Sunday, November 7, 2021

Two Nonfiction Mini-Reviews and My Current Reads


Hello, friends. It's a refreshingly cool, breezy weekend here in southwest Florida - just perfect for a long walk (me) or a long bike ride (my husband). And naturally, my long walk involves an audiobook! It's been a good week, although not enough happened on the downstairs renovation. Thankfully, we won't need that space for Thanksgiving, but I'm starting to get nervous about Christmas...


Finished last week//

by Stanley Tucci, narrated by the author

I get Stanley Tucci. We are both of the same vintage, grew up in rural NY state (his Westchester was pretty rural at that time and my central NY still is), we both had Italian immigrant grandparents, and food and family were what mattered most. Our grandfathers both made wine... the way he described that musty smell of his grandparents' cellar took me back to the 1960s. Several anecdotes he shared could have occurred in my own extended family, and that recognition had me laughing out loud. 

Beyond childhood, similarities begin to fade but the deep foundation of food and family endures. Tucci shares stories of his career and life over the years and, as you would expect, food looms large. I was completely entertained throughout and enjoyed comparing his recipes with those I've encountered over the years. There were several old favorites and others I'd love to try.

The best part of this book was the experience of hearing Stanley Tucci tell his own story. If you listen to audiobooks, this is definitely one you must  listen to. (David Sedaris also falls into this category.) It is one of my 2021 favorites!

 


Book Love by Debbie Tung

This little volume is 150 pages of graphic bookish goodness. These depictions of life as a bookworm had me chuckling and nodding my head in agreement. Thank you to the several bloggers who recently wrote about this book.  I found it on hoopla available for immediate download via my library. If you're reading this blog, I suspect this is a book you'd love too!


Current Reading//

The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan

This book has lingered on my shelf for a couple of years, but its time is finally here. The "last castle" is George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. I have visited The Biltmore a couple of times over the years, but would like to see it again while this book is fresh in my mind. Maybe this summer?  I'm just past the halfway mark now and enjoying it as a read/listen combination. 



Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

I know it's Nonfiction November, but there are times when my brain just needs fiction... and my library hold of Elizabeth Strout's latest novel arrived. She has long been a favorite author and although I've just started this one, I'm already loving it. 


On the blog//   Nonfiction November Week #1: My Year in Nonfiction


The week ahead//

Nonfiction November moves into week two with Book Pairings hosted by Katie at Doing Dewey. I'm hoping to have that post for you on Tuesday.

We will be celebrating my husband's birthday this weekend. Daughter #1 and her boyfriend arrive Thursday evening for a long weekend of festivities. I can't wait!

I'm finally getting a haircut and highlights this week! After having my September appointment in NY cancelled due to a Covid outbreak at the salon, the situation is dire. 


How did your week go? What are you reading?


The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.


50 comments:

  1. I'm in Florida, too, and the past couple of days have been really nice.

    The Stanley Tucci book looks good.

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - I was starting to wonder if it would ever turn cool again... this weekend has been wonderful! Tucci's book will end up on my list of favorites.

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  2. Interesting book selection, expecially Tucci!

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  3. Beautiful photo! I had grand ambitions of reading several non-fiction books this year but they just don't engage me in the way fiction does.

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    1. Louise H. - It took me a while to realize that I really enjoy well-written narrative nonfiction. When done well, it engages me just as much as a good novel. The trick is finding those books!

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  4. Glad to hear that your weather is good for walking. Ours has moved into the 'cooler' phase of things with cold fronts coming through. It's a little cool in the early morning - like low 40's. Ah well. I'll adjust I guess or just go later. Amazing how it doesn't take many miles to make a difference in temperatures. Enjoy your hair appointment! I had to find a new stylist here in our new town. Tough to leave my old one. She'd cut my hair for something like 20 years. She was the one that told me to seek out a new one though. She made me laugh and told me it was 'OK' to get a new stylist. I'm not looking forward to seeking out new doctors - sigh. As to your renovation stuff - good luck. We talked with a contractor this week that we may use. He said it would likely be February before he could help us. Patience....ha!

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    1. Kay - It's so difficult to find new hair stylists (had a couple of misses before this one) and doctors are even harder! Thankfully, I have both now. But I'll still visit my old stylist when we're in NY!

      As for the renovation, the bedroom is close enough to being complete but I have concerns about the bathroom. We can get by using the two upstairs, so it won't be the end of the world. I'm trying hard to temper my expectation...at least we'll all be together this year!

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  5. A very bookish week for you. I loved what you had to say about the Tucci book and can tell how much it resonated with you. I recall listening to an Ann Hood book about her Italian upbringing and food. I hope you love OH, William! Good luck with you hair appointment.

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    1. Diane - The Tucci book brought back so many memories of my grandparents! I swear one of the conversations he highlighted happened verbatim to me. I had to call my mother and play it to her! I have both the ebook and audio of Oh William! from the library - so, so good.

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  6. I love extending festivities so hope you guys continue to enjoy the birthday celebrations! That's so cool that you were able to relate to some of Tucci's stories. I have really enjoyed his work and one of my favorite films of his is Big Night. I need to re-watch that. I'm enjoying Nonfiction November but I can't just read nonfiction. Gotta have some fiction too!

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    1. Iliana - Just loved that Tucci book. Big Night is on my list and I really want to rewatch Julie & Julia, too.

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  7. I'm envious of your long walk. We have had so much rain that I don't dare venture very far on my walks. As a matter of fact, my husband and I just got back from our afternoon walk (trying to get him back into that routine...) and it started pouring as soon as we got inside!

    I can't wait to listen/read Tucci's book. How fun for you to have some many similar experiences. I'm sure that made your listening pleasure even more enjoyable.

    I need to see if my library has a copy of Book Love. I'm tempted to buy it, but want to take a peek first.

    I finally got my hair cut, but decided to skip the highlights this time around. It was nice to get in and out in under 30 minutes! My last appointment was back in March. Eek!

    I'm still reading & loving The Splendid and the Vile. I told my husband that I feel like I'm learning a lot, but retaining that info more than I would if I were reading a dense, dry tome about WWII. I couldn't sleep last night, so I picked up the book and wound up reading far too late.

    Happy Birthday to your husband. Have fun with your family gathering!

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  8. I'm delighted to see how much you enjoyed the new Stanley Tucci book. I bet the audio with the author reading it was fantastic.

    Oh William came in for me at the library, too, but I'm trying to put off reading it until November is over.

    I'm so happy to be getting my hair cut on a regular basis again.

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    1. Deb - The Stanley Tucci book really struck a chord with me... so many childhood similarities! I thought I was just going to preview Oh William! but I got sucked in and had to keep reading. Hopefully this haircut will be the first in a new regular series of cut/highlights... fingers crossed we are indeed getting back to normal!

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  9. Les - The longer walks this weekend have been SO nice. It's been warmer than normal until now, making this cold front even more welcome. We'll be in the 60s overnight most of the week... maybe even the 50s once or twice. I'm ready!

    I had to call my mother and play here a couple of scenes from the Tucci book... had her laughing out loud, too. What a relatable, enjoyable listen for me.

    Does your library have hoopla? Book Love is available to download there. You could at least sample it before purchasing that way.

    I'm counting down the hours until my hair appointment now. It hasn't been this long since junior high, but I'm only cutting a couple inches. Love being able to put a pony tail through a baseball cap - so much cooler for walking and biking! Highlights are way overdue, too!

    Glad you're still loving The Splendid and the Vile. Have you read In the Garden of Beasts? I'm thinking of that for sometime next year... so many books, so little time, right?

    We're looking forward to the birthday celebration this weekend! It will be Matt's (the boyfriend) first time in Sanibel. Hope he likes it because they're booked to come back at Christmas!

    Hope you have a good week, Les!

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    1. I don't think my library has hoopla (just Libby and Overdrive), but I'll stop in one of these days and get the book (which I just discovered is available at my branch). I haven't read In the Garden of Beasts, but I think I'll get a copy for my husband and read it after he's finished. I can't imagine that Matt wouldn't love Sanibel! I hope to get down there "one of these days!" :)

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    2. Les - Glad your library has a copy of Book Love. And I think it's a great idea to get Rod a copy of In the Garden of Beasts;-) I'm sure Matt will love it here... he was around a lot via zoom during the worst of the pandemic, so it almost feels like he's an old timer! I sure hope you get here one of these days, too :)

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  10. I have heard really good things about the Stanley Tucci book from many people.

    Have a great week!

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    1. Helen - Tucci's book was a joy to listen to!

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  11. Long walks sound wonderful and I'm much more of a walker then a bike rider! I have The Last Castle on my shelf waiting to be read and am so looking forward to it. We went on our honeymoon almost 19 years ago and it's on the top of my list to revisit. I'm also set to borrow the Tucci book from someone who is reading it (and loving it) now and can't wait. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Katherine - We went to Biltmore first for a Downton Abbey exhibit and the second time to see Chihuly's glass sculptures. Both times were fabulous, but such different experiences. I hope we can stop on our way north next summer. Glad you will be able to get a copy of the Tucci book. Hope you love it, too.

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  12. I didn't realize you have many similarities with Tucci! Or that your grandparents are of Italian heritage ... We have watched Tucci's TV show and enjoyed it. The Strout novel looks like a winner ... Enjoy!

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    1. Susa - I had no idea we had such similar childhoods until I read Tucci's book! It brought back a lot of memories for me.

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  13. Tucci’s memoir has been popular.
    Birthday wishes for hubby 🎈

    Wishing you a great reading week

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    1. Thanks, Shelleyrae. Hope you have a great week, too!

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  14. I visited Biltmore as a teenager, and I definitely want to go back. The Last Castle was such a fascinating read!

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    1. Angela - I'm really enjoying The Last Castle... and am kicking myself because it took so long to start it!

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  15. JoAnn! I love the sound of that Stanley Tucci book! I can’t wait to get it from the library. I didn’t grow up in an Italian family but we lived in the Italian part of southern philly area so I experienced many a good meal at my friends home.
    I’d often wish I had that background ad our neighborhood had great gatherings, wonderful music and food & the language just washed over me. Beautiful.

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    1. Tina - We've visited those Italian neighborhoods in south Philly... definitely the real deal! It's funny because I never realized how special that upbringing really was until I went to college and met so many people with no real family ties. Hope you love Tucci's book, too.

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  16. You almost tempt me to read some nonfiction. The book about the Biltmore Estate, which I have always longed to visit, was really tempting. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - You make me laugh! I know you don't read nonfiction, but you could think of the Biltmore book as a homework assignment before visiting, lol.

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  17. I don't know why I've put off listening to the Tucci book. I really like him.

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    1. Beth F - The Tucci book hit just the right chord for me... such an enjoyable experience!

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  18. The Stanley Tucci book looks very good.

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  19. Book Love looks adorable...and I enjoy Stanley Tucci, too, from his role in The Devil Wears Prada to Julie & Julia.

    In fact, I can't think of a movie in which he stars that I didn't enjoy. So I must check out this book!

    Enjoy your week, and here are my WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - Oh, I forgot about The Devil Wears Prada! I think I just need to rewatch all his movies now. They are all so good!

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  20. Book Love looks like fun; I'll have to take a look at that one.

    I predict that you are going to end up loving Oh, William! if you are already a Strout fan. It is one of my favorite books of hers.

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    1. Sam - Book Love was such fun. If your library has hoopla, it's available there. You are so right about Oh William! I'm about 30% in and absolutely love it. My daughter heard her speak in NYC last week (her fist literary event in 18 months!) and Strout says she has her next book almost done.

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  21. I got the Tucci cookbook for my bday last Friday, now I am more eager than ever to read Taste. So interesting how parallel your childhoods were. Makes it even more of a special read.

    Visiting the Biltmore is definitely on my must visit list. Although you have already visited it a few times, seeing it again after reading The Last Castle will, I'm sure, enhance the visit.

    Just started A Game of Birds and Wolves: The Ingenious Young Women Whose Secret Board Game Helped Win World War II--actually almost half way through already and it is fascinating.

    I know what you mean about sometimes just needing a good novel that you can sink into.

    Hope you have a good week!

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    1. JaneGS - Happy Birthday! I'm going to need to get Tucci's cookbook now, too. Think I'll drop a hint or two for Christmas.

      I visited the Biltmore first for a Downton Abbey exhibit and a couple of years later for Chihuly glass sculptures... both on our north/south treks. I'd like to see it again with a primary focus on its history. It's such an interesting story.

      A Game of Birds and Wolves sounds like one I'd enjoy, too! Will keep an eye out for your review. So many great book to read...

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  22. I haven't gone for a haircut since late July and my situation is getting dire, too, although I've stopped coloring it so it's just the length and general untidyness that needs dealing with. My hairdresser knowingly gave me a horrible cold which (I believe) lowered my resistance led to me becoming one of the breakthrough Delta variant cases, so I will not be going back to that salon.
    I love Oh William (big Elizabeth Strout fan here!) and I just placed a hold on the audiobook edition of Taste. I always listen to David Sedaris' books on audio, too.

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    1. Laurie - When I went to the salon, I was horrified to see that not a single person in the place was wearing a mask... just me and one other customer! I considered leaving, but it's been two weeks since my booster and I was desperate. Only in Florida :(

      I'm loving Oh William! too. Hope you like Taste.

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  23. I totally agree with you regards 100% non fiction. I just can't do it, I need some story to spice up all that reality. I guess I normally have around a 70% fiction to 30% split most of the time.

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    1. Charlotte - As much as I enjoy nonfiction, I will always read mostly fiction. I usually average around 35% nonfiction each year.

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  24. My husband is watching the Dolphins game on Thursday night as I write this and the commentators are harping on the 86% humidity. I'm wondering if your nice weather has held out?

    I'm glad you picked up Book Love! It's a fun little collection, isn't it?

    I definitely need to read The Last Castle. Asheville is home so I have a lot of memories at Biltmore. We kept annual passes before we started traveling and I know a few people who work there. I've also had Genius of Place, about Frederick Law Olmsted, on my TBR forever because he designed the gorgeous gardens.

    Have a great weekend with your daughter celebrating your husband's birthday!

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    1. Jen - No, the nice weather evaporated and we're back in the humidity... windows closed, AC on. The next break is promised for later today though.

      I thought your blog was one of the places I read about Book Love! What a delightful slim collection. Thanks you for bringing it to my attention.

      Frederick Law Olmsted has appeared in several books I've read (The Devil in the White City and one about Central Park) but a biography devoted to him sounds interesting. Evidently he was in his declining years during the Biltmore project, but his work is so impressive.

      We celebrated my husband's birthday yesterday, but the weekend will be full of fun, too.

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  25. I LOVE Book Love by Debbie Tung-I would love to read more books like that one :)

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    1. Cindy - Book Love is something every reader can relate to! I tend to love books about books and reading in any form, but think this is the first graphic offering I've seen in this category.

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