Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Twenties Girl & More

I just finished an amazing book yesterday. It's not going to win the Pulitzer or be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize any time soon, but it served its purpose: It made me happy. I love books that leave me feeling satisfied, cozy, and in a cheerful mood. Very good chick lit does that for me, especially every book written by Sophie Kinsella (author of the Shopaholic series). Her latest book, "Twenties Girl," was so funny and entertaining and delightful, I stayed up all night finishing it.



The book revolves around Lara, a girl who, like a lot of Kinsella's characters, reminds me of myself. She works too hard and has a tough time letting go of the past. That is, until she encounters the ghost of her great aunt Sadie, a fun, glamorous girl from the 1920s, who likes to dance and drink cocktails. The two become very close friends and it made me long for my own Sadie...a ghost who would be my closest friend and hang out with me all the time and understand my problems. Someone to go on adventures with...

I loved this book so much, I thought I would share other books that have made me feel the same way.

These are some of my favorite books that feature strong friendships and relatable characters. I highly suggest them all.

"Firefly Lane" by Kristin Hannah



This book spectacularly paints the friendship of Tully, a gorgeous fabulous party girl, and her pretty, but sensible, best friend Kate. It spans several decades and is so realistic, you will swear that you are right there along with them for the ride. Make sure you have tissues for this one.


"Bookends" by Jane Green



This book made me fall in love with Jane Green's writing. All of her books are hilarious and sweet and honest. I even hate to call it chick lit, even though that's essentially what it is. Bookends follows a group of college buddies who remain friends until their 30s. Suddenly, a beautiful and mysterious former member of their pack emerges out of the woodwork and turns everything upside down. Warning: This book is impossible to put down.


"Watership Down" by Richard Adams



Yes, it's about rabbits. But most importantly, it's about friendship and survival. You will get so emotionally attached to each character that you will be heartbroken when the book ends. Trust me. If you've been following my blog for a while, you will know that I am completely in love with bunnies. They are my favorite animal. And I think after you read this book, they will be your favorite animal too.


"The Razor's Edge" by W. Somerset Maugham



My boyfriend (who reads SERIOUS stuff) recommended this book to me because I reminded him of the materialistic and spoiled Isabel and he always considered himself Larry, her long lost love. Of course, I had to read this book and prove him wrong. I was so outraged that he could just label me in such a way. But, alas, after reading the book I couldn't argue with him. That made me sad. On a happier note, one thing I loved about this book was the strength of the friendships among the characters throughout the years. Some grew stronger, while others waned. Some grew apart, while others became closer. It is a beautiful story. And I think every girl I know has a little bit of Isabel in them...

51 comments:

Nadine said...

The plot of Bookends reminded me of The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood - you should read it!

Cesc said...

Watership Down is the bomb. I love it!
Great seletion of books, by the way. I'll be sure to check some of them out.

xoxo
Cesc

Winchester Manor said...

I was just saying over the weekend that I miss reading, I don't read nearly as often as I used to. All of these books sound wonderful.

I think, I'll stop by the bookstore on the way home and pick up Firefly Lane, this particularly peeked my interest. Thanks for the recommendations!!

Hugs,
Karyn

noone said...

omg I totally love Watership down the movie!! I read the book too, it was good. Apparaently it was a metaphor for the jews escaping from germany in WW2 and the bad rabbits were suppose to be like Hilter's army. Interesting eh?!

Maria Confer said...

I loved Twenties Girl!! It was so sweet, fun and a bit sad!!

lululetty.blogspot.com

Ela said...

I love YOUR writing so if you are recommending these, I'm definitely going to pick these up. I almost bought the first but I thought I'd wait till it was a paperback.

Don't be sad, he loves you just as you are :) S once told me I remind him of Angelica from Rugrats...not sure what to make of that.

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

Twenties Girl sounds like a lovely book! I'm definitely going to get it!

Couture Carrie said...

I love Watership Down!
And will definitely get that Sophie K on your reco!

xoxox,
CC

Angela said...

I adore Sophie K books.

Dani said...

great post! i just read "twenties girl" and really loved it... sophie kinsella's writing is very addicting. her books are always fairly predictable, but this book had a few plot twists that made it interesting.

also, i loved bookends by jane green! she's a great writer for chick lit and this was one of my all-time favorites by her!

i'll have to check out the rest of the books on your list - i was just wishing for some new reads!

http://www.rocknrollgypsy.com

Dani said...

p.s. i had a bunny for 10 years!

http://www.rocknrollgypsy.com

starbrained said...

Firefly Lane is really beautiful.

Diego R. Wyatt said...

I have to read Bookends next, along with Watership Down. These reads look awesome. I finally finished Coco Chanel's biography and have been looking for some good reads.

Paz
Diego
Freefall Blog
http://freefallblog.blogspot.com

legallyBlonde said...

Awesome recommendations!

DS said...

I saw that book (twenties girl) and I've been wanting to buy it! I think I will now. I'm always looking for good books to make me happy. I know chick flicks get a lot of flak but they are entertaining and fun. Thanks for the suggestions!

Sophie said...

I loved Watership down! I have picked up twenties girl and read the back before, but never got it in the end. Glad to hear its good, Think I will make it the next book I read! xo
teacups-and-saucers.blogspot.com

Beth Dunn said...

The Twenties Girl sounds perfect. Love books like that too! xo

Dina's Days said...

Nice reviews, I love Jane Green, I just started reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini because my sister said it was amazing yet depressing

Damsels said...

i love that these books look like light reads .. sometimes i dont want to experience an emotional catharsis everytime i pick up a book ;)

FASHION CHALET said...

You're gorgeous, lady. Oh my gosh you're so sweet and flattering!!!! =)

And thanks for the reads. I need something new.




x

little fish said...

Thanks for the recomendation! I love reading too!

Melanie's Randomness said...

The first book "Twenties Girl" sounds like something I'd totally read. I might have to pick that one up!! SOunds cool. I like her Kinsella's book, "Can you keep a secret" its reall funny.

Thanks for your comment the other day. It meant alot. Whether it be friends or strangers you need people to help ya through things.

I hope your having a good week. =)

Nubiasnonsense said...

Watership down is awesome

koralee said...

Oh thank you for the list...I adore reading but usually this time of year I find myself way too busy...Watership Down is an amazing read! I wish it was summer again....I have so many books waiting to be read!

Gerri Ward said...

OMG! I luv Watership Down, I've read it sooo many times! I have read all of Sophie Kinsella's books except for this one and I can't wait!!!
p.s. I confess I luv chick lit!!!:)

vitaMinn style said...

I'm so embarassed to admit this but the last time I read a book was 2 years ago! =(

This is a good post! I'll pickup that new Kinsella book this winter.

Patty Ann said...

i think i'll have to get that book! i love fuzzy books that make you feel cozy too! i'm really into girly books, haha and i've been looking for a fun read! i just got a coupon from borders, i think i'm going to go get it now!
xxxxxxxx

AlphaBetaChic.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

woww.. i love it so much! the post is great. and i love reading!
xx

The Sydney Girl said...

thank you lovely! thanks for sharing these books with us! x

Audrey Allure said...

yay for books to add to my reading list :)

Unknown said...

i never read any of those books..

can you comment back? and if uhave time and u want... suscribe please
http://fashionmagazinesaddict.blogspot.com/cute

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I heard about that Sophie Kinsella book from someone else too... Maybe I'll make a trip to Borders this weekend, haha. But another good chick lit is 'Can You Keep A Secret?'. Kinsella one as well, and totally hilarious :D

Eva said...

Nothing like good chick lit, is there? :P

Christina said...

Oh I'm so glad you made a post about books-I'm going to need some new books to read since I just finished finals! Now I have one week to cram awesome books in the brain before school :)

And thanks for the comment! The cupcake was seriously amazing =x

-xtina
www.thisisxtina.blogspot.com

pilgrimchick said...

Watership Down! It has been forever since I thought of that book.

Becky Tjandera said...

i saw that kinsella book a few days ago . i really love sophie kinsella's writing . she's awesome :D but the sad thing is here , english novels are so expensive . may be US$ 15 each . :(

Viva La Fashion said...

i loved confessions of a shopaholic and twenties girl is from the same author, right? i think that ill love that one too. yeah! :)

Miranda J. Bonhome said...

I don't know the books ;s
kisses

Alex Dom said...

thanks for the info!!! im gonna buy bookends and 20's girl tom!!

yiqin; said...

I need to get twenties girl!!! Sophie kinsella NEVER dissapoints.

I V Y said...

i should really read more books...

daisychain said...

I MUST check out twenties girl

Eri said...

Good reviews.

See you soon.

Sophia said...

I have to say, I wasn't a huge fan of Watership Down when I read it in 10th grade, haha. But Bookends looks fabulous, I'm adding it to my book wishlist asap :)

Kt D said...

aw I read sooo much, a lot of really heavy stuff, sometimes I just likee to read chick lit too... Kinsella is so cute. Loved The Razor's Edge too, thats a really good recommendation to put on a fashion blog (seriously lol). Another girlie book that I've read like 10 times already bc its so cute but still really funny/witty is Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes... dunno if you've read it but if you haven't I'd think you'd love it!

x.katie

Velo said...

so interesting! i miss reading.. =D

Unknown said...

Thanks for the good book recommendations. I wish I had more time to read!

Arushi Khosla said...

Um Sophie Kinsella is awesome!
I have to snag that book. HAVE TO.

I'm back btdubs!

Syed said...

I loved Firefly Lane! Ooh I totally need to check out Twenties Girl, it sounds delightful. Hope you're having a beautiful day dear :)

Unknown said...

Looks like I need to make a trip to the bookshop!

Frank&Rémy said...

Really enjoy sophie K's books:)! She is so great!