• Free Gift With Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup by Jean Godfrey-June - Lucky magazine's beauty director shares the story of her unlikely leap into the world of beauty. I think that her story is so appealing because she's so relatable. She's down to earth and her writing style isn't all fluff like most beauty writers of recent past (I'm still working on my own style, give it a little time). I'm still reading this one, but I can already say that if you're even thinking about going into beauty writing, check it out for more insight.


• Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor by Linda Wells (with the Editors of Allure magazine) - This book is probably one of the best beauty compilations on shelves right now. If you've ever missed an issue or you're like me and just sick of tearing out pages upon pages of the magazine just to save all of your favorite tricks of the trade, pick this one up A.S.A.P. In fact, after I finish typing this I might go read though it again.


• The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color by Iman with Tia Williams - When I got this book for the first time, I just about keeled over. Not only is the photography absolutely gorgeous, but it's also really easy to follow. It truly celebrates our unique beauty and offers a number of looks to play up that beauty. To boot, Tia Williams (the queen of "brown girl" beauty) offers her witty and playful prose to the text of the book. Speaking of which...


• The Accidental Diva by Tia Williams - You know I can't sing the praises of Ms. Tia enough! While it is a fiction piece, there are many elements of Tia's life intertwined within the story. Tia's vivid imagery breathes life into the story line just as she does on her blog about bronzer and minidresses. I could go on and on about how fabulous this novel is, but since I know you're all independent thinkers you'll want to run out and read it for yourself. You can call me bias, but this is honestly one of my favorite books of all time and I can't wait until the sequel drops *hint hint*.


• The 5 Minute Face: The Quick and Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman by Carmindy - I swear, for about the past year and a half I've been wishing and hoping and thinking and praying that Carmindy from TLC's What Not To Wear would come out with a beauty book. Well, someone must have been listening to all of my subliminal requests because she finally released her book back in April. This is the perfect book for someone who's just starting out with cosmetics or a woman on the go who wants a low-maintenance, no-fuss makeup routine in no time flat.


• A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown - I thought I've been through hell but after being introduced to Cupcake Brown though her amazing memoir, my issues could be deemed as minuscule. This woman has been though hell, took a leisurely tour, got a couple souvenirs, came back, found out she left her keys, and had to go all the way back again. Mind you, I'm only about a third of the way into the book. She was a drug addict, drug dealer, prostitute, and gang banger all before the age of 20. Her story also illustrates how disgustingly cruel the foster care system can be. If anyone else is reading this book and wants to have a book club discussion about it, get at me, lol.

While I'm on a bit of a intelligentsia kick, let me know if you're reading anything of interest. Remember, pretty girls can read too *wink*.