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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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jaime @ asweetroad

    October 24, 2013 at 11:07 am

    I’m always looking for new books to read, thanks!

    Reply
  2. Maddy

    October 24, 2013 at 10:43 am

    Signed up for The Skimm, thanks for the rec! :)

    Reply
  3. Abby @ The Frosted Vegan

    October 24, 2013 at 10:40 am

    I adore these posts, thanks Joy!

    Reply
  4. Robyn

    October 24, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Will def check out a couple if those mentioned- firstly the Wally lamb novel. I just finished 1913 which was a favorite read in quite some time- written by florian illies. I’m enjoying ‘ let’s explore diabetes with owls’ ( as kooky as it sounds!) by David sedaris

    Reply
  5. UnicornWrangler

    October 24, 2013 at 10:22 am

    I’m finally catching up with my summer reading list (whoops) thanks to an Amazon gift card birthday present — I recently finished “The Shining Girls” by Lauren Beukes (so creepy… so engrossing) and am now devouring “The Flamethrowers” by Rachel Kushner. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a strong female lead… Thanks for reading inspiration!

    Reply
  6. Jessica Bell

    October 24, 2013 at 10:00 am

    I have been in a rut of what to read next. This definitely helps me out :) thank you!!

    Reply
  7. Gretchen

    October 24, 2013 at 10:45 am

    I love when you do these reading lists, Joy, it feels like a big internet book club. Do you ever read the blog Yummy-Books? I forget the blogger’s name (senior moment!) but she writes about food scenes from books, and also gives book recommendations, I think you would like it. I can’t believe there is a whole book on macaroni and cheese. Keep up the great work.
    God Bless,
    Gretchen.

    Reply
  8. Amie

    October 24, 2013 at 9:43 am

    I am devouring The Dark Tower series by Steven King. Then I may move on to some more contemporary books. I haven’t explored outside of my usual fantasy realm in awhile. It will be nice to take a break from Martin, Jordan, Sanderson, and McCaffrey.

    Reply
  9. Diana

    October 24, 2013 at 9:26 am

    What great suggestions! I’ve been meaning to read something by Wally Lamb, and this definitely convinced me to go for it!

    Some of my favorites from the past few months: Tell the Wolves I’m Home (Carol Rifka Brunt), Me Before You (JoJo Moyes), and Where’d You Go, Bernadette (Maria Semple). I’m also working my way through The Girl Who Fell From the Sky (Heidi Durrow), which so far is fantastic.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      October 24, 2013 at 9:44 am

      these are such great suggestions!!

      Reply
  10. Leigh Kramer

    October 24, 2013 at 8:36 am

    I adore Wally Lamb and can’t wait to read his new one. He’s actually going to be speaking in town soon and I’m hoping I can finagle a way to go see him.

    If you want a fun, unexpected read, try The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. His Thursday Next series is a must for any lovers of literature.

    Reply
  11. Amina | PAPER/PLATES

    October 24, 2013 at 7:07 am

    Love the list, Joy! If you liked “Letters to my Daughter,” you may also enjoy Maya Angelou’s newest book, in which she explores her relationship with her mother, Mom & Me & Mom. Coincidentally, I just posted a review of this on my blog this week: https://www.paperplatesblog.com/2013/10/21/maya-angelous-mom-mom-whole-wheat-muffins/#.UmkcHpSxM1A

    [Bonus: We included a recipe for whole-wheat muffins to go with it!]

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      October 24, 2013 at 9:51 am

      I just ordered that book, too! Thanks for the review!

      Reply
      • Amina | PAPER/PLATES

        October 27, 2013 at 9:58 pm

        My pleasure!

        Reply
  12. Melissa

    October 24, 2013 at 5:45 am

    I love when you post reading list! It always leads me to wonderful new books and its cool to see what other people are in to reading.

    Reply
  13. Betsy

    October 24, 2013 at 5:42 am

    Two excellent and edgy novels I’ve devoured of late are “The Dinner” by Herman Koch and “Miss Peregrin’s School For Peculiar Children” by a ransom Riggs. I also enjoy the Chocolate trilogy by Joanne Harris. Yes people, the story didn’t end with Chocolate! Sensory delights and enchanting characters continue on in two other very different works, “The Girl With No Shadow” and “Peaches For Father Frances”. Good books to curl up with!

    Reply
  14. Candice @ The Savory and The Beautiful

    October 24, 2013 at 5:01 am

    Joy, thank you for putting me onto The Skimm, I love it! By the way, Happy It’s-almost-the-weekend!

    Xoxo
    Candice

    Reply
  15. Diné

    October 24, 2013 at 4:38 am

    I also love Wally Lamb! Thank you for the recommendations :)

    Reply
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