EXCERPT: Lisa Birnbach's 'True Prep'

Sept. 10, 2010— -- The guru of prep is back. Lisa Birnbach, the author of the international best-seller, "The Official Preppy Handbook," offers a whole new take on the preppy world in a book she wrote with designer Chip Kidd called "True Prep."

Read an excerpt of the book below.

About The Book

"True Prep" is a contemporary look at how the old guard of natural-fiber-loving, dog-worshipping, G&T-soaked preppies adapt to the new order of things. Birnbach considers the prep attitude towards money (ambivalent), schools (good investment), wardrobe (now your clothes fit), work (some careers will never be prep), decorating (ask mummy), scandal (including rehab and prison), and food and drink (with some classic recipes for both). She also looks at weekends (and what to do to get asked back), entertaining, sports (including sailing and shopping), weddings, etiquette, the Internet and electronic gadgetry, political correctness, reality TV, and ... polar fleece. And last but not least: a do-it-yourself eulogy.

With more than 200 original illustrations and photographs, "True Prep" promises to be a whole new, old sensation.

An Excerpt: Our Book Club

We start a book club because we feel intellectually thwarted by the endless devotion to our children: making their lunches; buying them miniature cashmere sweaters, which they keep losing; packing for camp; and the relentless torment of carpooling.

We remember how our intelligence was once piqued long ago in that class we took. Was it at Deerfield or at Pomona? How could we have forgotten? What was that class? The role of gender in the works of Manet and Dickens? Who taught it?

Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that you and Tricia and Weesa, Luce, Bead, Steen, Bimmie, Mimo and probably someone else we can't remember right now have our mornings free (after Pilates and yoga, that is) and could use the brain stimulation.

Who wants to host the first one? Should it be Thursday at eleven? And then break for lunch? Perfect. Once a month? Perfect. The first Thursday of the month? Oh the second? Excellent. That'll give us time to read the damn books.