So okay, I read something. Yay me. And it took effort, real effort, to do so. I mean I enjoyed what I read. And I wanted to read what I read but … I’m still not feeling the reading love … yet. It’s there; I can feel the love lurking inside me, like a dormant pimple. One you want to appear so you can pop it (yup, I’m a pimple popper and know it’s wrong and gross and I have no idea why I’m sharing this with y’all) but won’t come until you gotta show your face somewhere more important than the grocery store. How I went from reading to pimple popping, I don’t know but I might be a writing genius.
Or not. It’s cool either way. I’m just glad to be reading and writing again (my blogging has been erratic as of late, sort of like me). And in this topsy turvy world, let’s just take pleasure where we can.
The Books I Liked
Yo. Let’s just be happy I used the plural version of book, okay?
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Book Description: Evelyn Hardcastle will die every day unless Aiden Bishop can solve her murder and break the cycle.
Book Review: This is an unusual little book (not literally, it’s 400+ pages) and I like it. Right from the get-go (thanks to the book flap), you know more than poor Aiden does, which initially irritated me a bit—only because I wanted to get my Scooby-Doo on and dig into the mystery. But once Aiden catches up, you go on a thoroughly enjoyable ride. He inhabits different characters to help him solve the murder and you need to accept that premise to enjoy the story. It’s twisty enough (but not the annoying kind where you want to start punching people) that I guessed wrong multiple times. And I’m the kind of reader who reads mysteries to figure out whodunit and I didn’t. It’s got a Downstairs Abbey vibe and it’s not overly graphic for those who like their murder less explicit. The ending is different, not what I expected, and initially felt a little unsure about it. I wasn’t angry but more like hmmmm …. interesting. But with some time and space … it works.
To Read or Not to Read: Sure, it’s a little weird and different and I like weird and different. But not everyone does and that’s okay too.
Cook Like a Pro by Ina Garten
Book Description: It’s a cookbook. It’s got recipes and pictures. The end.
Book Review: Okay, a cookbook might be a bit of stretch to count as a “book” but I’m counting it because my blog. Also, I’m always on the lookout for good cookbooks to try and assume others are as well. I adore the Barefoot Contessa. Her food always seems a bit upscale but without being pretentious. While I haven’t had a chance to make anything, there were lots of recipes that sounded great, such as tomato and eggplant soup, fried chicken sandwich, and triple chocolate loaf. And many sounded like something I would also make, which is critical. All the beautiful pictures in the world mean nothing, if you don’t pick up your measuring cups and turn on the stove and start slicing and dicing.
To Cook or Not to Cook I’m always down with the Barefoot Contessa so most definitely. It’s my not-so secret wish to be invited to her home and to cook with her.
TL;DR — My Recommendations to You
Easy peasy: I recommend them all. Murder mystery fans who don’t mind a fantasy element (not ghosts and goblins but the idea a person could inhabit other people) will enjoy The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. And fans of The Barefoot Contessa should definitely check out her latest cookbook. Lots of delicious-sounding recipes that I can’t wait to try.
To More Great Books
Well, I currently have two books on my nightstand and a bunch of books I should really read in my NetGalley queue. I’m super hopeful that I’ll read a few books this month. If not, in the immortal words of Scarlett O’Hara, “Tomorrow is another day ” and maybe tomorrow (or the next month) I’ll want to read again. Here’s hoping. As usual, I’m linking up with Jana and Steph for the great Show Us Your Books link-up. Be sure to visit and see what everyone’s been reading.
What books did you read last month?
Tanya
I LOVED the Evelyn Hardcastle book (my version was juts seven deaths). It’s so different and fun. I didn’t figure out whodunnit either.
It was so different. In his notes he talked about how making revisions was so difficult because even a small tweak to one character’s story affected the entire story. I don’t know how he kept track of everything. 😀
I have to read the 71/2 deaths soon. I keep hearing how good it is.
I hope you enjoy it, Kay!
I sometimes pick up cookbooks that are full of beautiful recipes that I’d never make haha. Ina’s recipes always seems much more approachable.
Oh good, I’m glad that I’m not the only who does that. 😀 Food porn is real!
I’ve heard such mixed things about 7 1/2 Lives! I’m not sure yet if I want to read it or not! Yay for reading – I hope you find something else to enjoy this month.
It’s a strange story and definitely not for everyone. It take a hot second for me to get into the story too but I’m glad I read it.
I have 7 1/2 Lives on my list – along with about 1000 others … I really need to get a move on reading those or doing a purge of my TBR. I’m all about reading cookbooks too – I made some of her recipes that were in Martha Stewart’s magazine several years ago but never got around to getting one of her cookbooks.
I recently did a purge in my TBR too. It get so unwieldy, especially since I tend to put everything on it – just in case. I love Ina, especially her show Barefoot Contessa on Food Network. She’s fancy but approachable.
7 1/2 Deaths sounds interesting….not sure if it’s my kind of read! I have a cookbook on my list this month too! I’m not normally a cookbook “reader” but enjoyed the one that I read! I like Ina Garten….don’t have any of her cookbooks but have made some of her recipes!
It’s a bit different but I think you might enjoy it since I know you read some mystery/thrillers. I adore Ina. She’s probably one of my go-tos.
Cookbooks totally count! And I’m curious about The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – I don’t mind strange. lol I hope your reading mojo comes back soon!!!
-Lauren
I’m glad everyone agrees that cookbooks count, cuz I have another one for next month’s link-up. I hope give Evelyn Hardcastle a try. It’s different but you definitely get sucked into the story.
LOL i am a pimple popper too. it’s just gotta be done sometimes.
hmm. the Evelyn book sounds super interesting – maybe i won’t read the book flap so i stay in the un-know. i’ve read 2 books where characters keep dying and i hated both of them, so i am a little leery of that… but i’ll still give it a go.
I’ve never read or seen or done anything with the Barefoot Contessa though I’ve heard of her. tomato and eggplant soup sounds delicious.
Damn straight you do. I mean sometimes it’s almost impossible to avoid doing it. 😀 Yeah, I’ve read stories where a character keeps dying and it can get old. I think this works because while the end goal is to find the culprit and stop the loop, more focus is put on the individual characters that Aiden embodies. I can’t say anymore without spoiling things, but you don’t keep seeing the death happen over and over and over. Or 7 1/2 times! I love eggplant and she also has a roasted eggplant parmesan recipe that sounds divine in there too!
7 1/2 sounds interesting! And totally get the reading love thing. Sometimes you power through and sometimes you just don’t.
I used to force myself to power through stories because I kept hoping they would get better. They almost never did. Grrrr …. 😀
Ive seen that book all so many lists I should probably just add it to my TBR. I got the Snoop Dogg cookbook for xmas and I love it!
LOL! I do that too! But I have serious book FOMO. I did not know Snoop Dogg had a cookbook and now I must find it.
I love Ina Garten so much.
Me too. She’s the best!
“For those who like their murder less explicit” LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Or those who like their murder less groody to the max!
Cookbooks totally count! I just recently re-read/went through my 1st Deliciously Ella cookbook and made a recipe for Oat Cookies that I had never made before 🙂 Happy cooking!
I love go through my old cookbooks. You rediscover some old favorite recipes and those you overlooked the first 10 times you went through the cookbook. 😀
I’m totally intrigued after your review of Evelyn Hardcastle. I love cookbooks– especially when they’re practical!
I hope you give it a try, Carly. I really enjoyed it. Ina’s cooking style (and personality) is really accessible. She’s fancy but not pretentious and everything I’ve made has been delicious.
I just finished Evelyn Hardcastle a few days ago! It took me a little while to digest that ending too, but I agree with you that it works.
Okay, I’m glad I’m not the only one who had to think on that ending for a minute or two. But it did work for me and I’m glad it worked for you too. He just tricked me a bit, which I like. But I had to switch mental gears a bit.
OK – I totally think I’d be into that 7 1/2 book!!!
I actually get into cookbooks – if it has pages & a cover – it counts as a book 🙂
I like how you think, Rebecca Jo. Pages and cover = book!
7 1/2 Deaths sounds right up my alley. Adding it to my TBR right now : )
Yay! Hope you enjoy it!
I’m so intrigued by The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle!
It’s definitely unique and I hope you give it a try!
Hmm the premise for Evelyn… sounds pretty good. I am (maybe?) starting to read more mystery/thriller-y things. I will bump this up my list a little. I kinda love cookbooks. 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
It’s definitely an interesting premise that he executes will. I love cookbooks too. I really ought to look at more of them. 😀
Oh, the Barefoot Contessa DEFINITELY counts. Queen Ina can do no wrong 🙂 I just love her. Evelyn Hardcastle sounds interesting. I also tend to like different, so I may have to check this one out.
She really cannot. She is my favorite and I have watched her show for years! Evelyn is definitely different and I really like different too. Sometimes mystery/thrillers can get super predictable when you read too many of them, which I have done in the past. Oops.
I am obsessed with Ina and will ONLY cook her recipes when we have company. I asked for this cookbook for christmas and shockingly didn’t get it, so I may need to amazon prime that asap!
Ina is the best and it is my dream to some day visit her in the Hamptons and cook with her. She just seems cool. I definitely recommend her cookbook; you’ll love it!
I really want to read 7 1/2 deaths! Sounds so good!
I really enjoyed it and hope you do too!
Some pimples don’t go away unless you pop them. You gotta do what you gotta do!
Exactly! Gross but whatcha gonna do!
Great job with two books! I love Ina and Jennifer Gardner’s friendship 🙂 I’ve heard some pretty good things about The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle! I want to pick it up soon!