Bringing Home the Birkin : My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag
Author: Michael Tonello
For more than twenty years, the Hermès Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Hermès, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello.
Michael's newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Hermès scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Hermès to part with one of these precious bags. Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay's most successful entrepreneurs—and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women.
With down-to-earth wit, Michael chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent, from eBay to Paris auction house and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs. Flirting with danger, Michael recounts the heady rush of hand delivering his first big score to famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in Paris; how he had to hire thugs to rescue a bag that one of his "shoppers" held for ransom; and the story of the Oscar-worthy performances that allowed him to snag "reserved" bags from other, less dogged Birkin seekers.
The result is a memoir that is distinctive, fun, page-turning, and as addictive as its namesake.
Things I Want My Daughters to Know
Author: Elizabeth Noble
How do you cope in a world without your mother? When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trials and triumphs of life without her at their side. But how can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do? But by drawing on the wisdom in Barbara's letters, the girls might just find a way to cope with their loss. And in coming to terms with their bereavement, can they also set themselves free to enjoy their lives with all the passion and love each deserves?
This heartfelt novel by bestselling author Elizabeth Noble celebrates family, friends . . . and the glorious, endless possibilities of life.
Belong to Me
Author: Marisa De los Santos
A devoted city dweller, Cornelia Brown surprised no one more than herself when she was gripped by the sudden, inescapable desire to leave urban life behind and head for an idyllic suburb. Though she knows she and her beloved husband, Teo, have made the right move, she approaches her new life with trepidation and struggles to forge friendships in her new home. Cornelia's mettle is quickly tested by judgmental neighbor Piper Truitt. Perfectly manicured, impeccably dressed, and possessing impossible standards, Piper is the embodiment of everything Cornelia feared she would find in suburbia. A saving grace soon appears in the form of Lake. Over a shared love of literature and old movies, Cornelia develops an instant bond with this warm yet elusive woman who has also recently arrived in town, ostensibly to send her perceptive and brilliant son, Dev, to a school for the gifted.
As their individual stories unfold, the women become entangled in a web of trust, betrayal, love, and loss that challenges them in ways they never imagined, and that ultimately teaches them what it means for one human being to belong to another.
Ladies of Liberty
Author: Cokie Roberts
Recounted with the insight and humor of an expert storyteller and drawing on personal correspondence, private journals, and other primary sources—many of them previously unpublished—Roberts brings to life the extraordinary accomplishments of women who laid the groundwork for a better society. Almost every quotation here is written by a woman, to a woman, or about a woman. From first ladies to freethinkers, educators to explorers, this exceptional group includes Abigail Adams, Margaret Bayard Smith, Martha Jefferson, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Catherine Adams, Eliza Hamilton, Theodosia Burr, Rebecca Gratz, Louisa Livingston, Rosalie Calvert, Sacajawea, and others. In a much-needed addition to the shelves of Founding Father literature, Roberts sheds new light on the generation of heroines, reformers, and visionaries who helped shape our nation, giving these ladies of liberty the recognition they so greatly deserve.
Good luck!
The Lewis book giveaway is there. (There's a very SPECIAL PRIZE being given away)
Hurry! Ends TOMORROW MORNING!
(Also, Mother's Day Giveaways galore at my other blog, A Bookworm's Diary)
Treat me to a Starbucks, so I can stay up late blogging my heart out!
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Oh, I have heard so many good things about Belong to Me and Things I Want My Daughters to Know. I'd love to win either of those!
ReplyDeletee-mail: nnjmom at yahoo dot com
Bringing Home the Birkin - Sounds like a fun book! Would love to read this one. I can understand selling something on eBay to get enough money to do something. (been there) This one is on my wish list!
ReplyDeleteThings I Want My Daughters to Know - Sounds like a sad book. I don't think this is something I can read right now since the ex husband has been dianosed with cancer. Too close to home right now.
Belong to Me - sounds like it could be interesting.
Ladies of Liberty - sounds like it would be a great way to get in touch with the women in history.
Wish List Order for this Post:
1. Bringing Home the Birkin
2. Belong to Me
3. Ladies of Liberty
Hello, These book prizes are wonderful. I would love to be entered for "Belong to Me" or "Ladies of
ReplyDeleteLiberty!" Please enter me in your fun giveaway drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Ooh I would love to be entered at a chance to win any of these books. Thanks Cheryl
ReplyDeleteclbstitch at yahoo dot com
Belong to me looks great! Although these all look good. You can check out my post about this contest here: http://simplyscrapstampsing.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletesharlacarbine at gmail dot com
I would really like to win Bring Home the Birkin or Belong to Me
ReplyDeleteCheryl
clbstitch at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the comment on my blog earlier. I'll be sure to put up a post tomorrow sometime (hopefully I won't get too busy).
ReplyDeleteAlso, while I'm here .... I'd love to win either Belong to Me or Things I want my daughter to know. They both sound wonderful.
I'm a big fan of Cokie Roberts and would love to win that book. Here's my post about your contest:
ReplyDeletehttp://contestbytes.blogspot.com/2008/05/mother-day-book-bash-giveaway.html
angela [at] mommybytes.com
Ok I don't know what happened but I commented on this twice already. This happened at one other blog too
ReplyDeleteI would like to win Bringing Home the Birkin, Belong to Me and Things I Want My Daughters to Know
Thanks Cheryl
email is clbstitch at yahoo dot com
Ladies of Liberty also sounds inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read Things I Want My Faughters to Know or Belong to Me and You. I have read great things about Belong to Me and You and enjoyed her last book. Thanks
ReplyDeletejourneythroughreading at gmail dot com
Please enter me to win Bringing Home the Birkin, Belong to Me and Things I Want My Daughters to Know
ReplyDeleteclbstitch at yahoo dot com
I have heard great things about "Things I Want My Daughters to Know" and would love to win it!
ReplyDeleteSecond choice would be "Belong to Me".
I would LOVE to win & read either of those!!
Thanks so much!!
monnibo at hotmail dot com
I would love to win any of these books. I posted about this contest here:
ReplyDeletehttp://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2008/05/mothers-day-book-bash.html
My e-mail address is:
bookingmama(at)comcast(dot)net
I would love to win any of the books listed for Harper Collins. thethingsweread@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletemust! have! birkin! book! lol! I'm such a sucker for memoirs.
ReplyDeletefrommynoodle at yahoo dot com
All the books look great!
ReplyDeleteI almost bought "Belong to Me" the other day at Borders, it looks like a good read. I'd also love "Things I Want My Daughters to Know".
ReplyDeleteshel704[at]aol[dot]com
My wish list:
1)What Would Audrey Do?
2)Belong to Me
3)Things I Want My Daughters to Know
or
Chix Can Fix
Thanks for this great giveaway. Belong to Me is wonderful and Things I want my daughters to know is beautiful. Bringing home the Birkin would be fun too. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleterojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
Your choices are wonderful! I would enjoy reading all of them equally. Bringing home the birkin would be amusing and Ladies of liberty interesting. Thanks.
ReplyDeletesaubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Great books. I know that Belong to me is exceptional and would love it. Bringing home the Birkin is different and it would be wonderful. Thanks. Great contest.
ReplyDeleteelliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com