Thank you for sharing! In return, two books I’ve recently enjoyed:
New - Why We Read by Shannon Reed, short essays by an English teacher/ professor for anytime of day esp when you need a pick me up, and lots of good reading recs here
Not extremely new - Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, really creative fiction about Hollywood and Asian actors and family. I cried but in a good way.
If I live to be 1028 years old I still will never be able to read all the books compiled in my "to read" list. (Same goes for recipes!) Baldwin is on my list and prompted by your post, I have promised myself to pick up one of his books in the month of June.
My two recommendations: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami will take you on such a journey. And in the new category, I enjoyed Alton Brown's Food for Thought:Essays and Ruminations. Ahh, I almost wish the sun was not out today so that I could curl up and read. Alas, my garden calls.
Years ago, I read a bunch of Murakami novels (and some non-fiction). He came up in conversation a few weeks ago and I was stunned to realize I hadn't thought much about him in ages, or could even recall details from all those books I'd devoured. I told myself I'd reread Wind Up Bird soon, but I needed this reminder to actually put it a hold on it at the library. So, thanks!!
Pee Wee forever!♥️♥️Also, just finished Curtis Sittenfeld’s collection of short stories: Show Don’t Tell. It’s a fantastic grouping of stories about all the messiness of life, love her writing and insights!🤓
One podcast that I have to be an evangelist about, and some folks here probably already know about it, but Your Mama's Kitchen hosted by Michele Norris is joyous, touching, and will most likely make you hungry. Every conversation about their mom's (or grandma's or general family's) kitchen brings up food memories, sure, but also family relationships, childhood adventures and lessons, AND recipes.
For audio - I'm about to finish The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi and it's the most fun I've had with a book in awhile. SO GOOD. The audiobook is so well done - I can't stop listening.
As for sitting and reading - I just finished Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy and that was excellent.
Giovanni's Room is one of my absolute favorites! First (overtly) queer book I ever read. We visited Philly AIDS Thrift a couple weeks back (an INCREDIBLE store!) but we didn't get to their separate bookstore a few blocks away: "Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni's Room" <3
I am PLOWING through the acotar series and am not ashamed. The escapism is spectacular. I am never not reading Paul Crenshaw (non-fiction), Laura Kennedy (culture/philosophy), and Victoria de La Fuente (parenting/fashion) on Substack (plus tons of remarkable food writers). Watching the new season of Big Mouth, which is absurd but also should probably be required watching for all people to learn about gender identity and sexuality because it’s just amazing.
I just watched the series Detroiters on Netflix. It’s a short lived adorable and absurd buddy comedy in the vein of Flight of the Conchords.
I’m listening to the Ologies podcast. The most recent episode was about gray foxes and I learned a lot. I think you and Grace would enjoy it! There are episodes about squirrels and several about birds.
Food on repeat: the vegan Caesar from WGWW (but with real mayo)
And now I’m getting ready for grilling season! Would you please do a post about what you grill and how? I would love some ideas!
Oh this is awesome! Thanks for sharing! Emperor of Gladness is one of the most exquisite books I have ever read. Current music in our household is the new album by Lucy Dacus. So beautiful.
Giovanni's Room floored me, and I just picked up Emperor of Gladness a couple days ago. I read The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo earlier this month, and wow did I get wrapped up in it!
Really enjoying Zarna Garg’s hilarious memoir on Audible, especially the chapters about how she ran away from an arranged marriage in India, then met her eventual husband online.
Thank you for sharing! In return, two books I’ve recently enjoyed:
New - Why We Read by Shannon Reed, short essays by an English teacher/ professor for anytime of day esp when you need a pick me up, and lots of good reading recs here
Not extremely new - Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, really creative fiction about Hollywood and Asian actors and family. I cried but in a good way.
Have you seen the Interior Chinatown series? My partner had read the book, I had not, and we both enjoyed it (& were equally perplexed 😂)
perplexed in a good way? or frustrating? asking for a friend...
good way! I don't want to give anything away but there is a "what is going on?" element to the show
oooo gotcha — okay will watch!
will check out — thank you!
Ohh I love that tiny desk! (Baby gangsta!!) My all time faves are Mon Laferte (heavily pregnant) and C. Tangana (who brought all his pals), though
will check out!!
oh, thank you for the shout out!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxxoxo
loved your essay so much!
I read "a ton of tips" as "a ton of dips" and thought, wow! A kitchen tour and a ton of dips?!
hahahaha :)
If I live to be 1028 years old I still will never be able to read all the books compiled in my "to read" list. (Same goes for recipes!) Baldwin is on my list and prompted by your post, I have promised myself to pick up one of his books in the month of June.
My two recommendations: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami will take you on such a journey. And in the new category, I enjoyed Alton Brown's Food for Thought:Essays and Ruminations. Ahh, I almost wish the sun was not out today so that I could curl up and read. Alas, my garden calls.
Years ago, I read a bunch of Murakami novels (and some non-fiction). He came up in conversation a few weeks ago and I was stunned to realize I hadn't thought much about him in ages, or could even recall details from all those books I'd devoured. I told myself I'd reread Wind Up Bird soon, but I needed this reminder to actually put it a hold on it at the library. So, thanks!!
love this!
thank you for these recs! and I totally understand about the TBR pile!!!
Pee Wee forever!♥️♥️Also, just finished Curtis Sittenfeld’s collection of short stories: Show Don’t Tell. It’s a fantastic grouping of stories about all the messiness of life, love her writing and insights!🤓
I loved Sittenfeld’s collection too!
well now I really need to read it!!!
oh I will check it out - thank you!
One podcast that I have to be an evangelist about, and some folks here probably already know about it, but Your Mama's Kitchen hosted by Michele Norris is joyous, touching, and will most likely make you hungry. Every conversation about their mom's (or grandma's or general family's) kitchen brings up food memories, sure, but also family relationships, childhood adventures and lessons, AND recipes.
oh thank you! will check out!
For audio - I'm about to finish The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi and it's the most fun I've had with a book in awhile. SO GOOD. The audiobook is so well done - I can't stop listening.
As for sitting and reading - I just finished Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy and that was excellent.
Seconding Wild Dark Shore! Loved it so much.
Amina Al-Sirafi was so good!!! I love all of Shannon Chakraborty’s writing—highly recommend the Daevabad series if you haven’t already read it!
thank you! will check out!
Giovanni's Room is one of my absolute favorites! First (overtly) queer book I ever read. We visited Philly AIDS Thrift a couple weeks back (an INCREDIBLE store!) but we didn't get to their separate bookstore a few blocks away: "Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni's Room" <3
awww I love knowing all of this timmy!!!!
I am PLOWING through the acotar series and am not ashamed. The escapism is spectacular. I am never not reading Paul Crenshaw (non-fiction), Laura Kennedy (culture/philosophy), and Victoria de La Fuente (parenting/fashion) on Substack (plus tons of remarkable food writers). Watching the new season of Big Mouth, which is absurd but also should probably be required watching for all people to learn about gender identity and sexuality because it’s just amazing.
so many great recs! thank you friend!!
I just watched the series Detroiters on Netflix. It’s a short lived adorable and absurd buddy comedy in the vein of Flight of the Conchords.
I’m listening to the Ologies podcast. The most recent episode was about gray foxes and I learned a lot. I think you and Grace would enjoy it! There are episodes about squirrels and several about birds.
Food on repeat: the vegan Caesar from WGWW (but with real mayo)
And now I’m getting ready for grilling season! Would you please do a post about what you grill and how? I would love some ideas!
grace lovvvvves ologies!!!! and a grilling post sounds like a great idea!!!!
Oh this is awesome! Thanks for sharing! Emperor of Gladness is one of the most exquisite books I have ever read. Current music in our household is the new album by Lucy Dacus. So beautiful.
will have to listen!!
Giovanni's Room floored me, and I just picked up Emperor of Gladness a couple days ago. I read The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo earlier this month, and wow did I get wrapped up in it!
thanks for this rec!!
The audio version is great!!
Really enjoying Zarna Garg’s hilarious memoir on Audible, especially the chapters about how she ran away from an arranged marriage in India, then met her eventual husband online.
love a good audio recommendation thank you!