CEO of Indigo Heather Reisman is sharing her Summer picks of women from yesterday and today

Enrich your summer days with Indigo Books & Music’s inspiring, engaging and provocative reads on influential women from yesterday and today

 
 
CATHERINE THE GREAT: PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN
BY: ROBERT K. MASSIE – RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP
The extraordinary story of an obscure young German princess who, after travelling to Russia at the age of 14, rose to become one of the most remarkable, powerful, and captivating women in history.
She was praised by Voltaire as the equal of the greatest of classical philosophers, yet condemned by her enemies. Dealing with domestic rebellion, foreign wars and political change evoked by the French Revolution, for 34 years the government, foreign policy, cultural development and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands.

SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY: COCO CHANEL’S SECRET WAR
BY: HAL VAUGHAN – KNOPF DOUBLEDAY PUBLISHING GROUP
In the 1920s, Coco Chanel employed more than 2,000 people in her workrooms, amassed a personal fortune of $15 million and went on to create an empire. Yet, for more than half a century, Chanel’s life from 1941 to 1954 has been shrouded in vagueness and rumor.
In this thrilling portrait, the hidden years of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s life are pieced together, including how Chanel became a German intelligence operative. And how, despite the French court opening a case concerning her espionage activities during the war, she was able to return to Paris at age 70 to triumphantly resurrect what has become the iconic House of Chanel.

CHANGING MY MIND
BY: MARGARET TRUDEAU – HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS LTD.
At its heart, this is a story of someone who lived with the ravages of undiagnosed bipolar disorder, suffered incredible indignities, and fractured many relationships, but was eventually lucky enough to find herself in the hands of a physician who could truly help her make sense of her illness and herself.
With the benefit of perspective, having invested hugely in regaining control of her life, and having survived the trauma of losing her beloved son Michel, Margaret Trudeau emerges as a passionate and dedicated mother, grandmother and humanitarian. This story will affirm your belief in the resilience of the human spirit.

WILD
BY: CHERYL STRAYED – KNOPF DOUBLEDAY PUBLISHING GROUP
At 22 years old, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and to do it alone.
This sparkling and suspenseful memoir vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Heather Reisman is Founder & CEO of Indigo Books & Music Inc., and one of the 2011 Top 25 Women of Influence™. Please visit www.chapters.indigo.ca/heathers-picks to find other exciting titles selected especially by Reisman.