Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Mr. Selfridge is Coming Back to PBS: A Reading List

I'm so excited that "Mr. Selfridge" is coming back to PBS for Season Three on March 29. It's such a fun show about love, shopping and society. Based on the story behind a real London department store (although heavily fictionalized) "Mr. Selfridge" is a sugary confection and always a treat to watch. Love "Mr. Selfridge"? Here are some suggested reads, fiction and non-, about living, working and shopping (of course).

Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge, by Lindy Woodhead. This is nonfiction about the real Henry Selfridge and what made him and his store tick.

Why We Buy, by Paco Underhill. A fascinating study of the psychology of shopping that's great for the average reader or the professional looking to learn the basics.

The Paradise, by Emile Zola. Zola's 19th century novel was itself the basis for another PBS series about the rise of the department store.

Seven Sisters Style, by Rebecca C. Tuite. The styles we covet by designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger have their origins in the casualwear of the East Coast college campus of the mid 20th century; this book tells us how the women (and men) of that time and place influenced the fashions we still wear today. 

Parisian Chic, by Ines de la Fressange. French model and current-day Uniqlo designer Ines de la Fressange offers specific and easy to follow shopping tips and advice to put together a simple but classic wardrobe (spoiler alert: wear a lot of navy).

Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella. The first in the bestselling series of chick-lit novels will definitely put you in the mood for the mall.

Margherita Dolce Vita, by Stefano Benni. For another point of view, read this anti-consumerist Italian novel about a young girl whose new neighbors are obsessed with having every latest trend. Something different!

The Great Beanie Baby Bubble, by Zac Bissonnette. Business writer Bissonnette tells the story of the rise and fall of everyone's favorite plush cuties- why we loved them, and why we stopped. It's a great take on a 90s shopping craze.

Sima's Undergarments for Women, by Ilana Stanger-Ross. This novel tells the story of a neighborhood lingerie shop in an Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood and how it fits into the community.

Shopgirl, by Steve Martin. I love this novel about a young woman finding her way in the world working in the glove department of an upscale department store. It's a quiet and beautiful novel.

3 comments:

Allison E said...

Great post! I also am a fan of Mr. Selfridge and the similar "The Paradise". And I loved "Shopgirl" as well!

Emily said...

This is a great list! And you've reminded me that I've never seen ANY of Mr. Selfridge and that I need to! I first heard about it while I was IN Selfridges in London - it sounds like such a fun show.

Anonymous said...

What a fun post idea.

I enjoy Mr Selfridge, and I also enjoyed The Paradise - I hope to read the book of that one some time in the future.

After this post I'll have more books to look in to as well!
:-)
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