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What We’re Reading

October 23, 2013 by Joy the Baker 56 Comments

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You know what I like about us?  I like that we read together.  This summer we put together a Summer Reading List.  It was super satisfying.  I asked you what you were reading on Twitter, and you filled my life with new titles and old classics.  I totally appreciate your point of view.

It’s a new season, and it’s time to pull out a new stack of books. Here’s a peek at what I’m reading and what I’m cooking from this Fall.  Some are new.  Some are old.  All of them feel like that super worn in sweater that you wear despite its smell… or maybe that’s just me.

Letters To My Daughter by Maya Angelou.  Maya is one of the best voices of our time.  Her story, and her willingness to be so open, so vulnerable, and so imperfect, poetic, and uplifting is everything we need to hear.  Everything.

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri.  Her words just bleed with this depth of story, and passion, and knowing.  I’m in the middle of The Lowland now and I’m reading slowly because I never want it to end.  I get so attached to her characters it’s hard to say goodbye.

A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman.  I love when books invite me to look at my life and creativity differently.  This is that book!

The Mac and Cheese Cookbook by Allison Arevalo and Erin Wade.  It’s cold and I want cheese.  This cookbook is all about comfort as evidenced my Mac and Cheese + Minty Peas.

Tender by Nigel Slater.  If you’ve never read a Nigel Slater, it’s like you’ve never fallen in love with a process.  Nigel’s recipes appear in paragraph form, and read like a ode to the kitchen.  It’s a very grounding vacation from the kitchen game.

Good Meat by Deborah Krasner.  I pull this book out every Fall and make meat.  I just do.  It’s a dictionary of meaty guidance.  Let it happen.  This book is great for a carnivore’s housewarming present.  FYI.

The New Complete Cook of Pasta by Maria Luisa Scott.  You might have to find this book used, but it’s so worth it!  So much pasta.  So much classic and peculiar pasta.  I could drown, in the best/most pasta-y way possible.

The French Market Cookbook by Clotilde Dusoulier.  Take me away!  Take me to your French Market, and fresh kitchen.  Thank you.

We Are Water

And and and!  One of my favorite authors EVER EVER has a new book out!  Wally Lamb wrote us We Are Water.  I’m diving right on in.  If you have not yet been funny destroyed by I Know This Much Is True, perhaps start there.

There are some good reads that come directly to my email inbox.  They keep me pithy and informed.  I’ve told you about The Skimm before.  It’s totally reliable, totally informed, real/not Kardashian news.  Sign up and every morning you can read about the what’s going on in the world while you check email in bed.  I also super love Next Draft, which is basically a distilation of the days most interesting news.  With Next Draft I get to read about my age measured in altered DNA, and what it’s like when a grown woman wears Axe body spray for an entire week.  I mean…

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  1. denise kelley

    December 18, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Try “The Last Banquet” by Jonathan Grimwood. It’s all about his ultimate search for the ultimate flavor. It’s brilliantly told, edgy, moving, completely satisfying.

    Reply
  2. Cate

    October 30, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    Gonna add these to the wish list, thanks for sharing, x

    Reply
  3. Becky

    October 28, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    Finished The Lowland in 6 hours. Was so captivated, could just not stop reading. Subtle and beautiful, just like all of Jhumpa Lahiri’s other books. T
    But The Namesake still remains my favorite :)

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. Everything that is | Charlotte au Chocolat says:
    November 30, 2013 at 11:05 am

    […] *Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter (via a recommendation by Joy). […]

    Reply
  2. Leah’s Link Loves | Georgia Peach On My Mind says:
    November 15, 2013 at 7:31 am

    […] Some new book suggestions from Joy the Baker if you need some ideas. […]

    Reply

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🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeas 🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeast bagel magic for your Sunday morning. ⁣
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Two Easy No-Yeast Bagels⁣⁣
1/2 cup self-rising flour⁣⁣
4 tablespoons greek yogurt (plus a teaspoon or two more if needed)⁣
1 large egg, beaten for egg wash⁣⁣
1/3 - 1/2 cup grated gouda or gruyere⁣⁣
Everything bagel seasoning⁣⁣
3 tablespoons baking soda with 2 cups of boiling water. ⁣⁣
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Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick spray. ⁣⁣
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In a small bowl, use a firm spatula to work together the flour and yogurt. Add a few teaspoons of yogurt if it feels dry and knead into a cohesive ball for 5 minutes or so. Sprinkle with a bit more flour if it gets overly sticky. Cover with a damp paper towel and gather your toppings. ⁣⁣
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Divide dough in two and roll each piece into a roughly 8-inch rope. Bring the ends around and pinch into a circle. ⁣⁣
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Sprinkle the bottom of the prepared pan with grated cheese in two spots.  Pour boiling water over the baking soda and float each bagel in the water for 20 or so seconds.  Use a slotted spot or spatula to transfer the bagels on top of the cheese.  Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with more cheese and everything bagel seasoning. ⁣⁣
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Bake for 20 - 22 minutes until deeply golden and bubbling.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and smearing with cream cheese.
The secret to really great muffins is eating them The secret to really great muffins is eating them warm, with a big smear of butter and a sprinkle flakey sea salt. ❇️ This goes for any muffin but is especially delicious on these a Vegan Carrot Zucchini Harvest Muffins because they have so many veggies they’re basically a salad. ❇️ Full recipe linked in the bio! Xo
This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is pa This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is packed with oats, @guittardchocolate baking wafers, and candy coated chocolate pieces from @traderjoes. ✌️ It’s the perfect weekend bake, babes! Full recipe linked in the profile!
Once September hits it’s all cozy couch dinners Once September hits it’s all cozy couch dinners starting with this creamy tomato Marry Me Chicken. Disclaimer: this chicken has yet to get me hitched. Full recipe linked in the bio, bbs! Xo
This weekend I spent most of my time in a motorcyc This weekend I spent most of my time in a motorcycle seat but there was also boudin stuffed kolaches and @karleesislerflores’s perfect peach butter. Happy Labor Day, friends! Xo
I’ve entered my Kolache Era! First recipe test i I’ve entered my Kolache Era! First recipe test includes kolache dough from @kingarthurbaking (chosen because of the sour cream in the dough) and @karleesislerflores’ peach butter (the perfect blend of summer and fall spices). ⁣
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We’re just a few tweaks away from a recipe. More is more when it comes to boudin and peach butter. That’s what we know. Xo
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