What I Read in May
📍 Greenwich, CT

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I made a goal of reading 24 books in 2024 (AKA 2 books per month). Although having a reading goal has become an annual tradition, I always lose major steam in the summertime. I can’t believe it, but I’ve already reached my goal. Even though Baby Brennan has been keeping me extra busy, I’ve found some reading time while I pump several times a day. Let’s see if I can push myself to get to 50 this year. To help you reach your own reading goals this year, here’s what I read in May.

The Swans of Fifth Avenue

My interest in Truman Capote is still piqued thanks to the latest season of Feud. The Swans of Fifth Avenue is a novelized version of the blowout that happened between him and the socialites of 1960s Manhattan. Like in real life, the story focuses on Babe Paley, who was known to be Truman’s favorite, his closest confidante, yet she is also the one he betrayed the most. We’ll never truly understand what compelled Truman to air the darkest secrets of the women who considered him to be a friend. Still, Melanie Benjamin’s retelling may be our safest bet. 

Fake

My eyes were opened to the world of art replicas by reading Fake. In short, museums and high art collectors may commission high-end replicas in order to help ensure their investment. Some may want to have something to display while the art is being cleaned, while others use the replica long-term while the original is kept safe in storage. Emma is such a painter, and she’s one of the best. Once she becomes a freelancer, she quickly sees the thin line between legal replicas and illegal forgeries. 

My Year of Rest of Relaxation

Because of my new, exhausting status as ‘mom”, My Year of Rest and Relaxation hit a little close to home. Through a combination of endless prescriptions, the world’s worst psychiatrists, and sheer willpower, our narrator aspires to take a full year away from society. Literally, all she wants to do is sleep. Not for medical reasons or anything; she just wants to. While it sounds like the storyline would be a drag, it’s a wild ride with a wicked sense of humor. I’m now officially intrigued by the author’s writing style and want to read more about what Ottessa Moshfegh has to offer. 

Stone Cold Fox

Stone Cold Fox was the kind of book I just couldn’t put down. Bea is a con artist who is striving to marry her way into one of the wealthiest families in NYC. She’s manipulative, cunning, and incredibly vein. How is it possible that I was still rooting for her? That’s because her arch nemesis, Gale, her fiancé’s best friend, is even worse. Gale comes from the same world of old money and has no problem openly reminding Bea that she doesn’t belong. That she’s not good enough. This level of classism is not a good look on anyone but is a friendly reminder that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. If you liked The Guest or Pineapple Street, you’ll definitely love this book!

Parachute Women

Each month, I try to keep a well-balanced reading diet by alternating between fiction and non-fiction. Since adjusting to motherhood, I’ve wanted books that were more about escapism than new information. Parachute Women was my lone biography this month, and it was such a great choice! You know it will be good when the librarian says, “I’m going to read this when you check it back in.” While we all know The Rolling Stones, unless you have no musical taste, the incredible stories of the women who supported them are almost always overshadowed. This book is a deep dive into music history while reading with the ease and intrigue of a novel. 

The Paris Novel

Don’t you love it when you find a book that really speaks to your soul? That’s what The Paris Novel is for me. Stella has always felt like she’s been living in her mother’s shadow. Because of a traumatic event when she was a child, she absorbed herself in a world of order, schedules, and predictability. When her mother passes away, she receives a small inheritance, a one-way ticket to Paris, and a rare opportunity to find herself. With an incredible cast of characters, Ruth Reichl helps you dive into Paris’s moveable feast. This novel is an extra dose of inspiration to revisit this culinary haven.

Although we’re barely into June, I just finished Bright Young Women. It could possibly be one of favorite books of the year and I can’t wait to tell you all about it in next month’s round up. Summer is always my busiest season, but I’m so excited to keep making progress to 50 books. I’ve already read more books this year than I did in 2023, but I’m ready to keep going! Keep me on track and I’ll share all the great books in next month’s review. Until then, happy reading!

Love from Connecticut
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England. 

What I Read in March
📍Greenwich, Connecticut

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I made a goal of reading 24 books in 2024 (AKA 2 books per month). Although having a reading goal has become an annual tradition, I always lose major steam in the summertime. This year, I’m sticking to it! In March, I was able to keep working towards my goal with these 6 incredible books I devoured. Oh, the perks of getting a library card! I feel empowered and unstoppable in the book department. To help you reach your own reading goals this year, here’s what I read in March.

The Margot Affair

The Margot Affair was on my reading list based on looks alone. I’m so happy to have judged a book by its cover. In Sanaë Lemoine’s debut novel, we dive into the life of Margot Louve. As the secret daughter of a rising French politician, she has long had to balance the relationship between her father and her mother. When she meets a journalist, the house of cards her unconventional family has built begins to tumble. If you a fan of Parisian drama, similar to French Exit, then you’ll love this book!

The Chelsea Girls

A few years ago, when I read The Dollhouse, I knew I had found a new go-to author. Fiona Davis specializes in what I can only described as NYC historical fiction, which just happens to be my favorite genre. The Chelsea Girls is set mainly in 1950s Manhattan, when the Red Scare is beginning to plague a post World War II world. Coincidentally, a lot of the books I’ve recently been reading have dipped their toe into McCarthyism and I found this fictitious story to be particularly captivating.

Girly Drinks

Just because I can’t have any fun cocktails doesn’t mean I can’t wet my whistle in a different sense. Girly Drinks is a girl-power fueled book, making for a perfect read during Women’s History Month. It plots out the long-standing relationship between women and alcohol throughout the centuries. You may be surprised to find just how little credit women get for some of the biggest innovations. I learned so much from this book and can’t wait to read more from Mallory O’Meara.

Pineapple Street

So many people have recommended this book to me, I can’t believe it took me this long to dive into. Welcome to Pineapple Street, an ultra exclusive address in one of Brooklyn’s most prominent neighbors. This story is told from the perspective of three different family members: two sisters from the old-money Stockton family and their sister-in-law who comes from more humble roots. Family dynamics are always complicated, as I’m sure we’ve all felt before, but when generations of wealth are involved, things quickly become more complicated.

Small Admissions

March very quickly became the month for revisiting previously read authors. I absolutely loved Amy Poeppel’s Limelight and made a mental note to read the rest of her books. Better late than never! When I worked at a private school in the Upper East Side, I learned all about the stresses of the Manhattan admissions season. Because of that Small Admissions was a little difficult for me to read, but I loved it anyway. I never had to endure what the main character, Kate, went through, but heart constantly went out to her. This novel has wonderful character development, something I think the author always excels at telling.

When Women Invented Television

This month was filled with more novels than usual, which is why I specifically chose to read When Women Invented Television. Similar to Girly Drinks, this another piece that sings of the unsung heroes in women’s history… specifically the women who truly pioneered the television industry. Whenever there is uncharted territory, women have always been there to make their mark. Many of these women are sadly, virtually unknown, but their contribution to the entertainment industry was absolutely crucial.

Currently, I’m halfway through The Swans of Fifth Avenue. How many books will I be able to fit in about Truman Capote and his socialites this year? We’ll just have to wait and see. I have an ever-growing number of books on hold at the local library and can’t wait to dive into them all. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review in my next issue of What I Read. Until then, happy reading!

Love from Connecticut,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England. 

What I Read in February
📍 Greenwich, Connecticut

The following content may contain affiliate links. 
When you click and shop the links, I may receive a small commission.

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I made a goal of reading 24 books in 2024 (AKA 2 books per month). Although having a reading goal has become an annual tradition, I always lose major steam in the summertime. This year, I’m sticking to it! In February, I was able to keep working towards my goal with these 6 incredible books I devoured. Oh, the perks of getting a library card! I feel empowered and unstoppable in the book department. To help you reach your own reading goals this year, here’s what I read in February.

The After Party

One of the first reviews I read about The After Party was “A vintage version of Gossip Girl.” If that’s not enough for me to pick up a book, then I don’t know what is. This novel takes place in the landscape of high society in Houston, Texas, in the 1950s. We follow the main character, Cece, as she seemingly chaperones her longtime best friend, Joan. Joan is the darling of the social circuit, but her increasingly risky behavior becomes too much for their friendship to handle. 

Under the Influence

After reading Cultish last month, I could not put this book down. In fact, I finished Under the Influence in a day! I personally have a few problems with life gurus and the blind adoration for people we find on social media. Still, I was intrigued as Harper navigated through the cult-like pieces of her new company. The book really begs the question, “Where is the line between inspiration and toxicity?”

Deliberate Cruelty

Are you a lover of true crime stories? Have you been fixated on Feud: Capotes Vs. The Swans? If you answered yes to both questions, then you should definitely read Deliberate Cruelty. It shares the very real story of Ann Woodward, the New York City socialite who killed her husband in 1955. The book also sets the scene for Truman Capote, explaining why he was invested in this story and how it led to his tell-all book, Answered Prayers. This biography reads more like a novel, keeping me hooked on every page. 

The Barbizon

There’s something about 1960s New York City that I will always be endlessly fascinated by. It was a time of great and meaningful change in our country that helped us move toward equality. On a more superficial level, the fashion was just incredible! The Barbizon was a hotel on the pristine streets of the Upper East Side that helped facilitate some of those changes for women. It’s where independent women could come to the city and begin their careers. Some well-known women actually got their start there, including Grace Kelly, Betsey Johnson, and Liza Minnelli. The Barbizon also served as inspiration for Sylvia Plath’s acclaimed book, The Bell Jar, a book I hope to read soon. 

Kingdom of Prep

I feel like I’m way behind on reading this book, but better late than never! It’s no secret that I’m a big J. Crew fan. About 80% of my closet is dedicated to the label. The Kingdom of Prep gives a history lesson on the iconic American brand. Let’s just say that its origins probably don’t match what you’re expecting. Better still, this book serves as a time machine into the different iterations and styles that J. Crew specialized in. If anyone remembers the bubble necklaces of the early 2010s, then you know exactly what I mean!

Lady Killers

I’ve wanted to read Lady Killers by Tori Telfer since I read her book Confident Women. Again, this is another great pick for anyone who loves true crime stories and documentaries. Meet and get to know over a dozen murdering women throughout history, along with their motives and preferred methods. Each murderess is contained in her own chapter, so you’ll fly through this witty and incredibly intriguing book. 

I just started Girly Drinks by Mallory O’Meara, which uncovers the history of women and alcohol. I’m only on the first chapter, but I absolutely love it! I also have a few fun historical fiction novels on Hold at the library that I can’t wait to dive into. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review in my next issue of What I Read. Until then, happy reading!

Love from Connecticut,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England.