. All Malorie can do is survive—and impart her fierce will to do so on her children. Don’t get lazy, she tells them. Don’t take off your blindfold. AND DON’T LOOK. But then comes what feels like impossible news. And with it, the first time Malorie has allowed herself to hope. Someone very dear to her, someone she believed dead, may be alive. Malorie has already lost so much: her sister, a house full of people who meant everything, and any chance at an ordinary life. But getting her life back means returning to a world full of unknowable horrors—and risking the lives of her children again. Because the creatures are not the only thing Malorie fears: There are the people who claim to have caught and experimented on the creatures. Murmerings of monstrous inventions and dangerous new ideas. And rumors that the creatures themselves have changed into something even more frightening. Malorie has a harrowing choice to make: to live by the rules of survival that have served her so well, or to venture into the darkness and reach for hope once more.
The Love Season, by: Elin Hilderbrand
I found this paperback at Kroger! This story takes place in 24 hours, but does flash back in time to places like Paris, New York and Morocco. Margo meets Porter in Paris and they start a long term relationship. Porter encourages Margo to open a restaurant on Nantucket where she lives year round, but he only Summers there. Her food - a fixed menu every night - becomes wildly popular, and she starts a close friendship with Porter's sister - Candace. As the years go by, Candace eventually marries and has a daughter - and then meets her untimely death in a tragic accident on Nantucket. Margo, consumed with guilt and grief, closes her restaurant and becomes a shut in on the island. Now, 14 years later, Candace's daughter is on the island with her fiance's family. Against her father's wishes, she connects with Margo to find out the truth about her Mom's life.... and death.
The Perfect Couple, by: Elin Hilderbrand
I bought this book at the local bookstore where we rent a cabin every Summer.
The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate. But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect.
It was fun to have reoccurring characters in this book, and lots of secrets.... the maid of honor was having an affair with the father of the groom. The brother of the groom was having an affair with a family friend. And the bride was in love with the groom's best friend! The crime twist was a fun element of this Elin book.
Could. not. wait. for this follow up to Bird Box! I read this library rental in two days! Having the setting in Michigan makes Josh's books even more intriguing because you know and can pictures the places he is talking about. I really loved getting into this world again, and felt satisfied with how the book ended.
Twelve years after Malorie and her children rowed up the river to safety, a blindfold is still the only thing that stands between sanity and madness. One glimpse of the creatures that stalk the world will drive a person to unspeakable violence. There remains no explanation. No solution. All Malorie can do is survive—and impart her fierce will to do so on her children. Don’t get lazy, she tells them. Don’t take off your blindfold. AND DON’T LOOK. But then comes what feels like impossible news. And with it, the first time Malorie has allowed herself to hope. Someone very dear to her, someone she believed dead, may be alive. Malorie has already lost so much: her sister, a house full of people who meant everything, and any chance at an ordinary life. But getting her life back means returning to a world full of unknowable horrors—and risking the lives of her children again. Because the creatures are not the only thing Malorie fears: There are the people who claim to have caught and experimented on the creatures. Murmerings of monstrous inventions and dangerous new ideas. And rumors that the creatures themselves have changed into something even more frightening. Malorie has a harrowing choice to make: to live by the rules of survival that have served her so well, or to venture into the darkness and reach for hope once more.
The Love Season, by: Elin Hilderbrand
I found this paperback at Kroger! This story takes place in 24 hours, but does flash back in time to places like Paris, New York and Morocco. Margo meets Porter in Paris and they start a long term relationship. Porter encourages Margo to open a restaurant on Nantucket where she lives year round, but he only Summers there. Her food - a fixed menu every night - becomes wildly popular, and she starts a close friendship with Porter's sister - Candace. As the years go by, Candace eventually marries and has a daughter - and then meets her untimely death in a tragic accident on Nantucket. Margo, consumed with guilt and grief, closes her restaurant and becomes a shut in on the island. Now, 14 years later, Candace's daughter is on the island with her fiance's family. Against her father's wishes, she connects with Margo to find out the truth about her Mom's life.... and death.
The Perfect Couple, by: Elin Hilderbrand
I bought this book at the local bookstore where we rent a cabin every Summer.
The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate. But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect.
It was fun to have reoccurring characters in this book, and lots of secrets.... the maid of honor was having an affair with the father of the groom. The brother of the groom was having an affair with a family friend. And the bride was in love with the groom's best friend! The crime twist was a fun element of this Elin book.
