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 was just coming here to write that Piglet (which I read on the first weekend of Feb) was still one of my favourites of the month! I absolutely adored the writing and I say that as someone who never thought they’d like food-heavy writing! We’ve just recorded an interview with Lottie for Better Words podcast and it made me want to re-read it again!!
I keep shoving this book (metaphorically) into friends' hands because I loved it so much. Very happy to find a kindred spirit. And thank you for the tip on your podcast! I can't wait to listen. (I'm recommending Piglet on our Strong Sense of Place podcast this Friday ;-) I hope this book goes crazy popular and everyone reads it. She seems like an awesome person. Her game company?! So cool.
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 haven't read KPS yet but it's on the list. I enjoyed the first two books from Old Man's War though. I find Scalzi to be very approachable and fun to read.
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.
I was just coming here to write that Piglet (which I read on the first weekend of Feb) was still one of my favourites of the month! I absolutely adored the writing and I say that as someone who never thought they’d like food-heavy writing! We’ve just recorded an interview with Lottie for Better Words podcast and it made me want to re-read it again!!
I keep shoving this book (metaphorically) into friends' hands because I loved it so much. Very happy to find a kindred spirit. And thank you for the tip on your podcast! I can't wait to listen. (I'm recommending Piglet on our Strong Sense of Place podcast this Friday ;-) I hope this book goes crazy popular and everyone reads it. She seems like an awesome person. Her game company?! So cool.
We spoke about the games at the end because we were so intrigued! She was lovely! Looking forward to listening to your podcast too.
Without a doubt, The Covenant of Water. Wonderful saga, writing , plot, and characters..... all have stuck with me even today.
Ah, so good! Easily a favorite read of mine from '23.
I’m reading it right now, very slowly. The writing is absolutely beautiful. I don’t want it to end
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.
I read it last fall — enjoyable enough, but hasn't stuck with me like I thought it would.
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.
It's a great one! Meryl Streep is just perfect.
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. 🙏❤️
Nice, that's been on my list a long time.
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.
One of my favorites. So good!
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.
Nice! I've been meaning to read some Phil Dick.
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.
Awesome, thanks for the recs!
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.
That one looks so quirky and cozy!
I’m travelling to Japan next month and thought I might take this one along as a companion read for the trip.
That’s a great idea! I also loved The Traveling Cat Chronicles, which was translated from Japanese.
I’ll check it out!
I listened to The Hate U Give and was thoroughly impressed by the storytelling and the deep family love and loyalty it portrayed.
Great one. Been meaning to read "Concrete Rose" too, which I believe is a prequel.
Along with Dune, I read Starter Villain by John Scalzi. Lots of fun and a perfect side book.
I've only read one Scalzi (Kaiju Preservation Society) and enjoyed it enough. I definitely have Old Man's War on my list.
I haven't read KPS yet but it's on the list. I enjoyed the first two books from Old Man's War though. I find Scalzi to be very approachable and fun to read.
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
Oh nice! Bright Young Women, a novel about Ted Bundy's crimes, was close to my top pick of February.
MLK by Jonathan Eig. A incredible book that everyone should really read. Pulitizer Prize worthy.
He's a fantastic biographer! His bio of Ali was one of my favorites too.
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.
Haven't heard of it! Thanks Paula. :)