It's October, and that means it is time to enjoy some spine-chilling tales. To get in the spooky spirit, I have identified five books Marilyn Monroe owned that would be fun choices for the Halloween season. Have you read any of these? Mischief by Charlotte ArmstrongThis thriller, which was the basis for the Marilyn Monroe … Continue reading 5 Halloween-Worthy Books on Marilyn Monroe’s Bookshelf
Was this 1950’s Erotica Secretly Written by a DC Comic Book Writer and Editor?
In addition to reading Mischief (this month's book selection from from Marilyn Monroe's bookshelf) I am reading and reviewing vintage novels with fun, Halloween-like titles. This week I read, Witch on Wheels, published in 1952, with the name Bill Boltin in the byline. I was hoping for a fun, pulp novel about a witch--however, no … Continue reading Was this 1950’s Erotica Secretly Written by a DC Comic Book Writer and Editor?
You’re invited! Don’t Bother to Knock watch party!
Hello Everyone! I wanted to quickly announce that on October 24th the Pinup Book Club will be holding its very first Virtual Watch Party of the Marilyn Monroe thriller Don't Bother to Knock. I have been wanting to do monthly movie nights with the Book Club for a long time, and because this month's book … Continue reading You’re invited! Don’t Bother to Knock watch party!
October’s Book from Marilyn Monroe’s Bookshelf: Mischief by Charlotte Armstrong
Bookclub members voted for October's book, and the result was Mischief by Charlotte Armstrong, the book that was adapted to film in the Marilyn Monroe suspense-thriller Don't Bother to Knock. The novel tells of a mentally unstable babysitter Nell (played by Marilyn Monroe in the film) who is asked to watch a young child named … Continue reading October’s Book from Marilyn Monroe’s Bookshelf: Mischief by Charlotte Armstrong
Marilyn Monroe’s Book, The Magic Barrel: Review
September's book choice was The Magic Barrel a collection of short stories written by Bernard Malamud and published in 1958. The book was well received when it was published, and Marilyn Monroe herself owned a first edition. As with many books Marilyn Monroe owned, the thematic elements are bleak and the protagonists are often left … Continue reading Marilyn Monroe’s Book, The Magic Barrel: Review
September 2020 Book
Bookclub Members voted for which of Marilyn Monroe's books to read this month, and September's book is: The Magic Barrel written by Bernard Malamud! The book is a collection of thirteen short stories, originally published in 1958, and won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1959. The themes of the book are about finding … Continue reading September 2020 Book
Was this Marilyn Monroe’s book from childhood?
Among Marilyn Monroe’s collection of books is the children’s book The Little Engine That Could. Auction # 522 from Christie’s 1999 auction The book was published in 1930–Marilyn would have been about 4 years old when it came out. At that time, Marilyn was living with her foster parents, Albert and Ida Bolender. According to … Continue reading Was this Marilyn Monroe’s book from childhood?
The Woman Who Illustrated Marilyn Monroe’s Pet Turtles Book
Book club members voted for Pet Turtles to be this month's book from Marilyn Monroe's reading list. Though the auction at Christie's called this a book, it really is more of a booklet or pamphlet--25 pages all about how to keep pet turtles (and no, I still have not found any evidence that Marilyn Monroe … Continue reading The Woman Who Illustrated Marilyn Monroe’s Pet Turtles Book
Advice from a 1967 Beauty Book, Pt. 2
I attempted the 14-day beauty challenge from this book, but only made it to Day 9. Why? Well, for starters my skin was looking terrible--it turned out that for me, 2 face mask treatments/day involving honey, lemon, peppermint, potato, and other foodstuffs was not conducive to "beautiful" skin. I also started getting migraines, at which … Continue reading Advice from a 1967 Beauty Book, Pt. 2
Put lemon on your face & other bad 1960’s beauty advice
This week I have been taking part in a little experiment, following along (to the best of my abilities) the suggested 14-day beauty routine from this book published in 1967: This book, while full of advice that we would consider to be terrible in 2020, is an interesting time capsule of information regarding what people … Continue reading Put lemon on your face & other bad 1960’s beauty advice
The Vintage Book Club 