My intention is to always focus on reading more. Does that always happen? Absolutely not. This fall, I am going to make a conscious effort to pivot away from screen time and spend that newly allotted free time reading. Tis the season after all for curling up with a good book!
Below are five picks that I am excited to share with you that you can add to your list! Some I have recently read and some aren't even out yet, but I can't wait to get my hands on them! Be forewarned, if you think I'm going to recommend high-brow, cerebral titles in this list, you've come to the wrong place. All those would be on my husband's list (if he had one)!
1) The Daddy Diaries by Andy Cohen - The latest release from Andy Cohen allows you to spend an entire year with him. He candidly diaries the entire year of 2022 from start to finish and regales us with cute tales of being a single dad raising a toddler son and newborn daughter, all while being a high-powered television executive.
He's released this sort of book before and I've enjoyed all of them, and this one doesn't disappoint. I must admit, it made me a little homesick for New York as it has lots of mentions of restaurants and old standbys. For fellow Housewives fans, there are plenty of little inside tidbits dropped along the way. But you don't have to be a Bravo fan to read this, anyone will enjoy this lighthearted recap of a year in Cohen’s life.
2) Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfield - I've mentioned this in a previous blog, but it's so good I am going to include it in this list, too. I don't believe I've read a book by Curtis Sittenfield that I haven't liked. I have long been a fan since she released her first book, Prep, back in 2005. Since then, she's written several fiction pieces loosely based on real-life people and events. For example, American Wife follows the life of a woman similar to Laura Bush and Rodham - don't think I need to explain this one!
Romantic Comedy is set on the television show TNO, a late-night sketch comedy that is aired weekly on Saturday nights. Sound familiar? It follows the life of a female writer on the show and how she navigates an unexpected attraction to a superstar heartthrob guest host (ahem, do Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson come to mind?). It's a quick and easy read that I really enjoyed. I also feel like I learned some behind-the-scenes secrets of the "real" show, whether or not they are accurate.
3) Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum - If you're looking for a quick read with lots of social drama and a little bit of mystery, this one's for you. Bad Summer People follows New Yorkers who flee to a small fictional community on Fire Island for the summer.
There are affairs, embezzlements, a mysterious death, and everything in between! This book is filled with so many twists and turns it’s hard to put down. I don’t typically read this type of fiction but thought I would try it since it is set in New York and deals with the lives of narcissistic New Yorkers (again, homesick). I'm glad I did! If you like a quick page-turner, this one's for you.
4) Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters by Susan Page - This doesn't actually come out until the spring, but I'm so excited about it that I had to include it. It's no secret that I am an enormous fan of the late and legendary journalist Barbara Walters. Friday nights were dedicated to watching 20/20 and I lived for her celebrated specials. I also never missed an episode of The View.
I was fascinated with how she paved the way for women in journalism, battling an industry with so many brick walls. She could also just as easily pull off a great, light interview with Tom Cruise discussing his romantic life and upcoming movies…while at the same time having no problems asking Vladimir Putin if he had ever ordered anyone to be killed. If you have not read her autobiography, Audition, I highly suggest starting with that while we wait for Rulebreaker to be released.
5) The New Classic Home: Modern Meets Traditional Style by Paloma Contreras - I originally planned to only include novels or biographies on this list, but I am very excited about this second book by famed interior designer Paloma Contreras. Debuting in late October, Contreras zeroes in on her signature style - a mix of modern and traditional elements - in this second release.
If you have seen photographs of her work, it's no secret she's a master at bridging the gap between these design styles. I am extremely excited to flip through the pages of this book to see (and study) her amazing design projects!
Happy Reading, y'all!