pickI don't get here often enough, but I really had to stop and recommended this particular book. It's one of the kindest and most humane books I've read in years. It's just a delight and an absolute antidote too so much of the craziness swirling around us.
A dear friend that gave me an Amazon gift card for Christmas. I have to say I think I did very well. I made that card squeak. This was my haul. The only one I've read so far is American Hippo, which was good but not as good as I had hoped. I found it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to connect with the characters in any meaningful emotional way.
I've been brewing kombucha for a while now, but I wanted something that would help me go further with it. This is the book.
Finally I have time to look through some of my Christmas books. This one is particularly close to my heart because this bread always reminds me of my father who went out of his way to get a loaf for me when he was near the bakery where they carried it.
August reading list is up on my blog: https://tracyrowanwrites.wordpress.com/2019/09/01/august-2019-reading-recap/
pickRuhlman is one of my favorite food writers and I am convinced that every single one of us who buy our food in stores must read this book. It's eye-opening, and not just in an OMG WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE! way that so many books about the American way of eating are. It's a history of grocery stores, an examination of the part they play in American life, and a look into the future of how we'll shop for our food.
pickWow, I loved this book! I read it in a day, switching from print to audio and back again so I didn‘t have to put it down. I loved the way Ireland wove real history into her zombie uprising story, and subverted some common tropes to make the story richer and more real. Can‘t wait for the sequel.
pickFor much of this long, leisurely novel I felt I was watching a slow-motion train wreck. I was horrified by what I thought was going to happen. And then suddenly I realized that it wasn't a train wreck at all, but a story that made me feel that all was right with the world. Gowar won me over by art and a bit of magic, and I am so very glad I read this. The language is dazzling and the audiobook, narrated by Juliet Stephenson is superb. I loved it!
pickAn odd book that reminded me of “The Underground Railroad.“ I was expecting this to be more traditional SF/F I found it slow going at first. And in the end, the fantastic elements proved to be more metaphors for the changes we experience in our lives, and for how often they throw us into situations that change us, make us more ourselves, perhaps. As the author says, “We are all nomads through time.“
Wild Fermentation just dropped from the library, which is timely because I just started several ferments including these two jars of filmjölk. One is plain, and the other is chocolate-flavored. I used the last of my Midnight Moo on it so I hope the experiment pans out!
This week I treated myself to a membership from the Brooklyn public library. I got my card in the mail a couple of days ago and it's wonderful! I've already borrowed a dozen books, and am currently listening to Exit West. Membership for anyone outside of the library area is $50 a year, but you can access it through Overdrive, and they have a very large catalog. In truth I'm kind of jealous because it's way better than the Chicago public library.
"We can become creators of a better world, of better and more sustainable food choices, of greater awareness of resources, and of community based upon sharing. For culture to be strong and resilient, it must be a creative realm in which skills, information, and values are engaged and transmitted; culture cannot thrive as a consumer paradise or a spectator sport. Daily life offers constant opportunities for participatory action. Sieze them."
Doing Justice has given me a deeper understanding of the whole process of justice in our country. Bharara is thoughtful, intelligent, and incredibly well-educated. Listening to this book is a legal education. He also narrates the audiobook so the experience is quite immersive. Nice way to spend a spring afternoon.
pickMore from my Facebook project: Tove Jansson's The Summer Book might reasonably be called a book in which nothing much happens, but what does is everything. Six year old Sophia and her grandmother spend their summer ambling around an island in the Gulf of Finland, talking about life, the universe, and everything. It's a warm, peaceful, affectionate book about love and life, and I'm so grateful to the friend who gave me a copy many years ago.
pickSome friends and I are doing this thing on Facebook where we recommend books we love. I chose this one today because it's one of the best kitchen reference books I've ever seen. If you have an ingredient and you don't know what flavors compliment it, just look it up here. They will give you a list of flavors that compliment and enhance the flavor of your ingredient. I am absolutely evangelical about this one
Book haul, which includes a gift for The Housemate which isn't shown here because I don't want to spoil the surprise. The Uncommon Fruits and Vegetables book is an old, old friend.
Taking this opportunity to post about a reread of Good Omens in prep for the series later this month. The audiobook leaves something to be desired, but its goofy good humor still shines through.
Have to say that the ability to post on Litsy from my computer is HUGE. Thanks to everyone who made it happen.
So, that book I was willing to move heaven and Earth to read? I'm thinking that I shouldn't have bothered. A little dull, and unevenly written. Not bad enough to quit reading, but I'm thinking not good enough to continue with the series unless things pick up dramatically.
While reading this book, I find myself doing household tasks and reciting the names of the bugs that maybe lurking within them. Scooping the litter? Toxoplasma gondii. Washing dishes? Biofilm, which is science talk for bacterial gunk.
I wonder if earworms count...
I do recognize that this is a rhetorical question in this group, but did you ever read the blurb of a book and think, "I will move heaven and Earth to read this as soon as possible."? That's how I felt when I read about this book. Fantasy, secret society, Belle Epoque France, all my candy in one place. I'm going to begin it tonight when I go to bed.
Discovered an Audible credit I forgot I had, so once I finished the book on physics I was listening to, I picked up this to continue learning about the small things in the world. And specifically, the small things of our smaller worlds.
My reading has been all over the place lately. I've been reading a lot of graphic novels and a lot of short stories. Most notably: A People's Future History of the United States, edited by Victor LaValle.
But what I enjoyed most is the audiobook of I Contain Multitudes. It sent me out looking for information on bacteria and single-celled creatures and viruses, and mosses and lichens, and other small things. I really recommend it.
I completely forgot in the night ordered this. Happy almost birthday to me.
There is always a thrill to getting books in the mail.
While I Kondo'd my kitchen I listened to A Gentleman in Moscow again (third time in 3 years) and loved it even more this time. It has become one of my favorite books.
Devouring this book, the most magical of a most magical trilogy.
A Christmas gift from my wish list!
I've been MIA for a while now for a lot of reasons, but I thought I'd share today's book haul. The Betty Crocker was my first cookbook. I'm indulging in some nostalgia.
And thanks to Nick Offerman's Gumption, and The Botany of Desire, I'm on a Michael Pollan kick.
Until about an hour ago I was completely sold on this book. It was so beautiful that it sometimes brought tears to my eyes. And now suddenly in the middle of it he's giving us a bibliography. I really don't know what's going to happen next. I hope he redeems himself.
@jesshowbooks #friyayintro
1. Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicle.
2. Parks and Rec.
3. I watched the Cubs win it last year which was the first game I've seen in 50+ years, so not unless something miraculous happens.
4. Fresh asparagus and green pea salad with feta and lemon vinaigrette.
5. He wasn't a big reader, but he liked books about antiques, art and architecture. He bought me my first books before I was born.
#audible #audiblestats
For someone who didn't "get" audiobooks until recently, I've taken to them pretty vigorously.
I'm in one of those moods when nothing is working for me, so I chose an old friend.
This month in the Amazon First collection, you can pick up half a dozen short stories in what's called "The Real Thing" series. They're available as e-books and as audiobooks, and if you're a Prime member they're free to borrow.
I've read three of them so far, and have enjoyed them tremendously. They're not conventional romances, but they explore the idea of love in many different forms. I really recommend that you take advantage of Amazon First.
pickhttps://tracyrowanwrites.wordpress.com
There are three new reviews up today. Not going to flood Litsy with a lot of "Read my reviews!" posts this evening. All worth reading.
Photo from the Devonian fern forest corner of my garden.
Oh. Em. Gee. I love Nick.
And I thought Lost Boy was dark. I'm really not loving this, though I do want to finish since I'm invested against my will. So strange.
#humpdaypost @MinDea
1. From the garden
2. No. I tend to be a hermit and don't do meet ups. #Chicago
3. Triscuit with tomatoes, scallions, and melted cheddar
4. Black and white with a picture of Krampus
5. About half.
#tuesdaytidbits @JenlovesJT47
1. Revisiting books I loved as a child, things like King of the Wind, Early Candlelight Stories, or Richard Scarry's golden books.
2. This is only sometimes a guilty pleasure, but the made for Swedish TV versions of the Lisbeth Salander stories. Guilty because I love just to listen. The sound of Swedish is comforting and often helps me sleep.
3. Ice cream. I have no off switch.
4. New Littens, come and play.
pickhttps://tracyrowanwrites.wordpress.com/2018/06/05/review-the-haunting-of-hill-ho...
I can't believe it took me 55:years to finally read this! Amazing stuff.
Finished The Haunting and started James Clapper's new book, a different kind of horror story.
Here's Leo and Mama Cardinal giving each other the stink eye. There's a nest just outside that window. Tomorrow Mama gets roasted mealworms as an apology for my cat.
#manicmonday @JoScho
1. Ice cream 4 ever!
2. Beach, as long as it's not packed with people.
3. Strawberries by a slight edge. Only slight.
4. Home, home, home
5. ALL the books! Format doesn't matter to me.
I have loved this movie since I first saw it in 1963, but for some reason I have never gotten around to reading the book. It's been on my wish list forever. But yesterday it went on sale, and I bought it. I'm starting it tonight.
so-sohttps://tracyrowanwrites.wordpress.com/2018/06/03/review-warlight-by-michael-ond...
Gorgeously written but oddly uninvolving.
pickhttps://tracyrowanwrites.wordpress.com/2018/06/03/review-it-ended-badly-thirteen...
More hilarity from Jennifer Wright
panhttps://tracyrowanwrites.wordpress.com/2018/06/01/review-the-book-of-ralph-by-ch...
Started well, then crashed and burned.
I'm thinkin' I may have overdone this whole ARC thing.
pickhttps://tracyrowanwrites.wordpress.com/2018/05/29/review-a-bite-sized-history-of...
This is the sort of book that will get you up out of your chair to root around in the refrigerator for something really tasty to eat.
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