The House on First Street, by Julia Reed

Marie Antoinette-ish nonfic. Julia Reed's book gives a tantalizing taste of what pre-Katrina New Orleans must have been like for the very very wealthy and well connected. Her memories of champagne and oysters and divine decadance are lovely and all, but even she herself admits it's all a bit Marie Antoinette. Post-Katrina, her home-renovation saga really lost any flavor. In light of all those who died, and who have lost so much in the aftermath of the storm, Vogue writer Julia Reed's flagstone steps seem hideously selfish- although, I suppose in a way, at least she is working to preserve some historic architecture. Ugh. I don't know.