The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
A Decent Summer Read (8/4/2020)
Exploring the backgrounds of famous people is always interesting and sometimes inspiring. I was not necessarily inspired by this book. It did shed additional light on English royalty, specifically the Prince of Wales, which I think most of us already suspected. I did not know as much about the Vanderbilts and the custody battle for Gloria Vanderbilt.
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
Paris, Fashion and on the Brink of War, A Page Turner (3/25/2019)
It was a delight to learn of Elsa Schiaparelli and then the rivalry with Coco Chanel. Always a fan of Coco Chanel, this book shed a whole new light on her as a person and the period and place she lived in. I could pretend I was Lily and wonder how I would have entered Paris, thrown into the rivalry with the option of wearing either one of their designs and how I would succeed. Having the backdrop as Paris and being on the brink of war added to depth of the story and provided me the ability to bring this story to life. A very enjoyable read.
Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History
by Keith O'Brien
Fly Girls (6/25/2018)
This book was a pleasure to read. The historical significance of women in flight is brought to life in Mr. O'Brien's book. The camaraderie among these women and their willingness to reach greater heights even among difficulty is inspirational. I did not know until I read Pilot's Wife and discovered that Anne Lindbergh was a navigator and pilot and was as much a pioneer as her husband that their might possibly be other women in flight besides Amelia Earhart. This is what ultimately led me to want to read this book and I was delighted to discover what I suspected was right. Thank you Mr. O'Brien for bringing these women to light and marking their contribution to aviation.