Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Gucci? Man…

The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden

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Being a fan of HBO’s Succession, I think I have a thing for rich people acting like dolts. Not even four years of the Trump regime could change that. I had checked out this book months ago but didn’t have time to read it. Plus the reviews were not very positive. However, as it got closer to movie time, I really wanted to know the story as it seemed fascinating. So I grabbed it again. This is a “true crime” book in a very nominal sense […]

Making Space for Mistakes

How to Wear A Sari by Darshana Khiani Illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

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I know literally zero things about Saris. I think they’re beautiful, and I admire their beauty from afar, but the closest I’ve ever gotten to one was my childhood best friend’s mother, who always looked gorgeous & ready for whatever kind of day she might encounter, when I would go to their house after school. Mistakes though? Trying something and messing it up? More than once? Sometimes in a really big & embarrassing way? Well I’m a professional at that, friends. And you all should […]

Three books – all different

One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus

House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden

The Age of Witches by Louisa Morgan

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I’ve been reading a lot lately, and trying now to catch up on reviews.  This is kind of an eclectic mix of genres – YA, real life drama and fantasy. One of Us is Next This is book 2 after One of Us is Lying which I enjoyed.  This one isn’t quite as absorbing, but still enjoyable.  It’s a YA book, with the main characters in high school.  There are some younger siblings of the characters from the first book, along with some new additions.  […]

Work Reading: Fashion Edition

Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900 by Joan Severa

Vintage Fashion: Collecting and Wearing Designer Classics, 1900-1990 by Emma Baxter-Wright

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I’ve been preparing at work for a program discussing women’s fashion 1830 – 1930 for International Women’s Day/Women’s History month. For me it has been an excuse to pull some pieces out of storage and get them new photographs and update their records, as well as just working on something I find interesting. I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the past decade getting conversant on the changing women’s silhouette during that century of time (which is our primary interpretive period) and honestly – […]

“My whole life is other people deciding what’s acceptable. When I put on a dress, I get to decide what’s silly.”

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

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4.5 stars Official book description: Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:   Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!   Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the […]

I read an entire book about Irish tweed and I think I liked it

Irish Tweed: History, Tradition, Fashion by Vawn Corrigan

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As a kid I despised history. To me, it was just which war happened what year, and which person invaded that country another year. Honestly the western focus on war and conquering is deeply problematic and ruins so many people’s interest in the past. But the past is so important – it shapes who we are today.  The best way to learn about history, I find, is through culture. Go to any exhibition on fashion through time and most of it deals with fashion as […]



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