Santa was good to me this year when he left a lot of great books under the tree. Actually, the books are from my son and daughter and I am happy to say that they chose so well!
Ahren gave me two books by Irish authors that I love, The Bee Sting by Paul Murray and Water by John Boyne.
The Bee Sting is described as "a thought-provoking tour-de-force about family, fortune, and the struggle to be a good person when the world is falling apart". It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and has won a bunch of writing awards.
Water is the story of a 54-year-old woman who escapes to the west coast of Ireland to assume a new identity after a terrible scandal. Her world has fallen apart and she is consumed by reflections on her part in the situation. The author is planning a four-part series on each of the elements (Water, Fire, Air, and Earth) and I can't wait to collect them all. Oh, and my copy is signed by the author!!
This House is Haunted is another book by Irish author John Boyne, one of his earlier works. Set in Norfolk in 1867, the book is described as a "delightfully creepy" ghost story. Eliza Caine responds to an ad for a governess. When she arrives at Gaudlin Hall, she is greeted by her two charges, and there appears to be no adult present. Ok, I'm in.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride is described as a murder mystery, but so much more. The story is set in a Jewish/Black neighborhood called Chicken HIll in Pottsfield, PA. The focus starts with the grocery store but comes to encompass many characters and the question of what we value and what we are willing to do for what and who we love. This book was named Amazon's Best Book of the Year.
I can't wait to dive into The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong. It is an atmospheric gothic mystery set in post WWI Cornwall featuring a rare bookstore, a creepy manor in the countryside, magic, and maybe even a male witch.
I also got two new cookbooks, both of which look so good. Have you heard of The Lost Kitchen? It is a tiny restaurant in Maine that is so popular the owners have a lottery every April and see who "wins" seatings at the restaurant for the entire upcoming year. There was a documentary "The Lost Kitchen" on tv that was super interesting. Big Heart Little Stove is the story of the owner Erin French.
Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, or PW, has a new cookbook Dinner's Ready, and the recipes in this one look very doable and tasty. If you like a cookbook with tons of photos and step-by-step instructions for food your entire family will like, you might love this book.
The very best thing about Christmas is getting new books to read! I am looking ahead to many hours of bliss.
I'm a bit behind on my blog reading and just read the last one as well-- the dinner lasagna. I've had those brownies, so hopefully everyone saved room for them--LOL. So did you try to act like everything was fine-- or openly discuss it? Maybe it's like a quilt-- how we point out all of our mistakes when really the are not noticeable? I homeschooled my kids and in high school they had to take a cooking class-- the section on entertaining said NEVER to make a new recipe for a dinner. It's a rule I don't follow and my mishaps have been too frequent to list. Happy New Year and thanks for your fun blog. I can't wait to hear about your new books. xox
Posted by: Carol | December 28, 2023 at 05:08 AM
Sounds like despite the lasagna fail you all had a nice Christmas. I've had some fails that were foisted on company. One particular dish this Thanksgiving. How can you screw up green bean casserole? Something was OFF with the bacon and there was a burnt taste even though it didn't look overcooked?? And a frozen handmade pie I did just Monday - a couple pies and it hit the trash... Enough other dessert options. As long as no one got sick in either case!! But still! Thankfully it was all immediate "family" who won't totally judge me.
Books look great. I just finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery store with my old college roommate. We are 70 but we still Facetime every Saturday and discuss what we've read. It was fabulous!! I hope you enjoy it.
Posted by: Nancy B | December 28, 2023 at 05:45 AM
Your family sure knew exactly what to give you for Christmas! 📚📚📚 We'll look forward to your thoughts & reviews in 2024!
Posted by: Jan | December 28, 2023 at 07:35 AM
like Carol, I try new recipes when I have friends to dinner. Dave is so picky and friends are willing to try anything. every once in a while it's a bust but you don't know until you try. ;p
Posted by: Ina | December 28, 2023 at 10:16 AM
forgot to add that Dave LOVED the new recipe for chicken enchiladas last week so tonight I am trying a new recipe for pork tinga. I am optimistic.
Posted by: Ina | December 28, 2023 at 10:27 AM
Can’t wait for the reviews. Wish I could keep up. I’m reading Mr Dickens and his Carol. Fun Christmas book.
Posted by: Barbara Groeschell | December 30, 2023 at 06:25 AM