February Reads

Six books is a lot to read in 28 days. I did other stuff, I swear…

All In Good Taste
by Kate Spade New York
I read my coffee table books from cover to cover when I first get them. I figure they are reference material, and I like to have at least a vague idea of whats inside. This book is a compilation of Kate Spade ( the company, not the person) approved tips and tricks for entertaining. It was very interesting, and has some great recommendations for music, books and things that might inspire you to throw a dinner party.

An Extraordinary Theory of Objects: A Memoir of an Outsider in Paris
by Stephanie LaCava
This was a weird one, but not in a bad way… LaCava has a distinctive writing style, and makes for a very complex protagonist. She is a collector of things, and I was entranced by all of the strange factoids, trivia, and historical notes included along side the narrative. Read this if you’ve ever been a stranger in a strange land, a fish out of water or a teenage girl.

Inherent Vice
by Thomas Pynchon
I’m at a loss about this book, I’m not sure I liked it, but I can’t stop thinking about it? This was not an easy read, the writing style is literary and the narrative never follows a straight line. If you’ve read Pynchon before you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you love weird characters, immersive detail and slight delirium, all soaked in sixties surf-rock then this is a book for you. And who doesn't love a hippie private-eye who only hallucinates when he’s not high?

I’m Fine… and Other Lies
by Whitney Cummings
This was not what I was expecting, it turns out that Whitney Cummings has spent the last several years becoming enlightened in her spare time. From psychics to therapy and almost everything in between Cummings lays bare all of her trials and her victories. I’m not sure that I agreed with everything she says, but she also doesn't claim to be right and she’s definitely not afraid to be wrong. A fun quick read that might also make you think about some stuff.

Just Kids (Illustrated Edition)
by Patti Smith
I loved this book, so much that I bought my own copy before I even finished reading the one I had borrowed from the library. Read the Illustrated Edition, it's wonderfully curated and really adds to Smith’s narrative. Even if you’re not into Patti Smith or Mapplethorpe, this is an amazing window into the wonderland that was New York City in the sixties for creatives, artists, musicians and anyone else who didn't fit into the mainstream. Watch out for the end though, it's a tear jerker.

​The Home for Unwanted Girls
by Joanna Goodman
I decided to read this book totally based on the fact that it takes place in Quebec, Canada. If I had finished reading the description I might have bailed, but I’m glad that I didn’t. Goodman weaves the real and horrifying history of post WWII French Canada into a story of motherhood spanning three generations. An emotionally difficult, but important reminder of Duplessis orphans. Read this book.

I'm looking for a good title for this series, if you have any suggestions please leave them in the comments.

​Cheers!