The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia

Tell me you didn’t love Project Runway. When I saw the pilot show, I was totally hooked. My mom Tivo-ed it so we could watch together as the designers on the show battled it out to see who could come up with the best styles.

From the Project Runway’s most terrifying judge, Nina Garcia (the one who is always right but is totally harsh), comes The Little Black Book of Style. Garcia reveals the secrets of real style: style which never changes, despite the ups and downs of fashion.

Garcia’s biggest style secret is so obvious, it may surprise you (especially coming from a woman whose whole life is built around telling people how to dress). The Little Black Book is a frivolous, lightweight, 1-afternoon read, and it’s totally perfect for getting inspired if you tend to look in your closet and go, “bleah.”

Why Good Things Happen to Good People

When I saw the title of this book, I first thought I’d misread it. Isn’t it that BAD things happen to good people? Surely being a good person doesn’t make your life good, right? Well, while bad things do sometimes happen to go people, the crazy thing is that scientific research is finding that being good actually improves your life.

Obviously, the book does not say that ONLY good things happen to good people. But what studies have found is that good people live overall good lives. Loving, giving people bounce back from tragedies more quickly. They live longer, are healthier, and rate themselves as content and happy. Teens who give are less likely to get into trouble, less likely to suffer depression, and more likely to continue to give as they grow older.

With all the books out there on criminals and psychopaths, I found it so refreshing to read a book on the study of unconditional love. Not only is the research well done, but the writing is interesting and engaging. If you are intrigued by the concept that good giving leads to good living, then I highly recommend that you check out this book.