Blog
My Favourite Books of 2013, Alisha Whitley
by Alisha
Art & Photography + Fashion & Textiles + Fiction / December 17, 2013
I have fallen prey to a fascination with the ‘20s, and if the number of Pinterest boards devoted to this era is any indication, I am definitely not alone. Here are a few of my favourite ‘20s-themed titles from 2013:
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
Z depicts all the glitz, glam, and debauchery of the Roaring Twenties, as well as the romance, scandal, and ultimate demise of the infamous Fitzgeralds. Told from the point of view of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s spunky wife and muse—the quintessential flapper, Zelda Fitzgerald—Z follows the literary couple’s romantic start to their notorious ruin. Inspired by letters exchanged between the two, as well as correspondence between Scott and his editor, agent, and friends (notably, Ernest Hemingway), Z offers a glimpse into the Jazz Age and features glamorous members of the Lost Generation, including Gertrude Stein, Gerald and Sara Murphy, and Ezra Pound (to name a few). From smoky speakeasies in New York to glitzy hotels in Paris and bootleg champagne in Hollywood, I was transported to an era in which everything was new and possible but success—particularly for the ambitious wife of a successful but doomed novelist—was ultimately fleeting.
If Z gets you in the mood for some Gatsby, look no further than Samantha Hahn’s Well-Read Women. This stunning book features portraits of literature’s most iconic heroines—including Daisy Buchanan—in pen and watercolour. Paired with hand-lettered quotations from the characters’ dialogue, each spread evokes the spirit and sensibility of its heroine as she was written. It’s unique, it’s gorgeous, and I can’t get enough of it.
Victoria & Albert Museum 1920s Fashion Notecard Set
If you’re feeling the flapper fashion, turn your attention to Victoria & Albert Museum 1920s Fashion Timeline Notecards from Chronicle Books. These retro-glam notecards capture the essence of 1920s fashion and make me want to chop my hair into a bob, don a headpiece, and rock a drop-waisted, beaded dress.
Alisha Whitley, Marketing Coordinator