July Book Reviews - Yes, Some of Them Talk About Food

I am the nightmare of every book club goer.  You know, those people who pronounce the title of the book they’re reading like it’s a college degree. 

Pompous book club goer: “This novel probes the line between destiny and choice.  It is a moving testament to the power of story and the unrelenting pull of familial bonds”

Me:  Who got murdered?  What did they eat?  Were the recipes included in the book?

Literary critic I’m not.

What I am is a rabid bibliophile who can’t get her hands on enough books.  I am a girl who goes to the library at least once a week, who snaps discreet photos of book covers while people are still reading them so I can remember the titles later and I am someone who doesn’t give a flippin’ care if the book I’m currently reading is on the best seller list.

Here is a list of my favs for July:

Delicious! By Ruth Reichl  I heart Ruth with every fiber of my being.  I’ve read her memoirs but her first fiction book is truly a masterpiece.  The story follows Billie Breslin who traveled from her home in California to take a job at Delicious, a food magazine in New York.  When she arrives, she is told the publication has shut down. But, she is offered a new job: continuing to answer reader complaints and requests for recipes.  Billie’s adventures in New York, the amazing food she eats and the quirky people she befriends will warm your heart.  This books should not be read while hungry and make sure to stock your kitchen with the best of Italian foods.  You will need them.

 If you don’t follow Marlena’s travel books, we can’t be friends until you do. She has written A Thousand Days in Venice, The Umbrian Thursday Night Supper Club etc, etc, ETC!!!  She is an epic journalist, restaurant critic and cookbook author. In this memoir, she tells the tale of her move to San Casciano dei Bagni and her adventures living in a very poorly renovated home while having the time of her life. She includes mouthwatering, unforgettable recipes which will have you adding more miles to your daily run.  You will laugh, you will sob and you will fall head over heels in love with Barlozzo. (You’ll find out who he is when you read the book.)

The Quinn Brothers and The Quinn Legacy by Nora Roberts  Yes!  I am a diehard, proud Nora fan.  I love her laissez faire, easy, carefree formula for books:  Girl has traumatic past, girl meets guy, girl kinda hates guy (or is very annoyed by him) girl has insanely descriptive sex with guy, guy helps girl through another traumatic event or they have a huge fight, girl and guy make up, get married and live happily ever after. It’s poetic in its simplify.  The Quinn books are a series of 4 (these books have 2 books in one) set in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay and O.M.G are these men gorgeous.  Well, in my head they are.

Business Boutique by Christy Wright If you are thinking about starting a business, have ever dreamed about starting a business or actually have a new business – YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.  I have been in the corporate world for over 20 years and I learned a few things as I dove in the pages.  She breaks everything down step-by-step, makes pricing, taxes and budgeting easy to digest and gives you a little girl-power push at the same time.

What I’m currently reading:   Broken Girls by Simone St. James.  It’s scaring the bejeezus outta me. I'll give it a review in August.

Happy Reading! Comment below on what's sitting on your nightstand this month.  I'm always looking for a new read.