This Independence Day weekend we’re looking forward to curling up with a good book. So whether the next few days have you near or far, here are a few reads recommended by Diane and the rest of the DVF team.

Diane: A few that I am reading this summer…Madame de Stael by Francine de Plessix Gray, The Bolter by Frances Osborne, Chicago by Alaa El Aswany and Gloria Vanderbilt’s new book, Obsession: An Erotic Tale.

Abigail: Snow by Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk.  I read it last summer but have picked it up again because it is so beautiful and so timely as it deals with the clash of radical Islam and western ideals. Work Hard. Be Nice. by Washington Post education writer Jay Mathews.  Mathews follows two young teachers as they pioneer KIPP, one of the most successful charter school programs in America.  An honest view of these two young teachers who are changing the way we think about education.  As a board member of KIPP, I was especially excited to see the KIPP program chronicled by Jay Mathews!

Luisella: Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. This book shows that one ordinary person with a strong determination and vision can really make a difference and contribute to change the world.

April: Mine is not glamorous or a trashy beach read, but The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian. It is about what parents/mentors/educators can do to shape boys into exceptional men.

Colleen: The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho - He is one of my favorite authors.  He is usually very spiritual in his writing (i.e. The Alchemist) and I am very interested to see how he folds fashion and cinema into his repertoire.

Daniela: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. It’s a quick read and is so inspiring.  It reminds us to follow our dreams and achieve them, as life is so precious. It’s one of those books that you’ll want to keep around and read once in a while.

César: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. The best pieces in here are funny to the point that I almost needed an oxygen tank to restore normal breathing after laughing so hard for so long. The only possible reason not to read this book is if you’d rather hear the author’s intrinsically funny speaking voice narrating his story. In that case, get Me Talk Pretty One Day on audio.

Katie: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Pulitzer Prize winner!  A lot of Junot Diaz’s writing seems to stem from his personal experience of growing up as a Dominican-American. This novel recounts the history of one family while also recounting the history of the island itself.  It’s both tragic and hilarious at the same time.   Best book EVER!

What to see, do and eat when you are summering in the City…of Paris, bien sur!

Check out…Andy Warhol’s iconic portraits of DVF and other notable personalities at the Grand Palais exhibit, The Great World of Andy Warhol, which is up through July, 13th.

Eat…at La Societe on Rue St. Germain - the new restaurant from the owners of Costes. Enjoy the beautiful space, designed by Christian Liaigre, the beautiful people, who surround you, and the delicious meal, which you’re sure to love. Or, for something a little more traditional, try out a Paris favorite, and indulge on steak frites at L’ Entrecote. Try out their new location on Boulevard Montparnasse, across from La Coupole.

Stay…at Hotel Particulier near the legendary Montmartre on Avenue Junot. Relax in the the magnificent gardens designed by Louis Benech, while you map out the rest of your day.

Shop…at one of the three DVF Paris locations! Visit the flagship store at 29 Rue Francois 1er, or check out 14 Rue d’ Alger or 81 Rue des Saints Peres. Once you’ve had your fill of DVF (if that’s even possible), go to Karry’O. Karine Berrebi is the queen of vintage jewelry on Rue des Saints Peres, calling number 62 home.

Take a break…and step into Herboriste, on Rue de Petits Champs behind the Palais Royal. They have all the tisanes (herbal teas) you could need to feel good.

This past Thursday supporters of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee joined Diane and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for an intimate cocktail reception at the DVF Studio.  Guests were escorted to Diane’s private office where they mingled with Diane, the Speaker and their fellow DCCC supporters. Guests such as André Leon Talley, Rachel Roy, Tina Brown, Candy Pratts Price, and Charlie Rose were escorted up to catch a beautiful glimpse of the newly-open High Line at dusk.

Ladies Lunch… Centennial Celebration in the Hamptons (hamptons.com)

Fashion Star… From Glove to Toy Soldier (Washington Post)

Frugal France… A Picnic in Paris (NY Times)

NyMag.com

Watch…Anne Hathaway as Viola in Twelfth Night at Shakespeare in the Park. Directed by Tony Award winning Daniel Sullivan, the performance is a must see! The show runs through July 12th, so catch it while you still have a chance.

Eat…at Daniel Boulud’s newest NYC eatery, DBGB, located at 299 Bowery, near Houston Street. Feast on a “DBGB Dog” or a burger, but don’t forget to leave room for the ice cream sunday cart!

Immerse yourself…in three contemporary multimedia exhibits at the Team Gallery at 83 Grand Street. Cory Arcangel, Guillaume Pinard, and Jon Routson present video, animation, and sculpture, which is just plain fun to look at. We especially love Arcangel’s music video of cats playing piano!