I was in a horrible reading slump — a string of only-OK books in a row :-( — and then I listened to the audiobook of Piglet by Lottie Hazell. I loved it so much! It's the story of a British cookbook editor with a picture-perfect fiancé. They're just 12 days out from their wedding when he confesses a terrible betrayal. The rest of the story is the countdown to the wedding and how the heroine Piglet deals with (and doesn't) her feelings. It's filled with vivid food descriptions, and is a deep exploration of female friendship, family, and how we manage (or don't) our desires. It's blackly funny and smart and has some fantastic set pieces that are equal parts heartbreaking and hilarious. It's like Nora Ephron plus Jane Austen plus Fleabag — which will give you a good idea if it's for you or not.
I re-read Sense and Sensibility for the first time in 30 plus years and was struck by how easily Austen lets Willoughby off in the scene with Eleanor when he thinks Marianne is dying. Not my favourite Austen but best February read as it made me realise how much I have changed as a reader since I last read the book. Now off to search out Piglet after the recs here.
Enjoyed Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. She creates people and places you care about and want to visit for a while. Listened to Meryl Streep, narrating the Audible version while I was reading the book. Fun and a great escape.
I’m in the middle of Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigerian author who also wrote the much admired Americana). Really wonderful characters and writing- you fall into their world immediately. 🙏❤️
I dug up a copy of The Illustrated Blade Runner and loved reading the original script - lots of great turns of phrase in the stage directions, reminders that a good script should be a great reading experience in itself.
I fell behind on Dune because I absolutely tore through "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter, "The Ferryman" by Justin Cronin, and "Wellness" by Nathan Hill - all amazing books.
I was less enthralled by "Cherry" (Nico Walker) and "Blackouts" (Justin Torres), though "Blackouts" was certainly a unique reading experience.
"Everybody Knows" by Jordan Harper was a fun, fast LA noir that I enjoyed a lot while reading but hasn't stuck with me afterwards.
The Kamogawa Food Detectives was a magical read which took only one Saturday afternoon! I loved this book so much, for its simplicity and nuance, the interesting characters, the setting, and of course - the cat.
I've been reading Ann Rule's true crime books on my kindle. Started with stranger beside me and then devoured green river running red... If you really loved me made me furious and Small Sacrifices made me furious again. But Stranger Beside Me was a fascinating look at a serial killer through the eyes of someone who knew him as a person. Green River Running Red was a look at police work written chronologically as it happened. Very well written books
I was in a horrible reading slump — a string of only-OK books in a row :-( — and then I listened to the audiobook of Piglet by Lottie Hazell. I loved it so much! It's the story of a British cookbook editor with a picture-perfect fiancé. They're just 12 days out from their wedding when he confesses a terrible betrayal. The rest of the story is the countdown to the wedding and how the heroine Piglet deals with (and doesn't) her feelings. It's filled with vivid food descriptions, and is a deep exploration of female friendship, family, and how we manage (or don't) our desires. It's blackly funny and smart and has some fantastic set pieces that are equal parts heartbreaking and hilarious. It's like Nora Ephron plus Jane Austen plus Fleabag — which will give you a good idea if it's for you or not.
Without a doubt, The Covenant of Water. Wonderful saga, writing , plot, and characters..... all have stuck with me even today.
I re-read Sense and Sensibility for the first time in 30 plus years and was struck by how easily Austen lets Willoughby off in the scene with Eleanor when he thinks Marianne is dying. Not my favourite Austen but best February read as it made me realise how much I have changed as a reader since I last read the book. Now off to search out Piglet after the recs here.
Enjoyed Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. She creates people and places you care about and want to visit for a while. Listened to Meryl Streep, narrating the Audible version while I was reading the book. Fun and a great escape.
I’m in the middle of Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigerian author who also wrote the much admired Americana). Really wonderful characters and writing- you fall into their world immediately. 🙏❤️
The Women by Kristin Hannah. I'm still thinking about Frankie McGrath several week post-read.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchell. Makes me want to move back to Michigan. The Great Lakes, the cherry trees!
Remarkably Bright Creatures was amazing. Finally got to it and highly recommend it.
I dug up a copy of The Illustrated Blade Runner and loved reading the original script - lots of great turns of phrase in the stage directions, reminders that a good script should be a great reading experience in itself.
I fell behind on Dune because I absolutely tore through "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter, "The Ferryman" by Justin Cronin, and "Wellness" by Nathan Hill - all amazing books.
I was less enthralled by "Cherry" (Nico Walker) and "Blackouts" (Justin Torres), though "Blackouts" was certainly a unique reading experience.
"Everybody Knows" by Jordan Harper was a fun, fast LA noir that I enjoyed a lot while reading but hasn't stuck with me afterwards.
The Kamogawa Food Detectives was a magical read which took only one Saturday afternoon! I loved this book so much, for its simplicity and nuance, the interesting characters, the setting, and of course - the cat.
I listened to The Hate U Give and was thoroughly impressed by the storytelling and the deep family love and loyalty it portrayed.
Along with Dune, I read Starter Villain by John Scalzi. Lots of fun and a perfect side book.
I've been reading Ann Rule's true crime books on my kindle. Started with stranger beside me and then devoured green river running red... If you really loved me made me furious and Small Sacrifices made me furious again. But Stranger Beside Me was a fascinating look at a serial killer through the eyes of someone who knew him as a person. Green River Running Red was a look at police work written chronologically as it happened. Very well written books
MLK by Jonathan Eig. A incredible book that everyone should really read. Pulitizer Prize worthy.
The Book of the Dun Cow was my best February read. I have a hold on Piglet at the library, so I'm glad to see these good reviews.