Hello my sweet peonies, I hope you are all well and having a wondrous summertime so far. For August’s book post, I’m sharing my favourite summer reads and treats which you can have whilst reading!
This summer I have been re-reading Austen’s beloved classic, Pride and Prejudice. Austen’s characters are irresistibly entertaining…whether you’re encountering the striking wit of Elizabeth Bennet, the brooding looks of Mr. Darcy, the infectious qualms of Mrs. Bennet or the pompous musing of Mr. Collins, for the first time or the third time (I’m guilty…)
I feel as though Austen’s second published work (Sense and Sensibility was her first) is a must-read during the summer months! It is always a delight to be transported back into the bustle of the Bennet’s household in longbourn or the glittering assembly balls at Netherfield.
The edition I am currently reading is the book-to-table classic version which is complete with beautifully designed and decorated with sugar cookie designs by… and recipes from Martha Stewart! I have yet to bake some of the recipes, but I can’t to try them out.
Of course, summer reading would not be complete without a delicate sweet treat. Strawberry tarts are one of my favourite delights for summer and I picked up this delicate one from M&S.
My next read, is primarily a photography book featuring beautiful photographs of my favourite ballerina, Darcey Bussell. Evolved is the second ballet book released by Darcey and it features dreamily captured moments of her career after her retirement as a principal with the Royal Ballet. There are so many wonderful, unique photoshoots which you will uncover within this inspiring book, including work captured by the notable photographers…
Exquisitely produced, the book is filled with remarkable images of Dame Darcey in various notable locations, such as a pod of the London Eye, on top of the Victoria and Albert memorial, and performing at worldwide events, like the Olympics opening ceremony. The collection includes rare and unseen moments of Darcey shot by some of the most famous photographers, including Lord Snowdon, Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz, in locations beyond the stage including rehearsals, fashion shoots and more which are accompanied by behind-the-scenes stories and personal anecdotes.
A beautiful book in which Haugland captures Grace’s effortlessly chic style. Although she made her mark as an Old Hollywood icon, Grace Kelly soon exchanged the alluring ash-bulb lights and glamour of the silver screen for the regal principality of Monaco, when she became its princess on the 18th April 1956.
After her successful Hollywood debut, Grace became an icon of the silver-screen, appearing in many of Alfred Hitchcock’s beloved lms, Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and To Catch A Thief, alongside beloved male co-stars such as Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, William Holden, and more. Haugland’s book traces the development of Grace’s style throughout her time in Hollywood and emergence as the princess of Monaco.
Grace’s entrance in Hitchcock’s Rear Window, immortalised her image as an ethereal style icon. Clothed in an elegant pair of crystal white gloves and her “Paris” dress, which consists of a white tulle skirt, cinched in at the waist with a black bodice, her presence as Lisa Fremont echoed Dior’s New Look of 1955. As Jimmy Stewart’s character, L.B Je ries expresses: “she’s too talented. She’s too beautiful. She’s too sophisticated…” Grace understood how to hold and present herself in the garments she wore. They never overpowered or wore her and with a childhood of ballet training by her side, Grace was equipped with the posture and elegance which helped her whilst wearing designs by designers like Helen Rose and Christian Dior but also for her infamous film roles.
Frances Burney’s novel follows the journey of Evelina, a young woman who has just emerged “her first appearance upon the great and busy stage of life.” The novel is set out in the epistolary form, and from its opening we encounter the dilemma of authenticity, not merely through whether the letters we encounter possess a hidden agenda, but also the circumstances of Evelina’s birth. Although Evelina’s parents were married when she was born, her father, the rake and “profligate young man” burnt the marriage certificate, leaving Evelina in a precarious position not merely for who would undertake the role of guardianship but also the legitimacy of her birth. Evelina moves from the security and comfort of her upbringing in the countryside, under the protection of the virtuous Rev. Villars to the vibrant bustle of London, her guardian Mrs. Mirvan. As she enters into London society, Evelina soon realises she is unequipped for the challenges ahead, and through her letters we capture the inner-workings of her mind and thoughts surrounding her experiences. Burney’s work had a significant influence upon Jane Austen’s writings and I would recommend this novel to any Austen fans out there! You may even catch a few parallels and glimpses along the way…
Madame de Pompadour is a most fascinating figure of French history whom I only just came across quite recently whilst watching a documentary by the Met on the Eighteenth-Century Woman. Born into the echelons of bourgeoisie society, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson was marked, in her early childhood for a captivating future when a fortune-teller predicted she would one day become the mistress to a great monarch. This fortune was to become a reality when she undertook her role as the mistress of Louis XV. Lever’s biography centres around Poisson’s beginnings, the initial meeting with Louis at the famous Yew-Tree ball and her strength as not merely influential within the court of Versailles but her triumph as a political leader but also as a singer, actress and patron to many artists of the period. Pompadour devoted herself to Louis and comissioned infamous portraits by Boucher, Nattier, Van Loo, La Tour and Pigalle, and formed life-long friendships with highly-regarded writers of the period, Fontenelle, Crebillon, and Voltaire. Pompadour definitely deserves more attention within the fabric of France’s history and Lever’s biography captures this perfectly.
Inspired by one of my favourite M&S treats (their raspberry sandwich biscuits are a must try!) I decided to create my own, in the most adorable heart-shaped form! All you need to do is follow my vanilla sugar cookie recipe and in the centre, fill with piped swirls of vanilla buttercream! So simple and delicious…
Rose Petal Summer is a lovely light-hearted summer read (the perfect break from my rather heavy University reading list), which follows Caro who moves to Scotland for her new job as a carer for an elderly gentleman. Prior to this, we discover in the Preface that Caro met a man whom she perfectly connected with whilst on holiday in Greece, but apart from this brief encounter the two lost touch until she meets him again at her new work place…
Antonia Fraser’s latest biography, The Case of the Married Woman, centres on Caroline Norton, a poet, pamphleteer who after her marriage to the MP George Norton in 1828, continued to attract friends and admirers to her salon in Westminster. Her admirer, Lord Melbourne was later sued by George Norton on the grounds of adultery with Caroline. Norton was able to legally deny Caroline access to her three children and claimed her income. Nevertheless, Caroline did not give up, or lose hope and she focused on reforming the rights of married women and mothers. She later went on to achieve the Infant Custody Act of 1839. Fraser explores the life of this courageous and inspirational woman who should not be forgotten.
Marie Antoinette’s Garden‘s is a beautifully detailed horticultural guide, featuring the dreamy gardens of Versailles alongside unique eighteenth-century archival illustrations. The natural world was one of Marie Antoinette’s chief passions and she elevated the Petit Trianon garden into an enchanting wonderland. The book wanders through Antoinette’s idyllic garden, exploring the hyacinths, buttercups, and anemones in the French Gardens, extending to Belvedere Gardens which became the site of magical parties, I couldn’t recommend this guide enough for any fans of Marie Antoinette or French history.
Hellstern’s book on Audrey is truly a delight to read. Alongside prefacing each section of the book with a focus on a particular aspect of Audrey’s life, Hellstern fills her narrative with beautiful photographs, anecdotes and quotes from Audrey herself and those who knew her most. I truly felt so connected to Audrey’s spirit whilst reading Hellstern’s book and I recommend it to any faithful Audrey fans out there! Sometimes when you can’t go to Ladurée, you need to bring Ladurée to you! A dreamy assortment of Laduree chocolates & almonds alongside M&S macarons, to create a lovely Parisian moment!
It can also be lovely to delve into childhood books and favourite reads – I personally loved Sally Gardner’s The Glass Heart, which was a beloved book to me when I was a young girl.
I really hope you have enjoyed this post darlings and that it could inspire you in some way! Also, please feel free to let me know what your favourite summer books are?
As always, I’m sending so much love to you all and I hope you can have the courage to pursue your own dreams.
I’m sending lots of love to you all,
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