What I’ve Read Recently, Vol. 2

What I’ve Read Recently, Vol. 2
📍 Downtown St. Pete, Florida

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When I was a kid, I was an ardent bookworm. There was always a book in my hand and my nose in a book. I really wanted to find that passion again. So each year, I set the resolution to read more, and each year it’s completely overlooked. Maybe it’s because I spend more time at home, but I’m happy to report that I’m reading again! I’ve read through ten books in just the past few months, averaging about one per week. Here’s a quick look at the new additions to my bookshelf and what I’ve read recently. 

Educated

Educated is such an incredibly powerful book. I’m almost ashamed that it took me so long to read. Admittedly, there are several instances in this book that made me uncomfortable. I either feared for Tara’s life or couldn’t comprehend how cruel people could be. Still, the message is clear, especially now. Education is such a gift and isn’t one to be taken for granted. No matter the grade or subject, every teacher should take the time to read this memoir.

Park Avenue Summer

In 1965, Cosmopolitan magazine named Helen Gurley Brown as their new editor-in-chief. Because of her willingness to talk about female sexuality and identity, it was considered an incredibly controversial decision. Park Avenue Summer is a fictionalized account of her first year at the helm and the pressures she faced by being at the forefront of this new frontier. This book was such a fun read, which you’ll absolutely love if you’re a fan of Mad Men. 

Capote’s Women

I find the 1960s in New York City an exciting point in American history. The glitz and glamour of city life begin to fuse with the traditional values from the 1950s. The fashion was great, but the stories that came from this time period are even better. Author Truman Capote was at the center of NYC social life, along with the high-society women he kept close by. Capote’s Women shares the lives of these powerful women and how Capote ultimately let all of these relationships slip through his fingers.

In the Great Green Room

I don’t want to overstate this, but In the Great Green Room may be the favorite biography I have ever read! You may know Margaret Wise Brown as the author of Goodnight Moon, but she was a prolific children’s writer who worked under countless pseudonyms. Behind the scenes, her life was filled with love, adventure, and just a touch of scandal. Although she left this world tragically too young, it’s a story about following your passions and trusting destiny.

Sunshine State

While visiting a St. Pete bookstore and wine bar (what a terrific combination), I decided to pick up their book club’s pick of the month. It was all on a whim, but I’m so happy I did! Sarah Gerard is local to the area. Sunshine State is a series of essays she shares about growing up in the area. While it was different from my own experiences, it was interesting to see the city from a different viewpoint. Her piece about homelessness in the area was especially powerful! 

Made in Manhattan

Compared to some of my other recent picks, this was probably the most light-hearted. Consider Made in Manhattan a modern-day version of My Fair Lady, only with reversed roles. When the path of a prim Upper East Sider crosses with a party boy from Louisiana, they learn more from each other than they ever thought possible. I ended up reading this book in one day because it was such a fun time that I couldn’t put it down!

Confident Women

Just by chance, I started reading this book while watching Inventing Anna. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. While Anna Delvey is the most recent woman to con her way into our hearts, she is by no means the first or the most accomplished. Confident Women shares the stories of over a dozen women with a penchant for manipulations and cons. While they all have incredibly different backstories, their shared ability to charm and inspire is unmistakable. Tori Telfer has also written Lady Killers, which is coming up on my to-read list.

Lost in Paris

Mother-daughter relationships can be complicated, especially for Hannah Bond. Let’s throw a mysterious inheritance into the mix, and tensions are almost guaranteed to rise. Lost in Paris is the story of Hannah Marla, who just learned about an inherited apartment in Paris, stuck in time since 1940. While navigating this new development, they begin to learn more about each other and grow a strong bond because of it.

The next book on my journey to 50 in 2022 that I’m currently reading is Elizabeth & Margaret: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters. Although I just started it, I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of The Crown or anything else about the Royal Family. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review in my next issue of ‘What I’ve Read Recently.’ Until then, keep reading!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.