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Just in time for Bastille Day, comes the untold story of Eugénie de Montijo, a 19th-century woman who was instrumental in advancing women’s rights in France. While many thought of her as purely the wife of Emperor Napoleon III, she was so much more than that. The incredibly well-researched biography, co-written by Petie Kladstrub and Evelyne Resnick, is a must-read for anyone interested in French history, the fight for women’s rights, or fellow Francophiles. Do you have to enjoy the book while eating macarons? Perhaps not, but I know that made me savor the book even more. Happy Bastille Day! bastilleday🇫🇷 bastille womeninhistory women womensrights french france TheAvidPenReads

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The Last Empress of France: The Rebellious Life of Eugénie de Montijo | Amazon (US)

Planning on going on vacation with this family sometime in the next 2 months? This list of monthly recommendations, all of which are coming out this June, are some serious contenders for your book wishlist.

First things first, I like to include a few shout-outs about new releases that I haven’t had a chance to read yet in each book round-up, so I hope you’ll check those out along with the three books I had a chance to read this month. I try to make it through four books a month, but while working full-time and being in nursing school, I don’t have quite as much time to read as I did.

Next, I’m excited to announce that two of the authors from this month’s list will be doing Q&As here on the blog next month: Georgia Stone and Gloria Chao. Two authors I’m very glad to have had the chance to discover for the first time this month.

Keep reading to see the reviews and my ratings for this month’s must-read books.

#books #upcoming #newreleasebooks #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookstagrammer

Currently reading, Such Good People by @amyblumenfeldauthor releasing in July.

#books #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #newrelease #TheAvidPenReads

Always obsessing about my Natalie’s from @sarahflint_nyc no matter the season. Available in several color options, this is a shoe that will never go out of style.

#inmyflints #sarahflint #theavidpenstyle #styletips #classic #feminine

Summers not over yet, pick up a pair of the perfect sandal for summer from Sarah Flint.

#LTKShoeCrush #LTKSeasonal #LTKStyleTip

Love a good murder mystery full of tropes? You’ll want to check this one out! Q&A on theavidpen.com

#LTKHome

I am obsessed with this classic tote. Work or errands, it doesn’t matter, this bag adds that a bit of polish to your look.

#LTKItBag #LTKWorkwear #LTKStyleTip

Need a quick pick me up in the afternoon? Pop watermelon chunks in the freezer at lunch and my mid afternoon you can just add them to your blender and blend them up! Fast and delicious!

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal #LTKParties

The Natalie is the perfect option whether you’re headed into the office, to college, or just to run errands with a pair of jeans and the your favorite striped top.

#LTKWorkwear #LTKStyleTip #LTKShoeCrush

Here is the official cover reveal for @andepliegowrites next novel releasing in 2026. Pre-order now… if you dare.

“A bookseller must escape the infamously haunted library that holds her darkest secrets, but with a murderer in her tour group, escaping alive is not as simple as it seems, in this twisty locked-room thriller from bestselling author of You Are Fatally Invited.

He’s trying to dig up the skeletons in her closet. She’ll do anything to keep them buried.

Aria Stokes is finally feeling settled—she lives in a tiny New York apartment, works as a bookseller at a local shop, and has even taken a leap of faith in love by indulging her attraction to bookstore regular Jasper. And he seems to already know her so well.

As a Valentine’s Day surprise, Jasper gets the two of them tickets to an exclusive, after-dark tour of the Daedalus Library—the grandiose establishment famed for its immersive genre-based reading rooms and, more notoriously, its rumored hauntings. While Aria normally loves all things ghastly, this place holds more dark secrets than she’d prefer Jasper to know. Like that the last time she was here, she left a body behind.

But when the automatic-door entry malfunctions and Aria, Jasper, and the five other people in their tour group become trapped in the library, they are forced to venture through the storied rooms and hidden passageways of the Daedalus in search of escape . . . and Aria quite literally has nowhere to hide from the shadows of her past. Then the group learns there’s a murderer in their midst.

Now, as she tries to break out of the library’s intricate reading rooms, Aria has to decide who she can trust—and what secrets are best kept buried—if she wants to make it out alive.”

#andepliego #andepliegoauthor #coverreveals #bookstagrammer #bookish #theavidpenreads

If you are looking for a must read book, The Art of Vanishing is it!

#LTKHome

As summer comes to an end next month (can you believe it?) I decided to put together a little guide of some of favorite things.

During the summer it’s nice to beat the heat with quick day trips to the mountains (with both Blowing Rock/Boone and Asheville are only a few hours away) or planning a last minute weekend getaway.

You can also just as easily enjoy some time at home or do a staycation at one of your favorite area spots. We have so many beautiful gardens and hidden parks nearby where you can spend a few hours relaxing on a bench or a swing…
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Read the post over on theavidpen.com
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#LTKStyleTip #LTKSeasonal

Whether you enjoy books where a murder is solved (The Body Next Door) or have ever wondered if there was a way to go back or forward in time to solve your classmates mysterious death (The Midnight Club). Fly halfway across the world to trace the history of your heirloom engagement ring (The Heirloom) or follow your mothers last wishes with a one way trip to Paris (The Paris Novel). Join Emma Makepeace a.k.a the female equivalent of James Bond on her next mission in (The Trap) or take a fantastical romp through history in the 2016 novel (My Lady Jane), this months list of reads will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.

#LTKBacktoSchool #LTKSeasonal

This bag from JCrew is even more perfect in person. Can’t wait to start styling it for spring and summer.

#LTKstyletip #LTKsalealert #LTKtravel

If you have a healthcare hero in your life (or work in healthcare yourself) getting a gift that you can use in your day-to-day life is always helpful. From an ’emotional support’ water bottle, the perfect pen for charting, notebooks that fit easily in your pocket when you’re learning a new process (or need to jot down orders in a hurry), and more, this list has something for your favorite healthcare hero.

#LTKGiftGuide #LTKHoliday #LTKSeasonal

As a lifelong homebody, it seemed only fitting to create a cozy gift edit centered around the fact that I love spending time at home. There are so many essentials to creating a cozy vibe, especially during the holiday season. The Balance leggings from Haven Well Within come highly recommended, and I love the idea of pairing them with a tank and a cozy sweater. Whether you like to do you are reading in bed, the Boll & Branch sheet set is the perfect way to update your bedding, or you like to curl up on the couch wrapped up in a soft blanket with a candle burning as you read, this gift edit has both options. As far as book suggestions, a mystery is always a good idea, so I’ve included two of the books (The Mystery Guest & Mastering the French Art of Murder) that I’ve read this month.

#LTKHoliday #LTKSeasonal #LTKGiftGuide

While I thought about a variety of different culinary/foodie-themed gift guides for my first edit of the holiday season, I ended up going with an edit centered around one of my favorite things throughout the year, mocktails. Having a selection of glassware, spoons (decorative and otherwise), and syrups is something any budding mixologist needs to have on hand.

#LTKGiftGuide #LTKSeasonal #LTKHoliday

This dress is even more stunning in person!

#LTKfindsunder100 #LTKstyletip

The coziest Saturday morning outfit from Quince. The quality and prices are the best!

#LTKfamily #LTKSeasonal #LTKstyletip

Spending some time in the forest reading and eating delicious cookies with milk.

#LTKhome #LTKSeasonal #LTKHalloween

The perfect bag for summer… and for those of you heading to school or work in the fall.

#LTKFind #LTKBacktoSchool #LTKSeasonal

A sneak peek at something coming to the blog this week, featuring the perfect shirt dress from @boden_clothing
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#lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #summervibes #summerglam

#LTKSeasonal #LTKstyletip #LTKworkwear

The most beautiful gift arrived from @lesfleursviasandra of @lesfleursandover I shared an interview with Sandra for the first time in 2020 and on March 21st her first book ‘French Blooms’ was released.
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This beautiful book is for lovers of florals and all things French, and I’m looking forward to creating some beautiful floral arrangements inspired by ‘French Blooms’
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Read the latest interview with Sandra via the link in bio!
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#lesfleurs #french #frenchblooms #aesthetic #parisianamour #frenchchic #frenchvibes #howtobeparisian #authentic #lesparisiennesdumounde #parismood #oldsoul

#LTKSeasonal #LTKunder50 #LTKhome

I’m absolutely obsessed with this Ginkgo vase from @anthropologie

#LTKSeasonal #LTKhome #LTKunder100

The pajamas that you will want to live in everyday from Lake Pajamas.

#LTKstyletip #LTKhome #LTKFind

Whether you prefer coffee or tea, these are the perfect cups to enjoy it in.

#LTKunder50 #LTKhome

My self-care goal for the year… Shine! Make 2023 your year to shine, from your goals in life to your self-care goals.
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I like to keep my skin glowing with daily use of my @pmdbeauty Clean to get my skin cleansed and invigorated for the day and then again in the evenings to cleanse and massage my serums and moisturizers to supercharge my skincare routine.
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Get 20% off your order with code: ChristaSagmoe20
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#pmdbeauty #selfcarewithpmdbeauty #ambassador #shine #skincaregoals #selfcare #selfcaregoals #pmdinspiredme

#LTKSeasonal #LTKstyletip #LTKbeauty

Time to celebrate the hostess with the mostest.

#LTKHoliday #LTKGiftGuide #LTKSeasonal

It’s a well-known fact that we are lovers of all things charcuterie, so when I was contemplating which gift guide I wanted to create next, I knew it had to be centered around charcuterie. There are so many delicious things to choose from when perusing the Williams-Sonoma site, but these are just a few of my favorite selections that are sure to be palate-pleasers.

#LTKGiftGuide #LTKHoliday #LTKSeasonal

Sometimes the most delicious beverage is just San Pellegrino in a pretty glass with a little bit of honey.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKhome #LTKunder50