thetrendyreader

Hey trendy readers!  I’m back from the dead!  Speaking of…how’s everyone feeling about the new Taylor Swift song/video?!  Lots of shade for sure, buuuutt it’s def a pretty catchy tune.  I’m on board!  In addition to listening to T. Swift on repeat, I’m easing my way back into the work-life-school balance and reminiscing on summer when it was a life-school-cocktail balance instead (secretly dying a little inside).  Anyway, today’s review is of a book that I am sure you’ve been hearing about!  Hope you enjoy it!

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

I feel like I waited ALL SUMMER to read Ruth Ware’s latest book, The Lying Game. From the author of In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10 comes a new thriller with a shocker of an ending. Kate, Fatima, Thea, and Isabel were inseparable during their school years, but the fun came to a screeching halt when they were kicked out of school following the disappearance of Kate’s father. The girls got their kicks playing The Lying Game, a seemingly harmless game where they would make lies to tell people or to answer their questions. The lies ranged from simple, white lies to more serious, big time lies. The game has five rules, but the most important rule is to never lie to each other. When a body is pulled from the Salten Reach many years later, the girls re-emerge together in the town that they had left in their rearview mirrors so long ago. The girls know that something terrible happened and they try not to think that they actually had something to do with it, but they very much did have something to do with it. This book is dark and chilling (and wet—it’s literally always raining in these novels!), but also has the fun aspect of four old girlfriends getting back together. I thought it was entertaining. Of course if you’re a thriller fan, you’ll love this one. I’d say out of the three Ruth Ware novels I have read, this one comes in second place—Better than Cabin 10, but not as good as Dark, Dark Wood. If you read it, be sure to let me know what you think!

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

Have a great week, everyone!  I’m off to a happy hour because Monday (anyone else feel me?)!

xo, Amy

P.S. My jeans are One Teaspoon from The Denim Lounge in Roscoe Village, Chicago!

 

Hey guys! Today I’m taking a little different twist on the blog because an opportunity came my way and I wanted to share it with you! Last week I had the opportunity to partner with Peggy (@pureskinbypeg) at Levato Salon & Skin Lab in Hinsdale, IL—the cutest and most fun salon on the planet I’m pretty sure. Peggy is also an avid reader and a book blogger (follow her @greekgirlreads), so we’re very similar in that regard. Unlike me, however, Peggy is the bomb at all things brows and lashes. I have been getting my brows done by her for a long time now, and she is the best of the best. I think I like her so much because she never makes fun of me when I go in looking like a lion with brows that are overgrown and unkempt to the max (#judgefreezone).

So here’s the deal. In addition to my usual brow waxing and tinting, I also got a lash lift and tint. Now, what is a lash lift, you ask? Basically, it is like a perm for your eyelashes so they permanently (for 5 weeks) stay in the “curled” position. That means no more eyelash curler—woo! I think it has made my eyelashes look a lot longer and a bit fuller. I am a HUGE fan of this service and honestly did not even know it existed. What a time to be alive, am I right?!  The lash tint is perfect for someone like me who typically wears minimal makeup during the week. It gives me a natural mascara look without any eye makeup, which I love.

Speaking of perfect, have you read My Not-So-Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella? I’ve been seeing this one everywhere and it is next on my list! I thought this book went well with this post because even if your life isn’t perfect (whose is?), your brow and lash game can be!   Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.

Ok, so the real truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers.

But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?

Until her not-so perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie’s hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.

Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams? Or try to get her job back? Does Demeter – the woman with everything – have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.

And what’s wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway?

So there you have it, friends! Go see Peggy at Levato and see what all the buzz is about! Trust me, you’ll want to spend hours at this adorable and completely Instagramable salon. *BONUS!* If you mention this blog post (or the corresponding Instagram), Peggy is offering a complimentary brow tint with any lash lift and tint service.

Have a great week, trendy readers!  Here’s hoping Friday is here before we know it!

xo, Amy

 

Happy Sunday! I am trying to soak in every last minute of summer before the school year starts this week! End-of-summer scaries are the worst kind of scaries. Send help. I’m sending you into the new week with a fun book that lightheartedly digs into the discrepancy between online life and real life (which is a totally real issue, btw).

Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave is probably one that you have seen in bookstores or all over Instagram. I am excited to share my thoughts on it with you! Here is the rundown: Sunshine Mackenzie is a huge star in the food business (think Giada mixed with your favorite food blogger) who has millions of fans, followers, and friends from around the world. She has it all, but everything that she has is built on lies. It was a lie—a huge one—that began her career, and it is that same lie that will end her career. After she gets hacked and the truth is revealed to the world, Sunshine struggles to find herself and figure out how she is ever going to move forward.

I thought this book was cute and fun—a great one to read at the beach or by the pool because it was a super easy-to-read and easy-to-follow story. Hello, Sunshine really got me thinking about online authenticity and how a web-presence can sometimes be misleading. I always try to be the same person I am online that I am in person, but I do think it is hard to build a brand and get ideas across without sounding inauthentic at least some of the time. I don’t know. I guess this book put online “realness” at the forefront of my thinking. But I promise this book is lighthearted and funny and not at all as deep as I am making it out to be with my thoughts (ha!).

Another book by Laura Dave that you might want to check out is Eight Hundred Grapes. I haven’t read it, but a lot of book bloggers are saying they liked it better than Sunshine. Just putting it out there for ya!

Thank you to Elizabeth at Simon & Schuster for sending this book my way, along with the cutest goodies inside the package.   Best bookmail ever!

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

Hey guys! I’ve got a water-themed book and look for you this week—hope you enjoy it! Into the Water was my book club’s pick for June, so I am glad to finally be reporting out about it!

BOOK: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

The latest book from the author of Girl on the Train, Into the Water is the story of two mysterious deaths in the river that runs through the city. These deaths are the latest for a town that has seen its share of darkness in the past—in this same river, even. Uncovering the truth requires reaching into the past, brining back painful memories, and rethinking the “facts” of the cases.

Like many book lovers, I was waiting for Paula Hawkins’s newest, Into the Water, for what felt like forever. I wish I could say that it was well worth the wait, but it was only kinda worth the wait. I was expecting it to be much more fast-paced than it was, but nevertheless I thought it was a good story with some unexpected twists and turns that kept me reading to figure out what really happened.  It is dark and spooky the whole way, so prepare yourself!

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars (It’s no Girl on the Train, but it’s still okay.

LOOK: Swimsuit – Private Party

The Champagne Campaign swimsuit is back and ready for (the end of) beach season! There are so many different words/phrases available now from Private Party, and you can even personalize your own. These suits are perfect for a girls’ trip – check out Private Party’s IG account for some fun ideas! I recommend sizing up if you go with this same style.

Have a great week, trendy readers!  Only 4 days left until Friday night!  Too soon to start counting??  Nahhhh.

xo, Amy

I’m so excited for my first ever Virtual Book Club with @ashleyhasty of Hasty Book List tomorrow (July 26^th)! If you’re around, join us online with a glass of wine at 7:00PM CST to chat about Party Girls Die in Pearls by Plum Sykes. Rumor has it that Plum herself will be dropping by to chat with us as well! Hope to see you on the screen. Here is a link with directions on how to join!

 BOOK: Party Girls Die in Pearls by Plum Sykes

Ursula Flowerbutton is the new girl at Oxford, and as if it weren’t enough to just be the new girl, she almost immediately finds herself connected to one of the most glamorous girls on campus—who just so happens to be found dead shortly thereafter. When everyone’s story is just a little fishy and no one seems to be getting to the heart of the story, Ursula teams with her friend Nancy, an American with a knack for solving crimes, to find out what really happened. Together they weed through this mystery to try to figure out what happened to Ofrod’s “it” girl.

This novel was sweet and charming, and Plum Syke’s writing style is fun and makes you want to keep turning those pages! I loved that I did not guess the solution or the “whodunit” in this case. Like I really did NOT see it coming. Let’s also talk about the characters’ names—so fun and so British. I mean, Ursula Flowerbutton?! Come. On. How cute is that name? I loved trying to give the characters my best English accent (in my head, of course (but maybe out loud sometimes)). The novel sort of reminded me of the Charlotte Holmes Mystery series by Brittany Cavallero (so good), so if you’re into pairing books or just like mysteries, I suggest checking those out as well.

A captivating mystery mixed with all of the drama of college, Party Girls is a true delight from start to finish. Cuddle up with your favorite cocktail as you enjoy this first book in the Oxford Girl Mystery series. Also: CUTE COVER ALERT!

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

 

LOOK: Jumpsuit – fab’rik

I meeeean, anything with a cute back is right up my alley. This jumpsuit fits so well and will make you feel like a million bucks! Even though it is strapless, I don’t find myself always pulling it up—it stays in place, which makes for a super comfortable wear all day or all night! Rumor has it that they’ve got it in red now, too! Go see the girls at fab’rik in Wicker Park to snag yours!

BOOKS: Party Girls Die in Pearls by Plum Sykes; Flesh and Bone and Water by Luiza Sauma

Just wanted to remind everyone about my virtual book club with @ashleyhasty next Wednesday, July 26^th at 7PM CST. We’ll be chatting about Plum Sykes’s novel Party Girls Die in Pearls and would love for you to join in the discussion! Directions on how to join can be found here! My full review of Party Girls is coming next week as well!

As for Flesh and Bone and Water, this book might be the sleeper hit of the summer for me. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be great (I’m not exactly sure why I thought that), but I really, really liked it. Here’s the deal: Andre is a newly-separated father of two living in London who returns to his native Brazil when he hears the news of his father’s death. As he is brought back into the world that once held so much of his being, he finds himself rethinking past decisions and past relationships., especially the what if that so encompasses his thoughts about Luana, the daughter of his family’s maid. Andre’s family and friends all play an important role in this novel, and each character so brilliantly complements the development of the story in their own way. The rich history of Brazil is embedded throughout, which helped to set the scene for someone like me who is not that good with geography (like really bad, actually). Surprises and OMG moments abound in this one-of-a-kind novel. Grab your copy today! Thank you, Scribner!

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

LOOK: Amy Ribbed Midi Dress – TOBI

Okay I promise I didn’t just get this dress because it shares my name, BUT that is an added bonus. Real talk: If you’re looking for a summer dress you can just throw on in a pinch and dress up OR dress down, this is the piece for you. Seriously you can wear it anywhere, for anything. Work or play, this dress has you covered (literally, though, it’s long enough for work). I have shown it styled a few different ways, but I think it will also look great with a jean jacket and a scarf for a transition into fall. Pair it with some heels for a date night or some flat sandals for a daytime outing. AND, right now it is only $28—Can’t go wrong!

We’re going dark today with this post, you guys. It’s Not Yet Dark is paired with this little black dress and both are ready for summer reading and summer wearing.

BOOK: It’s Not Yet Dark by Simon Fitzmaurice

“Love. It’s all it’s ever been about. No one’s story is more important than anyone else’s.”

I am thrilled to have received an ARC of the first U.S. edition of It’s Not Yet Dark by Simon Fitzmaurice. Thank you, thank you to my friends at HMH Books for sending this beautiful book my way. Here’s the run down of this powerful memoir about life with ALS: Simon has been living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) since 2008; the key word there is living. When doctors advised him against a ventilator, Simon knew that meant imminent death—but he wanted to live. This book takes readers into Simon’s world, from his life pre-ALS, to the beginnings of his battle with the disease, through the many ups and downs of living with ALS, and finally to where he is now—living his life, keeping his familial relationships at the forefront, and teaching others how the power of love and positivity can get us through.

For someone (me) who knew (knows) very little about ALS aside from the Ice-Bucket Challenge, this book was informative and inspiring. I feel like I now have a better understanding of the disease and its effects on those who bear its burdens. Although he has lost his ability to speak, Simon’s voice shines throughout this book. His intentionality of using short, choppy sentences makes the reading of the memoir so poetic and impactful. What’s even more amazing is that the book was written using an eye-gaze computer. This book reminded me a lot of When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, so if you liked that one, you are sure to like this one as well. It comes out in the US on August 1^st, so grab your copy and a box of tissues before curling up for some inspirational reading.

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

LOOK: Dress – TOBI; Bag – Tory Burch; Shoes – Nordstrom

This LBD is perfect for a date night in the city or for a fancy dinner on vacation. I felt fancier just taking photos in this dress, so I am def looking forward to wearing it in Turks & Caicos next week! As you know, I can’t get enough scallops so obvs I love the hemline—I think it adds even more femininity to an already-girly dress. #girlpower.  I also think the halter neckline is something that you don’t see often anymore on little black dresses so I appreciate that style aspect of this dress. It fits comfortably so drinking and/or dancing won’t be a problem, ladies! Head on over to TOBI to grab yours, and check out their selection of other LBDs as well!

xo, Amy

 

Hey guys! I am thrilled to be partnering with Flatiron Books for a giveaway of Cherise Wolas’s debut novel The Resurrection of Joan Ashby. THREE lucky Instagram followers will receive an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of the book, which is not out until September—how cool is that?! Head over to my Instagram to enter! Below are the contest details.

1. Must be following @thetrendyreader and @flatironbooks on Instagram.
2. Like this photo.
3. Tag a friend in the comments.

The contest ends Sunday, July 16th at 12PM EST, so be sure to enter soon!

Here is the book description from Goodreads:

I viewed the consumptive nature of love as a threat to serious women. But the wonderful man I just married believes as I do―work is paramount, absolutely no children―and now love seems to me quite marvelous.

These words are spoken to a rapturous audience by Joan Ashby, a brilliant and intense literary sensation acclaimed for her explosively dark and singular stories.

When Joan finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is stunned by Martin’s delight, his instant betrayal of their pact. She makes a fateful, selfless decision then, to embrace her unintentional family.

Challenged by raising two precocious sons, it is decades before she finally completes her masterpiece novel. Poised to reclaim the spotlight, to resume the intended life she gave up for love, a betrayal of Shakespearean proportion forces her to question every choice she has made.

Epic, propulsive, incredibly ambitious, and dazzlingly written, The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a story about sacrifice and motherhood, the burdens of expectation and genius. Cherise Wolas’s gorgeous debut introduces an indelible heroine candid about her struggles and unapologetic in her ambition.

Good luck! And, as always, thanks for following along and supporting my reading endeavors! xo, Amy

If you’re following along with, Belletrist, the new-ish bookclub curated by Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, then you have seen that Touch is one of their recent selections. You guys, is reading becoming cool again?!? I think so!

BOOK: Touch by Courtney Maum

“Post the fallen towers, post landlines, post postmodern, the wired youth wanted to believe in something, anything.”

In a world that has gotten so caught up in likes, hits, clicks, and all things technology, it is no wonder that the intimacy of human touch has gone by the wayside. In her novel, Courtney Maum introduces readers to Sloane, a trend forecaster who is in high demand by companies for her ability to predict the next “it” thing.   A short time into her residency at tech company Mammoth, Sloane realizes that it is precisely this technology that is creating this loveless, unengaged, impersonal society—one where Sloane is a contributing member. While her pseudo-husband works to promote his “neo sensualist” movement, Sloane begins to argue that the trend that’s coming is one of intimacy and contact, rather than disassociated, internet-satisfaction. People crave interactions with others, according to Sloane, and she’s ready to put all she has—and all she’s worked for—into this new way of thinking about connectedness.

I loved this novel. For one thing, it definitely makes you think about all of the “screen time” we rely on throughout the day. One of my favorite quotes from the book is the one listed above because it encompasses the needs that lie underneath all the shiny, techy things we have. It is definitely hard to “unplug” without constantly worrying or wondering about what is happening online—what everyone else is doing. The story is definitely unique, timely, and satirical, and Maum’s writing style is easy to follow and engaging to read. Also, I hope you love Anastasia the self-driving car as much as I did (best supporting character ever).

SIDE NOTE: In addition to being a bomb-ass writer, Courtney is also a product namer for MAC. Talk about a dream job!

Big thanks to Kelsey at Roscoe Books for recommending this one! Also, the cutest cover that is oh-so-Instagramable makes this a must-have for summer.

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

 

LOOK: Skirt – Target; Chambray Blouse – Target (linked a long-sleeved one, the sleeveless is not available online but they still have it in-store!)

Since the cover of Touch is so vibrant and colorful, what better outfit to pair it with than something summery and bright? I love this skirt so much and have been wearing it often this summer, both to work/school events and out for sunny days with friends.  It is fully lined so no see-through problems! Plus, if you’re like me, you love every excuse to wear a chambray top, and chambray just goes so nicely with this skirt if you ask me! Both the skirt and shirt are from Target—the Merona brand has really stepped up their game. I haven’t bought many clothing items from Target lately, but these two gems have worked out quite nicely. Here is another option for a top similar to the one I am wearing. And when you book and your skirt match, you feel really good about life (thumbs up emoji).

Thanks for stopping by! xo, Amy

Happy Independence Day! I have so many red, white, and blue books and looks coming soon here and over on Instagram, but I wanted to start with this summer look and a great book so that you can add both to your cart immediately! If you haven’t heard of TOBI, head on over to their site to find the cutest clothes at affordable prices! I am loving my recent selections—check them out! Have a safe and happy fourth, friends!

BOOK: The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

I am just starting this one, so you can read along with me if you’re looking for a new book! I have heard such great things about it from other book bloggers, and I love YA, sooooo it seems like it is going to be right up my alley. Here is the synopsis from Amazon:

He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last?

Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story—their story—at the very beginning.

Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated—perhaps they’ll find life’s meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other’s hearts.

This devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending, is Love Story for a new generation.

LOOK: Raquel Floral Print Romper – TOBI

It’s been a while since I’ve worn/posted anything with such a cute floral print. The wait is over with this darling romper from TOBI. It is so light and breathable—perfect for a summer “romp” around town (see what I did there?). I am wearing a size small, and the fit is true to size. The romper is backless with a halter tie, so you can dress it up or dress it down, depending on your mood! If you like the print, there are several other options on the TOBI website that come in this print as well. Olivia Rink is wearing the maxi dress version here. I’ll def be wearing this a lot this summer!

xo, Amy