What I thought I posted last night

 

Oops! I thought I posted this last night, but apparently all that came through was the image. So now I've changed the image and will try again. The picture above is my oldest granddaughter several years ago reading in the rain--never too young to be a devoted reader.

Shepherd.com, a readers’ browsing site, has asked authors to choose and describe the three favorite books read in the past year. I liked the challenge and immediately began reviewing the books on my Kindle (if I didn’t read it on Kindle, it didn’t make this survey—my memory is not that good). First the site wanted to know how many books I’ve read since October 2022. The Kindle count seemed low, but I know that I average a book a year, so I took a guess at forty. Then for each book, the site wanted to know if I listened to the audio version of the book and if I read it as part of a book club. I never do either of those things, so that was easy for me.

Here are the three books I read and why I liked them:

Dinner with Ruth, by Nina Totenberg

Nina Totenberg spoke to three of my deep interests in this first-person account: politics (the inner workings of the Supreme Court), memoir, and food. I was fascinated by the up-close look at Justice Ruth Ginsberg in her later days and drawn by two conflicts: should Justice Ginsberg have resigned because of failing health and given President Obama a chance to appoint a justice, and where should Totenberg have drawn the line between responsible journalism and friendship. Memoir is currently a popular genre but difficult for some to define, and I am constantly looking for examles that go beyond self-flattery. This book gave a lively account of Totenberg’s own career along with her friendship with Ginsberg. The food—and lively company—at Totenberg’s dinner parties were fascinating.

The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux, by Samantha Vérant

Recipes and gourmet menus alone make this book worth savoring and keeping, but I was charmed by the setting—an ancient chateau in France that is a tourist lodge with two restaurants, a vineyard, and wonderful gardens. Sophie, a disgraced chef in New York, flees to her grandmother Odette but finds responsibility and a whole new way of life. The contrast between her two worlds—New York and France—is nicely done, as is Sophie’s own inner conflict. The cast of minor characters brings delightful variety—two grannies are Sophie’s main assistants, along with an old, alcoholic man who is a genius with desserts. If the hint at romance is a bit formulaic, I overlooked it because I was so charmed by the people, the place, and the food.

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscan, by Lori Nelson Spielman

I was fascinated by this tale that weaves together an ancient curse on an Italian family, a fierce nonna who has ruled her granddaughters, and an aunt who has been ostracized by the family. It’s hard for us to understand the power of of an ancient curse, but these women have lived with it their whole lives. They flaunt tradition and travel to Italy, with its lush gardens and marvelous food, from their stark Brooklyn neighborhood back to Italy. Refusing to accept the curse, they reveal its source—and the reason the aunt was banished. There’s a strong feminist note here, along with lessons in growth and self-confidence--and love. A slow start, but I loved this book.

And waiting for me tonight is a clever cozy mystery with just enough suspense: Stone Cold Killer, by Lena Gregory.

Nothing better than Saturday night with a good dinner (chicken tetrazzini tonight—remember that relic of the Fifties), a glass of wine, and a good book. What are you reading tonight?