Hello, friends. After a week of beautiful fall weather, walks with an audiobook, and a weekend filled with family and dogs, I'm here with an unusual Monday update.
Recent reading//
by Ina Garten, narrated by the author
After posting "My Year in Nonfiction" for Nonfiction November last week, I realized that my nonfiction reading has been less than satisfying this year. In an effort to get back on tract, I picked up this highly anticipated foodie memoir and was not disappointed.
I own several of Ina's cookbooks, attended one of her zoom events during the pandemic (remember when they were a novelty?) and regularly prepare many of her recipes. I haven't watched her television shows more than once or twice, but still consider myself a fan.
This memoir turned out to be even better than expected. It covered her difficult childhood, her relationship with Jeffrey, and how she came to own and operate Barefoot Contessa. In addition, Ina talked about her business philosophy, the many real estate transactions and renovations, and the evolution of her television show... plus there was some enjoyable name-dropping when the topic turned to show guests, friends, and her famous dinner parties.
I really enjoyed Ina's narration and am glad I listened, but there are some photos and recipes included in the print book that are worth checking out, too! ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
by Deeshaw Philyaw, narrated by Janina Edwards
This is the November selection over at MMD book club. I listened to this short story collection back in 2021 and wasn't planning a reread, but discovered that the audio is still available via hoopla. I always get more out of the author talks when the book is fresh in my mind and, at 4 hours long, it wasn't a huge time commitment. The stories all feature Black women and deal with sexuality, church, families, and relationships. As always, I enjoyed some more than others with "How to Make Love to a Physicist" being my favorite. ⭐⭐⭐💫
Current reading//
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff
This slim travel memoir is the follow-up to Hanff's beloved 84, Charing Cross Road, a book I've read or listened to multiple times over the years.
by Stanley Tucci, narrated by the author
I just started listening to this memoir yesterday and love it already. It'll be just what I need to take my mind off the election and its aftermath.
The week ahead//
As we are all aware, tomorrow is Election Day... and it can't come soon enough for me. We voted by mail (seemingly weeks ago), and our ballots have been received and accepted. It's certain there will be no winner announced Tuesday night, yet I am just as certain someone will choose to declare victory. Beyond that, I am afraid we'll be dealing with a lot of accusations and misinformation. My anxiety level is already through the roof.
Tomorrow we will have the distraction of an overnight trip to attend the funeral of a high school friend's mother. All bets are off after that...
How was your week? What have you been reading?
Our canine guests: my sister-in-law's Bernerdoodle Ophelia and our grandpup Winnie the Whippet.
Like you, I want the election to be over and done, but know that Tuesday is not the end. Whichever candidate wins, there will be chaos and perhaps violence. What the heck has happened to our country?!
ReplyDeleteHelen - I'm worried about possible chaos and violence... afraid for our country at this point. Sigh.
DeleteI love everything about this post, most especially the dog photo. Stanley Tucci came is a hot second as did Ina :-) I am looking forward to those books and almost bought the Tucci hardcopy at the airport....but realized it was more to carry and I wouldn't get around to it anyway with so much going on.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the election to be over and there will be drama if Harris wins for sure. Remember when we used to vote and if your candidate didn't win we'd just shrug and say, maybe next time. No threats of violence... (deep sigh) Those were the good old days. Love your updates and keep those photos of CT and doggies coming!!
Tina - Thank you, we had such a fun weekend! The pups did great after they got used to each other, it was so cute to watch them. Although I'm listening to Stanley Tucci's book, I have a feeling I'll need a physical copy for my shelves, too, just like Taste. Definitely nostalgic for those good old days...
DeleteThe news. Just...Damn.
DeleteLove the dog picture, Yay! They seem to get along. I'm glad to meet them here. Also glad you really liked the Ina book. It sounds good. Your nonfiction reads are certainly picking up. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow. Ugh there is a lot of anxiety. Let's win this for good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. It was funny for us to see Winnie, now 2, as the older dog! The puppy Ophelia (I want to call her FiFi, but nobody else does) was amazed at how fast Winnie could run. She briefly tried to keep up and it was a pretty funny sight! It feels like the Ina book got my nonfiction reading back on track, so I decided to continue with Stanley.
DeleteThe election worries me in so many aspects. I voted by mail too, and my ballot arrived and was validated. I stocked up on groceries. I'm spending the day today hanging out with friends. Then I'll make a nice dinner for my husband and I, and we won't watch the news tonight.
ReplyDeleteAmy - That sounds like a good plan! I know I won't be able to avoid the news tonight.... Sigh.
DeleteOphelia and Winnie are gorgeous! I love how they seem to be posing for the camera.
ReplyDeleteI just got on the wait list for both the new Tucci and the Ina. Food, glorious food! Eager to listen to both of these.
Don't forget to breath--at least the campaign advertising will be over, but it's hard not to get anxious over these elections.
Safe travels.
Hi Jane - It's been a long week, but I'm finally ready to get back to Stanley's book. Listening should be just the thing!
DeleteI love the fall photo, I've only seen 2 trees that have changed since I moved to Florida in the early 80's. I voted early and am so tired of all the "Vote on November 5th" tv ads. I'm glad they'll be over after today, but I'm worried about the future. The dogs are very cute, I've loved dogs since I was a child.
ReplyDeleteVicki - It's been SO windy here this past week and most of the leaves are on the ground now. Raking season is here!
DeleteThat is a beautiful fall photo. We have terrible winds right now and fires everywhere. I am fine but when these winds hit in Nov we really pay for it with power shuts offs and the like.
ReplyDeleteI was so disappointed with the election result. Enough said. Better today but man.
I am reading all sorts of things: The Midnight Feast, not that great. Emm of Jane Austen fame, really struggling with that one. The Great Believers for book club but I swear I've read it before but have no record of it anywhere.
Ti - I keep watching all the wildfires and brushfires on the news and am glad you're okay. It's been unbelievably dry here this fall, plus super windy the past week. We've had several fires here in CT and even in NYC they had air quality warnings... fires in Prospect Park in Brooklyn and along the Palisades Parkway in NJ. We're heading there today, so hope the air is clearer now!
DeleteI've been in a funk for several days due to the election results, but am getting back into my groove of reading, walking, and visiting my favorite blogs. I love that autumnal photo of the white fence and leaves, JoAnn. Very lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading quite a few memoirs this November (unofficially partaking in Nonfiction November), and have recently added Ina Garten's audiobook to my upcoming list. I have so many of her cookbooks, and have heard very good things about her book, so I'm excited and glad you weren't disappointed with it. I also have Tucci's latest memoir ready to go on audio, as well. With all the rain we're getting, my outdoor walks are going by the wayside, so I may not get much listening time in. I may wind up extending my nonfiction reading/listening into December...
Love the photo of the dogs!! I've never heard of a Bernedoodle, but we love Bernese Mountain dogs.
Les - My reading has seriously stalled since the election... haven't finished anything except a couple of short stories. Now that we're back from NYC, I restarted The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street and am enjoying it. Maybe I'll get back to Stanley next.
ReplyDeleteI love Bernese Mountain dogs, too! We had a Berner puppy in the early 2000s when our Brittany was starting to slow down. I thought it would be good for both the older dog and the kids, but it turned out the puppy had some serious health problems. I didn't last long :-( The bernerdoodle, obviously, is is a cross between a berner and a poodle. I grew up with poodles and love seeing the traits of both breeds in this pup!