I fell into the trap of surfing on Amazon this past weekend, and of course, ended up finding a ton of books to add to my “must read” list. I also re-visited my Amazon wishlist and rediscovered a couple things that have been on there FOREVER (don’t you love when that happens?).
(Aside: one book I did end up buying — I finally downloaded Yuli Ziv’s Blogging Your Way to the Front Row. It’s on sale for $4.99 right now on Kindle! I don’t even own a Kindle, but I downloaded it and plan on reading it on my laptop!)
Here are some books that made the list. Any others that should be here?
Thin Places: A Pilgrimage Home — I’ve had this book on my Amazon wishlist for a long time. From one of the reviews, “Trained at Harvard, the author ventured to rural southeastern Nepal during the 1990s to study the relationship between the villagers and their land use in a region bordering a new national park. Her developing connection with these hard-laboring, superstitious people transformed not only her research but the way she resolved to live her life.”
740 Park: The Story of the World’s Richest Apartment Building — The title pretty much says it all! I’m fascinated to learn more about the history and residents of one of New York’s most famous apartment buildings.
Bringing Up Bebe — I first came across this book when the Wall Street Journal ran an article about it several weeks ago. I think it’s interesting to see how different cultures approach parenting. And — not that I’m anywhere close — but maybe it’ll come in handy some day.
Thinking, Fast and Slow — I love non-fiction books like this. From the review: “Engaging the reader in a lively conversation about how we think, Kahneman reveals where we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of slow thinking. He offers practical and enlightening insights into how choices are made in both our business and our personal lives—and how we can use different techniques to guard against the mental glitches that often get us into trouble.”
Imagine: How Creativity Works — Another fascinating non-fiction read, this book lookt at the myths around creativity, how to enhance it, and why there’s no such thing as a “creative type.” Interesting!
The House I Loved — A novel with Paris as a back drop during the Haussman building era? Yes, please!
Chanel: Collections and Creations — I’m always happy to add new “coffee table” books to my collection. While I’m amassing a good number of interiors books, I own hardly any fashion retrospectives, and this Chanel tome would be a good place to start.
Valentino: Themes and Variations — Ditto!
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey — Downton Abbey is officially between seasons, but to sate any cravings, I’m thinking about diving into this book, written by the current Countess in residence at the real Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle.
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die — The marketing nerd in me loves the concept of this one: “Why do some ideas thrive while others die? And how do we improve the chances of worthy ideas? Made to Stick is a book that will transform the way you communicate ideas. It’s a fast-paced tour of success stories (and failures)–the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who drank a glass of bacteria to prove a point about stomach ulcers; the charities who make use of “the Mother Teresa Effectâ€; the elementary-school teacher whose simulation actually prevented racial prejudice. Provocative, eye-opening, and often surprisingly funny, Made to Stick shows us the vital principles of winning ideas–and tells us how we can apply these rules to making our own messages stick.”
Any of these sound good to you?
I am so happy you did this post today, I am on the hunt for a beach read and definitely need to check out a few of these!
they all sound good to me! i’m a huge non-fiction nerd as well. i feel like if i’m reading i might as well be learning something at the same time!
I have a couple of these books! ‘Made to Stick’ was a gift but I am still yet to properly look at it. Probably doesn’t help that I left my marketing days behind me…
Valentino is worth purchasing! It’s just exquisite!
Sal x
Love adding books to my wishlist! I definitely want to read Bringing Up Bebe because it sounds really interesting.
I read Thinking Fast and Slow. It’s very interesting, but quite dense. I didn’t find it as easy to get through as other books that I’d put in the same camp (like Malcolm Gladwell ones, for example).
i was JUST looking at that chanel book last night! totally had it in the cart and decided to wait to buy all my coffee table books at one. great minds :)
Just bought Made to Stick! I think I need that Valentino one just for the cover — stunning!
Think I will be purchasing Thinking, Fast and Slow and Made to Stick. Love the concept for both. Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
740 Park sounds right up my alley and really interesting! I just bought The Darlings, about a Wall Street type couple in NYC and how it all sort of crumbles for them. Can’t wait to read that one!
I just downloaded Blogging Your Way to the Front Row – it’s been on my wishlist for so long but somehow I didn’t think about downloading it instead of buying the paper-cover. Brilliant! BTW, if you have an iPad- there’s a Kindle app.
FYI to any Kindle owners who also have Prime—Blogging Your Way to the Front Row is actually free to borrow!
I read Bringing Up Bebe recently and really enjoyed it. Very thought-provoking, even though I’m nowhere near having children! I think you would really enjoy it, and it made me want to visit France…
Amazon is a major weakness! I have to have that Downton book. And thanks for the heads up on the blogging book, will have to check it out!
Love Tatiana DeRosnay, I’ve read two of her books and LOVED THEM.
Tab
Girl! You’re going to keep me busy with all of these reads… I need to get through a few others first!
Ah thank you! I really needed some recommendations.
I love perusing through Amazon and finding new reads! That Chanel book is on my wish list for a coffee table read!
I really want to pick up Bringing Up Bebe now!
Great reading list! I want to read the Tatiana DeRosnay one – read one of her books this year and liked it. PS – just started a book club over at my blog, you should check out our first three picks! http://interiorgroupie.blogspot.com
Just downloaded Yuli’s ebook- thanks for that! Now just need to find time to read it!
Thank you so much for this list. I’ve been uninspired by the pile of books sitting next to my bed, and am desperate for some new reads. The NY, Paris, Bebe, thinking and creativity books all sound fascinating! Let me know what you think of the blogging one too. I hesitate because I feel like at night I need a break from thinking about it! ;0)
Yes, these books all sound great! I have a bad habit of ordering way too many books on Amazon all the time. It’s just so easy!
Great finds! I have recently become addicted to adding books to my Amazon wishlist. It’s a great way to keep track of books you’d like to read. Thanks so much for the tip on the ‘blogging your way to the front row’ – just downloaded it to my kindle!
Ok I’m pinning most of these books – hopefully I can get through them all someday!!! Oh and I finished season 2 of Downton Abbey last night… NOOO! I can’t wait for the third! So much questions left unanswered…