There was a certain all-American aesthetic simplicity in Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. But the underlying plot of the book certainly destroys that concept of all-American normalcy… The perfect family is never so perfect, etc. A very readable and emotionally engaging book that deserves the praise it got from critics.

This book was really nature-focused as well, and I really see the characters wearing simple, practical outfits.

Get the book: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

Get the look: 1-Carven t-shirt / 2-Melissa Odabash hat / 3- Boy by Band of Outsiders chinos / 4-Nixon Time Teller watch / 5-Topshop sandals

Je l’aimais is an incredibly powerful novella by one of my favourite French authors, Anna Gavalda.  Called Someone I Loved in its English translation, the book is about the unravelling of relationships, adultery and its nasty but sometimes valuable consequences. It is heart-wrenching to read, but beautiful overall.

This outfit matches the cover and I can also picture the main character, Chloé, wearing this. It’s simple but classic, comfortable yet chic.

Get the book: Je l’aimais by Anna Gavalda (English version: Someone I Loved)

Get the look: 1-Acne tunic /2-Dannijo earrings /3- Essie “Nice is Nice” polish /4- R13 jeans /5- Mulberry Alexa bag / 6- Lanvin ballet flats

Two interior design books I’m excited to get my hands on have contrasting titles: Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick and Undecorate by Christiane Lemieux.

Holly Becker is the author of the blog Decor8 which I’ve read and loved for many years. I find it seriously lovely to see a blogger get recognition for her years of hard work. I’m certain Decorate will not disappoint those who have come to love Holly’s aesthetic. In Decorate she’s collected more than a thousand tips from top designers like Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler. The book promises to be a bible for interior decor lovers and anyone needing some inspiration for their own home.

On the other hand, Undecorate encourages readers to throw out the rules. Lemieux, the founder of DwellStudio (the creators of my much adored duvet cover),  encourages readers to eschew perfection in order to create spaces full of contrasts and personal touches. I find this “real people, real homes” approach so inspiring.

A couple of photos from Decorate (via Amazon):

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A couple of photos from Undecorate (via Scribd):

Some Can-lit for you today. Pasha Malla is the young-ish author who penned The Withdrawal Method, a well-written collection of short stories that spans a wide variety of narrators and plot lines. In all honesty, while the stories were interesting and original, the book left me feeling a bit melancholy. It was all tinged with sadness. So while I loved the electric blue cover of this book, I don’t think it does justice to its moody contents. All the more reason not to judge a book by its cover.

Get the book: The Withdrawal Method by Pasha Malla

Get the look: Bottega Veneta dress, Chan Luu necklace, ASOS ring, ASOS earrings, Marc by Marc Jacob bag, Yves Saint Laurent heels