my favorite books
Kate Spade Things We Love || This is one of the first design/fashion/inspiration books I ever purchased [I think I was twelve?] and it was after reading it that I learned that other people saw beauty and inspiration in the little things too. I fell in love with the eclectic inspiration that Kate Spade put into her books and it remains inspirational today.
The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Christian Dior || This one is a fun one. It helps me get ~technical!~ and ~fancy~ with my terminology.
Forgotten God by Francis Chan || My friend Chloe recommended this book to me and I highly recommend it to you. It’s all about how sweet and awe-inspiring the gift the Holy Spirit is in your daily life.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers || THIS IS A GAME CHANGER. I learned last year that it was coming out as a movie and I could not be more thrilled! I believe it’s coming in 2021 … something to look forward to for sure! This book is a Biblical historical fiction set during the California Gold Rush. It is based on the book of Hosea and it is in my top five favorite books of all time. I read it in a book club my friend Sydney put together and we read the book of Hosea along side it. SO GOOD!
The Giver by Lois Lowry || I love love love dystopian society stories! This was the first one I ever read and it became a new favorite genre of mine.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott || A whole entire American classic! I recently recorded a podcast for a class project all about how Laurie and Amy truly do belong together and how every scene looked like it was inspired by a painting in the Louvre. It was the most beautiful, most romantic movie I have ever seen. I think the reason Little Women became the classic it is is because it was first time someone decided to highlight the beauty found in the mundane of domestic life. It reminds me of how God will surprise me with little things every day:)
The New Garconne by Navas Batiwalla || I found this book thanks to one of my first fashion bloggers I ever followed, Chriselle Lim. She is strong and chic so I figured I would take as much of her research as I could get. This book is about the classics and being inspired by menswear. It’s fabulous.
Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson || This book changed my prayer life. It is a 40 day prayer devotional and the Lord spoke so clearly through it! My grandparents gave it to me for my twentieth birthday. They’ve always pointed me towards Jesus and so I knew this book would be stellar.
World of Style by Aimee Song || Aimee was the first ever fashion blogger I followed and she has traveled to some pretty cool places while wearing some next level outfits. She combined two of my favorite things into one book and I love it!
Dressing in the Dark by Marion Maneker || I found this book at my local used bookstore and it’s a book about how menswear has been centered around Hollywood actors. Think John Travolta in leather jackets, Nat King Cole looking fresh in his tux, Richard Gere in denim on denim, Cary Grant in a turtleneck [pro tip for you men out there … you can never go wrong with your look wearing a turtleneck], & Robert Redford makes an appearance more than once (swoon).
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle || We love dystopian society books pt. 2!
Kate Spade Style || I had to get this book from the queen of bold color, polka dots, and writing a letter to a friend to say hello.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie || This book is so weird and I love it! Thankful that the Lord made us all uniquely with some crazy cool imaginations.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee || My all time favorite story. Also Gregory Peck as Atticus in the film was a blessing from the Lord I have to say it. I am waiting with bated breath for the play to come to Atlanta on their tour in the fall so I can see it!!
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde || This is my favorite play. I read this my senior year of high school and my teacher was chill to let us read it aloud. He cast me as Lady Bracknell and I’m so thankful he did. I would crack up every other line! Oscar Wilde is perfectly extra and I love it.
Kate Spade Places to Go People to See || This book brought me more eclectic inspiration and like Aimee’s book, it brought me the beauty found in fashion and travel.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon || Another play I wish I could have seen on Broadway. This story is so good. Also I love me a good mystery. [side bar- Masterpiece Mystery on public television is why I keep cable. I’m obsessed. I mean Endeavour? Yes please!]
The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers || This is the second book I’ve read of her’s. It’s set in the 2010’s and reads like an HBO series. Her writing is quick but not shallow. It tells stories of people’s relationship with Jesus. It’s good.
The Teen Vogue Handbook || Oh man I love this book. There’s a section about this job title called ‘closet keeper’ at Vogue. I have read that section twenty times over at least. Talk about a whole entire dream. High fashion and organization combined into a job??? At Vogue??? ooh la.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford || I’ve read this book twice. It follows the story of two children living in California during the WW2 Japanese internment camps. This story will make you cry but oh me oh my it is the definition of beautiful.
The Coveteur: Private Spaces, Personal Style || Another place I would love to work one day. They have this niche side of their company where they go into people’s closets and take these sick photos. They talk to the people about their style and about their life. Once again. ooh la. All kinds of closets are all over their website but their book highlights some of their favorites including Dee and Tommy Hilfiger, Elissa Santisi, Linda Rodin and her poodle of course, Bobbi Brown, and Christian Louboutin.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd || I read this book all in God’s timing when I was thirteen. The main character and I were going through similar things when I was reading it so this story means a whole lot to me. I remember the day I finished the book my mom let me rent the movie to watch that night.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen || I’m a romantic … can you tell from my novels of choice? So this will come to nobody’s surprise that this is a favorite of mine. I played Elizabeth in my high school’s production of the play which was a brilliant opportunity. Diving into characters is the best part about acting in my opinion. Well that , and being on stage wearing pretty Jane Austen dresses. Character development helps you understand people better. Empathize better.
Beauty Rules by Bobbi Brown || I rarely wear makeup but if I do I want it to look as natural as possible. Bobbi Brown is the queen of this. She taught me all kinds of tips and tricks in this book.
And then there’s Bob Goff. I love Bob Goff so much. I highly recommend his books and his Instagram. He has a new book coming out too! That’s really all I have to say about that.
Well there you go! My favorite books I’ve read ever since I can remember in no particular order. Let me know if you’ve read any of these or if you have any recommendations! As you can see I have an eclectic taste so I’ll take anything! By the way here is what is on my summer reading list …
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Scary Close by Donald Miller
Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
All Caps You by Emma Mae Jenkins [hey girl hey!]