Posts mostly about swing era novels, modern novels set in the era, biographies and how-to books. If you have a book you’d like The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress to review please contact her at: https://girlinthejitterbugdress.com/website_5c5e3059/about-tam-francis/contact-tam/
The Paris Wife: 1920s Hemingway’s Hadley Book Review by Tam Francis The Synopsis The Paris Wife written by Paula McLain (2012 Random House), tells the story of Ernest Hemingway’s first wife Hadley Richardson at the cusp of Hemingway’s writing career. The story opens with Hadley visiting friends in Chicago and meeting the pre-published Hemingway. McLain gives […more…]
~Some Girls, Some Hats And Hitler: Book Review with a Vintage Slant~ By Tam Francis The Synopsis Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler by Trudi Kanter (originally self published in 1984, republished by Virago Press 2012), is part love story, part Holocaust, and very much vintage fashion and lifestyle memoir. We follow Trudi, a half-Jewish milliner, […more…]
Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: Vintage Reviewer by Tam Francis As I was writing The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress (a story told in a parallel narrative with two points of view), my mother insisted I read this book. She thought it similar to my novel and thought I’d love it. It […more…]
~ Meet Django Reinhardt: The Gypsy Jazz Man ~ by the late Jacob Faust edited by Tam Francis Django Reinhardt, an in-depth biography on the late jazz guitarist virtuoso, written by his good friend and colleague Charles Delanunay, (published by Da Capo Press, London 1982). If ever there was a worthy account of this fascinating […more…]
~ The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion: Book Review ~ by Tam Francis Anyone who knows me, and even those who just met me, can tell I like the 1940s; I almost always dress vintage. Sometimes they’re an era off, but since I like the 1920s through 1950s its an easy in to a conversation. […more…]
~ Style Me Vintage: Book Review ~ I received a fabulous little gem for Christmas from my sister. It’s a must have for any gal who loves dressing vintage and needs a little help with the vintage hair. The book is expertly written by […more…]
I like to share novels from my favorite eras 1920s-1950s or newer novels set in them. This is a rare gem special-ordered when a fellow writer suggested my love of Jazz, vintage and literature were wrapped up in this small volume: The Wild Party Booze, smokes, guns, molls and sex are all guests at The Wild […more…]
~ Swingin at the Savoy: Book Review ~ by Tam Francis Lindy Circles If you’ve heard the name Norma Miller, you’re probably a Lindy Hopper. The mention of her name in Lindy Hop circles always spark discussion. Even if you’re not a swing dancer, read her book, Swingin at the Savoy. You’ll be invited on […more…]