Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge - Lindy Woodhead

Title: Shopping, Seduction, & Mr. Selfridge
Author: Lindy Woodhead
Pages: 352
Published: 2013 (first published 2007)
Challenges: I Love Libraries, Non-Fiction
Genre: Biography, Non-fiction
Edition: Movie Tie-In Paperback
Source: Library

Description: Harry Gordon Selfridge was a charismatic American who, in twenty-five years working at Marshall Field’s in Chicago, rose from lowly stockboy to a partner in the business which his visionary skills had helped to create. At the turn of the twentieth century he brought his own American dream to London’s Oxford Street where, in 1909, with a massive burst of publicity, Harry opened Selfridge’s, England’s first truly modern built-for-purpose department store. Designed to promote shopping as a sensual and pleasurable experience, six acres of floor space offered what he called “everything that enters into the affairs of daily life,” as well as thrilling new luxuries—from ice-cream soda to signature perfumes. This magical emporium also featured Otis elevators, a bank, a rooftop garden with an ice-skating rink, and a restaurant complete with orchestra—all catering to customers from Anna Pavlova to Noel Coward. The store was “a theatre, with the curtain going up at nine o’clock.” Yet the real drama happened off the shop floor, where Mr. Selfridge navigated an extravagant world of mistresses, opulent mansions, racehorses, and an insatiable addiction to gambling. While his gloriously  iconic store still stands, the man himself would ultimately come crashing down. (via Goodreads.com)

Thoughts: If I wasn't for the TV series airing on PBS, I probably wouldn't have picked up the book, as I hadn't heard of the book prior to the series.  While the book is an interesting look at the life of Henry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridges, the author seems to get bogged down in the sort of details that most people wouldn't be interested in, including myself, especially those about the financials, which made me bored to tears.  As you can probably tell, I was more interested in his personal life, but I guess since that his personal life was intertwined with that of the store, one couldn't exactly ignore the business side of his life.

Bottom life: While the book has lots of information, the way that the author presented the information became dry due to her descriptions that became wordy, even though the author does do a wonderful job in telling who Henry Selfridge was, both good and bad.  Recommended, but with some reservations.

Ratings: 3/5

Pages for 2014: 5442

Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey - Emma Rowley

Title: Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey
Athor: Emma Rowley
Pages: 288
Published: 2013
Challenges: None
Genre: Movie tie-in, Non-fiction
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: Gain unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Downton Abbey in this official Season 4 tie-in book, complete with never-before-seen photos giving fans insight into the making of the runaway hit.

Expertly crafted with generous inside knowledge and facts, this book will delve into the inspiration behind the details seen on screen, the choice of locations, the music and much more. Step inside the props cupboard or the hair and make-up truck and catch a glimpse of the secret backstage world. In-depth interviews and exclusive photos give insight into the actors’ experiences on set as well as the celebrated creative team behind the award-winning drama. Straight from the director’s chair, this is the inside track on all aspects of the making of the show.

Thoughts: A very nice put together book that gives the reader a look behind-the-scenes to Downton Abbey.  I got through the book in a few hours and thought it was interesting to look and read about the various aspects of how they put the show together, especially the food.  The producers have hired an actual chef to make the food that one sees on the screen and she has to make a number of the same thing in order to make sure that the food looks flawless with each take that is made with the food and have to make sure that some of it only have a few items to put on by the actors who portray the kitchen staff (and yes, the food is real).    They also talk about the clothing and the hair and a number of aspects that are interesting to know about it, including the bell board, which is pulled by somebody behind the board.  They also talk about the sets that they use and the various locations used in the show.

Bottom line: I would probably recommend the book to fans of the show who would like to know more about the behind-the-scenes stuff.   Recommended.

Rating: 4/5

Pages for 2013: 17,665

The Life and Times of Call the Midwife - Heidi Thomas

Title: The Life and Times of Call the Midwife: the official companion to Season One and Two
Author: Heidi Thomas
Pages (File Size): 288 (125596)
Published: 2012
Challenges: E-Book
Genre: Non-Fiction, Movie Tie-In
Edition: E-Book
Source: Library

Description: The real stories, lives and dramas behind the smash hit BBC series Call the Midwife which premieres on PBS September 30, 2012.

The official companion to seasons one and two, The Life and Times of Call the Midwife, gives fans a deeper insight into the period, the stories and the characters, and how Call the Midwife, based on the bestselling memoirs by Jennifer Worth, was brought to the screen.

With never before seen photographs taken on set as well as unique sketches and exclusive interviews and anecdotes, this book truly takes you behind the scenes. Discover the hidden secrets of the nurses and nuns of Nonnatus House and delve deeper into the historical context of the series with chapters detailing birth, health, faith, fashion, beauty, street life and food. (via Goodreads)


Thoughts: I quite enjoyed the book and thought it was the perfect companion to the BBC series that has aired on PBS in the States and Canada.  It provided excellent insight to not only the various main characters that appear on the show, but it also looks at the description why certain costumes are used and how the show came to be.  The thing I found most interesting was that this district was kept clean, not only because the people in the area didn't have a lot to begin with, but also because of the pride that people had in their neighbourhood.

Bottom line: Highly recommended to those who are fans of the show and would like to know more about the behind the scenes stuff and just general information about the period the show is set it.

Rating: 4/5

Pages for 2013: 10412

The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era - Jessica Fellowes, Matthew Sturgis

Title: The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era
Authors: Jessica Fellowes, Matthew Sturgis
Pages: 320
Published: 2012
Genre: Non-fiction
Challenges: None
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: The Chronicles of Downton Abbey, carefully pieced together at the heart and hearth of the ancestral home of the Crawleys, takes us deeper into the story of every important member of the Downton estate.This lavish, entirely new book focuses on each character individually, examining their motivations, their actions, and the inspirations behind them. An evocative combination of story, history, and behind-the-scenes drama, it will bring fans even closer to the secret, beating heart of the house. (via Goodreads.com)

Thoughts: It was an fairly easy read and I was able to get through it during the course of an evening. I enjoyed reading about the motivations of the various characters that have appeared in the show.  I also liked the beautiful photos that accompany each character.  While there were a few spoilers to people who in North America who had received it for Christmas and hadn't seen the show.  Love the little tidbits that accompany each character.

Bottom line: If you enjoy Downton Abbey, you will probably enjoy this as well, as it provides insight to a lot of the characters, both up and down, that appear on the series, without divulging too much about what happens during season 3.  There are also quotes from people who worked in service.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages for 2013: 1318

The Descendants - Kaui Hart Hemmings

Title: The Descendants
Author: Kaui Hart Hemmings
Pages: 320
Published: 2011 (first published 2007)
Challenges: 2012 Support Your Library
Genre: Fiction
Edition: Movie-tie-in Trade Paperback
Source: Public Library

Description: Fortunes have changed for the King family, descendants of Hawaiian royalty and one of the state’s largest landowners. Matthew King’s daughters—Scottie, a feisty ten-year-old, and Alex, a seventeen-year-old recovering drug addict—are out of control, and their charismatic, thrill-seeking mother, Joanie, lies in a coma after a boat-racing accident. She will soon be taken off life support. As Matt gathers his wife’s friends and family to say their final goodbyes, a difficult situation is made worse by the sudden discovery that there’s one person who hasn’t been told: the man with whom Joanie had been having an affair. Forced to examine what they owe not only to the living but to the dead, Matt, Scottie, and Alex take to the road to find Joanie’s lover, on a memorable journey that leads to unforeseen humor, growth, and profound revelations. (via Goodreads)


Thoughts:  It was a relatively easy read and since I had seen the movie back in February, I could see the places that the book describes.  I found it to be a very visual book, in that the way the author describes the action in the book makes you feel as though you have been there.  But its also a book that you can also feel the emotions of Matt or at least can sense how torn he feels about making sure that his wife gets dignity in her death, but also makes sure that he becomes the father that his daughters clearly need and deserve.  Its almost like its a journey of self-discovery for Matt and to understand that he is needed by his daughters, who clearly love him.  


I also found that the Hawaiian setting added to the story, as it made Hawaii a place where people live and have the same sort of decisions that are made on the mainland, almost gives it real quality to the story rather than something that just people on vacation go to.


While I liked the first 3 parts of the book, I enjoyed the final part of the book more, as I felt it started to give me the sense that Matt had started to realize of what his purpose was going to be.  Its almost like he starts to "get it", when Matt expresses that:


It's funny that I think of them [Princess Kekipi and Edward King] as the beginning, because they are also descendants of somebody, generations of prints on their DNA, traces of human migrations.  They didn't come out of nowhere.  Everyone comes from someone who comes from someone else, and this to me is remarkable.  We can't know the people wo are in us.  We'll all have our moment at the top of the tree.  Matthew and Joan.  We'll be those two one day. (pg. 277)


Bottom line: I found it was a good, not a great book. Its the type of book that would be suitable for the beach or a long trip somewhere.  But it is also dense enough that you are forced to think about the values and history you are handing down to next generation and how you impart it to them.


Rating: 3.625/5


Pages for 2012: 11168

If you have read this book, what did you think of it?  If you haven't read, are you interested in reading the book?

The World of Downton Abbey - Jessica Fellowes

Title: The World of Downton Abbey
Author: Jessica Fellowes, Julian Fellowes (foreword)
Pages: 304
Published: 2011
Challenges: 2012 Support Your Library
Genre: Movie tie-in, non-fiction
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: A lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series Downton Abbey

April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't.

Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of Downton Abbey, the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history. (via Chapters.ca)

Thoughts:  I really enjoyed it.  Yes, I am a fan of Downton Abbey, but I also liked it because of the historical aspect that the book covers and it was interesting how they were able to develop the show during that historical period.  I also liked it because it was interspersed with real stories of individuals who went through what the Crawley's went through and how it was a concern if there wasn't a direct male heir to inherit the estate and how money like Cora's was able to basically save the estate.  I also liked the various quotes from the show and also the research that it took to create such a great show. It was also interesting to find out that Julian Fellowes also did the screenplay for Gosford Park (Maggie Smith is also in that film) and the contrast between Downton Abbey and Gosford Park, in that Gosford Park takes place when those sort of estates and that the life that is portrayed in Downton Abbey was basically gone by the time Gosford Park takes place.  Loved the many photos that were used from the show and the era that really showed the amount of research that has gone into the show. 

Bottom line: I would recommend this book for those of you who are fans of the show or are fans of the era about 100 years ago.  While it may seem fluffy, it is actually quite insightful into the life of the upper class of about 100 years ago.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages for 2012: 9185

If you have read this book, what did you think of it?