Book Review - "Staying Stylish" by Candace Cameron Bure (#16 - 2018)

Staying Stylish by Candace Cameron Bure

Nothing groundbreaking with this book, but it’s a great choice if you are looking for an overall basic clothing/style/beauty/fitness book.  It’s lovely to look at, good information and I always enjoy a ribbon bookmark.  Candace is likable and relatable and the tips she gives are solid.  Totally recommend.  Also, this would make a great gift! 

Book Review - "The Cast" by Danielle Steel (#15 - 2018)

The Cast by Danielle Steel

Kait Whittier has a successful magazine column.  She loves spending time with her grown children, she has been married twice and just doesn’t want to bother with relationships anymore.  After a chance meeting with a TV producer at a dinner party, she has an idea for a show.  She writes down her idea and sends it to the producer.  He wants to turn it into his next big project!  Suddenly she’s plunged into the entertainment industry and all of the complex dealings there.  Love, loss and challenges follow.  I enjoyed this book a lot.  It’s very predictable, but sometimes you need that in your reading choices.  Would recommend.

Book Review - "Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret" by Craig Brown (#14 -2018)

Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret by Craig Brown

I ordered this on a whim, I had heard about it and it sounded interesting, especially after binge watching "The Crown".  Spoiler alert. It's not very interesting, it's certainly not laugh-out-loud funny like it says on one of the blurbs on the back of the book.  Each chapter is a story/antidote about Princess Margaret.  There are 99 chapters (hence the name).  It was so hard to follow, and good grief she comes across as insufferable, rude, entitled and bitter.  I couldn't get it straight if all of that was true or if the author just hated her.  I can't figure it out.  I would skip this one.

Book Review - "Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue" by Grace Coddington (#13 - 2018)

Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue by Grace Coddington

I love Grace's work so I was super excited when the ginormous hardcover version of this book came out about three years ago.  But with a $140+ price tag, I balked.  Of course waiting around for a second-hand copy was futile because those prices were even worse (however, since this paperback has come out the prices have fallen quite a bit).  Apparently  it was such a huge success and was in such demand that finally they came out with a paperback version for roughly $35 (on Amazon).  I pre-ordered it.  And I love it, but I don't LOVE it.  It's much smaller size-wise than the original and I wish they would have beefed up the cover.  But it is a beautiful book, full of pictures from editorials that I love with commentary about the shoots and Grace.  I'm glad I have the book, but I was left wanting just a little more.  I can't explain it, but something felt missing/lacking.  Anyway, I only wish I could have her sign it (dare to dream).  If you are a fashion fan/historian/etc. then certainly pick this up.

Book Review - "Fairytale" by Danielle Steel (#12 - 2018)

Fairytale by Danielle Steel

Pretty typical Danielle Steel fare.  Camille has had an idyllic childhood in the Napa Valley, growing up on her parent's vineyard.  Her parent's are totally in love and run the vineyard together.  When Camille graduates from college, she comes home to help them out and learn the ropes about running the vineyard.  The fairytale is shattered when her mother dies suddenly of cancer.  Her father becomes easy prey to a seductive French lady who has very sinister plans.  Her two sons enter the scene and things get worse.  But she has a fairy Godmother in the form of the woman's elderly mother.  Sound familiar?  Yes.  Predictable? Sure.  But it was a fun read.

Book Review - The Lowcountry Summer Trilogy by Mary Alice Monroe (#4, #10 and #11 - 2018)

The Summer Girls, The Summer Wind and The Summer's End by Mary Alice Monroe

I actually read these out of order (duh), I read book #2 The Summer Wind first.  But that was okay, I had some spoilers for the first book, but I enjoyed the saga so much I didn't care.  These books are set in Sullivan's Island, SC, and follows three half sisters and their grandmother.  The girls, who are scattered all over the country and live very different lives come to stay with their grandmother for three months in the Summer.  Can their grandmother help them find their common family bond and see how much they need each other.  It's a winding road that gets bumpy at times.  I love her books so much, these are a great read.

Book Review - "Love Style Life" by Garance Dore (#9 - 2018)

Love Style Life by Garance Dore

Found this at my favorite second hand bookstore so I snapped it up. I know I’m like 3 years late on this one but I never really read her blog. I am a fan of her illustrations though. This book was underwhelming. Pretty and lovely to look at but the subject matter kind of left me feeling "meh".  I did enjoy the first half, she kind of lost me in the last part, and there was surprisingly little actual style advice. Not a book I would recommend going out of your way to read.