The Rules of Civility

I recently read the book Rules of Civility by first time novelist Amor Towles. It is brilliant. The story takes place in New York City during 1938. It tells the stories of Katey, a young, courageous woman determined to make the most of her life and Tinker, a handsome, dashing young man who seems to have everything.

The night clubs of Manhattan and the homes of the privileged on  Long Island become the back drop for this year of adventure, learning, love and heart break.

The smoky jazz clubs play an important part in their stories. If this wonderful book becomes a movie the soundtrack will be amazing.

The Paris Wife

I recently read the book The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. It is the story of the courtship and married life of Hadley Richardson and Ernest Hemingway. It is written as a novel. The characters and situations are real. To fill in the blanks the author used her imagination.

Hadley and Ernest

Hadley, Ernest and their son, Bumby.

The storyline and time frame is the same as Hemingway's memoir A Moveable Feast, Paris in the 1920's. A time when lives were filled with artists, writers, booze and a mixture of bohemians both wealthy and not.
It is interesting to read the story from Hadley's perspective. She was a strong and compelling woman. She was also content to stay in the background and let Ernest be the star. She claimed she didn't want to be a modern girl. She was comfortable being old fashioned. I think she felt safe there, being in the background and being old fashioned. It kept her out of the line of fire from whatever new scheme was brewing.
With his early writing success Ernest's ego began to explode. He had always been macho and at times a bully. Things progressed from there. He seemed to take it for granted that he could do whatever he wanted. If he thought it would make him a better writer it must be the right thing to do. Even old fashioned Hadley wouldn't put up with that forever.
I like Hadley. She stayed true to herself. She knew when it was over. It hurt but she got on with her life.

The story is fascinating because of where and when it is set. Paris in the 20's was a hot bed of creativity. The cast of characters included Gertrude Stein, Alice B Toklas, F Scott Fitzgerald and his Zelda. Quite a group.

Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas

Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald

Zelda, Scott and daughter Scottie

The Paris Wife, that alone conjures up all sorts of romantic notions. It would have been hard to resist that call to adventure.

The Gospel According To Coco Chanel

I am reading the book, The Gospel According To Coco Chanel  Life Lessons From The World's Most Elegant Woman. The witty author is Karen Karbo. The chic, charming illustrations are by Chelsey McLaren.

I love this book. I haven't even finished reading it and I'm ready to post about it. It is clever, witty, entertaining and smart. There really are life lessons to be learned from Mademoiselle Chanel, some to do, some not to do.

The book covers the obvious; style, success, elegance. It also covers self invention, fearlessness, money, femininity, cultivating arch enemies and embracing the moment. There are lessons to be learned in all of these areas. 
On Fearlessness " The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."
On Surviving Passion "Great loves too must be endured."
On Success  "Gentleness doesn't get the work done unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs."

Coco believed in becoming someone not something.
My favorite line in the book (so far) is: At the intersection of Art and Commerce sits Chic.
I strongly encourage you to read this book.