by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I just finished reading The Beautiful and the Damned, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fascinating tale of a society couple, whose life becomes entangled by the trappings of money and alcohol. The book follows the young life of Anthony Patch, a spoiled prep and supposed heir to his grandfather’s fortune, as he navigates through a rocky relationship with his beautiful wife Gloria. Though rather dark, Fitzgerald does an excellent job describing the energy and social scene of New York in the early 20s.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

by: Kate Chopin

Just finished reading Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, which details the personal journey of society woman, Edna Pontellier. Chopin’s exquisite descriptions of Louisiana coupled with her intriguing characters are enough to keep the pages turning. I was a little disappointed with the story’s resolution, but all in all, a good summer read, filled with romance, discovery, and descriptions of the old South post-Scarlet O’Hara.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

I finally finished reading Elizabeth’s Gilbert’s book,Eat, Pray, Love and strongly recommend it. This work of nonfiction invites you into the mind of the author as she recovers from her divorce by spending a year indulging in the triple I’s (Italy, India, and Indonesia). Eating pasta in Italy, meditating her way through India, and finally finding love in Indonesia. It makes this non-traveler want to pack a bag and fly towards adventure. Eat, Pray, Love is a great summer read, equal parts wanderlust, spirituality, and love.

Julia Roberts stars in the film version of Eat, Pray, Love which will be in the theaters this August.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

I love the Jersey Shore, it is quickly becoming my favorite reality TV show.  Blame it on the cold weather and beach withdrawal, this show is totally addicting. It makes me want to book a trip to Seaside Heights and hook up with some guidos. The anthesis of everything preppy, who can resist watching the latest drama unfold with Snookie, Sammi, JWoww, Pauly D, Vinny, Ronnie, and “the Situation.” The show airs every Thursday at 10pm on MTV but you can catch full episodes here.

Preppy Rating: negative four bows
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(four bow entertainment minus the preppies)

Read more preppylife reviews here.

Inspired by Rolling Stone’s recent issue profiling the music of the last decade, I have decided to do my own list:  Top Preppy Albums. These albums may not be especially good or even charted well, but they are must-have prep albums from the 00 decade.

• License to Chill: Jimmy Buffet’s first country album featuring songs like “Boats to Build” and “Hey Good Lookin.” You know you secretly downloaded it from i-Tunes
• Risen: O.A.R’s album of breakup music featuring “Untitled” and “Night Shift”
• Vampire Weekend: Played at every preppy party along with the Killers and My Morning Jacket
• The Black Album: Jay-Z, Frat Party Galore!
• Speakerboxxx/The Love Below: Outkast’s double album featuring 2003′s inescapable song “Hey Ya!”
• Stand Up: Dave Matthews Band – the “last” “good” Dave Matthews Band album
• Room for Squares: Preps love John Mayer
• FutureSex/LoveSounds: We love JT!
• Brushfire Fairytales: Jack Johnson’s soundtrack to preppy love, “Bubble Toes”

Thoughts on any albums I left out?