November Reading

It’s no news I’m a reader. Even more than I dream of being a writer, reading is one of my favorite activities (running a close second to pretending I’m a stylist and mocking everyone I watch on reality TV). The combination of reader and librarian means that I get often get asked, “What are you reading? What do you recommend?” Sometimes this comes from people in the library who seem undeterred by the fact that I have a 2” thick bright blue cord emblazoned with VOLUNTEER hanging from my neck. My pretense of not speaking English doesn’t seem to slow them down either. Anyway, you’ve stopped by so I thought I’d share some of my finds this month as it was a stunning literary month (i.e. I loved more books than I hated).

Because this is my blog my rules I’ll also include a couple of sentences about each book. No spoilers, I promise. And kids, don’t try this at home. I’m a professional book reviewer (yes, I am. It’s just one more thing I do that no one will pay you for).

Apologies in advance, I’m not a big non-fiction person, so you might be bored. Sorry.

Here are a few of my favorite picks this month.

Blood, Bones & Butter

It’s non-fiction! And it is wonderful. Gabrielle Hamilton’s way with words is as mouth-watering as her talent with food. I would love to eat at her restaurant.

Anything by Marne Davis Kellogg (Brilliant, Priceless, Perfect)

Kellogg and her heroine Kick Keswick are my go-to reality escapes. The books are funny, well researched, and witty with a side of British snark. Doesn’t get much better for me.

 Maine

Irish Catholic family dysfunction. Do I really need to say more?

Cousin Bette

Considered a classic of literature but makes daytime soaps look tame. Who know there was so much conniving in the late 19^th century? Read because people will be impressed you’re reading Balzac and will have no idea that it is a literary Dynasty episode from beginning to end. Marvelous!

 With Friends Like These

Written by a woman about female friendships some might dismiss this as chick lit but it’s so much more. Funny and engrossing it looks at the choices each of us makes in our relationships.

I know there is division in the blog world about advertising and I’ve always been on the side of ‘don’t do it’ but with as many books as I read a month I decided I wasn’t going to continue giving Amazon free press via links. If you’re at all interested in buying any of these books you can go to my little Retail Therapy photo and get them directly from Amazon. No pressure, I’m not paying for a trip to Tuscany with your clicks, but after many moons I might earn enough for a box of Russel Stover dark chocolates. To eat while I read.