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The Golden Girl

Chicago Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

April 13, 2016

What are your favorite reads?

Best Book Recommendations

If you know me, you’ll know one of my favorite things to do on Sunday mornings is lay in bed with an espresso and read a book. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to do that as much as I’d like to lately, so one of my big goals this year is to get back into reading more often. (Easier said than done, right?) I often hear people my age echo the same sentiments–work, life, friends, relationships, kids (yikes, I can’t believe I’m that old) often frequently interrupt that peace and quiet that is essential to getting lost in a book. So in case you’re in the same boat, I wanted to compile a list of books you can put on your list. (You know, in case you’re looking for some new ones!)




I originally posted this photo over on Instagram last weekend, and absolutely loved getting your recommendations on your favorite books! So below, I decided to list three of my favorites, and three of yours. 

Have you read any of these best sellers? 

 

China Dolls

By one of my favorite authors, Lisa See–China Dolls was named one of the best books of the year by the Washington Post, and for good reason. I couldn’t put it down! Set during the San Francisco World’s Fair and WWII, the story follows three young girls from extremely different backgrounds–Grace Lee, Helen Fong, and Ruby Tom meet by chance while working as dancers a glamourous night club, and quickly become inseparable. But when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, their worlds are torn apart, and betrayal in the group changes everything. 

 

One Day 

One Day is for those who are hopeless romantics at heart, this book is for you. The story follows Emma, a smart, straight A student who wants to make the world a better place, and Dexter, a party animal playboy who thinks he has the world at his feet. The two have a one night stand the night of their university graduation and spend the entire following day together, beginning their long and complicated friendship (and love story) where they will run circles around each other for the next twenty years. 

 

The Paris Wife 

Entertainment weekly calls The Paris Wife, “A beautiful portrait of being in Paris in the glittering 1920s—as a wife and one’s own woman.” So, naturally, you can understand why someone with a romantic heart and a love of Paris would want to read this book! 

The Paris Wife captures the love affair between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley. The story begins in Chicago in 1928, where 28 eight year old Hadley has all but given up on love and marriage. That all changes in an instant when she meets Ernest Hemingway–who sweeps her off to Paris after a whirlwind courtship. The newlyweds settle in a teeny flat and become fast friends with other literary superstars F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Ezra Pound. Despite their love for one another, they become swept up in the hard and fast life of “Jazz Age Paris” and are faced with an unraveling marriage that would eventually lead to one Hemingway’s greatest works: The Sun Also Rises. 

 

Underground Girls of Kabul 

This one was suggested to me by @mreags92! Underground Girls of Kabul, referred to a “gripping exposé”– is written by an investigative journalist who uncovered a hidden custom that will transform your understanding of what it’s like to grow up as a girl in Afghanistan–the act of families, who so badly only want sons, disguising their own daughters and raising them as boys. The girls grow up living a privileged lifestyle as the superior sex, that is, until they are old enough to be married off. 

 

The Boston Girl 

A NY Times bestseller, The Boston Girl was recommended to me by @emma.o.gatewood. It’s the story of a young jewish woman born in 1900 to immigrant parents who were unprepared for America’s effect on their three daughters. Growing up in a multicultural neighborhood of Boston, daughter Addie’s intelligence and curiosity take her to a world much different than that of her parents—a world of short skirts, movies, celebrity culture, and new opportunities for women. From the one-room tenement apartment she shared with her parents and two sisters, to the library group for girls she joins at a neighborhood settlement house, to her first, disastrous love affair, to finding the love of her life, eighty-five-year-old Addie recounts her adventures and quest for the American Dream with humor and compassion for the naïve girl she once was.

 

Modern Romance 

@KayleeDeLacy recommended Aziz Ansari’s book to me, and I’m excited to add this to my list–I’ve already heard it receiving buckets full of praise.

Modern Romance is described as, “a hilarious, thoughtful, and in-depth exploration of the pleasures and perils of modern romance from one of this generation’s sharpest comedic voices.”

What I didn’t know about it, until further research, is that the book isn’t just based on Ansari’s own experience–he actually teamed up with NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg to put together a huge research project on the subject. They conducted hundreds of interviews and focus groups in several countries, and even created their own online research forum on Reddit, which drew thousands of messages. The result is a real life, honest, and hilarious portrayal of what it’s like to date in today’s world. 

 

Have you read any of these books? What are your favorite reads? I’d love to hear about them! 

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Personal notes

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Molly | librarian style says

    April 13, 2016 at 8:19 am

    I listened to Modern Romance on audio, and thought it was fun. I like that it was more than just a celebrity memoir.
    Underground Girls of Kabul was fascinating. I’m really interested in gender and how it is performed, as well as other cultures, so it was a hit with me.
    I actually didn’t like The Boston Girl that much, but I do understand the appeal – I sometimes have an aversion to historical novels. I like reading nonfiction about history, but fiction, I generally prefer to be set within my lifetime (of course there are exceptions!).
    Recent favorites have been Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (out in May) – it was the most amazing foodie, restaurant, making terrible choices in your 20s in NYC novel, just amazingly written. I also have a thing for short stories, and loved The Bed Moved by Rebecca Schiff. I also recommend Barbara the Slut and other stories which came out last year.
    Happy reading!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      April 13, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Hi Molly! These are all fantastic recommendations, thank you so much! Haha I lovee historical fiction, especially in settings that took place in previous time periods–Sweetbitter sounds great, the way you described it reminds me of a similar book, Eightysixed. Have you read that one? It sounds like the Chicago version 😛 I will definitely be checking out your other favorites too–thank you again for the great advice!

      Reply
  2. Megan says

    April 13, 2016 at 8:35 am

    Reading more is one of my goals this year too, but it’s so hard!! The Paris Wife is one of my favorite books! I can’t wait to add the rest of these to my reading list

    Have a wonderful day // http://lifeplusbe.com/

    Reply
  3. Alyssa says

    April 13, 2016 at 8:36 am

    The Paris Wife was so great! I am a huge reader and have tried to set a goal of reading 50 books a year for the past few years. A few of my top faves were: The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P, The Husband’s Secret (actually, ALL of her books are great), The Art of Racing in the Rain, This is Where I Leave You, Luckiest Girl Alive, The Girl on the Train, The Rosie Project, The Royal We, The Orphan Train, All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale (probably my favorite…haven’t stopped thinking about it since!) and Tiny Beautiful Things. Phew—that was a lot haha, but they’re all very worth it! Happy reading 🙂

    Reply
  4. Meghan Donovan says

    April 13, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Love this post as I am on the hunt for new reads having just shared 4 books I loved this year so far! http://www.witwhimsy.com/2016/03/30/5-books-read-recently-enjoyed/

    Reply
  5. Blair @ The Fox & She says

    April 13, 2016 at 9:59 am

    The Paris Wife was a great book!!! Definitely worth reading! Love this post!

    Reply
  6. Hanan says

    April 13, 2016 at 10:04 am

    I’ve read all but The Underground Girls of Kabul (and loved all of them!) I will check it out thanks for the rec! I’ve been recommending The Storied Life of A.J. Fikhry to all of my friends, that’s one of my fave books I’ve read in the last few years. Jonathan Franzen’s new novel, Purity, was also really good. Other books I’ve loved recently: Kitchen Confidential (you seem to love food like do!), Americanah (really, anything by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) and You by Caroline Kepnes.

    Reply
    • Jess says

      April 13, 2016 at 12:59 pm

      Definitely read Kitchen Confidential! It was AWESOME. If you love food, you’ll love it too 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kelly in the City says

    April 13, 2016 at 10:26 am

    “One Day” — Sigh. I couldn’t put it down!!

    Reply
    • Natalie Was Here says

      April 13, 2016 at 11:06 am

      I’m with you, Kelly! I went on a trip to Costa Rica in high school, and remember being glued to this book. Love.

      Reply
      • Jess says

        April 14, 2016 at 6:25 am

        I think I need to re-read it again you guys 🙂 When I’m in Paris this summer specifically. 😛

        Reply
  8. Natalie Was Here says

    April 13, 2016 at 11:07 am

    I’ve heard great things about The Paris Wife, and after reading your
    overview, I want to read China Dolls! Sounds like it’s right up my
    alley. Sadly, I don’t read much anymore, but need to change this ASAP.

    Natalie Was Here

    Reply
    • Jess says

      April 14, 2016 at 6:25 am

      Yes! You should make it a goal to read both this summer 🙂 They’re both such quick reads!

      Reply
  9. Stacy says

    April 13, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    These all sounds amazing! I’m on the last book of The Mortal Instruments series right now. It’s a YA book and totally cheesy, but I don’t even care, I love them!
    I agree with Alyssa, The Nightingale was a great book!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      April 14, 2016 at 6:24 am

      Omg YA adult books are like, my thing. I need to look up Mortal Instruments ASAP!

      Reply
  10. Amelia Vesper says

    April 13, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    China Dolls sounds really interesting! And I’ve been meaning to read Modern Romance too – Aziz Ansari is always hilarious (did you watch Master of None??) I actually did a post on my current reading list earlier this week, just in case you need even MORE recommendations 😉 http://bit.ly/1TS0fdw

    Reply
    • Jess says

      April 14, 2016 at 6:24 am

      Great minds think alike, Amelia! I will definitely go check those out–thank you! I haven’t seen Master of None, but it’s also on my list! Happy Thursday!

      Reply
  11. Lynn @ The Actor's Diet says

    April 14, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve read a real, actual book (stupid internet!) – am off to book club now, actually and I forgot to read the book!

    Reply
  12. Kaylee DeLacy says

    April 21, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    Ahhhhh! You need to let me know once you read Modern Romance! I’m a huge dork and laugh out loud (alone in my apartment) as I read it!

    xo

    Reply

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