Fratty Find of the Week: A Bit of Light Reading

Alpha Delta Pi

There is nothing I hate more than having one of the “classics” shoved in front of me by a professor and then be told to read 100 pages a night. Why do they think Sparknotes was invented? That’s not to say I don’t enjoy reading books, because I do. But I like to pick them out myself and read them at whatever pace also allows for an actual life, let’s be real. This week I’ve picked out some of my favorites finds for a bit of light reading.

I will give homage to some of the classics. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my absolute favorite books. It’s filled with twists and turns, love and hate, as well as immoral drama and classic New York opulence. It’s a book that gets better every time I read it. The time period of the twenties alone fascinates many, so with that setting and a terrific plot you can’t put the book down. If you haven’t read it, you definitely should! Along with that, some other American classic to at least keep on your bookshelf include “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles, and “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.

Fast-forward to today, and some great authors have graced several pages to instill in us and preserve the classic values of preppy and fratty America. Lisa Birnbach is most notable in this category. Don’t know her? You should! Her most recent book tour stopped at several Brooks Brothers, Lilly Pulitzer, LL Bean and Sperry Topsider locations. She started with “The Official Preppy Handbook” and followed up 30 years later in 2010 with “True Prep.” Both books are must-reads! They are hilariously witty and  surprisingly enlightening. “True Prep” isn’t just the updated version of the older book, but a handbook of sorts on modern life.

Speaking of modern life - Kate Spade is the epitome of class and melds together classic and modern taste, at least in my opinion. They produced a series of three lifestyle books, “Manners,” “Style” and “Occasions.” Spade lends her voice to readers about several topics, and interjects advice from other experts such as Coco Chanel. There’s no need to toss these books aside after you read them, a close friend of mine has her copy of “Style” arranged on her coffee table - because as anything else Kate Spade makes it’s adorable, chic and meant to be used and shown off!

Kate Spade isn’t the only brand that has branched out into the publishing world. Lilly Pulitzer has a book titled “Essential Lilly: A Guide to Colorful Entertaining” that truly is what it claims to be. If your room has a combination of pink and green, it’s also a must-have to display, after you read it inside and out!

Lastly, I’m going to have to go back to Kate Spade. I promise that this is last time for a while, but I can’t resist when the find is this good! Kate has come out with a line of clutches that look like books. I am obsessed. They took some great classics (including my all-time favorite!) and put a new spin on them, redoing the cover art and making them more fashion forward. My top coveted picks are “Great Expectations” and of course, “The Great Gatsby.” These clutches are just about as irresistible as Daisy is to Gatsby!

Until next time, happy reading and happy fratting.

(Lauren in a sophomore studying journalism. You may contact her at lgonzalez@ufl.edu)