Shoe Rows by Wayne Thiebaud
I am rereading a book that, when I first encountered it several years ago, gave me arguably the most practical piece of advice I have every received from a novel. I use it constantly and share it whenever possible, so, without further ado, I give my lady readers the secret for arriving at meetings in walk-up offices with elegance and poise:
I took off my shoes to tackle the three flights of stairs better, and paused halfway up the last flight, so I could replace them and catch my breath before arriving in elegant calm. No point in looking unfit and at a disadvantage.
Thirty years of life surrounded by intelligent, elegant career women – not to mention six years at an all-girls school – and I had to learn this from a book. But so happy to have learned it! It is from Hester Browne’s The Little Lady Agency, the first of a very fun trilogy of books. And Browne’s good advice does not end there. It is scattered throughout all her novels, most especially The Finishing Touches, about the attempt to revive a finishing school for the 21st Century.
The Captive Reader 
That’s brilliant. I love the sound of this book (of the trilogy, actually!)
It’s a fun trilogy. Not quite sure what you’d think of it but I’ll be interested to hear if you try!
I’m shopping for series. This sounds like a possibility. Sounds a bit like Mrs Pollifax.
It’s solidly chick-lit, so very unlike Mrs Pollifax in that way, but very enjoyable.
Just love that!! I’ll look into the trilogy… have not heard of it before.
It’s fun and light and I certainly enjoy it.
Do you wear high heels for work? I’ve never known how anyone can. Thankfully being male, it is not something I need worry about. That said, high heels were originally worn by men, as this podcast reveals: http://99percentinvisible.org/episode/feet-of-engineering/
I work in financial services so yes, heels (no absurdly high ones) and pumps come out for all client-facing or industry meetings. Just in the office, I prefer to wear flats – I’m already tall enough!
Great advice!
Isn’t it!
A new one on me! The book, I mean. Like the idea of the trilogy as well – I think Angela Thirkell’s Barsetshire series has conditioned me to expecting follow-up novels.
Series reading has that effect, doesn’t it? When you find a standalone book it just feels wrong and unfinished – how dare the author let the characters go off on their own after the end of just one book!
I love learning from fiction. The best lessons come from my favorite books!