Help us Build the Book Club Reading List

Hi everyone,

As mentioned in Friday's Book Nook post, we've almost finished with our current reading list, so it's time to start selecting new titles.

YLF Book Club really is all about the books and movies you want to talk about, so of course we'd love your input here.
Fashion documentaries, style-related movies, a brilliant book (fiction or non-fiction), they can all offer food for thought.

Is there a title that has really struck a chord with you, that you want to share and further discuss during Book Club? Tell us about it before midnight on Wednesday 7 March and we'll put it on the Book Club "long list".

What happens next?
- 9 March: We publish the Book Club long list with your suggestions on the blog and in the forum.
- 9 - 14 March: Voting time. Everyone on YLF can pick their 3 favourites, the titles that get the most votes are our winners.
- 16 March: We announce the 3 winners and will have the updated calendar ready for you.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

12 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

The Devil Wears Prada! Pure fun and entertainment.

We didn't read/watch that one yet, did we?

Inge

Moderator

The movie is in our bookstore, but it wasn't part of our first reading list. Thanks Laura, it's going on our long list:-)

Jilly

Active Member

You probably already have this on the list, but "September" the documentary about the making of Vogue's September issue is really good. As far as non-fiction books that are not fashion-related, I'm interested in "The Shack"( or maybe that's fiction, not sure), Non-fiction, "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson. For fiction, "The Little Lady Agency" is a fun read.

Jjsloane

I never have time for real books (my reading consists of online, magazines, kiddie lit or books on CD during my commute so I'm way behind) but have you tried some of the classic movies? Funny Face. Rear Window. How to Marry A Millionaire, Philadelphia Story (or even better High Society with Grace - can you tell I'm a fan). Other movies for discussing fashions: Clueless, Grey Gardens, Confessions of a Shopaholic.

fern

I am interested in reading Growing More Beautiful by Jennifer Robin.
also, The Well-Dressed Home by Annette Tatum - which is more about home style /decor.
Haven't read either yet!

ManidipaM

Inge, I've not read the previous lists, so apologies if this was already on; but though a little older, I really enjoyed 'Green is the New Black' --- fans of vintage shopping and thrifting, as well as eco-conscious fab ladies, might share the love.

I also enjoyed 'The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping', even though I don't have access to those kinds of shops or the brands mentioned, because it helped me understand what to assess for garment construction and quality.

Would books that are not about style or fashion or apparel, but use garments as a motif or as background building devices be of interest here? I'm thinking of 'Lollipop Shoes', for example, where the shoes signal everything from innovation and individuality to taking risks, standing out, self-confidence issues... Or the clothing as social classification device of 'The Handmaid's Tale'...

Fruitful

"Elegance" by Madame Dariaux
Any old movies, like Breakfast at Tiffany's etc
Ugly Betty series
Another vote for The September Issue
Gigi (the novel, and the film - for the mulitivalent concept of "gamine")
Absolutely Fabulous series
(I know I shouldn't, but I also really want to suggest the Australian Kath and Kim series - for the many, many fashion-faux-pas based jokes, and also for how strange it is to see their fashion jokes become dated - for example, Kath wearing high-waisted jeans was hilarious, then high-waisted jeans came back!)

I don't know if a television series is something you would consider but I regard television as an important medium. Perhaps if it is too much we could pick one episode for discussion?

This is fun. These are wonderful suggestions, thank you!

Jilly - For YLF Book Club I think we'll stick with books that are in some way fashion or style-related. But this covers a very wide territory.

To ManidipaM's and Jeanne's (Jjsloane) point, this also includes books or movies that have a strong style aesthetic (e.g. Hitchcock movies, Atonement), titles that use clothing to deliver social commentary (The Handmaid's Tale), titles where the clothes are the main character, act as a catalyst...

Fruitful - I just looked up Kath and Kim and now I want to know more about the series:-)
We could absolutely discuss a TV series too. The one episode suggestion is a good idea, that way it's still feasible when you don't have a lot of time. One thing we would need to check, is that it's available internationally, so everyone can watch it.

We could also pick a magazine that has caught your interest, and choose one issue to chat about.

Lots of possibilities. Keep the suggestions coming, ladies:-)

Sounds great Inge. I'm not sure if I was clear but I meant The September Issue, the documentary about the making of Vogue.

I'd love to discuss The Gentlewoman. Although I only own 2 issues of this, I treasure them and have been meaning to post a review!

Kieran: Yes, you were referring to the dvd that's already in our bookstore, right?
I was going to suggest The Gentlewoman too:-)

Yes! I was lucky enough to catch it on television a few months ago but would seek it out and watch it again.

I'm sorry I haven't been as vocal in the book group as I'd have liked - it's just been timing issues with Real Life stuff. I did get Parisian Chic and had lots of thoughts at the time but never posted them!

Just an idea (and maybe you've done this) - although in a way this would make it harder to keep up, perhaps we could tie the book group topics to a specific real time conversation planned in advance (for example, at Saturday 11 am EST we will be holding a live chat for 1 hour about blah blah blah...). In some situations this gets people focused and motivated and they plan around it. We could do it here or even use Twitter for added excitement (and incoherence) - especially if we were doing a real-time watching together of a film or program.

No worries at all, Kieran!
(And feel free to start a new thread about Parisian Chic if the mood strikes you.)

Thank you for the live chat suggestion! This is something we are considering for the future;-)

We're "open" until midnight tonight, ladies, do feel free to chime in with more suggestions;-)

Category