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[L]et’s read all the words. We’re also going to need a lot of blankets, a cozy pair of socks, a lot of hot chocolate with a weird amount of mini marshmallows, and a fireplace would also be nice.
Here’s what’s on my reading list this Winter. Humanity, a splash of murder, and a bit about food. You know… the usual.
Us: a novel by David Nicholls • Heartfelt fiction on life, marriage on parenting. The real things, as they are, in a story. Exactly what we want sometimes, right?
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng • Family, murder, history, culture. All the things within.
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett • Danger, surprise, soooo many emotions, and the Amazon jungle. It’s everything.
Consider the Fork by Bee Wilson • I love reading food writing, especially in cold weather… when I’m much more hungry. The history of how, what, and whyyyy we eat. It’s fascinating.
Food: a love story by Jim Gaffigan • What a really funny man thinks about kale, coconut water, and pretzel bread. I mean… come on.
Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky • If there’s any time to read about the history of salt, it’s Winter. Also… get yo self some french fries. Feel like a king / queen.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman • Reading some tragic young adult fiction isn’t a crime, it’s a page turner.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt • Now that I live in the South I feel bound and obligated to read this book. Also, waiting for the Serial podcast every Thursday is too hard and I need more suspense and intrigue throughout the week.
Born Standing Up by Steve Martin • The man, the myth, the legend.
51 Responses
Thanks for this great list. My husband and I listened to an audio book you might enjoy: The Telling Room: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World’s Greatest Piece of Cheese by Michael Paternitti.
Another foodie book I loved was, “Keeping the Feast” by Paula Butterini.
Some of these books are really inspiring!
https://justsem.wordpress.com/
Catching up on the latest on joy and baking. Us and Everything I Never Told You are at the top of my stack of books to read. Us because my sister went to a book fair and told some nice people there; look, I need something for my sister and she’s read read everything and they gave her Us wrapped in brown paper and said “She won’t have read this, it’s not published yet”. And my book club is doing Everything I Never Told You in January. Until then I’m keeping company with Louise Penny, soul searching and cosy at the same time and Sarah Water’s The Little Stranger (who can resist a fat novel were everything you think is turned upside down at the last sentence (or so I’m told)!
I love book recommendations and needs some for the holidays. Us is on my list. I just finished “not that kind of girl” in all of 2 hours and it left me feeling rather flat…after all the hype. I’m ready for words that flow from the page and one that I want to stay under the blanket with.
Thank you for this post! I love hearing book suggestions from others!
Shamefully, after owning it for years I still haven’t read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. But I did read the autobiography of the utterly charming drag queen from the movie! If you like heartwarming drag queen memoirs, you can’t beat Hiding My Candy by The Lady Chablis :).
I just started Cloud Atlas this morning and I can already tell it’s going to be amazing – I added most of your picks to my winter reading list as well – bring on the cozy blankets and hot buttered rums!
Steve martins biography is so good, who knew it took so much work to be a legend..ok I think we did know.
I didn’t like If I stay, I thought it was boring. I haven’t gotten around to the movie.
Jim gaffigan writing is so funny, I can’t wait to read the new one.
I just finished The pearl who broke It’s Shell. So good! A hard topic to read, but excellent writing.
I’m halfway through Yes Please..so great.
If you like If I Stay, you’ll love the sequel Where She Went. Kid you not, finished it in 4 hours, it was that good.
I have been trying to get people to read “Salt” and “Consider The Fork” for years now, but apparently, spoons and pots and tasty minerals aren’t appealing to the masses. At least someone has good taste!
Just read “Us” and loved it!!!! And cried a little.
I’ve had Consider the Fork on my to be read list for a while. Seems interesting.
If I Stay is so very good.
Adding so many of these to my must read list – love when others share their book lists!
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was great. If you liked State of Wonder, definitely check out Bel Canto.
State of Wonder is everything. I have reread the last page of that book at least a hundred times and every time I feel the same way I did when I read it the first time. Like I’m going to cry and laugh and go out and be a better person. THAT overshare is brought to you by awesome books….bringin’ people together every. single. day. Thanks for a great list Joy!
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is one of my absolute favorites. I just picked up his new book and so excited to dive in!
Doesn’t just feel like you’re supposed to curl up with a good book in the wintertime?? I’ve never thought about reading a food book, but now I want to try one. The Consider the Fork one sounds delightful! I’m into a series right now that I’m enjoying. Hope you enjoy your reading list! :)
Salt and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil are excellent choices!
Salt is an fantastic book. It really changed my perspective on history – and that’s saying a lot since I’m a history teacher!
Salt was an excellent read. I have a couple other of those titles on my to read list.
I just stumbled on your post flipping through the “popular” on bloglovin. I have been in dire need of new books and just added all of these to my library request list. Of course, there are 24 holds for “Food: A Love Story” and 174 holds for “Yes, Please!” (174?!?!), but I thank you profusely for posting this. :)
Thanks for the list. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a great read. Read it before you see the movie.
I always love to see what others are reading – must go add some of these to the eternally endless reading list! And I stalked the comments looking for other reader suggestions – noticed you’ve read Yes Please. Glad to hear it’s good – it’s at the top of the stack on my nightstand! PS – I’ve read and loved both State of Wonder and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil! Happy winter reading!
I really loved the Steve Martin book. Great pick!
I have had such bad luck with books from the library lately! I’ve returned 3 in a row without finishing them (and I never do that!). I’m printing this list (old school style) and taking it to my library–THANK YOU! :)
I read most of ‘Us’. It was good, although I didn’t finish it because….well I just didn’t. But don’t let that stop you! I’m sure you’ll like it.
I’ve read ‘Everything I Never Told You’. That was so good! I want to read it again!
I haven’t read ‘Food, A Love Story’ yet, but I want to. It seems like it would be funny.
I recently re-read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil when we went to Savannah…you will LOVE it! You might even have to skip over to Savannah to tour the mansion… :)
Going to check out your other picks :)
Ann Patchett. Oh man. I never would have read her books had it not been for my husband’s recommendation of “Bel Canto.” The descriptions always sound so bleak. But I’ll be darned if she can’t spin a reader straight into her yarn and put a really unique twist on her plots.
Have heard great things about Everything I Never Told You… can’t wait to dive into it. Also on my list: The Fever by Megan Abbott and Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.
Great picks! I thought Salt was really interesting – if a little repetitive/slow at times. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was also a good one. State of Wonder – ugh, as a scientist, it pissed me off. But I hear other people like it!
I have Consider the Fork, Food: A love story, and Everything I never told you on my reading list as well! Il’l have to look into the others. :)
Thanks for the amazing list! I’m always on the hunt for my next good read :) Haven’t really read anything since Gone Girl ;)
Thanks for the reading recommendations. I’ve read some of these, look forward to reading the others. LOVED ‘State of Wonder,” Hope that wasn’t too strong but I really did. Her other books “Bel Canto” and “The Magician’s Assistant” were very good too.
I really do not think that Steve Martin writes a bad book. Shop Girl is hands down one of my favorite books!
It’s been a good while since I picked up a book. I think it’s time to stop playing Candy Crush at bedtime and pick up a good novel instead – definitely something more intellectual. Besides, when I close my eyes I won’t have striped balls and fish stuck in my brain.
Thanks, Joy!
I love the book Food a love story. So funny but true! Enjoyed every minute reading this book.
I’ve already read three of these so I figure we’re buds (points at you, at me, at you, at me). A couple more are on my to-do list already, I will add the rest. Thank you so much – I love to get recommendations from folks I know. Or wish I knew.
I’m adding this list to my other book lists, because winter=consuming as many books as possible. I even gave my mom a trilogy (The Emily books, by L.M. Montgomery. Yes, somewhat for kids. But really for all lovers of books) for her December birthday to help her through her least favorite seasons. What would we do without books?!
Die. I would die.
I LOVE when you post these reading lists. I haven’t read any of them, so I can’t wait to start!
I’ve read Consider the Fork – it gets a little thick in the middle but a lot of it is SO interesting! Makes you feel smarter ;) I’ve also heard good things about Everything I Never Told You
I have three of these on my wish list right now!
LOVE this reading list. Thanks, Joy!
I’d recommend that you get the follow up to If I Stay, Where She Went before you start If I Stay. Both are excellent reads. Happy reading
Seconding Yes Please! It’s absolutely hilarious. Love the list Joy!
Ooh, getting that Jim Gaffigan book now. You should check out Amy Poehler’s Yes Please! Super funny.
I LOVED Born Standing Up. Steve Martin, legend indeed. Secondly, I just finished Yes Please! by Amy Poehler, and if you haven’t read it yet, you should put that shizz on your list, because it is as inspirational as it is hilarious.
i did read Yes, Please and liked it so much! i figured it was on every girl book list ever so i skipped it here. probably shouldn’t have though!
Hi Joy! Well timed post, I’ve been going through your posts looking for your book recommendations! Super bonkers awesome thanks! Oh and it’s the first time I comment after being a stalker for a bazillion years!
haha! i’m glad you’re here!!
Love this list! Love State of Wonder and Food: A Love Story. Added a few others to my winter reading list. Thanks!
State of Wonder is awesome, as is Food: A Love Story. Looks like a pretty good list to me!
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is so very excellent. I must put it on my re-read list.