A decade ago (2015) the movie “Brooklyn” was nominated for Best Picture. I remember loving that movie. But I just recently read the book this movie was based on, and right after I read its newer sequel. Being able to continue the story immediately was a great reading experience.
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Earlier this year I started listening to Rick Steve’s travel podcast and have picked up several book recommendations.
(Note that I am no longer going to provide links to Amazon…I trust you can find the book yourself and ideally at your local bookstore, at the library, or another online vendor.)
On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer is an edited version of the journal Steves kept while making this trip when he was 23.
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I don’t read a lot of non-fiction but I love a good memoir.
The book I’m recommending today I discovered in a roundabout way through a travel podcast that I started listening to after the new year: Travel With Rick Steves.
Steves is an American travel writer who focuses on Europe and has hosted a PBS travel show. He encourages expanding your travels past the most popular landmarks to immerse yourself in local culture.
I love his calming voice and although I won’t likely get the chance to spend “Christmas in Bulgaria” or travel to many/most of the specific spots he discusses, each episode is full of interesting history and cultural information.
One episode I listened to recently (I am playing catch up because I just discovered the podcast) had the guest Nicholas D. Kristof who I am familiar with from his columns in The New York Times. This particular episodes topic was “Fabulous Food in Paris” (episode 761 from 7/19/2024) but they also talked about his new book (released in May 2024) Chasing Hope: A Reporters Life.
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As is tradition in the !!ninth!! year of my blog, I am going to wrap 2024 by listing my five favorite books (published in 2024) and my most popular posts. This year I’ve added a category – best book I read that was published previously to this year.
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My kids both have fall birthdays so we have moved through what I refer to as “the birthday season.”
When they were toddlers I started a tradition to begin celebrating as soon as they wake.
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After sitting in my bookcase for years this book surprised me!
Last week I was headed to the pool so I wanted to grab a paperback I owned – the iPad gets too heated, and I didn’t want to ruin a library book.
So I headed to my bookcases and pulled out
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
I had no idea what this book was about (somehow I also missed the movie!!) and was expecting some sort of slow family drama…but the recommendation on the front cover promised a “page turner” so I decided to give it a try.
The book ended up blowing me away.
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When I heard the new Amor Towles book contained only “short stories” I was disappointed. I wanted another Gentleman in Moscow – though being one of my favorite books ever that is a lot to ask. (I haven’t watched the TV series yet because I would like to reread the book first. We shall see if I can hold out for that to happen…)
I’ve posted about two of Towles’ other books on this blog:
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Reading Friends: If we like the same types of books, you are going to want to read The Women.
First of all, it is by an author we have read before and loved, Kristin Hannah!
I probably don’t need to say more than that but I will…
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Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
This is the mnemonic I use to remember the basic history of Henry VIII’s marriages more than 500 years ago.
For this year’s January hibernation, I found The King’s Pleasure A Novel of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. Apparently Wier has already written a book on each of the wives/queens perspectives, and this new book (published in 2023) is from the perspective of Henry.
Henry’s perspective, not surprisingly, does not make him more likeable.
I did thoroughly enjoy Weir’s story even though it contained too many political and religious details for my preference – I’m just here for the romance and marriages! It has me thinking back to the other interpretations of this story I have indulged in over the years.
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Keeping my end-of-year tradition, I’m sharing my favorite books and most popular posts!
It wasn’t my most prolific year of reading or posting – I got tied up reading the epic Shantaran for several months (which I do recommend) – and I got out of the habit of posting on my blog, but I am going to try to do better next year.
Keep reading for my favorite five books published during 2023. These would be great gifts or for when you are able to relax during the holidays (does that actually happen?).
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