I had a wonderful, summery Sunday complete with warm weather, friends, grocery shopping, corn on the cob and watermelon!
This morning I finished up all of my chores, laundry and cleaning and hit the road for a quick run. Before I left – dates!!!
Tracy gave us a giant platter of them – all different kinds – and today I combined the rest of them into a container for long-term storage. If they last that long!! They made a great pre-run snack
When I returned I had a late lunch – a huge pile ‘O kale chips with ketchup and 2 slices of leftover pizza heated in the oven!
Then Faith + Tate came over for a little Sunday afternoon chillin’ and Faith and I went to Whole Foods for dinner foods.
We came home with shrimp, zucchini, squash, corn on the cob and the w-melon!
Those combined with garden greens and grilled High Five! bread made a perfect summer dinner.
Necessary for bread + corn!
The shrimps were seasoned with Old Bay and olive oil and grilled to a crisp
The corn charred until I sizzled
Faith perfectly striped the squash, covered in smoked paprika
And steamed the mixed greens in water and seasoned with a dash of honey, salt and pepper
The melon came out for dessert. Thirst quencher!
I finished Redeeming Love today. Gosh y’all, I wish I could say I loved it, but I really didn’t. I’m not a religious person at all, and that whole part of the story didn’t jive with me. I didn’t love the characters or plot very much either, although the plot was good at times. I felt the first chapter was the most well written and intriguing! It was a nice book though, and as always (except with the Thornbirds!) I enjoyed reading it.
I realize I am particular when it comes to reading…
Books I Loved This Year
- Sarah’s Key [Tatiana de Rosnay]
- Resistance [Anita Shreve]
- The Help [Kathryn Stockett]
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo [Stieg Larsson]
(My favorite book of all time: Ahab’s Wife [Sena Jeter Naslund])
Books I Wish I Had Loved But Did Not
- Lonesome Dove [Larry McMurtry] <—Couldn’t even finish it!
- The Thornbirds [Colleen McCullough] <—Hated it!
- Redeeming Love [Francine Rivers]
- Water For Elephants [Sara Gruen] <—Liked it just OK
- Prep [Curtis Sittenfeld] <—Just OK. Did not meet expectations.
Karen reads books faster than a wizard and has given me a new stack to dive into. She just finished The House at Riverton [Kate Morton] and RAVED about it – so I’m off to start that asap!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
I love grilled corn!!! Such a summer staple! And you’re right….bread is always a necessity!
Katie says
I recently read “Shanghai Girls” by Lisa See and it was phenomenal. She just came out with a sequel called “Dreams of Joy” which I’m almost finished with and is also really good. 🙂 I haven’t heard of some of the books on your list, but I’m totally going to have to check them out.
Emily @ Life on Food says
I love Lisa See books. I reccommend all of them!
Fancy says
I also loved Shanghai Girls, can’t wait to read Dreams of Joy. You should read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (also by Lisa See), it was wonderful!
KathEats says
I listened to Snowflower on audio book during my dietetic internship commutes last year – I liked it!
Kori says
I read The Help just about a month ago, and I LOVED it!! I cannot wait for the movie to come out this August! I am also about to start The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and now that you said you really enjoyed it, I’m even more excited to read it. 🙂
Christine says
I agree with you on Water For Elephants- I read it way before the recent movie-induced hype and thought it was at times entertaining, but just not really fantastic at all. I liked Prep, but just because I’m a sucker for coming-of-age stories, and also those by first time novelists. I think it’s great you’re particular- I have a serious issues with people that just like things because they think they should! Knowing what you prefer and developing a literary “taste” is just as important as knowing what your food preferences are (although, I may be a little biased since I’m an English teacher, have my degree in the subject and write a book blog, haha).
Alexia (Dimple Snatcher) says
What a lovely day! I mean, “Redeeming Love” IS a Christian fiction book so it makes sense that it didn’t “jive.”
Cait's Plate says
I’ve been DYING to read Ahab’s Wife. Both my sisters read it and highly recommended it to me. I have a couple reads I’m trying to finish before starting but now I’m super excited!
Also loved the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series – those books sucked me RIGHT in. I’ve heard really good things about “Cutting for Stone” as well so if you haven’t read it yet, maybe check it out 🙂
This whole day really does seem like the perfect summery day – I’m so glad you got it, you deserved it after all your hard work this week! I can’t tell you how much I admire you working as hard as you do, blogging, exercising AND making time for friends and family! You’re like superwoman in my book 😉
Amy says
Yes! “Cutting for Stone” is the best book I’ve read…maybe ever.
Cait's Plate says
Oooh now I’m super excited to read it! 🙂 Thanks Amy!
Katie says
I agree -Cutting for Stone was by far one of the best books I’ve ever read! I didn’t want it to end.
Peach @ idratherbebarefoot says
MmmmmmMMMM! That watermelon looks so good! We had some last week and I think a mid-week trip to the Farmer’s Market is in order to restock our oh so depleted melon supply.
I loved The Help. Normally I don’t care for the book/movie crossover types, but with Emma Stone playing Skeeter and Octavia Spencer playing Minnie, I think the movie will be definitely be worth seeing.
If you’re looking for some new book ideas, I have 3 lists on my blog; the 116 books I read in 2009, the 79 I read in 2010 and the 30 or so I’ve read this year. Check ’em out, maybe you’ll find some new ones to add to your “Books I Loved This Year” list.
And by the way, none of the books you “wished you had loved but do not” made it to any of my lists either. 🙂
Maggie @ Say Yes to Salad says
You might like Curtis Sittenfeld’s other book, American Wife. I wasn’t a huge fan of prep but I loved American Wife! It’s based (very loosely) on Barbara Bush’s life story. I am NOT a Bush fan but I loved this book. I am also not religious at all and that is a huge deciding factor in whether I like a book – I just can’t do the faithy ones. I’m reading a good book now (non-fiction) called Under the Banner of Heaven – check it out!
Carie @ no dieting says
I loved American Wife! Read from cover to cover in 2 days!
Christine says
I really like American Wife too. Her other book, Man of Mine Dreams, was pretty horrible.
Christena says
I thought Man of Mine Dreams was just okay. I liked Prep best, American Wife 2nd (good in parts but it seemed like it was soooo drawn out).
KathEats says
I read American Wife. I loved the first part and it only got worse from there. I liked it OK – had so much potential and I didn’t think it lived up!
Errign says
I am the opposite – I LOVED Prep and couldn’t even finish American Wife 🙂
Maggie @ Say Yes to Salad says
P.S. Thank you for mentioning that you didn’t love Water for Elephants! I have been debating reading it and now I think I might pass it up for now. I definitely want to read The Help. Especially because the movie comes out this summer!
cathy says
glad you had such a great day!
love talking books: i finished “the help” a couple weeks ago and STILL keep thinking about it! i will make a note of your other favourites as i haven’t read any of them. “water for elephants” – i also did not love it. always disappointing when a book does not match your preconceived ideas!
two of my all-time memorable reads: “a prayer for owen meany” by john irving and “i know this much is true” by wally lamb.
Emily says
I had checked out Water For Elephants before the movie came out and turned it back in without finishing it! Also, I just read “I know this much is true” and “She’s come undone” by Wally Lamb – not totally sure of my feelings on those books, but they really made me think!
Carie @ no dieting says
“I Know This Much Is True” is my all time favorite!
Ally (Girl V Food) says
Sena Jeter Naslund is AMAZING. I absolutely loved Ahab’s Wife! Have you read her ‘autobiography’ of Marie Antoinette? It’s absolutely stunning.
KathEats says
I haven’t!
Amanda says
my all time favorite book is someone else’s daughter! it’s a great book! and easy to read 🙂
Jil @ Big City, Lil' Kitchen says
Corn on the cob is just my ultimate summer love. Sooo delicious.
Lauri (Redheadrecipes.com) says
Your leftover pizza looks so yummy!
We had corn + zucch + squash for dinner too! Tossed w/ local chorizo sausage (crumbled), a little red bell pepper, and topped with goat cheese! Hands down, its one of my favorite meals!!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
I thought I was the only one who didn’t love Water for Elephants! I didn’t like the way the story was told or the way it ended.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Yum, grilled shrimp are the best. Looks like a perfect summer night light dinner. 🙂
Erin (Travel Eat Repeat) says
I’ve been reading a lot of Kate Donoghue recently — she became well-known for ‘Room,’ which was pretty depressing but good, but she previously wrote a lot of 19th century England novels and that’s my favorite period of history to learn and read about. I literally couldn’t put down ‘Slammerkin’ — it was epic.
Christena says
Room really bugged me!!! I think I’m the only person in the world, but I didn’t like it at all! I didn’t like the point of view, even though it was creative.
Mary says
SIGH. I am still sad (& in disbelief) that you hated Thornbirds. I used to love that book & wanted to be Meggie in middle school…even though I don’t remember her having a particularly happy life!
Wendy says
Me, too. I just finished reading it again. I guess you have to enjoy those types of epic family sagas to like it, though?
Baking 'n' Books says
Good to know about Water For Elephants.
I’m always torn when I’m reading a book but can’t “get into it”. I never know if I should keep reading or just stop. I usually wait it out (sometimes), but think really it’s just wasting time and there are so many books I should just get another one!
I haven’t read any of those books but want to read “The Help”. Not a huge fan of historical type fiction though (or maybe i just think that?). I used to love reading period pieces when I was younger. Are you mostly into Fiction then?
Have you read any of Jodi Picoult? I’m not a fan of hers in general but read “My Sister’s Keeper” and was bawling at the end! Lately I’m just keeping it light – some “Shopaholic” or something 😉
KathEats says
I read one Jodi Picoult. Good but not great.
Sana says
Corn is so fun to eat, but I need to floss ASAP!
Jen says
Have you read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins? It’s a trilogy – great read, you won’t want to put it down.
Amy says
Second this recommendation! Awesome books.
KathEats says
On my list!
Megan says
Third! You will surprise yourself how fast you can read a book with these. The first is definitely the best, and then they get less exciting as the series goes on. But they are all worth the read! Movie to follow in 2012..
jam says
Agree with Cathy on the Wally Lamb book – his newer one The Hour I First Believed was also quite good. Though I attribute my most ‘memorable’ reads to “Everything is Illuminated” [laughing out loud to tears running down my face sobbing – with merely the flip of a page] and also “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” both by Jonathon Safran Foer. I usually hate movies based on books but the Everything is Illuminated movie with Elijah Wood is pretty good
Emmalinda says
I totally agree with the Jonathan Safran Foer recommendations! I have to re-read Everything is Illuminated every few years or so!
I also recommend Michael Chabon. Both The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and The Yiddish Policemen’s Union are awesome.
Tanya says
Dates! Yum!
I actually toss them in the Freezer. They keep well up there, and make them much more chewy, but I note that they rarely truly “freeze”.
Caitlyn says
I have put my dates in the freezer as well. I like the added chew!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Your eats look perfect today! I need some corn on the cob. I just told my husband that it seems weird that I haven’t had any yet this year! I’m glad you had a good day off today. I hope you have a great night!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I need to pay a visit to the KERF library!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
shrimp, zucchini, squash, corn on the cob and the w-melon! = that looks sooo good!
the grill just makes things sooo good! and of course, perfect grill marks by faith 🙂
and i have been going to TOWN on w-melon, too.
Books..I have attn span shorter than a 4 year old and honestly, magazines and blogs and internet surfing and cookbook/recipe reading is about all I do these days. thank you for the HONEST book reviews. Not saying you loved something just b/c everyone else did…as always Kath, you keep it real. Thank you.
🙂
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
KALE WITH KETCHUP. I die. WHY have I never done that??!!! Slash I want that corn, it looks soooo good and all of ours is gone!
Maria says
Prep was also a big disappointment for me! To much whining and angst. So depressing…unlike The Help which left me hopeful and even had me laughing out loud a few times, despite the sadness of the content.
Silvia @ skinny jeans food says
Kind of agree with your reading list: loved “the help” and the girl with the dragoon tattoo, I did like water for elephants but I heard it as an audiobook and I think the old man’s part read by a grumpy old guy made all the difference to make it endearing and fun. The other dragoon tattoo girl books are also awesome, less gruesome (well, at least partially).
Jamie says
I’m reading Emily Alone by Stewart O’Nan. It was on NPR’s top 10 reads of the summer… so far it’s keeping my attention. You should check it out!
Annie says
Jamie – loved Emily Alone. My book club read it last month. When you finish, try the prequel to it. Its wonderful as well. I’m off to finish it now!
Michelle D says
LOVE LOVE LOVE Ahab’s wife. It is also my ALL TIME fav and I have read it twice.
Catherine@happinessafterheartache says
I liked Lonesome Dove when I first read it, but then I tried to re-read it about a year ago and couldn’t get into it. Right now I’m re-reading the Harry Potter series to get prepared for the movie release! I’m also reading Star Wars books, there are SO many!
Luv What You Do says
I loved Sarah’s Key! I read Prep years ago and really liked it. I think she wrote two other books that I enjoyed as well.
Kristina says
I’m with you on Prep – I liked it, but didn’t love it.
Ashley says
I’m not religious either, and I find that I don’t like a lot of books that have big religion components. It’s good to hear someone else say that 🙂
Also, I just finished The Help yesterday, so good! Can’t wait for the movie. Also, have you seen the previews for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo?! OMG I CANNOT WAIT!
KathEats says
I watched the Swedish version – good! I’m very excited for the American
Kristina says
The Swedish version is awesome!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
I didnt like Water for Elephants that much either! Ahh Watermelon just spells out summertime for me 🙂
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
I actually dislike butter on my corn! I loveee it on my bread, though! High Five looks great – I’m going to pick up a loaf next time I stop by my local GH 🙂
staceyhealthylife says
I bought water for elephants the book but ended up seeing the movie so I;m probably just going to return it. The movie was good but didn’t wow me enough to read the book also now.
Chad @ thebreakupnote says
Kath you are a vegetable grilling jedi.
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
Your watermelon picture made me want a watermelon cocktail. So refreshing. Now I’m on a mission to find a good one. Oh and dinner looked good too!
Nancy says
I know you aren’t big users of air conditioning, but doesn’t having the oven on heat up your home even more? Just wondering how you cope with the heat.
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
I’ll respond as another non-user of a/c (except when we sleep!), keeping windows open allows a breeze and keeps my house cool when I’m cooking, and I live in Orlando aka humidity capital of the world.
KathEats says
Our stove doesn’t really heat the house that much? It’s also not that hot here!!!! It will be in late July, and that’s when we’re likely to turn it on
Molly @ RDexposed says
Anita Shreve got me good with Fortune Rocks!
Erin says
Me too!
Christena says
Did you check out any of her other books set in the same location (former convent turned beach house)? I have read Pilot’s Wife & Body Surfing — I think Sea Glass is also set in that house. Fortune’s Rocks has been the best.
Erin says
I hated Pilot’s Wife but loved Sea Glass, Fortune’s Rocks, and Resistance. Light On Snow was ok, too.
KathEats says
I have read all of those too and can’t even remember what they were about!! I generally love Anita Shreve though
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
KERF book club 🙂 I haven’t read any of those (and they don’t seem to be really up my alley) but a book club would be a cool way to engage your community of readers! To throw you in a new direction if you’re interested, Endgame by Derrick Jensen and Ishmael by Daniel Quinn are my favorite books – they’re delicious.
Finally trying out the kale chips tomorrow!
Lilly says
Looks like such a great day with amazing food and friends, what more could you want ? 🙂
I highly suggest The Glass Castle, although it is not a light read it is captivating, unique, deep, but really good! Thanks for the book input, summer reading = <3.
Emily says
Oh my gosh- LOVED the Glass Castle, also Half Broke Horses was good too!
Erin says
Have you ever tried re-heating pizza in a dry skillet over the stove? It gives the crust that original cruncy-ness without having to heat up the oven. It’s also a little quicker. Works like a charm!
KathEats says
I usually just bake it – which gives it the same effect!
Jackie @ That Deep Breath says
I need to try Kale chips! Your dinner looks great, I love watermelon…for me it is the epitome of summer!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Hace you ever grilled your watermelon? It’s delicious!
KathEats says
No! Never would have thought of that!
Simply Life says
I just started reading Day of Honey today – I’m only on about chapter 5 but so far I love it!
Lenna says
Sarah´s key is such an awesome and “powerful” book! I have also seen the movie and I like it pretty much.
I have read the whole Millenium trilogy by Larsson and I love it!
Emily says
Woah! I didn’t know Sarah’s Key was also a movie?!
Lenna says
Yes, I think it is a French production for 2010, it is called Elle s’appelait Sarah (in original), and the main role is played by Kristen Scott Thomas.
Khushboo says
Looks like an ideal way to unwind after a hectic week! Unfortunately I haven’t read too much this year but I did read (and love) The Help! I’m excited about the movie, although I hope it lives up to expectation!
Teniesha @ Vegan on the Go-Go says
Oh, what I would give for a slice of that watermelon! It was 92 degrees here yesterday, and it’s going to be 96 degrees today, yuck.
I just finished reading The Alchemist by Paul Coelho–short, but very good, very deep. Now I’m starting Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.
Elisabeth says
That watermelon looks so good – I’ve been craving some lately! I did have my first fresh corn on the cob yesterday – so sweet & delicious.
I loved The Help, too (can’t wait to see if the movie lives up to the book at all), but I’m disappointed you didn’t like Prep. I really enjoyed that one; actually, I really liked all 3 of Curtis Sittenfeld’s books. Have you tried American Wife??
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
My mom keeps trying to get me to read The Help, so I think that’s next on my list. I’ve heard great things about it!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
The perfect summer dinner! And grilled corn is the BEST 🙂
Parasto @ eatwellstayfit says
BBQ and watermelon = best summer meal
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i’m so bad with my book list! i’ve been reading (and loving) the same book the last 6 months (juliet naked by nick horby) but never have time to finish it!
becca martin says
LOVED that book! Could not put it down. i am from Boston living in Australia and her books are huge here- i think you will like it, real page turner 🙂
Ellie@fitforthesoul says
Did you see the movie Water for elephants Kath? I didn’t read it, but watched it. I thought it was a rather good film! 😀 You’re so good at finishing your books! I always read a couple all simultaneously, so it’s hard to finish quickly hehe.
KathEats says
Yeah, just a few weeks ago. Beautifully done but just don’t love the story
Rebecca says
Sarah’s key was a really great read. I have similiar sentiments for Prep, not a bad book, but it was just ok and not what I expected.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
That grilled corn looks so good! It’s been forever since I’ve had corn on the cob!
I LOVED the book “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” It was a little slow to start, but it was such a plot and kept me completely engaged by a few chapters in!
Lem says
I just read The Forgotton Garden by Kate Morton and I could not put it down. I am off to get the House of Riverton. Thanks for the summer reads!!
Karen says
During the winter months, I tend toward non fiction, but last summer I read The Help and Sarah’s Key and also loved them. I haven’t read any of the others on your list.
I just finished Room, and am still pondering my feelings re. it weeks later – it provoked a gamut of emotions, for sure. On balance, I am glad to have experienced it.
The books sitting in cue include: Dreams of Joy, To Be Sung Underwater and Alice Bliss. The most challenging part of reading a fiction book for me is the first 50 pages – I have no patience for books that don’t draw me in immediately.
Christine @ Burning It Off says
House at Riverton has been on my to-read list for a long time. I also loved The Help and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (are you planning to read the rest of the books in the series? I liked the second one but found the third one kind of tedious).
KathEats says
I have book 2 but haven’t opened it yet. Too depressing for summertime!
Annie-Rose says
Yes, they’re intense. I agree the second was much better than the third (and even better than the first too, IMO)!
I’m curious to see how you like House at Riverton – it’s been on my “to-read” list for awhile now, but I’ve never quite gotten to it.
skinny latte says
The House at Riverton is amazing. You won’t be able to put it down. I forsee a lot of crumbs in the pages 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I’ve been so lucky with the books I’ve read this year – I’ve loved them all! Right now I’m reading My Life in France by Julia Child, and next I think I’m going to read Sarah’s Key!
Your grilled dinner looks wonderful – perfect for summer!
laura says
If you loved The Help (which I did), you won’t be able to put down The Kitchen House. I read it in two days. Take The Help, but go back 100 years and tell it from the perspective of slaves on a southern plantation. It’s so good!
KathEats says
Awesome! Added to my list
Amy says
I loved that book! Such a great read.
Karen says
I’m with you gals on this one…terrific book!
Christena says
Loved the Kitchen House!!!
cj weaber @ http://cjh002.wordpress.com says
It sounds like we have similar taste is books and although I have The House at Riverton downloaded I still haven’t read it! I did however read Kate Morton’s other book The Forgotten Garden and really enjoyed that! Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres so if I think of any others I will be sure to send them your way!
By the way I cannot wait for The Help to come out in theaters! Have you seen previews?!
Hannah (Balancing on Two Feet) says
The House at RIverton is a great read! I’m on the hunt for a good book right now that isn’t about yoga, since that is all I usually read about! I will check out some of the recommendations!
Amy says
LOL. I AM a religious person and I still didn’t like Redeeming Love. I felt like I had to continually remind myself “this is a retelling of Hosea! That’s why character x is doing action y!” – The story didn’t hang together very cohesively to me, and I couldn’t get into the characters.
Anyway. Have you ever read The Princess Bride? It’s next on my reread list – one of my all time favorites.
KathEats says
Yeah, the characters just didn’t seem realistic.
Haven’t read PB!
KathEats says
Thanks for all of your book suggestions!!
kay says
Hi Kath,
Loved the watermelon pics and loved reading “Redeeming Love”! I think you’ve got the word “religious” mixed up with loving things of God. We can be religious about many things, as it doesn’t just pertain to church or God. It means to be completely devoted to a task or ritual(such as exercising daily, eating healthy or writing a blog, etc.) So, you ARE religious after all Kath. “Redeeming Love” was written to show the unconditional love that God extends to us even though we don’t deserve it many times. Just clearing that up and saying I enjoy the blog 🙂
KathEats says
Well then I guess I’m not a Godly person 🙂
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle says
that grilled dinner looks amazing!!!! Yum!!!
Noelle says
I know you’ve gotten like 80 million book recommendations, but I agree with your favorites and least favorites (especially Thornbirds, which was somewhat of a let down)- so I am going to suggest The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer anyway. It was BEYOND absolutely incredible. Really well developed characters, beautifully written.. and based on a true story (maybe the craziest part of all). JUST DO IT! 🙂
Beth says
I second the Invisible Bridge!
polly says
hi sweet Kath!
I totally agree with the last 2 sentences of Kay’s comment.
XO
Beth says
I’m a big fan of Kate Morton–the House at Riverton was really good!
Errign says
I LOVED The Help (and also Prep – it’s one of my favorites), but another great book from this year:
Those Who Save Us – Jena Blum (German historical fiction, slightly dark for summer, perhaps)
Eileen says
I agree … I liked this one much more than “Sarah’s Key.”
Emily says
I just read Those Who Save Us! Interesting perspective of WWII, but I loved it. And I would agree, kind of dark for summer.
Tyla says
I just recently finished reading The House at Riverton and really liked it. I also really loved The Forgotten Garden – I would highly recommend it!
shelby says
Hey Kath! Both of your meals look so tasty i cant wait to try this at home and to me your shrimp kind of looks like a healthy grilled popcorn shrimp!
KathEats says
🙂
Eileen says
So relieved to find so many people who didn’t like “Water For Elephants.” I like lots of the suggestions other people mentioned. “Cutting For Stone” is absolutely wonderful, but really dense — it took me several weeks to finish it, and that’s unusual. The same author, Abraham Verghese, has two non-fiction books that I love, too — “In My Country” and “The Tennis Partner.”
Gena says
I couldn’t stand PREP, and thought WATER FOR ELEPHANTS was totally overrated. Glad we’re on the same page 😉
KathEats says
Coming from you, this make me feel better about disliking them!
Ll says
John 3:16
Lisa @ Life in Green says
You definitely have to read the rest of the ‘Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ series…very good! I’ll to read some of the others on your fav list…I’ve been in a slump lately.
And your grilled corn looked so good. Can’t wait until its in season here!
Marissa says
I wish I wasn’t allergic to watermelon…
My school decided my summer reading list for me: Persuasion, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, and The Poisonwood Bible. I plan on reading them in that order… from worst to “best” (I think The Poisonwood Bible might actually be interesting… I’m into religious stuff.) I’m more than halfway done with Persuasion, but its put me to sleep 3 times. I’ve NEVER fallen asleep while reading before–not even through hours of AP history textbook reading… if that tells you anything about how good this book is, lol.
KathEats says
I have never been able to love Jane Austen either…and I hate that. SO wish I loved her!
emily says
I actually just started reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor too! I like it so far.
Emily says
I read The Poisonwood Bible and I was VERY let down – too long and drug out.
Liza says
I loved Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. A long book but I read it in three days as I could NOT PUT IT DOWN!
Evie says
Jonathan Franzen is one of my all time favorites. The Corrections, Strong Motion and yes, Freedom. I couldn’t put it down. I also love Philip Roth, read American Pastoral (Pulitzer Prize winner) or The Dying Animal. Sabbath’s Theater is amazing as well. Herman Wouk- Marjorie Morningstar, when I finished it I was actually sad and felt like I lost a friend. I didn’t want to start a new book after because I couldn’t believe I would find one as good. He also wrote War & Remembrance and The Winds of War. Amazing novels. And read American Wife, but just know it’s based (loosely) on the life of Laura Bush, not Barbara.
Liza says
American Wife is one of my favorites! The author actually went to my school growing up and her little brother was a grade below me!!
Kelsey says
i just got done reading “the curious incident of the dog in the night time” by mark haddon. it’s told from the perspective of an autistic teenage boy. i thought it was so interesting and different. highly recommended.
Angel7 says
It looks like another slam dunk dinner 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
So glad I read this, b/c I was on the fence about ordering Prep. I loved American Wife and assumed I would like her other books. Maybe I’ll skip it.
carrie says
I just read “The Red Garden” by Alice Hoffman. Didn’t think it was something I would be into (fictional short stories- though somewhat intertwined, in chronological order throughout history), but I couldnt put it down!
Casey says
I am a huge Kate Morton fan, I think my favorite was The Forgotten Garden. They are all very interesting though! I love southern authors as well; Mary Alice Monroe, Karen White, Dorothea Benton Frank, and Anne Rivers Siddons 🙂
Macrae says
PLEASE read ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ by Garth Stein! It is narrated by a dog and such a great story! Another fun one is The Guernsey Literary and Sweet Potato Peel Society. It is a bunch of letter to make a story and slows perfectly. Those two books I hated to put down and perfect for summer. Hope you can fit them in 🙂
Erin says
I loved Guernsey, too! I’m just about to reread it.
I just saw The Help movie at a screening…so so so good!!! I enjoyed it almost as much as the book and you can rarely say that about adaptations.
Emmalinda says
I already left one comment, but I thought of another amazing author: Ann Patchett! Bel Canto is my favorite of hers, but I’ve also read Run & The Patron Saint of Liars and both were great. Bel Canto is full of suspense & the plot takes lots of unexpected turns. I loved it!
Charise says
oooh, I am about to pick up The House at Riverton from the library today – excited to see the recommendations for it!
Jessica says
Haven’t read the book – doesn’t sound like my sort of thing either! 😉
No way about Persuasion! I’m re-reading it and I just can’t get over how much I love it. Also currently reading The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro which I’m really enjoying! Have you read A Thousand Splendid Suns? I read that recently and thought it was a good combo of light reading but thought provoking! If you want a depressing but very well written and just brilliant book, I’d recommend Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada – loved. it. to. bits.
KathEats says
I did read 1,000 Splendid and liked it a lot.
gwyneth says
Have you read “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant? One of my favorites! I just started “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and I’m hoping I love it as much as everyone else does!
I agree about “Water for Elephants” … it was good, but not wonderful. And the film was beautifully produced more than anything else.
Love all your stuff ~ recipes, running, etc. I’m so glad I found your site!