Sunday, October 17, 2010

fall reading list

My grandmother grew up with Flannery O'Connor and gave me a signed 1st edition of Wise Blood last Spring. Flannery has always been one of my literary heros and her short stories are a constant source of inspiration. I am dying to read her famous novel this fall.

I've heard wonderful things about this collection of stories and Mueenuddin's elegant prose. Definitely at the top of my list.

This book about Hepburn's iconic character, Holly Golightly, has been #1 on my Amazon wishlist since early in the summer and I think it's about time to pull the trigger. Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my all-time favorite movies (not surprisingly...) and the concept of this book sounds totally fascinating.

Professors and classmates have often compared my stories to Cheever's and my inner-WASP can totally relate to his chain-smoking, gin-and-tonic-drinking characters. I adore his short stories so I assume his classic novels, The Wapshot Chronicle, Falconer, and Bullet Park are equally brilliant.


I read Don't Get Too Comfortable a month or two ago and have been anxious to get my hands on more of David Rakoff's hilariously witty essays ever since. Half Empty, Rakoff's newest collection of humor essays, got a great review in the NY Times Book Review so now I'm even more antsy to pick up a copy.

We praised the first line of this novel--"Her name was India. She could never get used to it"--in my Honors Fiction class last year. I've been searching for an affordable 1st edition in used bookstores and on eBay but to no avail. I love, love, love the jacket design.

I've been eagerly anticipating the release of Rosecrans Baldwin's debut novel since meeting him last Spring. I expect the book has a lot clever, funny moments and the story sounds amazing. Plus, gotta support fellow Chapel Hill writers!

I'm kind of behind the curve on this one but it's next on my list after I finish The Handmaid's Tale. I've heard great things about it (obviously confirmed by the National Book Award win) and I'm super excited to get started.

Atwood's classic feminist allegory is my current read. I'm down to the last few chapters and it has been a consistently eye-opening and enthralling novel. It shares a lot of themes with Orwell's 1984, so if you like the whole apocalyptic, big-brother-is-watching-you type feel (I do), Ms. Atwood is the queen of crafting haunting futuristic dystopias.

fall must-have: we are owls




aren't these scarves from we are owls amazing? the designs are so cool and i love how they are abstracted into beautiful swirls of color when wrapped around your neck. all of the patterns are super chic but i think the leopard print with pops of neon may be my favorite.

find them at shopbop and henri bendel.

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