Saturday, June 1, 2024

W22: Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

  W22:


Title: The Paris Novel


Author: Ruth Reichl


Pages: 265


Published: 2024


Started: 5/26/24


Finished: 5/29/24


Summary: A girl receives a gift from her recently deceased mother in form of a ticket that says ‘.         ‘Go to Paris’. She does reluctantly and finds much more than she bargained for.

My thoughts: Very easy read. The book was based from an encounter the writer had in her previous nonfiction book, ‘Save Me the Plums’. Her descriptions of food was excellent. Very vivid, mouthwatering. The only gripe was the main character was a little annoying at times.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Saturday, April 20, 2024

W16: Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

 W16:


Title: Save Me the Plums


Author: Ruth Reichl


Pages: 260


Published: 2019


Started: 4/14/24


Finished: 4/18/24


Summary: The food writer Ruth Reichl talks about her time as editor in chief of Gourmet magazine from the late 90s till the magazine’s closing in 2009.


My thoughts: I loved it! Ruth’s writing is always a fun and easy read. And it was so interesting to see the behind the scenes of how to run a magazine. Her descriptions of food are always so vivid and mouthwatering. One of my favorite reads of the year!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, April 6, 2024

W14: Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

 W14:


W13:


 Title: The Book of Doors


Author: Gareth Brown


Pages: 400


Published: 2024


Started: 3/31/24


Finished: 4/4/24


Summary: Cassie, one day gets a special book, The Book of Doors, from a beloved customer at her place of employment that allows her to go through any door, anywhere,anytime. Using this book, expands her possibilities and unfortunately brings her danger. She has to survive with her best friend, her favorite customer and new friends to keep herself,those she cares about and the book safe.


My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed it. The twists and turns kept me on my seat. The characters were great and wanted more! Very creative way the author wrote on how the book of doors came to be.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, March 30, 2024

W13: Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

W13:


 Title: 60 Songs that Explain the 90s


Author: Rob Harvilla


Pages: 263


Published: 2023


Started: 3/24/24


Finished: 3/28/24


Summary: Music reporter Rob explains 60 songs that he feels incapsulates the 90s. This book is based on his podcast of the same name.


My thoughts: I loved it! As a teen of the 90s, it brought back all wonderful memories of the music I enjoyed. Very easy read, he puts funny anecdotes of his experiences with these songs without making the story about him. Does an excellent job of breaking down the music and why it’s so good.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, March 23, 2024

W12: Read 52 Books…

 W12:



Title: Southern California in the 50s


Author: Charles Phoenix


Pages: 158


Published: 1999


Started: 3/17/24


Finished: 3/18/24


Summary: A look into Southern California in the 50s using Kodachrome photos along with descriptions of old time restaurants, attractions, lifestyles etc…


My thoughts: I loved it! Wonderful to see old photos of places that my family were familiar with.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, March 16, 2024

W10 and W11: Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

 W10 and W11:


W10:  

Title: Perched on Nothings Bench

Author: Attila Jozsef

Pages: 88

Published: 1999

Started: 3/8/24

Finished: 3/12/24


Summary: Attila Jozsef poems when he lived in Hungary before he committed suicide.

My thoughts: I enjoyed them. Very tragic,very illuminating.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


W11:


Title: Eight World Cups

Author: George Vecsey

Pages: 290

Started: 3/10/24

Finished: 3/12/24

Summary: Writer George Vecsey writes about all the World Cups he’s attended and his insights into his experiences as well as what was happening in the soccer world at the same time.

My thoughts: Very easy read. Sped through this. Enjoyed his reflections of the World Cups especially on famous soccer figures like Maradona,Zidane and Landon Donovan.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, March 2, 2024

W9: Read 52 Books for 52 Weeks

 W9:


Title: Holidays in Hell

Author: P.J O’Rourke

Pages: 257

Published: 1988

Started: 2/25/24

Finished: 3/2/24


Summary:

           P.J O’Rourke travels to places around the world that are in turmoil, with an eye for hilarity. 


My thoughts:   He’s my favorite humorist/satirist and this book doesn’t disappoint. Funny, sarcastic, great insight…loved every minute. He gets right to the point of the issues that arise during his visits with clear concise observations.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

W22: Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

   W22: Title: The Paris Novel Author: Ruth Reichl Pages: 265 Published: 2024 Started: 5/26/24 Finished: 5/29/24 Summary: A girl receives a ...