Start the new year with a new book—here's five of our recent reads.

Sarah, Editor-in-chief
Q & A: A Novel by Vikas Swarup
This fireplace page-turner follows an Indian street urchin who becomes the unlikely winner of the Indian version of Who wants to Be a Millionaire. Told in fable-like chapters, the compelling story will remind readers of The Kite Runner. Read it, then see the movie version (Slumdog Millionaire) out now. Available at Amazon.ca, $13.83.

Athena, Toronto editor
The Traveler by Daren Simkin
It takes less than 10 minutes to read, but the message stays with you long after. It's a modern day Le Petit Prince. Available at Amazon.ca, $11.02.

Marianne, Montreal editor
It doesn’t get any juicier than Candace Bushnell’s latest novel, One Fifth Avenue. Following the lives of posh residents at a downtown New York building, this book has just enough bitchiness, sex and socialites to keep you fully engrossed until back-to-work Monday. Available at Amazon.ca, $17.61.

Maria, Copy chief
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
This eloquent, multi-layered story about love, loss, heartbreak and isolation travels through generations and countries with several characters bonded by the novel within this novel. Available at Amazon.ca, $12.56.

Tonya, Western Sales Manager
Life With My Sister Madonna by Christopher Ciccone
This utterly trashtastic read is a fascinating look into the Material Girl’s world. Written by her estranged brother Christopher (he was featured in Truth or Dare), this easy ready has plenty of dramatic anecdotes on Madge and her celebrity friends including Gwyneth and Demi. Available at Amazon.ca, $18.26.

Cleansing is for January. Until then, bottom’s up!

Sarah, Editor-in-chief
Don’t panic, it’s organic—the 2007 Soleus Cabernet Sauvignon from Chilé (look for the watering can on the label) is barrel aged and surprisingly refined for $13.99. Drink up!

Athena, Toronto editor
Every time we eat at Terroni (sometimes thrice weekly!) we order a bottle of Biferno Rosso. Nothing washes down a Margherita better. Approx. $21.99.

Malwina, Calgary editor
For white we’ll be pouring the aromatic Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($25) and for red the vivacious Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2008, $16.

Elsa, Montreal editor, French edition
Château Moncontour 2005 Vouvray: A very good French sparkling wine that looks like Champagne, tastes delicious, and is a lot cheaper, $19.95.

Maria, Copy chief
For the pre-dinner cheese plate we uncork a bottle of the rich and fruity Sandhill Pinot Blanc, $18.

Cheers!

We’ve spent plenty of time reading and sharing our favourite blogs. All in the name of research, of course.

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
The tag line of this beautifully executed Paris street fashion blog is “a girl like me.” We wish!
www.garancedore.fr

B.C. model Coco Rocha reveals her new flaming red ‘do (courtesy of Vogue) and the contents of her bathroom counter on her brand new blog, Oh So Coco. Love the innocent narcissism of young models (Oh So Adorable!).
www.ohsococo.blogspot.com

Elsa, Montreal editor, French edition
For underground info on art, fashion, design and style, I head to www.coolhunting.com

Marianne, Montreal editor
When procrastinating, I get my jollies at British footwear site www.office.co.uk. I can kill hours scrolling through the gorgeous pumps and boots. It's so fab I call it shoe porn!

Tonya, Western Sales Manager
Rock star angst and oh-so-edgy musings are, like, so deep, ok? Reader beware, there is some cursing. Kids these days.
www.gnarlitude.com

After a month of cocktailing and carousing, spend a night in with our DVD picks from 2008.

Athena, Toronto editor
I never got to see Karl Lagerfeld striking a pose in Lagerfeld Confidential so I'll be getting my fix over the holidays.

Malwina, Calgary editor
The critcally lauded Bella, beautifully shot in New York, chronicles separate lives intersecting in one day—with life changing results.

Winner of the 2008 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, The Counterfeiters is an intense, harrowing story of a Jewish forger who is imprisoned in a concentration camp during the war and forced into helping the Nazis falsify money. 

Elsa, Montreal editor, French edition
Finish the year laughing with The Party, an outrageously funny film featuring Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers.

Maria, Copy chief
Destined to go the way of Arrested Development (critically acclaimed and largely ignored by TV viewers), Friday Night Lights is smart, touching, heartbreaking and funny—don’t let the football-inspired title deter you.

Tara’s pick (Publisher)
Bringing Home the Birkin, Michael Tonello

We loved this heartfelt memoir by a New York make-up artist, which takes the reader inside the world’s most illustrious luxury brand—Hermès. From beautiful Barcelona, Tonello recounts how one simple eBay sale of an Hermès scarf sets him off on an international search for the most sought after, wait-listed arm candy of them all: The Birkin bag. Tonello plays part travel writer, part food critic and part fashionista in this genuinely pleasurable read that you’ll devour in one sitting.

Athena’s pick (Toronto editor)
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

Not exactly a frivolous beach read, but a short and thought-provoking memoir from one of the world's most celebrated authors. Through a series of reflections, Murakami reveals the impact both running and writing have had on his life.

Joy’s pick (Promotions coordinator)
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

Having recently finished his Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, I'm immersed in Sedaris’ latest offering of personal essays, which includes the author's account of attempting to kick his nasty nicotine habit. Beware not to choke on your iced tea whilst chortling.

Sarah’s pick (Editor-in-chief)
Run by Ann Patchett

“Patchet’s style is more hammer and nails than lace and thread” starts a jacket review on this new paperback release, and if you love a brilliant writer as much as a brilliant read, Patchett’s tool kit will suit you perfectly. But if you’ve read her Truth and Beauty, I’m preaching to the choir.

Yes we sometimes splurge on designer lotions and potions, but there are plenty of inexpensive beauty favourites we wouldn’t trade for all the Crème de la Mer in the world.

Herewith, our staff picks for tried-and-true drugstore beauty products.

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief

I love good old-fashioned Noxzema cleanser for its tingly clean smell and the fact it won't spill and drip when you are washing your face at 5 a.m. (used to be before bed, now that means upon getting up). Takes me back to my teens—in a good way. http://www.noxzema.ca/

Tara Parker Tait, Publisher

Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Baby Wash has a calming smell and is gentle on sensitive skin. Good enough for baby, good enough for me. www.johnsonsbaby.com

Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Mitchum deodorant (strong enough for a man, probably not made for a woman) has to be the best b.o. buster around.

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

I always carry a small tin of Vaseline in my bag which I use on my cuticles, my lips and to tame eyebrows and flyaways. www.vaseline.com

Maria Tallarico, Copy Chief and Production Manager

I use a dab of Olay face moisturizer on my lips at night. Works so well, lip balm is a thing of the past. www.olay.com

Read more drugstore beauty tips and post your own here.

Copy chief Maria likes to exercise her vast vocabulary (and donate rice to charity) by playing the word game at www.freerice.com

Editor-in-chief Sarah wiles away the hours watching the 24/7 live product testing done by the gorgeous cast of www.honeyshed.com

Vitamin T editor Athena loves checking out the beautiful products and prototypes submitted to Generate at www.gnr8.biz

Vitamin M editor Marianne adores New York and has become shamelessly addicted to eavesdropping on Manhattanites’ conversations. It’s not always pretty but it’s awfully entertaining. www.overheardinnewyork.com

Heaven forbid Amanda, our publicity and marketing assistant and resident McDreamy addict, miss an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” She catches up on episodes of her favourites shows (and future McHusbands) at www.fanpop.com