weekend bookshelf: four fab reads.
Happy Friday! With the weekend ahead, and an even longer weekend on the horizon next week, I’ve been busy building my reading list. My library card certainly gets a workout when there are so many great books on my list!
Here’s what is on tap:
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald – This one is a light, fun read. After reading and loving The Paris Wife, I found this book of a similar type and time. As you might expect, this novel follows Zelda Sayre as she grows up in the South and meets the young Army lieutenant F. Scott Fitzgerald. Despite her family’s disapproving eye, they marry and begin the journey of Fitzgerald’s successful literary career. While the Jazz Age is full of glamour and pizzazz, Zelda struggles to find her own identity as the wife of the infamous author.
Unbroken: A World War II Story – This is the book that my book club is currently reading. I’m about halfway through it (must finish by Monday!), and it’s been a really interesting story. It tells the tale of Louis Zamperini, a lieutenant with the Air Force. He spent his teenage years running like crazy, and even ran in the Berlin Olympics, coming close to breaking the four-minute mile. Once part of the second World War, he is tested to the limit of human strength. At times, the writer’s style is a bit dramatic for my taste, but the story is definitely worth the read!
How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life – I haven’t read this one yet, but it seemed just darling and very clearly up my alley. Who doesn’t love the sophisticated and chic Audrey? This book chronicles Ms. Hepburn’s approach to gracious living, revisiting many of the interviews she gave as well as insights from those who knew her well. I’m excited to peek into this one.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking – This is another one my book club read. I truly recommend that anyone read this book – introvert or not. As an introvert myself, I found this to be a really interesting take on how our society has grown to value the extrovert type and how so many introverts feel shamed into thinking we can’t achieve the same successes (spoiler: it’s ok if you want to stay in and read sometimes instead of chit chatting at a big party!). This isn’t to say that extroverts aren’t great people – it just means that there is a place for both! If you want to learn more about yourself, or if you want to learn about how the introverts in your life function, I’d really recommend it.
What have you been reading lately? I’d love to hear some more recommendations!