Every
spring without fail I open a magazine that tells me what books I should read
while lounging at the pool, beach, park, what have you. Every winter I wonder
why they assume people only read during the summer. Here are my books you
should read while lounging by the fire/woodstove, curled up in bed, etc.
The rest of the book follows five socialites and two servants beginning with Elizabeth’s return from Paris. Each chapter starts with a newspaper clipping from the gossip column or a snippet from a book on etiquette and each chapter break signifies a change in narration.
Elizabeth is the picture of beauty and morality until her disappearance and assumed death. Her younger sister, Diana, is a romantic rebel who is bored with New York society. Penelope is as conceited and scheming as Elizabeth is proper and refined; the girls are best friends and fierce competitors. Elizabeth’s fiancé, Henry, the notorious troublemaking playboy feels both guilt and relief when the young socialite dies. His best friend, Teddy, on the other hand, is devastated by the death of the girl he grew up with (and proposed to, twice.) Then there’s the help; Carolina Broud is dismissed and all but vanishes right before Elizabeth’s death, and Will Keller disappears without a trace.
For lovers of historical fiction/romance/mystery, this is a win.
The Private Series - Kate Brian
Reed Brennan arrives at the prestigious Easton Academy as a scholarship student for her sophomore year of high school. It doesn’t take her long to zero in on a group of upperclassman girls who live in the esteemed and exclusive Billings House. The Billings Girls have success, connections, power, and friends; all the things Reed dreams of. But there’s a catch, this “dorm” is more of a sorority, complete with hazing, secrets, deception, and rules. Getting in won’t be easy, neither will staying in. But an invitation into this world means having connections to some seriously influential alumni, gorgeous boys, and running with the richest most powerful girls in school. For Reed, surviving Easton ends up being harder than getting good grades, it means kidnappings, murders, stalkers, and some serious drama. Reed doesn’t know who to trust, and neither will you.
The Luxe Series -Anna Godbersen
Set in 1899, The Luxe books start off at the funeral of New York’s sweetheart Elizabeth Holland, who allegedly died after being thrown from her friend’s carriage into the Hudson. Suspicions arise, why were they in that part of town? Why was there no male escort? What happened to the body?
Set in 1899, The Luxe books start off at the funeral of New York’s sweetheart Elizabeth Holland, who allegedly died after being thrown from her friend’s carriage into the Hudson. Suspicions arise, why were they in that part of town? Why was there no male escort? What happened to the body?
The rest of the book follows five socialites and two servants beginning with Elizabeth’s return from Paris. Each chapter starts with a newspaper clipping from the gossip column or a snippet from a book on etiquette and each chapter break signifies a change in narration.
Elizabeth is the picture of beauty and morality until her disappearance and assumed death. Her younger sister, Diana, is a romantic rebel who is bored with New York society. Penelope is as conceited and scheming as Elizabeth is proper and refined; the girls are best friends and fierce competitors. Elizabeth’s fiancé, Henry, the notorious troublemaking playboy feels both guilt and relief when the young socialite dies. His best friend, Teddy, on the other hand, is devastated by the death of the girl he grew up with (and proposed to, twice.) Then there’s the help; Carolina Broud is dismissed and all but vanishes right before Elizabeth’s death, and Will Keller disappears without a trace.
For lovers of historical fiction/romance/mystery, this is a win.
The Private Series - Kate Brian
Reed Brennan arrives at the prestigious Easton Academy as a scholarship student for her sophomore year of high school. It doesn’t take her long to zero in on a group of upperclassman girls who live in the esteemed and exclusive Billings House. The Billings Girls have success, connections, power, and friends; all the things Reed dreams of. But there’s a catch, this “dorm” is more of a sorority, complete with hazing, secrets, deception, and rules. Getting in won’t be easy, neither will staying in. But an invitation into this world means having connections to some seriously influential alumni, gorgeous boys, and running with the richest most powerful girls in school. For Reed, surviving Easton ends up being harder than getting good grades, it means kidnappings, murders, stalkers, and some serious drama. Reed doesn’t know who to trust, and neither will you.
These books kept me wanting more all the way through; to call them “suspenseful” would be an understatement. They’re easy reads, which is good because they are so addicting. Don’t start them if you’re not okay with staying up until 2am reading. These are not Kate Brian’s typical fluffy books, they have serious dark storylines. Murder, suicide, fear, drugs, and betrayal all mix together with designer clothing, over the top parties, romance, money, and friendship. These books are not to be picked up lightly, it’s a big commitment. The series spans 14 books, plus two prequels (worth the read, but make sure you read them in publishing order) and a six book spinoff, which brings us to…
The Privilege Series - Kate Brian
I won’t even use the name of the protagonist in this one, seeing as she is an antagonist in the Private books. Let’s just say this much: this chick is batshit crazy. She’s already committed multiple murders by the time the first book takes place (1-2 years after the last Private book) and will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Despite all the murder, manipulation, and identity theft I was rooting for her up until the last chapter or so. If you like the Private books, you’ll love Privilege. Not looking for sociopaths and murderers? Maybe just a little mystery?
And what book recommendation list from Kat would be complete without...
ALL OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS. Read them already? DO IT AGAIN. Never read them? DO IT, YOU FOOL. RIGHT THE EFF NOW. JUST DO IT. I don’t care if you’re not into magic and fantasy. Shut the hell up and read them. You want to see solid loving friendships, people standing up for what’s right no matter what, racists getting their asses handed to them, positive portrayals of women in fiction, a hero who is far from perfect but always has his heart in the right place to remember what good writing was like (before S Meyer ever put her toxic pen to paper)? READ THIS IT HAS ALL OF THAT. READ IT LOVE IT LIVE IT. BE A FANGIRL /GUY/OTHER.
Kat is the world's largest book fan. She regularly creeps Tumblr. With interests including Harry Potter (duh), Doctor Who, and the UK Skins, she's a bit of an anglophile, really. To get to know her, visit her Tumblr.
Hm, I've been on the fence about reading Luxe, but I think you've swayed me to give it a go :D Thanks! I need some nice quick reads in my life (especially guilty ones!)
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