Shifting Feathers OOTD & Reading Recommendations

First, here's an outfit from a few days ago. I love this dress and I've found so many ways to wear it. I built this outfit around the shoes because it was rainy and these patent leather flats are best on a day like that. I've worn this dress before with black shoes and a black sweater but decided to keep black as just an accent this time by adding the skinny black belt. I like how it turned out and I was super comfy! ;-)

Shifting Feathers Dress (Anthropologie)
Roaming Frills Cardigan (Anthropologie)
Skinny Belt (J Crew)
Pessinus Garden Necklace (Anthropologie)
Nude Fishnet Tights (JC Pennys)
Black Shoes (Steinmart)

And now for my fellow bookworms:

I've been doing a lot of reading lately (beyond my usual research work and baby book readings) and wanted to share some of my favorites with you.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
I finished this last weekend and was going to do a mini-review but I'm having a hard time thinking of what to say about it without giving too much away. I do highly recommend it if you like long books that take you on an epic journey through mysterious and fascinating places and back in time. I love the way this book brings together the stories of different characters, spanning several different time periods. If you're interested in history then you will enjoy this book. The author cleverly ties the story of Dracula to the real-life Vlad the Impaler. If you're expecting Twilight vampires though you'll be disappointed. Dracula isn't actually in the novel very much. If you like this book, I also recommend Kostova's other novel, The Swan Thieves, which is equally as intriguing.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
Right now I'm in the middle of this amazing book! I seriously love Morton's writing style and I've gushed over her other novels The Forgotten Garden and The House at Riverton before. These books remind me of the things I loved about classics like The Secret Garden and Little Women but they're more grown up and a little darker at times. I'll do a review of this one when I'm done.

Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor
Although I read mostly fiction, I also love a good piece of non-fiction occasionally, especially when it involves travel. I'm listening to this book on CD while doing errands and during my Wednesday night commutes. I've only heard the first two CD's but I can already tell you that this is a beautifully written book about a mother and daughter and their trip together through Greece, Turkey, and France. It alternates back and forth between the mother's voice and the daughter's, creating a well-balanced mix. I see a lot of myself in both the daughter and the mother. I also bought this book for my own mother for Christmas and I really hope she reads it and enjoys it as much as I do.

Anyone else have any good books to add to the recommendation list?

Have a happy Friday! :-)