This month, The Vintage Book Club voted to read This Demi-Paradise, a Westchester Diary written by Margaret Halsey. The book is written in the form of daily diary entries of a middle-class suburban woman named Helen Fitzgibbons. Helen's wry sense of humor highlights many of the hypocrisies of white, middle-class suburbia, in topics ranging from … Continue reading Marilyn Monroe’s Library Review: This Demi-Paradise, a Westchester Diary
Marilyn Monroe’s Bookshelf Review: Stoned Like a Statue
Firstly, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I know I am behind in my book reviews— I had to take off most of the month of December due to increased hours in my day job and a mandatory quarantine at the beginning of the month. I am back now, however, and so … Continue reading Marilyn Monroe’s Bookshelf Review: Stoned Like a Statue
Marilyn Monroe’s Winter Wardrobe
With the holiday season upon us (and temperatures in Southern California starting to drop just a little!) I thought it would be fun to take a break from book reviews and look at Marilyn Monroe’s winter wardrobe, as found in the Christie’s auction of Marilyn Monroe’s items in 1999. I also have found some similar … Continue reading Marilyn Monroe’s Winter Wardrobe
November’s Marilyn Monroe Movie Night!
Last month was the first Marilyn Monroe Movie Night with Pinup Book Club, and this month I am excited to announce that the movie this month will be Monkey Business, starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Marilyn Monroe. We will start the movie at 6pm PST tonight, and have live discussion on Instagram. Go to … Continue reading November’s Marilyn Monroe Movie Night!
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
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?
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
2-Week Beauty Challenge from 1967
I found this book, Instant Beauty written in 1967, and it promises a more beautiful you inside and out in 14 days. I’m always skeptical of these kind of things, but it has some interesting beauty regimens, so I thought I’d give it a try (to the degree that it’s possible and healthy). The 8 … Continue reading 2-Week Beauty Challenge from 1967
The Vintage Book Club 