Wednesday's Wish List

A Star for Mrs. Blake by April Smith

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

The Bohemians by Ben Tarnoff

Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler

Tasty Tuesday: First Prize Pies

I think it's officially pie season. Yes, that is a real thing, and yes, I am over-the-moon excited. I absolutely love baking and sweets- unfortunately more than my husband (puh-lease.. more for me!). I have quite a small rotation of goods, so when I came across this pie perfection it was pure bliss. While I'm still deciding which pie to conquer first, I know that they will all be delectable. I'll keep you posted!

Learn More & Buy

The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating: A Novel

I love me some Radzi (nickname courtesy of Heather Thomson/no we are not yet even on a first name basis). Not only does she make RHONY worth watching, but she keeps me sane while enduring Aviva's delusional wrath. I loved every minute of reading What Remains, so I obviously had to get a copy of this as well.

It is highly unlikely that someone could depict death with some humor and wittiness as well as Ms. Carole Radziwill. While I sympathized with the widow for about five minutes, I was too caught up in the charm to consider the morbidity. And that is what I love about The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating. We all know how sad, hard, miserable blah blah... death is, so it was a breath of provacative fresh air to make death into a positive, seriously enjoyable read. Bravo (ha, I'm so clever), Carole- I knew you wouldn't let me down! Please keep ghost writing- I need to make sure you still have a storyline to occupy my Tuesday nights.

Publisher's book description:

Claire Byrne is a quirky and glamorous 34-year-old Manhattanite and the wife of a famous, slightly older man. Her husband, Charlie, is a renowned sexologist and writer. Equal parts Alfred Kinsey and Warren Beatty, Charlie is pompous yet charming, supportive yet unfaithful; he’s a firm believer that sex and love can’t coexist for long, and he does little to hide his affairs. Claire’s life with Charlie is an always interesting if not deeply devoted one, until Charlie is struck dead one day on the sidewalk by a falling sculpture ... a Giacometti, no less!

Once a promising young writer, Claire had buried her ambitions to make room for Charlie’s. After his death, she must reinvent herself. Over the course of a year, she sees a shrink (or two), visits an oracle, hires a "botanomanist," enjoys an erotic interlude (or ten), eats too little, drinks too much, dates a hockey player, dates a billionaire, dates an actor (not any actor either, but the handsome movie star every woman in the world fantasizes about dating). As she grieves for Charlie and searches for herself, she comes to realize that she has an opportunity to find something bigger than she had before—maybe even, possibly, love.

BUY

Sunday Funday: Reading Andy Warhol

From the publisher Hatje Cantz...

Was Andy Warhol (1928–1987) an intellectual or a reader of comics? In any case, he loved books. From his student days onward, he was fascinated by the medium of print. Starting with illustrations for famous novels by Truman Capote or Katherine Anne Porter, he was a successful graphic designer who also made playful thematic booklets that he handed out to New York’s fashion scene as advertising. He designed covers for large publishing companies and made silkscreens and lithographs for the covers of poetry books written by author friends. In his own books he documented the film and photographic work done at his Factory. Warhol blasted apart the usual genres of literature by having sound recordings transcribed and published. This extensive volume presents his achievements in book design and writing from the standpoints of art history and literary theory.

BUY from Anthropologie & BUY from Amazon

Love Your Local Bookstore: Paragraphs in South Padre Island, TX

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending time with my fabulous in-laws. Unfortunately my hubby had to work, but that meant some quality time with the MIL. We had a blast shopping up and down the island, and knowing my love for local bookstores my mom found this store online, so I had to stop by. My MIL found some great books for a variety of people in her life, and I finally picked up Nothing Daunted! Win-win!

From their website...

Paragraphs On Padre Boulevard is a full-service independent bookstore. We stock a comprehensive selection of new and used books, carefully selected, to satisfy all readers and any budget. And we love to make personal recommendations!!

The store has comfortable chairs, free WiFi, a courtyard, plus a variety of game boards, all available for your enjoyment.

We will also research and locate out-of-print, unusual, or rare books.

Shopping Online and can't find what you are looking for? Call us and we will be happy to special order a title for you.

5505 Padre Blvd.
South Padre Island, TX 78957

(3 miles N. of the Causeway)

Oasis

This Easter weekend I am taking a little trip with my wonderful mother-in-law. I couldn't be more excited to get my relaxation on!

The book's description via: 

Oasis showcases a stunning selection of baths, spas, retreats, and other relaxing getaways that not only cater to our personal well-being, but also creatively push the frontiers of hospitality, interior design, and architecture. This book brings together a rich assortment of contemporary locations for indulging both our bodies and our minds—places to let go, be pampered, relax, and refocus. From public saunas to choice health clubs and five-star resorts, the spectrum of retreats ranges from minimalist spaces of tranquility to glamorously opulent temples of body care. Brimming with lavish photographs, Oasis serves as the ultimate guide to addressing and re-imagining our physical and mental need for escape and tranquility.

so go relax and BUY this beauty