https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 11 May 2026 23:15:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-22345 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:56:08 +0000 Sophia 22345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The most recent book I have read was Shopaholic and Baby. It was a light fun read with some hilarious characters, and some hilarious people! I suggest it to anyone who wants a fun girly read. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-21587 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:57:09 +0000 Alecia 21587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Right now, I'm reading a book called the Dante Club. I picked it off our shelf in a hurry when leaving for our recent trip. It's a murder mystery but revolves around Dante's Divine Comedy. It is set in Boston just after the Civil War. Interesting. </p> <p>Anyway, a passage I read the other day so struck me about the role of fashion in our lives and reminded me of all of you and the forum. I had to post:</p> <p>Mrs. Lincoln held up her dress with a slight rustle as she took a queenly step into the foyer. Once inside, a low-hung mirror provided her and the other ladies a view of the nether regions of their dresses, in the event the garmet had repositioned itself inappropriately along the way to the reception; a husband was wholly useless for such a purpose. - The Dante Club, Matthew Pearl</p> <p>Maybe it was the comment about husbands that struck me. My husband thinks I look fabulous in everything and would walk around in a holey shirt all day himself. So it's hard to get appropriately constructive feedback on things like PPL from him. Or maybe it's the recent conversations about how our headless pictures distort our bodies and how that relates to the low-hung mirror in the passage.</p> <p>In any case, it made me smile and I hope it makes you smile, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-20513 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:18:07 +0000 Julia 20513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a non-fiction reader and I read several books at the same time to take breaks from each other.</p> <p>Lately I'm reading Mary Gilliatt's Interrior Design Course, Jill Blacke's Interior Design on Your Own and Peter Walsh's It's All Too Much. They gave me great incentive to declutter my house and redecorate it.</p> <p>I have also borrowed Judith Levine's Not Buying It - My Year without Shopping. We have talked about this before and I'm curious what it would be like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-20507 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:31:00 +0000 nicoleb 20507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm always reading! I started in one genre and then started branching out into more and more. I'm also a member of Paperbackswap and through them i have quite a few books on my "To be read" shelf...it's actually getting mildly out of control lol. </p> <p>I just finished "Bitten to Death" by Jennifer Radin which has a bit of everything: sci fi, butt kicking, humor and a bit of romance. And "The Gatecrasher" which is chic lit.</p> <p>and now i am on "The Virgin's Lover" the only Philippa Gregory book i have not read minus "The Other Queen" once that comes out.</p> <p>After that i'm still debating. I may do "Remember Me?" by Sophia Kinsella which it's still summer and i'm in the chick lit mood. Or i may start a new series...either the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon (heard so much good stuff about this one) or that Sookie the Southern Vampire series that seems to be getting rav review as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-20505 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:25:47 +0000 Nicole 20505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was frantically looking for a book to read on the morning I left for jury duty. I hadn't had time to go to a bookstore or the library, so I was fishing around something I may have on hand. I found a book called "Verbal Judo". It's kind of a self help book to help you communicate better and get what you want, without being manipulative or aggressive. I found the book itself very helpful in dealing with one of the other women who was put on the panel I was put on. The system was established to help police officers and it's taught to law enforcement officials, teachers, and major corporation employees all over the world. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-20502 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:59:25 +0000 Sarah 20502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m an avid reader and writer. Reading has always been a challenge for me, because I have dyslexia. The letters move around on me. I have learned to compensate and accept the fact that I read twice as slow as all of my friends and family and have to follow along with a white index card. I do love reading though. Historical fiction is my thing, and someday I hope to write something publishable in that genre. My absolute favorite book is Gaston Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera” followed closely by Susan Kays “Phantom”, and I’m a fanatical fan of both. How can you not love a book that is a romance, tragedy, and mystery all in one with such lovable characters? In fact, I read more Phantom fan fiction, both actual books and online, than anything else. I write some of my own and post some on fanficion.net. Someday I may even try to publish a fan fiction novel. We’ll see.</p> <p>Back on topic though, right now I’m reading “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. And I just finished “Black Beauty.” Both are books that I started as a kid and never finished, so I’m trying to finish them up this summer. I can’t get into fantasy. It took me almost two years to get through “The Hobbit.” My husband reads like crazy. I also love mystery. My husband just finished the complete Sherlock Holmes series and is reading some Agatha Christie stories, and I want to snatch those up when he is finished. But alas, school books will be all I have time for soon. But after this semester I'm done! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-20354 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:53:19 +0000 katieck 20354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I adore books, reading and writing. I was a journalism major and an English minor in college. I'm currently reading A Dangerous Age by Ellen Gilchrist, one of my favorite authors. </p> <p>Before that, I read Letters To My Younger Self. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-20329 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:25:08 +0000 anne 20329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Becky - Yes! my oldest daughter has just turned 5 and I read to her twice a day. I have been looking out for "chapter books" that would be suitable and I am going to try your recommendations. I liked Caddy Woodlawn as a child but haven't read the others. I bought her some Milly Molly Mandy books for her birthday, as I used to love them, but I am not sure of their literary quality.</p> <p>Amy - Another cooindence! I had never heard of Jasper Fforde before you mentioned him and he came up on another mailing list I am on today. OUr library has several of his books so I am going to give him a try </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-20131 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:54:39 +0000 Becky 20131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>San, Coldsmith's books are generally upbeat and very respectful of Native Americans and their cultures. I have read through the entire series (plus Coldsmith's other books) twice; they are part of my personal library and I will keep them forever and re-read them periodically.</p> <p>Anne, do you read aloud to your daughters? I think your oldest is about the age of my oldest (5), and we read a chapter or two aloud before bed every night. Some of them have been Newbery winners. _Rabbit Hill_ and _Sarah, Plain and Tall_ were a couple my daughter loved; I also plan to read her _Hitty_ and _Caddie Woodlawn_. Some of them (especially the newer ones) have more mature themes, but many are suitable for the ages of our girls. Loved _Anne of Green Gables_, but I find it hard to read depressing books, so I would probably skip the journals! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-19983 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:03:00 +0000 Nicole 19983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, the book was "Lost Daughters of China" by Karin Evans </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately/page/2#post-19982 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:59:16 +0000 anne 19982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lena - I have seen the BBC adaptation of North and South - I agree it is very good.</p> <p>I have read another indian food book too lately - mostly text /memoir with some recipes but can't remember the title</p> <p>It is funny seeing a few mentions of the twilight series. I had never heard of Stephanie Meyer til 2 weeks ago, when there where a feature on her in the weekend australian magazine - and now I read about her again.</p> <p>Nicole - what is the title of the second book you mentioned - about the woman who adopted the chinese girl?</p> <p>Becky - I love your idea of reading the Newbery winners! I am interested in your plan to read March - I got it out of the library but couldn't bring myself to read it, as I love Little Women so much. I have recently finished reading the journals of LM Montgomery (who wrote Anne of Green gables) All five volumes of them and though illuminating they were somewhat depressing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19973 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:28:13 +0000 Nicole 19973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My MIL gave my daughter some Terry Pratchett books. She was only 8 or 9 at the time, so we read one together. I don't remember the title, it was cute though. I think Mia was a little too young to appreciate it, but I should encourage her to reread that one--she'd love it now.</p> <p>I am interested in reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life" by Barbara Kingsolver. I read the Poisonwood Bible, Bean Trees and Prodigal Summer and a few years ago. I tend to overload on authors, then check up on what they've written recently.</p> <p>Maybe we could set up some kind of bookswap here on YLF? We could create a group at yahoo and list books that we have on hand that we'd be willing to mail to each other. Media mail is pretty cheap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19907 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:23:19 +0000 Lena 19907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooh, great thread, Nicole!</p> <p>I read a lot of nonfiction (popular science, history, biography). I'm quite picky about fiction, but collect a lot of recommendations. I don't read a lot of mysteries, except Terry Pratchett (I adore the City Watch series!) and Lois McMaster Bujold (Vorkosigan series), which are probably more fantasy/comedy anyway. I stopped reading the Stephanie Plum series at book 10, for the same reason most of you mentioned - it became too repetitive. I find that I'm a seasonal reader, for example I read lighter less demanding things in the summer, and tackle serious books in autumn and winter (with obligatory rest stops to reread Douglas Adams and Jane Austen and T.Pratchett). I used to read a lot of sci fi, mainly Arthur C.Clarke, Stanislav Lem, Philip K.Dick (in small dozes). </p> <p>I'm a pretty slow reader because I tend to read both for story and style, often rereading the bits I like. </p> <p>Anne, have you seen BBC's adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South"? It's fabulous. And thanks for reccing Madhur Jaffrey's biography, I just put it on hold at my library. I really like her "World Vegetarian" cookbook, it's one of my favorites. </p> <p>Right now I'm reading "This is your brain on music" and "The rest is noise: listening to the 20th century." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19897 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:06:32 +0000 Anonymous 19897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh thankyou Becky. I appreciate that so much and I will order it right now.<br /> I must ask you, are these books sad?<br /> My husband and I went through a phase of reading Tony Hillerman books last winter. After that I told him I was going to learn as much as I could about American Indians. He said, "I hope you're prepared to be sad".<br /> My best friends Mother grew up on the reservation in CA. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19873 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:55:02 +0000 Becky 19873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>San, most of Coldsmith's books are part of a series; they don't have to be read in order, but you might want to. _Trail of the Spanish Bit_ is the first one. It's still available on amazon. Some of them are out of print, but can be purchased used through amazon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19871 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:50:48 +0000 susan 19871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whoooo! I love this! I teach 8th gr ade la and am always on the lookout for good teen reads to suggest to my kids. At the end of the year many of them were reading the Twilight series. I brought it home with me, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Only 1 more week of vacation, so I'd better get to it! I just read Artichoke's Heart and can't wait to suggest it-such a sweet and funny story.</p> <p>On a personal level, I just finished Emily Griffen's new book-Love the one you're<br /> With. I didn't like it as well as her other two, but it was okay. I now reading Skinny B. As the wife of a farmer, I am aggravated by some of the untruths, but I will finish it. I am also reading I feel Bad about my Neck-funny!</p> <p>Thanks for the suggestions and authors I have never tried. I will!<br /> re </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19865 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:19:12 +0000 Anonymous 19865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am very impressed with all of you. I read periodicals and a half dozen books a year so I am out of my league here.<br /> I am picking up great ideas to read though. Becky I am very sypathetic to the history of Native Americans and now I plan to read Don Coldsmith's books.<br /> I am going to copy this and keep for reading ideas. What better place to get recommendations.<br /> I also love to read cookbooks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19863 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:09:37 +0000 Ana 19863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read "Number the Stars," as a kid. Incredible book, I love it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19856 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:44:24 +0000 Becky 19856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, if ever there was a thread for me, this is it! I'm an avid reader and have been all my life (or at least since I learned to read!). This summer I have been re-reading Don Coldsmith's books. He writes historical fiction set in the Great Plains and centered around early contact between Native Americans and Europeans. I would have to say historical fiction is my favorite genre, but I also love mysteries and well-written historical non-fiction. I am currently in the middle of a self-imposed reading project: Reading all the Newbery Award winning books since 1922. I have only about 10 left. There are some real winners on that list. Among my favorites: _Number the Stars_ by Lois Lowry, about a Danish family who secretly helps Jewish neighbors during WWII. On my "to read" list: _March_ and _People of the Book_ by Geraldine Brooks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19855 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:38:57 +0000 Ana 19855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brendan is a huge Terry Pratchett fan. He has all of Pratchett's books (brought them over from England with him). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19853 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:14:47 +0000 Tanya 19853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love to read, especially on the trips/planes. I like to read a lot of different things, mainly fiction, but I try to keep it on the lighter side since my daily work-related reading is as serious as it gets. I read very, very fast, my BF says that I devour books, so I tend to accumulate huge amounts of once-read books that end up at the Salvation Army. </p> <p>On the planes to and from NM I have read the following: Paolo Coelho's "The Witch of Portobello","The Bourne Betrayal" by Eric Van Lustbader, " The Sanctuary" by Raymond Khoury and I have reread (again) "Lords and Ladies" by Terry Pratchett. I love that book. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19852 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:09:18 +0000 anne 19852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well this is a thread for me. I love reading and get through mountains of books. I am one of those people who don’t just read “when they have time” but always “make time to read”. (Sadly, often to the detriment of other things I should be doing, such as sleeping!). I have already seen heaps of recommendations in this thread I’ll love to follow up on.<br /> Nicole kind of asked 2 questions<br /> 1. What are you reading right now and<br /> 2. what do you recommend</p> <p>1. My visits to the library these days, with my 3 girls in tow, give me only a few minutes to choose my books ( unless I request them online). I often get biograghies – just finished one on Australia’s new prime minister and grab a novel from the books returned trolley – so at the moment 2 chick lits – Louise Bagshawe and a Meg Cabot “Heather wells” mystery. But though readable I don’t thinks they are very good. I am also reading through Agatha Christie and a biography of Edith Wharton my Mum gave me.<br /> I love Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, A. S Byatt and George Eliot. I also read and collect girls stories from the past century or so<br /> 2. But for less demanding reading, I have just checked my library record of reading and come up with a few I have enjoyed recently</p> <p>Up and down in the Dales / Gervase Phinn (and others by him)<br /> Marie Antoinette : the journey / Antonia Fraser<br /> Dead famous / Ben Elton. (and others by him)<br /> Diaries, 1969-1979 : the Python years / Michael Palin<br /> Climbing the mango trees : a memoir of a childhood in India / by Madhur Jaffrey</p> <p>This last is by a cookbook author. I also love reading cookbooks, especially those with lots of text. My all time favourite is Nigella Lawson's How to Eat</p> <p>Bye (must go to bed!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19786 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:36:21 +0000 Anonymous 19786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Our local Curves has a couple of shelves where people bring in books they've read. Anyone can borrow and return when finished for someone else. It gets lots of use and generates discussion and friendships. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19785 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:25:26 +0000 Nicole 19785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Amy, I'm going to look into that site. I'll pass it on to my mother in law too. </p> <p>My kid's pediatrician has a book swap in her office. I always forget to bring in books though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19772 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:20:06 +0000 Inge 19772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bookmooch is a great concept Amy, I've known of its existence for a while now but have never tried it myself.</p> <p>Another good initiative is 'bookcrossing': 'the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise'.<br /> <a href="http://www.bookcrossing.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.bookcrossing.com/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19742 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:49:35 +0000 amy29 19742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, you gals might like bookmooch--or may already know about it. You list books, people request them, you send them to them via media mail, and then you get points you can use to request books from others. I love it. I love used books best of all, and while I keep a good portion of my books, there's always some reading I do that I don't hold on to. Anyway, it's fun--the idea is to make a global library. <a href="http://bookmooch.com/">Here's the Web site.</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19741 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:36:53 +0000 Inge 19741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One more: this is a marvellous find for anyone who likes the big classcis AND cooking:<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kafkas-Soup-Complete-History-Literature/dp/0151012830/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&#038;s=books&#038;qid=1218389672&#038;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Kafkas-S.....038;sr=8-1</a></p> <p>And now back to work, I still have +3000 words to translate before tomorrow morning, but I keep getting distracted by this thread;-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19739 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:32:27 +0000 Inge 19739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh Angie, cookbooks, I keep going back to them too!<br /> I have a feeling you might enjoy the two cookbooks by Chocolate &#38; Zucchini writer Clotilde Dusoulier (I've mentioned her blog on the forum before):<br /> <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/chocolzucchi-astore-20/detail/0767923839/002-4998370-6622411" rel="nofollow">http://astore.amazon.com/choco.....70-6622411</a><br /> <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/chocolzucchi-astore-20/detail/0767926137/002-4998370-6622411" rel="nofollow">http://astore.amazon.com/choco.....70-6622411</a></p> <p>I recently bought this one:<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Egg-Approaches-Breakfast-Dessert/dp/0618711945/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&#038;s=books&#038;qid=1218389090&#038;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Good-Egg.....038;sr=8-1</a><br /> Mainly because the title 'The Good Egg' could have come straight out of a P.G. Wodehouse novel;-) And I do like eggs too.</p> <p>Maybe you would like the Jeeves novels by Wodehouse Nicole: very dry British humour. I read them in small instalments, even that kind of wit can become tedious if administered in large doses.</p> <p>About J. Evanovich: indeed, I forgot to mention it in my original post, they do seem to go downhill a bit lately.<br /> I have Christopher Moore's 'Practical Demonkeeping' on my bookshelf, but haven't read it yet.<br /> 'Bitter is the New Black' might be fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19734 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:25:57 +0000 Nicole 19734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read the Stephanie Plumb series up to 11 or 12 I think....the first half a dozen were great...then they got kind of repetitive. I have not read the last few.</p> <p>I'm digging around my house looking for a good read. My mother and MIL are always passing books back and forth to each other, but they use me as the delivery person--so I end up with piles of books that don't quite interest me.</p> <p>I went thru a Christopher Moore phase for a while .... not the kind of books that you carelessly recommend to people though. But if you are familiar with him, he has a dark sense of humor and pushes the taboo envelope...that's the kind of stuff I like to read.</p> <p>I have a book recommendation from a friend..."Bitter is the New Black"....anyone read that? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-read-lately#post-19732 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:11:04 +0000 Angie 19732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I knew Inge would be in heaven with this thread. This is HER thing! </p> <p>I recently finished “Coco Chanel’s biography”, and “the Other Boleyn Girl” was the last huge book I’ve read. It was so much better than the movie. A GREAT book. I like historical fiction and murder mysteries. I won’t read anything that is a chore. That’s why I stopped book club – too much Dickens and Galileo’s theory (awful). </p> <p>Call me a pleb but I like milk chocolate and Jilly Cooper is my favourite author. She captivates my mind like no other writer. My Dad left her latest novel “Wicked” here for me to read and I can’t wait to get stuck in. (After the Olympics!) </p> <p>My favourite books are cookbooks. I read them like novels over and over again. </p>