Today, I wanted to share three first edition books written by Steinbeck that Marilyn Monroe owned. What was it about this author that she liked? And what drew her to these particular novels? These are questions I will be thinking about as I do my reading for this month.
Marilyn Monroe’s Library Review: This Demi-Paradise, a Westchester Diary
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 Books: Mischief
October's book from Marilyn Monroe's bookshelf was Mischief, a psychological thriller by Charlotte Armstrong. The novel was adapted into the film Don't Bother to Knock, starring Marilyn Monroe. This month in addition to reading the book, the book club also had a viewing party of the film. Marilyn Monroe owned a number of books that … Continue reading Marilyn Monroe’s Books: Mischief
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
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?
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
