We Are Reading
War Paint by Lindy Woodhead
War Paint: Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, Their Lives, their Times, their Rivalry, by Lindy Woodhead. This dual biography isn’t merely the tale of two impressive female entrepreneurs, but the story of the rise of the beauty industry, which was… Read More
Blue Monday by Nicci French
How To Leave Twitter, My Time as Queen of the Universe by Grace Dent
It’s by Grace Dent, one of our favourite tweeters and writers. It must be good. Out 21st July… Read More
The French Kitchen by Serge Dansereau
It’s been a while since we’ve all looked at French cookery as inspiring, what with all the books on Italian, Brazilian, Scandinavian and even British food that’ve been catching our interest recently. The ideas and strict disciplines behind French cooking… Read More
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Stylist’s Guide to New York by Sibella Court
Sibella Court wrote one of our favourite home books Etcetera, and she also works with Anthropologie, so really, what’s not to love? She lists here favourite places to stay, eat and buy stuff, all flavoured with her distinctly creative style.… Read More
Miette by Meg Ray
If this charming film doesn’t have you reaching for the ingredients to make a cake, nothing will. Thanks to food writer Debora Robertson for alerting us to the wonderful world of Miette, San Franciscos most charming cake shop. Owner Meg… Read More
Baking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale
We met Lorraine at the Red Magazine networking event recently and she was both inspiring and charming and has clearly worked very hard to make her baking business a success. We are sure this is a good book for beginner… Read More
Mistress of my Fate: the Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot
The Scented Kitchen by Frances Bissell
Recommended by Fire & Knives, so must be good. Like the sounds of borage pesto…blue pasta anyone?
Post note. I have now received this book and it is a joy to read. There are no photos, just pages of well… Read More
How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Haven’t read this yet, just read wonderful reviews. Coming from Amazon today. Will update once I’m through it.
OK, read it now. It’s a glorious mash up of characters whose stories are connected through school, college or just fate. It’s … Read More
Squirrel seeks Chipmunk, a wicked bestiary by David Sedaris
Colour Hunting by Hedwig van Onna, Hanneke Kamphuijs and Jeanne Tan
Dorian by Will Self
I picked this up at the V&A shop after having whizzed through the Cult of Beauty exhibition. It is wicked, full of sex and drugs and highly enjoyable. Will Self always makes me feel a bit thick, and I always… Read More
To My Best Friends by Sam Baker
We are grateful to Sandy Lewis for this review
“This book is a chick lit summer read and it certainly does what it says on the tin. Runs loosely along the ‘Sex in the City’ formula, give or take, although… Read More
To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World? by Lucy Siegle
Modern Vintage Style by Emily Chalmers
Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt
This is an accomplished and original first novel by Rebecca Hunt. It’s about loss and depression, but is actually quite uplifting, it was of interest to me because of the insights into the condition.… Read More
The Best Of Everything by Rona Jaffe
0… Read More
The Secrets of Scandinavian Cooking by Signe Johansen
The Nordic Bakery Cookbook by Miisa Mink
Lucky Break by Esther Freud
The Second Half of your Life by Jill Shaw Ruddock
The Happy Hoofer by Celia Imrie
Ok, so we haven’t actually read Celia’s book, but we did hear her discussing it on Radio Two’s Bank Holiday Monday programme with French and Saunders. It sounds great, she’s so funny (did you know she was once kidnapped?) and… Read More
Modern Pantry by Anna Hansen
At Home with Flowers by Jane Packer
Smut by Alan Bennett
It’s a new Alan Bennett, featuring middle age women and their views on sex, what more do you need to know?… Read More
Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
Completely hilarious novel about the sort of aunt you SO wished you’d been blessed with. A must, the fashion references are a joy.… Read More
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
It’s almost worth buying this for the lenticular cover that flips between a fresh faced picture of Alexander McQueen and a silver glossy skull. The contents, however, do not disappoint; beautiful photography of McQueen’s amazing clothes seen altogether make you… Read More