Back in January, I shared a list of my New Year's resolutions for 2019, one of which is to read two books per month (24 total). I was on a roll - two books in January, two books in February, three books in March - but that streak came to a dead stop in April.
At the start of the month, I selected a book called The Vanity Fair Diaries. It's based on real life journal entries by Tina Brown, during her time as the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair. She would go on to become editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, and then in 2008, found the media site The Daily Beast.
I learned of this book on an episode of one of my favorite podcasts, The Literary Life, hosted by Mitchell Kaplan, the owner of Books & Books in Miami, FL. Kaplan interviewed Brown about her career in the magazine industry, and why she decided to share her personal journey in this way. I found Brown to be highly entertaining and after the episode ended, I ordered the book on Amazon.
When I unboxed it, I was startled to discover the book was 419 pages of tiny font with tight line spacing. I knew right away it would be a challenge to read the whole thing in under 30 days. That said, I was optimistic that the behind-the-scenes dirt would keep me hooked.
Well, it took me six weeks to finish this memoir - all of April and half of May. I was pretty bummed about the setback to my pace.
Though it took a while, I did learn some pretty interesting things along the way. In a journal entry dated October 25, 1984, Brown is describing her pride over the upcoming holiday issue and she writes, "Best Annie pics are of Aaron Spelling in bed, Springsteen against a sheath of fire, and the black-and-white-attired decorator Andrée Putman against a wall of checkered tiles. Also the sulky, Elvisy Donald Trump 'because he's a brass act. And he owns his own football team. And he thinks he should negotiate arms control agreements with the Soviet Union.'"
How creepy is it to read that about Donald Trump now, nearly 35 years later?!
I really enjoyed hearing about the very first Vanity Fair party during awards season in 1987, which is now a staple every single year. Brown shares, "I'm sitting in my hotel room at the Bel-Air in Beverly Hills. Tomorrow we'll give a VF party at Spago to woo Hollywood. If it goes well I want to make a Hollywood party an annual thing because our power base for covers is here. Si might not understand what glamour events can do for business, but I am convinced they work."
That same year, Anna Wintour was hired in the number two position at Vogue. "All the press of Anna's arrival is positioning her as the future ed of Vogue, which must make Grace Mirabella shake in her shoes. This press is already hoping for a rivalry between us. Anna is to frontal for feuds and Vogue has never interested me. I suppose catfights are the cliché that always dog (as it were) powerful women working in the same business. Actually her presence upstairs is a bit like suddenly having a sleek-haired race-horse pawing the other side of the fence."
In 1991, under Brown's leadership, the Vanity Fair team would publish one of the most famous magazine cover images of all time featuring actress Demi Moore. "When Annie and I first discussed doing Demi, I thought how great it would be to show her pregnant instead of doing the normal thing with stars who are over three months gone and cheat the cover with a head shot or some other disguise. But being Annie, she went on better. She did Demi in profile, yes, full body, yes, but also . . . naked!"
She continues, and reveals that the cover was so much more than a provocative maternity photo, "We have wanted so much to do a story that moved Vanity Fair decisively on from the eighties, that made a statement of modernity, progressiveness, freshness, openness, after the heavy Trumpy glitz of that decade. I have been beating my brains out looking for the social commentary that would achieve it. And now, in one simple, dazzling image, Annie has the home run. This it it. This what a celebrity looks like in the nineties. Not just a natural but au naturel! And it's a wonderful feminist statement at the same time."
If you have been a long time Vanity Fair reader, certainly you'll enjoy the stories behind the stories.
I wish I could say I loved this book, because I really thought I would, but sadly, it was just a long slog of name dropping.
Comments
saba 033
Fri, 03/05/2021 - 01:22
I’m having a small problem. I’m unable to subscribe to your rss feed for some reason. I’m using google reader by the way. 먹튀사이트
saba 033
Fri, 03/05/2021 - 01:39
Very well written information. It will be valuable to anyone who employess it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – for sure i will check out more posts. 먹튀
M imran saifi
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 02:39
Wonderful blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? Because I’m going to start my website soon, but I’m a little lost on everything. Many thanks! ประกันรถยนต์ที่ไหนดี pantip
sana mirza
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 04:55
Smoking this strain this week! Amazing! Disp. Recommended this after trying Do si dos strain Very relaxing and happy. Started laughing and it was great! Slept all night.
mahnoor faizan
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 07:26
Great job here on _______ I read a lot of blog posts, but I never heard a topic like this. I Love this topic you made about the blogger's bucket list. Very resourceful. ทิพยประกันภัย pantip
muhammad ali
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 09:24
I've been looking for info on this topic for a while. I'm happy this one is so great. Keep up the excellent work professional flour sifter
Mindest Mint
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 14:21
This is my first time visit to your blog and I am very interested in the articles that you serve. Provide enough knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing useful and don't forget, keep sharing useful info: voyance immédiate par téléphone
M imran saifi
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 06:17
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. TheHiddenPages.com
Abu Bakar
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 11:45
denizli escort bayan Denizli escort popüler bayan ilan ve reklam sitesidir. Denizli escort bayan arama ve bulma servisi. Denizli gerçek çevrimiçi escort sitesidir
M imran saifi
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 12:46
Today, I was just browsing along and came upon your blog. Just wanted to say good blog and this article helped me a lot, due to which I have found exactly I was looking. Furniture jepara
Mohammad Taha
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 15:33
Wow, excellent post. I'd like to draft like this too - taking time and real hard work to make a great article. This post has encouraged me to write some posts that I am going to write soon. Daniel Gordon
M imran saifi
Thu, 03/11/2021 - 23:28
Im no expert, but I believe you just made an excellent point. You certainly fully understand what youre speaking about, and I can truly get behind that. ask
M imran saifi
Fri, 03/12/2021 - 01:11
Im no expert, but I believe you just made an excellent point. You certainly fully understand what youre speaking about, and I can truly get behind that. ask
muhammad ali
Fri, 03/12/2021 - 04:28
You completed a number of nice points there. I did a search on the issue and found nearly all people will have the same opinion with your blog. sifter kitchen
M imran saifi
Fri, 03/12/2021 - 11:31
Cool stuff you have got and you keep update all of us. website
M imran saifi
Fri, 03/12/2021 - 13:13
Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I have a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information. top realtor for buying a new home in DFW
M imran saifi
Sat, 03/13/2021 - 07:05
A very excellent blog post. I am thankful for your blog post. I have found a lot of approaches after visiting your post. 1800phonenumbers
Mohammad Taha
Sat, 03/13/2021 - 09:52
i am always looking for some free stuffs over the internet. there are also some companies which gives free samples. denizli escort bayan
seoservices
Sat, 03/13/2021 - 12:58
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. https://bit.ly/30vzzrx
seoservices
Sat, 03/13/2021 - 15:22
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. car service from ny
saba 033
Sun, 03/14/2021 - 06:19
Respect to website author , some good selective information . 토토
saba 033
Sun, 03/14/2021 - 06:23
hello, your website is really good. We do appreciate your give good results 토토
M imran saifi
Mon, 03/15/2021 - 06:52
I cannot wait to dig deep and kickoff utilizing resources that I received from you. Your exuberance is refreshing. dankwoods carts
M imran saifi
Mon, 03/15/2021 - 06:52
I cannot wait to dig deep and kickoff utilizing resources that I received from you. Your exuberance is refreshing. dankwoods carts
Mohammad Taha
Mon, 03/15/2021 - 15:46
The human body has certain requirements to survive. For example, we need clean air, water, food, etc. We also want our blood on the inside of the body. These human needs can be prioritized based on urgency (i.e. drinking water doesn't matter if we can't breathe, etc.) 72 hour kit checklist
Kelvin Sum
Tue, 03/16/2021 - 04:14
[url=https://coqnitproperty.com/property/Parc-Greenwich]Parc Greenwich EC[/url] is very much associated with the significant street, Yio Chu Kang Road and to the CTE freeway. You can arrive at both Buangkok and Yio Chu Kang MRT in under 10 min. Or on the other hand you can essentially stroll to Fernvale LRT station. For families, Parc Greenwich will be extraordinary for your children with the numerous elementary schools nearby. You will likewise be directly at the doorstep of Greenwich V shopping center.
Kelvin Sum
Tue, 03/16/2021 - 04:16
Parc Greenwich EC is created by Frasers Property subsequent to winning the land delicate with the most elevated offer of $286.5 million, meaning $555 psf ppr. It is all around associated with CTE, TPE and Yio Chu Kang, getting to the remainder of Singapore without any problem. There are additionally numerous conveniences, elementary schools and future offices close by.
Kelvin Sum
Tue, 03/16/2021 - 04:14
LIV @ MB Condo is created on the land space from the en coalition offer of Katong Park Towers. Arranged in the mainstream District 15, LIV @ MB has helpful admittance to a wide exhibit of shopping centers, food outlets, sports offices in Kallang and Marine Parade, for example, Parkland Green, East Coast Park, Parkway Parade, I12 Katong and Kallang Wave.
Kelvin Sum
Tue, 03/16/2021 - 04:15
Navigate a simple interface. You can quickly create real estate mobile marketing campaigns and view marketing reports in just a few minutes.
Launch the report for a quick view of the interest for each buyer. Knowing your buyer interest is so important in assisting you take the next step of clinching the real estate sale.
M imran saifi
Tue, 03/16/2021 - 11:48
I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. 먹튀검증업체
saba 033
Wed, 03/17/2021 - 02:32
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks. one.walmart.com
saba 033
Wed, 03/17/2021 - 02:46
Thanks for sharing us. walmart headquarters
Mohammad Taha
Wed, 03/17/2021 - 13:07
We will buy any house – in any condition, regardless of your circumstances.Click to learn more about how we buy your house in difficult situations. Cash for houses
mahnoor faizan
Thu, 03/18/2021 - 03:35
Niche blog commenting is one of the most powerful SEO strategies to drive natural and your niche related traffic on your site. We will search real blog sites according to your niche and publish your Web-link with unique content and ensure that they are individual and approved by site owners. Find relevant NICHE links? So you're in the right place and you do not have to look any further, we're here to help you. We offer a comment service on related blogs on real pages. All our compliments and sticky in 100% of exclusive domains. Without a doubt, Google estimates the links just because they are measurable. Nofollow Backlinks
Ghazanfar Ali Khatri
Thu, 03/18/2021 - 10:30
Today, I was just browsing along and came upon your blog. Just wanted to say good blog and this article helped me a lot, due to which I have found exactly I was looking. commercial video companies
saba 033
Thu, 03/18/2021 - 11:53
My friend mentioned to me your blog, so I thought I’d read it for myself. Very interesting insights, will be back for more! Sintra One Day
saba 033
Thu, 03/18/2021 - 12:00
This website is remarkable information and facts it's really excellent Lisbon One Day
mahnoor faizan
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 13:03
Joker สล็อต สล็อตออนไลน์ แจกเครดิตฟรี เล่นกับเราแล้วรับเงินรางวัลจริงๆ! สล็อตออนไลน์เล่นได้ตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง สมัครสมาชิกง่าย ฝาก-ถอนเงินสะดวกและรวดเร็ว เล่นเกมส์สล็อตออนไลน์กับเรา KuyJoker แหล่งรวม Joker Slot เกมส์มันส์ๆคุ้มๆ แจกจริง ไม่มีอั้น เกมส์ดี กราฟฟิกสวย พร้อมโปรโมชั่นคุ้มค่า joker
seo services
Sun, 03/21/2021 - 11:29
You have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent. You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you. white label cbd
Bomabay Cake
Sun, 03/21/2021 - 11:34
To maintain our high level of Quality of Service, the team at Mecanica dedicates our passion to continuous self-improvement by keeping up with new and evolving technologies and methodologies within the field. Supporting Mecanica team members with continuing professional development and continuing education courses. As well as continuous research and publications of new and innovative documentation and analysis methodologies through the authoring and publication of peer reviewed technical papers. try this out
M imran saifi
Sun, 03/21/2021 - 13:04
Im no expert, but I believe you just made an excellent point. You certainly fully understand what youre speaking about, and I can truly get behind that. sex xxx
seoservices
Tue, 03/23/2021 - 09:33
Great post, you have pointed out some excellent points, I as well believe this is a very superb website. website
M imran saifi
Wed, 03/24/2021 - 06:49
I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing. vpn 우회
seomoz master
Wed, 03/24/2021 - 12:19
I’m the with regard to the majority of the content pieces, We completely savored, I'd truly choose much more information concerning this particular, considering the fact that it is good., Thanks intended for publishing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq8d5GZoy90
seoservices
Wed, 03/24/2021 - 18:40
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. If possible, such as gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with additional information? It is very useful for me. w88 dashboard
seoservices
Wed, 03/24/2021 - 19:26
When you need a Riverside Plumbing Company, make Big B's Plumbing your first choice. We train our plumbers to meet the highest standards in the industry. plumbing company riverside
seoservices
Wed, 03/24/2021 - 20:10
I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing. Sofa Covers Dubai
muhammad ali
Thu, 03/25/2021 - 02:24
Just saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the fantasti c lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. aceite de oliv avirgen extra ecologico
seoservices
Thu, 03/25/2021 - 04:16
I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing. fat bike électrique
seoservices
Thu, 03/25/2021 - 04:23
Nice to read your article! I am looking forward to sharing your adventures and experiences. fat bike électrique