Monahan: Get hip to a few of my favorite fashion books - Boston Herald

When I was growing up I devoured all the style books and magazines I could get my hands on. From designer and model profiles to how-to guides, I soaked up all that information like a sponge. While I count dozens upon dozens of blogs and magazines among my go-to resources, there’s nothing like settling down with a great book. There’s no shortage of fashion, beauty and style books on store shelves but they’re not created equal. Here are a sliver of my favorites, from creative, enterprising and inspiring women, along with a very special gentleman. Toss the trashy novel to the side and add these to your style library, stat! Knowledge is power.

• My sweet, gorgeous friend and fellow Bostonian Maria Menounos has real-life experience with losing and keeping the weight off. Her fantastic new book, “The Every­Girl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness,” will help you do the same. Hot off the presses this week!

• “#GIRLBOSS,” by Sophia Amoruso, profiles the rapid rise of Sophia and her company, Nasty Gal, via unconventional means. It’s a great read for anyone who needs a serious pep talk. And we all do from time to time, right?

• One of the dreamiest books I’ve perused in a while is “The Glow: An Inspiring Guide to Stylish Motherhood,” by Violet Gaynor and Kelly Stuart. The stories and the images are stunning, taking you inside the lives of some of the most stylish moms around.

• Tim Gunn is my mentor and his collection of books serves as a master class in all things fashion and style. From “Fashion Bible” to “Gunn’s Golden Rules” to “A Guide to Quality Taste and Style,” each one of them is a must-have. Read them. Know them. Live them. #MakeItWork

• For pure fun and a massive dose of creativity, Cynthia Rowley’s anthology of Swell books are where it’s at. “Swell: A Girl’s Guide to the Good Life,” “Home Swell Home: Designing Your Dream Pad” and “Swell Holiday: Turning Up the Twinkle” are books that I re-read regularly.

• “D.V.,” by Diana Vreeland, is one of the most interesting peeks into the glamorous world of the fashion trade, by one of the most interesting and lively characters ever to grace it.

• “The Beautiful Fall” by Alicia Drake is a riveting read about a little known feud between two of fashion’s giants: Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.

• One of my life’s goals was to write my own style book and I’m beyond thrilled that I accomplished that. My hope is that “Style and the Successful Girl” will serve as a treasured guide for girls of all ages for years to come.

For more fashion tips, trends and timeless advice, check out Gretta’s posts on BostonHerald.com’s Stylize blog, and at GrettaStyle.com.

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