The Phantom of Fifth Avenue by Meryl Gordon

A great pick for glamour addicts in love with the Gilded Age 

We all know the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts and the Astors—but what happened to the Clarks?

Written by Meryl Gordon, the New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach, her latest novel examines the history of heiress Huguette Clark, the daughter of copper magnate and U.S. Senator William Andrews Clark, and the battle over her $300 million fortune between her distant family members and caretakers.

The Phantom of Fifth Avenue explores Huguette's complex upbringing split between Paris, Manhattan, Santa Barbara and Montana, which is further complicated by family losses and dramas, then amplified by world conflicts during the first half of the twentieth century. A thorough look at the key events throughout Huguette's life explain her withdrawal from the public eye in the last two decades of her life.

It's easy for a novel like The Phantom of Fifth Avenue to have facts obscured in service of a certain angle, but Gordon conducted over one hundred personal interviews and sorted through a countless number of documents to produce a novel that recalls fact in the most truthful way possible.

Although the Clarks are not as well remembered as the other American robber baron families, The Phantom of Fifth Avenue does a service by revealing depth and truth to a layered, controversial moneyed will that would otherwise be simply dismissed as New York City tabloid fodder.

F is for France, a Curious Cabinet of French Wonders by Piu Eatwell

For Francophiles and travel lovers looking for new icebreakers

As much as I love reading historical fiction and biographies, it's always nice to switch to lighter novels every once in a while. F is for France was sitting pretty on the "Featured Books" shelf at my local library—I took it as a sign to check out right away. 

Each chapter dissects France's culture in perfect bite-size facts that are made more memorable with the author's fun, quirky descriptions. Eatwell looks beyond the traditional guidebooks and focuses on more local lore to offer readers a fresh take on Paris—her British-born sensibilities reveal themselves in several instances where she artfully illustrates some cultural differences between France and England

A few of my favorite passages are Coffee, Champagne, Oysters, Paris, Restaurants... 

If you're starting holiday gift shopping, F is for France is a great gift for yourself or for the Francophile in your life.

A Chic Reading List for Francophiles

A few weeks back, I spotted a fellow Francophile at the local coffee shop reading Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes. 

I gently interrupted her to ask how she liked the book so far—she smiled and said that she enjoyed it very much since she was missing Paris after a recent visit. I asked her if she had pursued any other parisienne reading. When she shook her head, I quickly jotted down a few suggestions for further reading.

To say that I've read a decent number of books about Paris or France is an understatement. There can never be enough books on Hausmannian design, sparkling champagne and French fashion houses.

I have yet to pursue the more traditional literature on Paris in depth—Baudelaire, Hemingway and McCullough, of course—but here's my recommended reading list so far for those in love with the Paris dream.

Paris My Sweet, A Year in the City of Light by Amy Thomas. A playful read that's part dessert, part map—Thomas maps out the best patisseries in both Paris and New York—it's a cute, quick novel to help you unwind from the ordinary hustle...

Love Life Style by Garance Dore. I had the pleasure of meeting Garance at a Fashionista meetup in the city before reading the book. A huge superfan of her illustrations and successful blog, I look to Garance as a true model for the modern woman. 

My Paris Dream by Kate Betts. Another inspirational read for the fashion lover seeking a way to live in the City of Light—Betts shares her story of landing a position Fairchild Publishing and navigating her life between Paris and New York.

How to be Parisian Wherever You Are by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas. A fun read to pass along to your girlfriends, then keep in plain sight in your apartment at all times. 

Paris, The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd. One of the longer novels on this list, Rutherfurd artfully curates a beautiful historical fiction for the reader to experience Paris in different time periods. 

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (translated by Lydia Davis). I read this specific edition while I was at university and it is my favorite book for classic French literature. I kept my course notes on the novel, I love it so much. 

The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont

On my most recent trip to the bookstore, I furiously paced shelf to shelf, genre to genre, trying to decide what I wanted to read.

The Starboard Sea was a shelf or two above a book of short stories about romantic flings and affairs in Paris. The black and white cover and the red, embossed title on the binding stood out among the busier, bolder books. The nautical phrase also caught my eye—I was still searching for ways to keep summer alive. 

I would be lying if the "100 Notable Books The New York Times Book Review" sticker didn't also influence my decision.

The novel shares the story of Jason Prosper, a young sailor, and his privileged life among Upper East Side apartments, New England summer homes, private schools, and Ivy League legacies. What gives the novel substance is understanding the shadows in Prosper's past, as well as the unspoken truths behind all of the characters in his life—his family, his fellow Bellingham Academy classmates, and everyone else tangled in the elite web. 

Prosper's credibility is established through his innate sailing abilities, yet it is through his honest thoughts and admissions that Dermont makes Prosper's story worthwhile.

It's intriguing reading about such a level of exclusivity. There were some references that sounded vaguely familiar—sailing regattas at St. George's, mentioning the inevitability of winding up in Greenwich—but the powerful prose provides an insightful perspective on the true cost of living the high life. 

Although the novel takes place in 1987, Prosper's story of navigating love and friendship as a teenager transcends the decades—sailor or not, everyone strives to find their starboard sea. 

Making Monte Carlo by Mark Braude

I am fascinated by cities, particularly ones with a rich history of trade and commerce.

Initially, it sounds like a very shallow world interest, but there is something to be said for examining cities.

Although these destinations are typically tourist meccas, they are associated with tangled complexities of elitist glamour and poverty; pretentious airs and meek acceptance; and unreal manufactured wonders and brutal hurts.

Some people are fascinated with developing countries, but I particularly enjoy learning about established metropolitan areas, because of how the population's psyche shapes the socio-economic structure.

Nations who experienced renaissance periods are especially interesting—not so much because of the aesthetic of the art, but because what particular socio-economic factors within the environment helped spur creative movements.

In Monte Carlo, it was not art that drove its prosperity—it was gambling.

As neighboring countries grappled with the moral implications of gambling, Monaco saw an opportunity to become a popular tourist destination. Cultivating Monte Carlo's image was not without difficulty...

Braude presents Monte Carlo's narrative in a lively manner that suits the city's daring spirit. I can't really provide any background without giving away the novel, so you'll just have to experience it for yourself.

All you need to know is that this is an academic read I can absolutely get behind. Check out the book here.

Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind by Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire

Reading about the scientific breakdown of the creative mind is weird.

Kaufman and Gregoire's Wired to Create highlights the Ten Things Highly Creative People Do Creatively and artfully weaves anecdotes of geniuses and prodigies alongside scientific studies and theories throughout the book. 

Examining complex persons such as Kerouac, Edison, Matisse and the like makes Wired to Create an interesting read in itself—combine that with studies analyzing the relationship between post-traumatic experiences and creativity or the ways in which highly creative people balance solitude and sociability, it's hard not to learn something new from this book. 

As a creative person, trying to understand and explain the illogical processes of creativity in the same way one examines the molecular structure of a scientific element does feel bizarre... 

Doesn't everyone have a messy mind? Have passion? Love new experiences? 

According to the ten characteristics listed in Wired to Create, isn't it natural for everyone to have a creative mind? If so, what factors impede on the development of the creative mind? In what ways can we accept and encourage creativity?

As insightful as Kaufman and Gregoire's research mash-up was, I don't know if this book answered any questions as much as it evoked more curiosities. Perhaps that was exactly the point. 

Even if you think you know everything there is to know about creativity—especially if you describe yourself as a creative—give this book a read and let the conversations ensue.

Wilton Library Hosts "Judgment of Paris" Lecture, Wine Tasting

I love white wine... Aside from that fact, I don't know much else about wine.

As a way to spark a more serious interest in wine, I signed up for the Wilton Library's event with author George Taber and his book, The Judgment of Paris. The premise centers on a 1976 wine tasting which sought to discern fine California wine from its French counterpart. 

The wine connoisseurs selected to participate in the legendary tasting were beyond qualified for the task—think chefs and sommeliers at Michelin star restaurants and editors of wine publications well-versed in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and the rest. 

Taber—the only journalist present at the wine tasting since the outcome was assumed by all else—highlights Napa Valley's pivotal turning point as a global player in the industry and how its precedent paves the way for other nations to make wine. 

The Judgement of Paris explores the game-changing event for the wine industry that not only validated the efforts of American winemakers in Napa Valley, but proved that a wine didn't have to be French to be superior.

To say that Taber offered interesting insight on the 1976 wine tasting is an understatement. One attendee asked if France publicized the results of the event—Taber gave a resounding no, which was quickly followed by a good laugh. Meanwhile, the news appeared all over Napa Valley headlines and expats looked for the wines used in the tasting. Taber continued to give the audience fun tidbits on personalities involved and illustrate the full scope of the event's impact on the wine industry today.

If you're interested on listening to Taber's take, check out this article on NPR.

I actually tried reading The Judgement of Paris over the winter, but I got caught up in my job search and reluctantly set it aside for another day. I couldn't have asked for a more engaging event hosted by the library and the author himself to renew my interest in exploring wine (and picking up the book!).

And unless I am carried away with prosecco cocktails, I will never pass up an opportunity to get a signed copy of a good book.

Interested? Buy your copy here or at your local bookstore.

Love Style Life by Garance Doré

Described as "the guardian of all style," fashion blogger, illustrator, photographer and author Garance Doré released her first book Love Style Life last fall.

Love Style Life is a treasure—there is no mystery about the title, it's the exact summation of the book. It only makes sense that Doré's signature of elegance, warmth and honesty—in combination with the beauty of the book's layout—would land Love Style Life on the New York Times bestseller list.

I couldn't have signed up fast enough for Fashionista's exclusive meetup with Doré. "Limited seating" meant "OMG I COULD ASK HER TO SIGN MY COPY OF HER BOOK OMG!"

Getting books signed by authors is a big deal in my book, especially if they're books you will cherish for years to come.

During the meetup, I was able to see for myself that Doré is exactly the same woman on her blog, in her book and in person. She wasn't hiding under a cool-girl guise or any pretentious airs—her success draws from her intuition, honesty and drive.

I hate to sound cliche, but Doré's energy is very inspiring.

And her innate style, of course.

I'll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist by Betty Halbreich

If you've ever seen Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman, then you've met the unstoppable Director of Solutions Betty Halbreich.

Halbreich barely, if ever, refers to herself as "Director of Solutions"—to simply refer to Halbreich's position as "senior stylist" or "personal shopper" doesn't do her work justice, either. In so many words, think of Halbreich as a listener, a mother hen and then, finally, an editor of personal style. 

A Chicago native, Halbreich shares personal journey from her sensible Midwestern upbringing to her  lavish life as a well-to-do New York City housewife. Everything changes once she separates from her husband and is forced to work in order to support her lifestyle. 

Eventually Halbreich finds herself in the newly appointed "Solutions" department helping women find their style for the right occasion—socialites, actresses, politicians' wives, as well as the budget-conscious woman. 

A great read for someone interested in understanding another aspect of the fashion industry—in a world stressing the importance of data and metrics, the most vital thing to understand about any business is the soul that drives it. People like Halbreich represent what the fashion industry needs to constantly remember and never lose sight of...

It's all about the person, the personality, wearing the clothes. The runways, the shows, the logos mean nothing without the person. 

Fashion is about clothes. Style is about soul.

My Paris Dream by Kate Betts

If you're a Francophile and you keep a mini-collection of contemporary books on Parisian journeys, add My Paris Dream to the shelf.

Betts, an award-winning magazine editor and author, shares her coming-of-age story of living and working in Paris, France shortly after graduating from college. Her anecdotes finding her own way through the city and industry are absolutely fascinating—one story about Christian Louboutin is a favorite. 

While reading Betts's story, I can't help but be slightly envious of her background (Princeton) and ability to pursue such an illustrious career in the City of Light (Fairchild Publications). 

With that being said, it's clear that she worked hard for it and getting there wasn't a piece of cake—building her professional credibility, navigating cultural differences and dealing with the loneliness of living abroad takes an extraordinary level of concerted effort. 

My Paris Dream is the perfect inspirational story to move and motivate its readers.

The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo

The story of the name behind one of the most famous bottles of bubbly, Veuve Clicquot.

Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, whose curved signature graces the brand's yellow labels, is responsible for the champagne's legacy today. After the death of her husband Francois Clicquot, Barbe-Nicole managed to overcome the endless obstacles posed by droughts, family misfortune and, of course, the Napoleonic wars responsible for disrupting overseas trade. 

Barbe-Nicole truly serves as an example for the modern woman today—strong, independent and progressive. 

Her unique financial and social position as an entrepreneurial woman in the 17th century is a captivating storyline, but since there aren't many written records of her, it's hard to draw concrete conclusions about her history. As a result, Mazzeo is forced to infer Barbe-Nicole's thought process.

Mazzeo does add depth to the book by interjecting facts about champagne's origins and production, as well as placing Veuve Clicquot in context to the Champagne region's business climate with competitors such as Moet.

For a short novel, it took way too long to finish this book—an abundance of filler sentences and repetitive redundancies made it clumsy to read—but The Widow Clicquot fulfills its need to serve as an account of a powerful female narrative.

Gilded: How Newport Became America's Richest Resort

If you're looking for a gateway book to gain an interest in Newport, Rhode Island's history, Deborah Davis's Gilded is a great place to start.

Davis artfully weaves facts and nostalgia to illustrate the complex facade of Newport's elite. She breathes life back into the Vanderbilts, Astors, Oelrichs and other prominent families whose legacies survive in their great "summer cottages" on Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue. Navigating the social olympics imposed by powerful women like Caroline Astor and Mamie Fish was what measured someone's true worth according to their standards—regardless of how much money was seated in their deep, iron-clad purses.

I liked how the book also provides a brief insight to Newport, present day. It may be completely different, but the social circles in the City by the Sea do continue to have their dramas.

On a personal note, I couldn't help but read several of the names mentioned in the Acknowledgments and smile. Even though Bettie Bearden Pardee's name was spelled wrong, I'd like to point out that she has a fantastic blog and book about stylish Newport living, past and present.

Reading Gilded helped me gain a more solid understanding of a place I've grown to love so much—this certainly won't be the last Newport-centric book I'll read. 

Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and The Power of Style by Kate Betts

Considering that everyone's attention is turned to the 2016 Presidential Election, I thought it would be fun to take a step back and read something else for different perspective. 

I went to the library with the sole intention of finding Betts' latest novel, My Paris Dream, but as I walked past the shelves, I spotted the bright pink binding and The First Lady's dress on the cover.

I have always admired The First Lady, but Betts' thoughtful examination of Michelle's history and character in context to her immaculate, yet approachable presentation left a lasting impression.

It's one thing to simply highlight Michelle's self-accomplished past as a graduate from Princeton and Harvard and former career as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center—but to explore the way in which The First Lady's intellect, sincerity, poise and strength presents itself in her choice of designers and brands and article of clothing is beyond fascinating.

What I love the most about this book is how Betts reiterates the general discussion of style, its significance and the role plays in everyday life. Style is an extension of the self—it has the power to communicate so much about a person, professionally and personally.

Rachel Zoe was absolutely right—"style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."

How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are

I was already living by this book before I even read it...

I haven't been feeling well for almost a week now and it's been rough sitting at home doing nothing. I picked up How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are when I took a trip to Island Books a few weeks ago and I am so happy I bought it when I did.

This book is my ultimate "feel good" read I could flip through forever any day.

To get a good idea of what the book is like, Into the Gloss pulled a few great passages to read from...

Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

After finishing reading Lena Dunham's book, I'm still deciding how I feel about it. 

I did enjoy reading it... I think. 

As a millennial, reading this book requires a self-reflection. There were several times where I felt frustrated with Dunham's vignettes, the same way I had grown accustomed being annoyed with Hannah's character on Girls, but I soon figured out that I was more frustrated with myself that I could relate to Dunham... It's a hard feeling to articulate.

Maybe it's because Dunham's honesty about her flaws, her less-than-picture-perfect stories, make me think about my own shortcomings and remind me that being a 20something is such a weird place in life.

I've read a lot of great things about Dunham--she's undoubtedly talented, hard-working and has been described as incredibly kind. Perhaps the magic of her work is that she makes her viewers think--isn't that the desired effect of a good story?

Author of Eiffel's Tower to Speak at Rosecliff

It's been one year since I studied abroad in Paris. I miss it--a lot--and it's gotten to the point where I am searching every online calendar to find out about any event related to French culture.

Thankfully, in Newport, events for Francophiles are fairly easy to come across--I suppose that's what happens when you live in a historical city that has its own Alliance Francaise.

On Thursday, Feb. 12, Author and Historian Jill Jonnes is coming to Newport to talk about her book, Eiffel's Tower. In case you couldn't guess from the title, it is about Gustave Eiffel's construction of his wrought iron monument, but it also puts the Tower in context with other historical happenings during La Belle Époque.

The event is being hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County at Rosecliff. To learn more about Jonnes' lecture or to register, visit the event's website. Advance registration is required.  

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Considering the last book I read was Paris by Edward Rutherfurd last summer, I've been in dire need of more time and a lighter read. My brother Dylan passed Yes Please onto me after he finished it--he told me it was funny and easy to read. Just what I was looking for.

The book did not disappoint. It was entertaining--I wouldn't expect anything less from the former SNL actress and Parks & Recreation genius--but I was pleasantly surprised to be able to take a few things away from Yes Please...

1. Don't do drugs (at least not the hard ones).
2. Everyone wants "the pudding." Anyone who says otherwise is a liar.
3. It's never too late to apologize.
4. Being pregnant has its perks.
5. ...But once the baby is born, your life as you know it is over.
6. Be whoever you are and own it.

Thanks for inspiring me to read again, Amy. You're awesome.

Reading Aloud: Paris, The Novel

Paris: The Novel will be a story I will continue to treasure alongside my other favorite novels. 

Rutherfurd's latest historical fiction artfully blends character with France's past to create, as Bookreporter put it best, a "tour de force."

Rutherfurd transports the reader back and forth between five different families over various periods in history, including the construction of the Eiffel Tower,World War II, La Belle Epoque and, of course, the French Revolution. Reading "Paris" offers an immersion into a culture so many people would long to see for themselves--it's almost as if Rutherfurd has the power to slip through time and share the all of the sights, sounds, and sensations of his Parisian journey.

I strongly recommend enjoying "Paris" with a cup of tea and a few macarons. 

Reading Aloud: Paris My Sweet

Since the start of my Paris obsession in the fall, I have done what I can at university to immerse myself in French culture--pick up French classes again and take a course on 19th century Paris literature. For leisure reading, I bought Paris My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate).

Paris My Sweet, written by Amy Thomas, is a delectable story about Thomas's move from New York City to Paris for her job as an ad copy writer for Louis Vuitton. Despite her move across the pond and her love Paris, Thomas loves her native Big Apple roots and sometimes finds herself missing a good cupcake from Tribeca or Greenwich Village.

Each chapter is named after a delightful confection--"A Whole Batch of Bonbons," "Bonding Over French Viennoiseries," etc.-- and ends with Thomas's recommendations for where to find the best in New York and Paris. I plan on following the list at the back of the book for her recommendations of the best bakeries.

This book was special to me for several reasons, the first being my dream to go to Paris and the second being my love for New York City. Moreover, I could not have picked a better time to read Paris My Sweet. I may not have been dealing with major career and life choices as Thomas had, but I sympathized her some of her difficulties being apart from friends and familiar joys.

A book does not have to be a work of Flaubert or Hawthorne to touch your heart.

Another thing that was great about was that I could pick up where I left off and immerse myself back into Thomas's delectable journey of cupcakes, macarons, and pain perdu across the Atlantic. I bought this book in September, but I did not have the time to read it consistently--I just finished it last night.

Paris My Sweet is an adorable read and I savored it like a Laduree macaroon.

Reading Aloud: Naked Fashion

In the interest of learning about sustainable fashion--a system that counteracts all-for-profit "fast fashion" with ethical responsibility to global communities and the environment--I found Naked Fashion on the library's online catalogue. 

Naked Fashion: The New Sustainable Fashion Revolution is written by Safia Minney, founder of People Tree, a Fair Trade clothing company based in the United Kingdom. The book includes profiles of the people who are behind People Tree's innovative ideas to better serve design, laborers, and the environment. It begins with an introduction to Fair Trade, a dedication to paying living wages to laborers that provide them adequate food, water, shelter, education, and access to better opportunities, and weaves the importance of Fair Trade in design, production, distribution and consumption.

In addition to People Tree, Naked Fashion highlights celebrity names such as Vivienne Westwood and Emma Watson who support Fair Trade. Emma Watson of the Harry Potter series and The Perks of Being a Wildflower is a spokesperson for People Tree and modeled in the 2010 campaign. Other renowned U.K. journalists, stylists, entrepreneurs, etc. also contributed profiles. 

For the most part, Naked Fashion is a huge plug for People Tree, but the information remains invaluable. I enjoyed the personal insight given by industry professionals in design and how they demand the need for more conscious brands and consumers. People Tree serves as an ethical model that clothing companies should pay attention to and that consumers should contribute to. 

Source: peopletree.co.uk via Silhouette on Pinterest