Friday, 2 January 2015

Christmas reads



I hope you've all had a lovely Christmas and have had some time to snuggle up with a book. I was lucky enough to receive a few gorgeous new books from my family this year. My mum presented me with a big cardboard box filled with these four and I couldn't have been happier. 

1. Vivienne Westwood by Vivienne Westwood & Ian Kelly


I have always had a soft spot for Queen Viv and have read pretty much everything about her I could get my hands on (see here for another Viv book review). So I was over the moon to hear that the definitive autobiography was going to be released a few months ago. This is a very hefty book, with some gorgeous lesser-known images of Vivienne, her family and her fashion designs. I'm looking forward to whiling away these cold winter days by immersing myself in Vivienne's world.

2. Women In Clothes by Sheila Heti


I have to admit, I did have to drop a few hints about this one as it's slightly more unusual. Women in Clothes takes an almost scientific look at the clothes women choose to wear in real life. Sheila Heti's project was to get hundreds of women to answer  a questionnaire about their dressing habits. The result is an almost psychological understanding of why we wear what we do, our insecurities around personal style and how we get dressed every day. I was so intrigued by this concept and have high hopes after reading Heti's 'How Should a Person Be' in 2013.

3. Elsa Schiaparelli: A Biography by Meryle Secrest


This was a complete case of judging a book by it's cover. The bright pink lured me in and I was quickly dropping hints as to how pretty it was. My knowledge of Schiaparelli is fairly limited and after watching a ShowStudio talk earlier last year about the brand's relaunch I really wanted to learn some more about the woman herself. I'm excited to read more non-fiction this year and hopefully keep those brain cells a-moving!

4. The Secret History by Donna Tartt


I was so proud to have read (and finished!) Donna Tartt's the Goldfinch last year. I don't know why but I had got it into my head that I wouldn't be able to finish it and what was the point of reading it etc. etc. but I'm so glad that I gave it a try. Donna Tartt's writing is, put simply, an absolute pleasure to read. Though her subject matter often involves history, art, classics and the like, her books never feel pretentious or inaccessible, they are just completely enjoyable and I feel like I'm learning new things and making connections all the time. I'm about halfway through The Secret History now and can honestly say it's steadily making it's way up the list of my favourite books. I'm trying to savour every word!

So that's it for my little Christmas book 'haul' - ugh how I hate the word haul! This was not an excuse to show off, I genuinely enjoy sharing what I'm reading and welcoming new books into my little book family. If you received any books for Christmas please do share - I'd love to know what your'e reading and am always looking for inspiration!

Xx

6 comments :

  1. What a great selection of books! I've got both the Women in Clothes and the Schiaparelli biography. I knew a fair bit about Schiaparelli already but learned masses from it - hope you enjoy it too. And intrigued to know what you think about the Westwood biography. Enjoy your lovely books!

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    1. Thank you so much for commenting! Yes, the Schiaparelli looks so detailed and well researched - I can't wait to dig in!

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  2. Now there's a delicious selection of books. I have (but haven't read) the Donna Tart and the other 3 are ones I've seen here and there and thought 'ooh, THAT looks really interesting'.
    I too unwrapped a great little pile of books - though my huge regret is that I didn't and haven't had time to read any of them yet. I've had to leave most of them back at home so that I'm not tempted to deviate from the (rather turgid) weight of reading for this term. However, I'm so looking forward to having time in the spring to get to grips with them.

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    1. Yes, that's one of the lovely things about graduating - you get to choose to read whatever you want! I just finished the Donna Tartt and it is mind-blowingly good, definitely one to savour when you have the time!

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  3. The Secret History is a really incredible book, and I'm yet to meet someone who has read it and wasn't infinitely impressed. I think it's actually gaining quite a cult following recently! I hope you enjoy it.
    x
    Emily | MISS BLACK

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    1. Thank you! I absolutely loved reading The Secret History, it's definitely up there with my some of all-time favourites now!

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