• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Search
  • About
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Oatmeal Recipes
    • Smoothie Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • 100 Oatmeal Recipes + Whipped Banana Oatmeal
    • The Best Overnight Oats Recipes
    • Smoothie In A Bowl
  • Nutrition
    • Top 10 Nutrition Posts
    • Healthy Mindset
    • Real Food
    • Weight Change
    • Becoming A Registered Dietitian
  • Home
    • Free Workshop
    • Digital Clutter Course
    • Shop Our Home
    • How To Declutter Your Kitchen Cabinets
    • Kitchen Organization Accessories
    • 5 Tips for Keeping a Clean House with Kids
  • Beauty
    • My Beauty Routine
    • My Top 10 Favorite Beautycounter Products
    • Products For Brighter Skin
    • How to Apply Skincare in the Right Order
    • Anti-Aging Line Review
    • Safer Sunscreen
  • Kids
    • Mazen’s Birth Story
    • Birch’s Birth Story
    • Baby Food Favorites
    • My Kids’ Favorite Toys
  • Life
    • Fitness
    • Wedding
    • Charlottesville
    • Travel
    • Shop
  • Freebies

Kath Eats logo

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Search
  • About
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Oatmeal Recipes
    • Smoothie Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • 100 Oatmeal Recipes + Whipped Banana Oatmeal
    • The Best Overnight Oats Recipes
    • Smoothie In A Bowl
  • Nutrition
    • Top 10 Nutrition Posts
    • Healthy Mindset
    • Real Food
    • Weight Change
    • Becoming A Registered Dietitian
  • Home
    • Free Workshop
    • Digital Clutter Course
    • Shop Our Home
    • How To Declutter Your Kitchen Cabinets
    • Kitchen Organization Accessories
    • 5 Tips for Keeping a Clean House with Kids
  • Beauty
    • My Beauty Routine
    • My Top 10 Favorite Beautycounter Products
    • Products For Brighter Skin
    • How to Apply Skincare in the Right Order
    • Anti-Aging Line Review
    • Safer Sunscreen
  • Kids
    • Mazen’s Birth Story
    • Birch’s Birth Story
    • Baby Food Favorites
    • My Kids’ Favorite Toys
  • Life
    • Fitness
    • Wedding
    • Charlottesville
    • Travel
    • Shop
  • Freebies
You are here: Home / Lifestyle / pages & spines

December 8, 2011

pages & spines

IMG_9026-3Blog

Matt and I had many meetings this afternoon – with each other. Discussing the holidays, doing the recon (it worked!), paying sales taxes, taste-testing ginger cookies…[they are SO GOOD!]

IMG_9010-2Blog

I’ve been working on the full-color Christmas menu + gift guide this week – it’s finally in print!

IMG_9015-2Blog IMG_9016-2Blog

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Christmas trees were test batched!

IMG_9013-2Blog

Aside from cookies, I had clems for a snack. Carbs make me thirsty and these are the perfect counter balance. [Get it – counter. balance!]

IMG_9012-2Blog

I walked home from the bakery after dark and turned around to head over to Seamane’s for her Annual Christmas Book Swap!

I LOVE BOOKS! I just don’t have time to read them all. My friend from high school, Matt Compton, can read a book a day. I think he skips all nouns? I wish I could.

IMG_9025-2Blog

I’m pretty particular when it comes to books I like. Most books I give in the B- range, but every now and then I hit a perfect storm of description, plot and beautiful writing. My favorite book ever was Ahab’s Wife, or The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund. It was a book Karen gave to me and we both loved it. Did you know I hate dialogue? I prefer books with description to dialogue – which is why I hated Pat Conroy’s South Of Broad. The best book I read this year [so far] was Little Bee. I’m really liking The Hunger Games though!

IMG_9028-2Blog

Seamane had a spread of foods and many of us brought contributions

IMG_9019-2Blog

I had two glasses of red

IMG_9017-2Blog

A bunch of cheese + crackers. Seamane’s brie!!

IMG_9022-2Blog

Hummus + pita

IMG_9020-2Blog

I contributed some Cheddar Garlic rolls and cheese along with some Cville Crunch

IMG_9023-2Blog

A single capture of the evening [i.e. not all I ate] Cville Crunch covered in hummus and red pepper jelly spread!

IMG_9029-2Blog

Because the ganache and chocolate chips were wonderful!

IMG_9034-2Blog IMG_9021-2Blog

And the chocolate-covered pretzels that escaped my camera

Kitty likes to read.

IMG_9037-3Blog

Reow.

IMG_9036-2Blog

My loot. Some of these are for Matt and family members, but I hope I snagged some good ones to read too! Have you read any of these titles? Please share the best book you ever read!

IMG_9032-2Blog

Related

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Reader Interactions

Previous Post
Quenched.
Next Post
BIAJ

Comments

  1. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    I am really hungry right now, and this made me even more really hungry. Coming over.

    Reply
  2. Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    I loved Ahabs wife! Good book! Also – those ginger cookies look addicting 🙂

    Reply
  3. [email protected] healthy helper blog! says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    Teacakes!!?!? I don’t know what that is but it sounds fantastic! And ginger cookies are my fave!

    Reply
  4. lynn @ the actor's diet says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:34 pm

    my favorite author is haruki murakami. he has a new one out that is a MONSTER!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 8, 2011 at 9:37 pm

      Murakami is my favorite too! I just ordered his latest, but I’m saving it for winter break. If you like him, you might also like Italo Calvino or Jonathon Safron Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which has plot complexity in the same vein as Murakami.

      Regardless, this evening look most perfect!

      Reply
    • Gem says

      December 9, 2011 at 5:55 am

      oooo I LOVE Murakami! Couldn’t even pick out a favourite… Haven’t read his new one yet, but looking forward to it 🙂

      Reply
    • Emily Eats and Exercises says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:16 am

      I fourth the Murakami motion. I think I would recommend starting with Norwegian Wood if you haven’t read any of his books.

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        December 9, 2011 at 11:16 am

        I fifth Murakami. He’s the only author I wish I had never read before, just so I could read him again for the first time. I got totally lost in “wind up bird chronicles” and would spend hours at a time reading! “Wild sheep chase” is another good Murakami starter book.

        Reply
    • Vanessa N says

      December 9, 2011 at 2:57 pm

      Murakami is my fav. too (tied with David Sedaris… which is weird b/c they’re so different)! Currently reading the new one, 1Q84… so far so good! Wind Up Bird Chronicles and Norwegian Wood were my favorite of his so far. Wasn’t a huge fan of Kafka on the Shore though.

      Reply
      • maria @ Chasing the Now says

        December 11, 2011 at 2:50 am

        Have you guys read his book “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”? It is THE BEST.

        Reply
  5. Roxanne says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    My favorite book is HEIDI from Johanna Spyri. I love the scenery and all of her adventures! I read it once a year at least!

    Reply
  6. Ashley says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    I may be outing myself as an uber nerd here, but Dune was so good! Not sure if you’re keeping that one but I’m sure it will find a fascinated reader 🙂

    Reply
    • Johanna B says

      December 9, 2011 at 10:06 am

      I loved Dune. I hid it in my desk drawer and read it at work. I literally could not put it down. If you’re a nerd then so am I.

      Reply
      • Ashley says

        December 9, 2011 at 10:20 am

        😀

        Reply
  7. Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    Really cool to swap book and share! I think that is such an awesome idea!!! 🙂 Red wine <3

    Reply
  8. Amy says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    Never going to beat “To Kill a Mockingbird” – I’ve read many stunning books since my first read of that but never quite that amazing. Have you read any Alice Hoffman? if not, try “Practical Magic” it was a better book than movie (although the movie was fun). All Douglas Adams books are fun so you will enjoy the one you got.

    Reply
    • [email protected] Flying ONION says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:07 am

      I agree! To Kill A Mockingbird (along with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) is one of my favorite reads of all time. 😀

      Reply
      • Johanna B says

        December 9, 2011 at 10:16 am

        Oooh, I loved A Tree Grows in Brookly but I read it so long ago that I’d forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder.

        Reply
  9. tara says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    Cookies and chocolate are among the many things I snack on well into the late late night. I need an intervention I think.

    Reply
  10. lindzjane115 says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    What a wonderful tradition! I may have to steal the idea of an annual book swap party!

    Let the Great World Spin is wonderful! The Curious Case of the Dog in the Nighttime in interesting and compelling, but a bit quirky.

    I don’t know if I could choose a favorite book…so many good ones!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 9, 2011 at 10:33 am

      Loved these both as well! Good picks 🙂 I think my favorite will always be The Poisonwood Bible

      Reply
      • Jeanie says

        December 9, 2011 at 3:14 pm

        Love love love Poisonwood. Such a great read and the characters evolve so interestingly.

        Reply
  11. Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    Ahhh ginger cookies sound so good!

    Reply
  12. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:45 pm

    you’re eats are looking awesome today!! and those pumpkin chocolate chip christmas tree cookies look amazing. i think the GH by us should sell them too – i’d totally buy several!

    Reply
  13. cathy says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    that book swap is a great idea!
    i like dialogue more than description!
    hard to choose JUST ONE BOOK. a very very memorable read was “a prayer for owen meany” by john irving. but i could name five more amazing novels, very quickly, too!

    Reply
    • Lynne says

      December 9, 2011 at 11:49 am

      A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my all time favorites. I haven’t read it in years but could quote parts right now. So good!

      Reply
  14. Katherine says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    So, I think you’re attempting to kill any chance I have of walking out of the bakery without any sweets! I need to come in soon for bread and was already salivating over the Chocolate Peppermint Oh (love some chocolate and mint!!) and now you bring out Christmas tree shaped pumpkin tea cakes! What are you doing to me?!? 🙂 I can usually limit myself to samples of the sweets, but I think that streak will end in the next couple of days! Ha!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:17 am

      If you love chocolate + mint, you will LOVE this OH!!

      Reply
  15. Sarah Leigh says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    I’m reading a young adult novel right now called “Fever 1793.”
    I’m a teacher so I like to read what kids are reading.
    Its really good and a quick read. Its about the Yellow Fever epidemic in colonial America.

    Reply
  16. jen_alluisi says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    Man, how do I snag an invite to that party next year?! I’m in Cville and an avid reader (and eater, let’s be honest) – sounds like an amazing time!

    Of the books you snagged, the only one I’ve read is THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, which I read ages and ages ago, but I remember really enjoying it. Favorite books from oh, say, the last 10 years (so I don’t devolve into blathering about classics) are probably BETWEEN, GEORGIA by Joshilyn Jackson and THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield.

    Reply
    • Seamane says

      December 8, 2011 at 10:28 pm

      Hey Jen! You are totally welcome to join us next year (I do this every December). Just save up your books for the year. We’ll just have to get in touch at some point before then, of course. And btw, I saw on your blog that you’re a freelance copyeditor — so am I! 🙂

      Reply
      • jen_alluisi says

        December 8, 2011 at 10:41 pm

        Sounds awesome! I always have nine million books on hand that I could bring to a swap, so I’m not too worried about that part. 🙂 Do you tweet? That’s usually a pretty easy way to connect – I’m @scorpstar77 if you do. And I actually have a “real” job (in addition to occasionally editing nights and weekends), but my husband is a full-time freelance editor. At this point, we’re just building the business and trying to get enough work for him to do it full-time, so I am mostly admin support for the time being (billing, etc.) unless there’s a client who specifically needs my content expertise. We should totally meet up sometime!

        Reply
        • KathEats says

          December 9, 2011 at 9:18 am

          We should all be friends!

          Reply
          • jen_alluisi says

            December 11, 2011 at 9:55 pm

            Seamane just emailed me on Friday about getting together for coffee or something after the holiday crazies are over – we should all go together!

            Reply
            • KathEats says

              December 11, 2011 at 9:57 pm

              Sure! Tell her to keep me in the loop

              Reply
  17. Luv What You Do says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    I am almost done with the Hungar Games book one…loving it!

    Keep the Philipa Gregory book. I love her books and she does a wonderful job of mixing history with fiction.

    Reply
  18. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    I’m not a person to ask about books. Ask me about blogs, websites, pinterest…I can talk…forever 🙂

    “taste-testing ginger cookies” — can I get that job? And the pumpkin tree cookies. So cute!

    And I remember the last time you posted about Seamane’s brie. Oh wow.

    And all those holiday treats…I love a good holiday party with red wine and cookies 🙂

    Reply
  19. Christa @ O, Cake! says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    LOVE Phillipa Gregory. My all-time favorite books are The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley and The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I re-read them every year and feel strongly that all women should read both of these books. Highly recommended!!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 9, 2011 at 8:47 am

      I LOVED the Red Tent. That’s definitely one of my favourites.

      Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:19 am

      I LOVED the Red Tent too!! We were just talking about it last night!

      Reply
    • Milli says

      December 9, 2011 at 10:01 am

      Yes! The Red Tent is one of my favs. One of those that’s hard to put down and kept me up way too late!

      Here are a few others I’ve loved (though not in the same genre as The Red Tent): The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Water For Elephants (Kath, you wouldn’t like this..lots and lots of dialogue!), and a classic: Great Expectations

      Reply
      • KathEats says

        December 9, 2011 at 5:12 pm

        I won’t use the word ‘hate’ but I strongly disliked Water For Elephants

        Reply
        • Melissa says

          December 11, 2011 at 10:44 pm

          Did you dislike all of it? That was a book I wanted to love, but I enjoyed the sections with the older couple most and wanted more of them.

          Reply
  20. courtney says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” is beautifully written and you lose yourself in the book.”Istanbul” by Orhan Pamuk is another book I recommend because it makes me appreciate writers who can translate their thoughts into an elaborative, intriguing story.

    Reply
    • jen_alluisi says

      December 8, 2011 at 10:36 pm

      Oh, interesting – I just read ISTANBUL a month or so ago for our book club! I enjoyed it a lot, but never expected to encounter anyone outside of book club who’d read it! 🙂

      Reply
  21. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    I’m not a fan of dialogue either in a book. It takes too much effort to read! haha
    I used to think “I Know This Much Is True” by Wally Lamb was my favorite but after reading Hunger Games, I’m not so sure anymore.

    Reply
  22. wymberley says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    I am so far behind this year on books. But I am liking A YEAR WITH ELEANOR. It is a fantastic read on topics of perfectionism and how it can cripple you with fear. It is really hitting home. The main character takes one year to take advice from Eleanor Roosevelt. “Do one thing everyday that scares you.”

    Reply
  23. Jen says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    I read Let The Great World Spin over the summer and really liked it! It is slow to get into at first, but I loved the way all of the stories coem together. Hope that one is for you 🙂 Hard for me to choose a favorite though – so many great books out there!

    Reply
  24. Michelle says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Love book swaps!

    My two all time favourite books are Atonement by Ian McEwan and Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I don’t think I could choose between the two if I was rescuing books from a fire!

    Reply
    • ann says

      December 9, 2011 at 10:00 am

      Bel Canto is my favorite of all time!! I will have to try Atonement.

      Reply
  25. Caroline @ The G-Spot says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Kaye Gibbons, Anita Shreve and Maureen Dowd are wonderful authors — great choices! As for me, my all-time favorite book is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Jen says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:15 pm

    Oh my Ginger cookies! They look so good. I love the soft, chewy kind.

    If you love description, you would love The Lord of the Rings trilogy then. Have you read it? I’ve read them a few times but have yet to see the movies!

    Reply
  27. Kathi says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    Love everything by Kaye Gibbons! The book swap/Christmas party is such a great idea!!

    Reply
    • Mary says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:20 am

      I second both of Kathi’s comments 🙂 What a wonderful way to reuse good books!

      Reply
  28. Gillian G. @ When Bread Is Broken says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    A BOOK swap – that is genius! I am going to remember this, I know so many people who would be into this idea.

    Best book I’ve ever read – ouch, that’s a tough one. I adore Snow in August (Pete Hamill), and I think any and everything by M.F.K. Fisher is golden.

    Reply
  29. Kate @ Lady Bird says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    I, too, loved East of Eden. The book swapping party looks very fun.

    Reply
  30. Kathryn says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:22 pm

    I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time a few years ago in an English class and loved it- written from the perspective of a boy with autism, some parts are drawn to represent ideas that aren’t easily described in words. Beautifully complex, had me thinking in the book’s voice for days. Plus, I just saw a trailer for the movie, which is coming out in a couple months!

    Reply
    • Pat says

      December 8, 2011 at 10:27 pm

      I thought this was a great book as well. I listened to the audiobook, and the reader was amazing. Oh, I didn’t know it was going to be a movie! Yay.

      Reply
      • Lindsay says

        December 11, 2011 at 10:16 pm

        Also read the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime. Its a good one! I’m reading The Namesake now and i love it.

        Reply
  31. KathyQ says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:23 pm

    Of the books you got: Let the Great World Spin is excellent, possibly the best book I read this year. I like Maureen Dowd a lot; I haven’t read that book but want to. And I don’t like Phillapa Gregory; I just don’t think she’s a good writer.

    Reply
  32. Amy says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    Anita Shreve is an excellent author! I can’t remember how I felt about Eden Close but I know I have loved almost all the books I’ve read by her

    Reply
  33. Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    You and Matt are living mine and Tony’s bakery dreams…

    Reply
  34. CheezyK says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    Oh I love book posts! So many new ideas from the comments 🙂

    If you haven’t read any of the Phillipa Gregory Tudor series yet I would suggest holding on to The Queen’s Fool and starting at the start with them (this may or may not be important to you but I have a bit of a thing about reading in order). Also, it does pay to keep in mind that they are fiction – I ran into a lady on the train one day while reading The Boleyn Inheritance and copped a 10 minute run down on how she couldn’t get through it because it wasn’t historically accurate, there is no way they would have thought or spoken like that back then, the ladies wouldn’t have schemed like that and, and, and … and in the end I just wanted to suggest that if she wanted historical then she should have grabbed herself a history book! (but I bit my tongue)

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:19 am

      Haha – some people!

      Reply
  35. Nina says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    I’m curious how the book swap worked. Does each person bring a certain number or books and you go home with the same number? Do you draw names? It sounds like a great idea! I would love to do it!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:19 am

      It was very informal: we just dumped our books on the table and had at it

      Reply
  36. Lizzie says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Can’t think of authors at the moment, but: Middlesex, Room, Little Women, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, The History of Love, Gone with the Wind

    Reply
  37. Darien says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    The hunger games is SO GOOD. Please, please look into Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

    Reply
  38. Laurence says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time is a really great book. Best book I’ve ever read is Pilgrim by Timothy Findley. It is the story of a man who can’t die and who lived important events of the world.

    Reply
  39. Melissa Krug says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    My favorite recent novel would have to be The Help. Otherwise, I end up reading a lot of things my teens are reading. I loved the Harry Potter series and the Eragon series. My son tells me The Hunger Games is great, but I haven’t tried it yet.

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      December 9, 2011 at 1:28 am

      I ended up reading the whole Hunger Games series after my son read them all for the second time. I thought the writing was excellent, the whole idea very imaginative and I was amazed at how the author could weave a subtle love-triangle into the whole plot. I think the series would rise to the level of Harry Potter if it weren’t for the fact that the children die in such a horrible fashion! Defintely a series worth reading.

      Reply
  40. marie says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    You have come out with a great pile!

    My favourite books, in no order:
    -The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
    -The Harry Potter series by J K Rowling, fav in the series is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban
    -The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
    -The Anne of Green Gables series by L M Montgomery
    -Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
    -She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb

    There are probably a few more, but can’t think of them right now. I have that Dune book on my shelf that I keep meaning to read.

    Also, my goal during the holidays is to finally read The Lord of the Rings. I have read The Hobbit and watched the movies many many times so I need to finally read the books!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      December 11, 2011 at 10:18 pm

      She’s Come Undone is such a good one!!

      Reply
  41. Jo says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    Interesting mix of titles you picked up! If you’re going to read Margaret Atwood, I wouldn’t start with The Penelopiad, but it is fairly brief, if I recall. The Edible Woman or Lady Oracle would be good Atwood reads; early, funny books before she got all gloomy.

    Love Douglas Adams, but it’s better to read The Hitchhiker’s series in order, really. The book you picked up, “The Restaurant at the end of the Universe”, is the third one, I think. But still lots of fun in any order.

    That copy of “Dune” looks like it’s been through a lot of readers! Pretty well-worn.

    I can’t possibly choose one title as the best book I’ve ever read. My current preferred author right now is Christopher Moore. Really funny writing.

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:20 am

      Why wouldn’t you start with The Penelopiad? Is it difficult?

      Loved the Handmaid’s Tale !

      Reply
      • Jo says

        December 9, 2011 at 9:34 am

        Not difficult, just depressing, IMHO. Atwood tends to let her bleak side take over. I can’t read depressing books as I get older, but that’s just me. Yes, The Handmaid’s Tale is very good. I like my authors funny and clever, like Mordecai Richler (forgot to mention him before). Try Duddy Kravitz, St. Urbain’s Horseman, or Solomon Gursky Was Here.

        Reply
        • KathEats says

          December 9, 2011 at 5:11 pm

          Thanks!

          Reply
  42. Mandie says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    my husband loves the Dunes series, let me know what you think.

    Reply
  43. Kelsey says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I <3 Dune, and I'm a girl.

    If you can ever get your hands on it, Half of a Yellow Sun is one of my very favorites…

    Reply
  44. Elizabeth says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I read The Queen’s Fool – it was great! My favorite book EVER is Jane Eyre. I don’t ever re-read books, but I definitely plan to read that again in the future.

    Reply
  45. Megan @ MegGoesNomNom says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I’ve read Eden Close too! I love Anita Shreve.

    Reply
  46. J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    Cheese, bread, books, and chocolate; that sounds like the perfect Christmas par-tay to me. 🙂

    Reply
  47. Molly says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is a really fun read! Quick and entertaining, but clever too! Definitely one of my favorite books 🙂

    Reply
  48. Natasha says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    I am SO impressed your friend reads a book a day! I read a book a week and I thought that was good– 52 so far this year plus I work full time and have three young children!

    This book swap is a fabulous idea. Food look great too.

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:20 am

      I have the tendency to sarcastically exaggerate – it may be a few a week 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 9, 2011 at 12:26 pm

        Still very impressive!

        Reply
  49. Khushboo says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:06 pm

    Cliche but The Help is amongst my top 5!

    Reply
  50. Goldie:) says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    Hi Kath, I have never commented before but I LOVE your blog and have been following for a few months now. I just felt compelled to share my fav book, “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See. Maybe you have read it, but it really is a beautiful book! Thank you for all of the posts, I look forward to them thrice daily:)

    P.S. With your help, my husband is an oat lover…who would have thought?!?

    Reply
    • faith says

      December 9, 2011 at 8:13 am

      I have that Lisa See book on my shelf but haven’t read it yet, so glad to hear a personal recommendation!

      Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:20 am

      I audio-booked Snowflower and liked it!

      Reply
  51. emily says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    I just recently read my new favorite – “The Hands of My Father.” It’s a memoir about a hearing boy’s childhood with deaf parents. I swear that I both laughed and cried at least one time every single chapter!

    Reply
  52. katie @KatieDid says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    I have Let the Great World Spin but only got a bit into it. Being in school I find it hard to read for pleasure when I typically have other books I need to be reading for class. I’m much better in the summer. But I heard that this book had amazing reviews and someone highly recommended it to me so I hope that helps!

    Reply
  53. Angel7 says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    I never have time to finish books. However, I like “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp, even though I only got part-way through the book.

    http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  54. Meredith says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    Oh shoot, I got the email about this but then I forgot about it! Work has been crazy lately… Looks like it was a fun time! Have you had a chance to read The Scarlet Pimpernel yet?

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:21 am

      Missed you!

      Pimpernel is on my night stand – Hunger Games jumped in front!

      Reply
  55. Sandy says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    I LOVE the Hitchhiker’s Guide Series (good snag!)! But I have to say that my favorite book ever is The Sound of the Kiss (the Story that Must Never be Told). It is so beautiful and everything connects together so perfectly, and it is a fantastic translation from Telugu with a definite connection back to the original language!

    Reply
  56. Melissa says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    I love The Time Traveler’s Wife and The Kite Runner. Of course, I also love the Twilight Saga. Don’t judge me. 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      December 11, 2011 at 10:20 pm

      Melissa – have you read A Thousand Splendid Suns? Same author as The Kite Runner but even better!!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        December 11, 2011 at 10:46 pm

        Funny you should ask. I just recommended that book to my book club. I think it was rejected over chick-lit (the focus of our group). I’ll try to read it over the break! I felt like I learned so much from The Kite Runner and connected with the characters. If the other is better, I know I’ll love it.

        Reply
  57. Reb (Life Doesn't Have to Suck) says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is da bomb! So creative and unusual.
    I love British comedy writers like Nick Hornby (About a Boy) and David Nicholls (One Day). Have you seen the movie version of One Day? It’s so much better than the poster would lead you to believe.

    Reply
  58. Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:41 pm

    I am going to need to read the Hunger Games. Keep hearing about The Hunger Games, but have no idea what they are about.

    I do love Debbie Macomber books! Always hardship, romance and happy endings. 🙂

    Reply
  59. Margaret says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    Hello Kath,

    I have enjoyed your blog for sometime now, but this is my first comment. In the past few years, I have been trying to read more classics and have three short ones that I would highly recommend. Death Comes for the Archbishop (by Willa Cather) is a beautiful evocation of the American Southwest in 1700s (there’s very little dialogue ;)) Others have mentioned The Great Gatsby which is also a terrific book with lots of layers. Finally, The Bridge of San Luis Rey is wonderful. It’s an exploration of life and death through the lens of 5 people who were killed when a bridge in Peru collapses.

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:22 am

      Thanks for your comment Margaret!

      Reply
  60. Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    Favorite books: The Catcher in the Rye, Great Expectations, & The House of the Spirits

    LOVE them!

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:43 am

      So funny that you mentioned House of the Spirits – I haven’t met very many other people who have read it! I had to read it for high school AP English and I thought it was totally insane, but I ended up really enjoying it.

      Reply
  61. Kathy W. says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:14 am

    All-time favorites: “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “A Wrinkle in Time.”

    Reply
  62. Heather says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:25 am

    Margaret Atwood is my favorite author, but I have not read that book! However, The Handmaid’s Tale is really awesome.

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:22 am

      Loved Handmaid’s Tale!

      Reply
  63. Lindsay says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:46 am

    I don’t know if I have a fave read~ I just love to read! I adore old faves like Anne of Green Gables series though! But my latest reads have been from author Michelle Moran, a historical fiction author and she is BRILLIANT. I love the way she explores the facts of history with rich characters that make it so interesting. Oh, and THANK YOU for Squirrel Nut Butter advertising, bc you posted it on here, I emailed them, and they are one of the few health food companies that will ship to APO~ Peanut butter varieties are making their way to Korea and from Korea to my belly~ YUM!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:22 am

      Glad it was able to get to you!

      Reply
  64. jojo says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:41 am

    nice puns!
    I haven’t read any of the books in the pictures but my recent favorite is “1Q84” by Haruki Murakami.
    Thrilling, creative, and full of things to make you think. And it’s still easy to read, it’s got everything!
    I rarely read a book in a day, I like to take my time. I wish I could read faster sometimes, but I most of the time I like to take my time and not rush, after all it’s for my enjoyment! 🙂

    Reply
  65. Health Bee says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:49 am

    The book swap sounds so fun!

    Reply
  66. Stephanie C says

    December 9, 2011 at 2:18 am

    I don’t think I could pick an all time fave, but the best I’ve read this year is Little Bee and The Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende.
    I don’t really like reading fiction unless there’s a lot of truth to them (historical, mostly). I love learning something new, even if the main plot is not true.
    My goal for winter break (about 4 weeks) is to read Brothers Karamazov… we’ll see what happens 😉

    Reply
  67. Kim M. says

    December 9, 2011 at 2:57 am

    I love love loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (in your stack)! Make sure you read that one! It starts off with an upsetting scene, but stick with it! It’s wonderful.
    My favorite books ever are Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles (<–nerdy English major alert) and Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast.

    Reply
  68. modernworkinggirl says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:41 am

    Ian McEwan’s Atonement I read recently and loved, also Zadie Smith’s On Beauty…

    Reply
  69. Gem says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:59 am

    Have you read The Time-Traveller’s Wife by Aufrey Niffenegger? Has to be the best book I ever read, very emotional!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      December 9, 2011 at 3:56 pm

      I agree. The movie doesn’t do it justice.

      Reply
  70. Elisabeth says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:08 am

    I actually have the problem of liking too many books! Every book I read ends up leading to wanting to read a bunch of related books or books by the same author & it just spins out of control…ha! I think in my next life I need to be in book publishing for a living 😉 I’ve not read any of the ones you chose, but I’ve been wanting to try books by Phillipa Gregory. Oh, and I could NEVER pick a favorite book – I read too many for that (about 2-3 per week). Some of my favorites are:

    Gone with the Wind
    Atonement by Ian McEwan
    A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff
    all of Curtis Sittenfeld’s books
    Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
    the Harry Potter books (which I know you’ve read)
    books from the Valentine series by Adriana Trigiani

    and I could go on forever!

    Reply
  71. Debbi says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:39 am

    I haven’t read any of the titles you snagged. Some of them look intriguing.

    I love everything Anne Tyler has ever written, and my favorite is “The Accidental Tourist,” which was made into a film with William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. It’s one of the few book-to-movies that works.

    Reply
    • Megan S says

      December 9, 2011 at 8:30 am

      I also loved Anna Tyler’s books, especially Back When we Were Grown Ups!
      I also loved Shop Girl by Steve Martin, everything David Sedaris has ever written, Time Traveler’s Wife, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games (but didn’t like the other two in the series:() and also loved Little Bee. Phillipa Gregory is not ‘great literature’ but I’ve enjoyed the hell out of every thing I’ve read of hers (all the Tudor series and now, the Red Queen). My mom read the one about the great world spinning (can’t remember the exact title, too lazy to go look at the photo) and loved it and she’s more into description than I am.

      Reply
  72. Vicki says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:49 am

    I love Jodi Piccoult’s books, they’re a really great read, and always have such amazing, unexpected endings!

    Reply
    • robin says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:27 pm

      This has been so helpful now I know what to get people for Christmas, Little Bee and queens Fool

      Reply
  73. Simply Life says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:52 am

    oh how fun- thanks for the new book to add to my “to-read” list!

    Reply
  74. Jenn says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:55 am

    Phillipa Gregory books are great! Very descriptive and historically based (although fiction, obvi). I’ve read them all! Enjoy:)

    Reply
  75. Ida says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:56 am

    Reading is one of the great joys of life. I enjoyed Eden Close, Kite Runner, two of my most memorable reads off the top of my head, The House of Sand and Fog, wow, The World According to Garp and so many more. I really enjoyed the fluffy series of books by Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. Very fun stuff. Hubby wanted to get his favorite in too, Lion’s Game by Nelson DeMille. He said you won’t put it down.

    Reply
  76. Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:30 am

    What a great collection of new books to read! I wish I had more time to read!

    Reply
  77. Susan H. @ the food allergy chronicles says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:39 am

    The Ginger Cookies look amazing! I will be baking up a storm of Gingerbread this weekend with my boys for our Gingerbread House and Men! Yummy!

    Reply
  78. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:42 am

    I love the idea of doing a book swap! I think I may have to steal this idea to do with my friends!

    My favourite books off the top of my head are Jane Eyre, The Help, Fried Green Tomatoes (I absolutely ADORE this one), Nick Hornby’s books, and Pride and Prejudice.

    Reply
    • Jo says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:36 am

      +1 for Nick Hornby. He is great. I always look forward to a new release from him.

      Reply
  79. Tracy says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:52 am

    If you like descriptive books you should try Cutting for Stone. SO good!

    Reply
    • Sarah B. says

      December 9, 2011 at 10:24 am

      Cutting for stone was my favorite book of the year. I bought it for lots of my friends who enjoy descriptive books. I’ve never commented before, but looking at some of the books you’ve read, I would whole heartedly recommend Cutting for Stone – same type of feel.

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        December 9, 2011 at 11:37 am

        I read Cutting for Stone this summer and enjoyed it. I was quite into it and had to put it down for a while then when I went back to read, I was stalled and not sure I could finish. I had to ask the person who recommended it if I should go on and she said “continue, it gets better” and I’m glad I did and I didn’t want it to end.

        Reply
        • Dani says

          December 10, 2011 at 1:38 am

          Cutting for Stone will stay with you for a long time. Our little, long-distance book club read this one then we made the meal mentioned in the book (Doro Wat.) We ate it with our hands and it was such a great experience. Try it!

          Reply
        • Erin says

          December 11, 2011 at 12:36 am

          So glad to read this. I have had Cutting For Stone on my iPad for months. I’m about 100 pages in and I just can’t find the will to finish. If you are saying it gets better maybe I will give it another try!

          Reply
  80. Gabby says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:00 am

    The Queen’s Fool by Phillipa Gregory is really good. All of her books are really juicy. I would read the whole series that follows the Tudor family- it’s fiction but it’s really good!

    Reply
  81. susan says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Great idea to swap books and so many great suggestions from your readers! I love to read and always looking for a good book so it will be fun to look for some of these books. I loved “The Help.” Another one called “The Forgotten Garden” was very good although, some of her descriptions were too long and I did not care for any of her other books – I believe the author is Kate Morton.

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:23 am

      Forgotten Garden is on my shelf!

      Reply
  82. Jules @ La Petite Maison Verte says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:07 am

    I LOVE the book-swap idea!! Definitely going to have to see if any of my friends are interested in having one of our own….

    Looks like a delicious afternoon and evening!

    Reply
  83. Katie says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:15 am

    I grew up loving books like books/authors like Little House by Laura Ingalls Wilder, O Pioneers/My Antonia by Willa Cather, A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich along with Gone with the Wind and others. More current faves include Unbroken, Little Bee, Half Broke Horses, The Glass Castle. During my childhood I used to be able to read a book a day. I really do believe my 6 year daughter is a speed reader, she can crawl into bed with a hundred some page chapter book and be done less than an hour later. I exchange books with my friends and family. My daughter and I go to a monthly book club at the library and we suggested a book exchange that is taking place next Monday. My daughter has a stack of books picked out and is excited to see what she gets. Book exchanges are perfect this time of year, everyone gets a gift and no one has to go shopping!

    Reply
  84. Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:22 am

    That pumpkin chocolate chip tree cookie looks amazing!! 🙂 Some of those books look good! Thanks for the suggestions.

    Reply
  85. Molly @ RDexposed says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:27 am

    That cat is blinging!

    Reply
  86. Amanda says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Book swaps are great! Love Philippa Gregory and Anita Shreve! Eden Close wasn’t my favorite, I liked Fortune’s Rock a bit better.

    Reply
  87. Shana says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:48 am

    I actually prefer dialogue in books and get very irritated when there isn’t a lot of it. I think dialogue keeps a book moving forward. When there’s a lack of dialogue, I can’t help thinking the character is really egotistical and self-absorbed. Even if they aren’t!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 9:24 am

      I forgot to mention that my description must be plot-driven too. So 5 pages about a garden wouldn’t cut it – I prefer “And then she looked around and noticed all the plants in the garden were missing…”

      Reply
  88. Katy Kopp Miller says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:48 am

    Curious incident of the dog in the nighttime and let the great world spin are amazing! I loved the help and the glass castle this year.

    Reply
  89. [email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:50 am

    I have Eden Close in my pile to read. I usually like Anita Shreve. The best book I ever read was Possession by A.S. Byatt. Loved it!

    Reply
  90. Michelle M says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:59 am

    I love books so much. My all time favorite book is East of Eden. I usually read it twice a year or so. But I guarantee if I’ve got a free moment, anywhere, I’m going to be reading a book.

    Reply
  91. The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:08 am

    Just when I thought I was done baking I’m off to try the molasses cookie recipes I have bookmarked! Oh yeah, eating breakfast should come first.

    Reply
  92. Jenn says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:08 am

    The Queen’s Fool is awesome, but my personal fav is She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb. I read constantly. Like, every other book.

    Reply
  93. Ashley says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Oh you got a Margaret Atwood. I love her- if you have a chance to read Handmaid’s Tale take it. Fantastic read. I have read the Curious Incident and really enjoyed it as well. Happy reading!

    Reply
  94. Allison says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Silly Q, but how do you get the cookies evenly flat and perfectly round?! Mine always come out a little lumpy and with jagged edges… But, as my Dear says “it’s not always about appearance and they all go down the same way!” ;P

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 5:11 pm

      That is a Great Harvest secret my dear 🙂

      Reply
    • Erin says

      December 10, 2011 at 9:55 am

      Try an ice cream scoop 🙂

      Reply
    • Chloe (In Fine Feather) says

      December 10, 2011 at 11:09 am

      An ice cream scoop will definitely help with that! It makes them all the same size, just be sure to not squish them down. Most bakeries use one to make it fast, efficient, and have perfectly shaped cookies all the time 🙂

      Reply
    • J says

      December 10, 2011 at 3:20 pm

      People in bakeries use ice cream scoops. It’s not a secret.

      Reply
      • KathEats says

        December 10, 2011 at 3:31 pm

        [I am legally not allowed to disclose this, but you are all correct!]

        Reply
  95. Johanna B says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:36 am

    “Gone with the Wind” is my favorite book of all time. I re-read it every year. Another one I re-read frequently is “Alas, Babylon” by Pat Frank. It’s an apocalypse novel but I love it. My prof suggested it in my adolescent literature course as an undergrad. My favorite two authors are Jonathan Kellerman and Kathy Reichs (of Bones fame).

    Reply
  96. Ashley @ Cooking for John says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:47 am

    I loved Little Bee! Probably the best book I read this year- I need to read the Hunger Games series too!

    Reply
  97. Kelli says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:00 am

    Dune is great.

    Reply
  98. Patty @ Foodie and the Beatz says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:01 am

    I’m late but I have to chime in! Have you ever read Jhumpa Lahiri? Her short story collection, Interpreter of Maladies, is one of my all time favorites. Simple, brilliant writing. The Namesake, the book that followed, is equally good and was made into a movie. Good stuff!

    Reply
  99. Andrea says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Glad to know I am not the only one who can narrow down favorite. I am reading Mockingjay right now and totally love the Hunger Games series!

    Recently read The Language of Flowers and loved it. Beautiful story and a great read. I read such a wide variety of books I don’t know if I even could name a top 5. The book I am currently reading is always my favorite 🙂 I am apparently quite fickle.

    Reply
  100. Andrea says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:13 am

    *can’t narrow down.

    Reply
  101. Heather says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:21 am

    The Queens Fool is good if you liked The Other Boleyn Girl (which I did).
    The Alchemist is a great classic read. Other books I’ve enjoyed recently are Memoirs of a Geisha, The Help (couldn’t put this one down!), and anything by David Sedaris (he is such a phenomenal story teller!)

    Reply
    • robin says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:23 pm

      Man everyone loves this Queens Fool, Ive got to get a copy

      Reply
  102. Kristi @ Hiding in Honduras says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:30 am

    Can’t think of my all time favorite on the spot but for nonfiction my husband and I love anything by Jon Krakauer.

    By chance I came across The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in our Peace Corps library and the hubs and I both enjoyed it. It’s a little strange and the narrator has a very interesting speech pattern that we picked up and still use! Although we need to ditch it before we move back to the States in a few months b/c it sounds very ridiculous. You’ll probably see what I mean once you read it!

    Reply
    • Johanna B says

      December 9, 2011 at 11:11 am

      My favorite Krakauer book was “Into Thin Air” but I’ve read them all (unless he’s come out with one recently.)

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 9, 2011 at 12:29 pm

        I liked Into Thin Air a lot as well.

        Reply
        • Army Amy* says

          December 9, 2011 at 2:32 pm

          I’m reading Into Thin Air right now and can’t put it down!

          Reply
  103. Colleen says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:34 am

    My favorite book of the year was ‘A Visit from the Goon Squad’ by Jennifer Egan. It’s a very contemporary novel with a lot of commentary about life in a digital age. I also have to echo previous recommendations for ‘Cutting for Stone’. It’s a marvel of a book.

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 5:12 pm

      Good Squad is our next book club book!!

      Reply
  104. Kendall says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:37 am

    I’ve been a blog lurker for a while now, but this post inspired me to comment as I’m hosting a book swap here in town myself tomorrow! Are you on GoodReads? It’s my favorite way to keep up with what some of my friends/family are reading and get good ideas for future books. Some recent winners include

    Then We Came To The End (Joshua Ferris)
    A Homemade Life (Molly Wizenberg)
    One Day (David Nichols)
    Five Quarters of an Orange (Joanne Harris)

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks for delurking!

      Reply
      • Kendall says

        December 11, 2011 at 11:31 pm

        And thanks for such an entertaining blog. 🙂 I hope our paths will cross in Cville at some point — partly because of what looks like our overlapping interest in sustainable food, and also (and more importantly, now that it’s the season for it) because I see you’re a fellow Duke bball fan and sadly my game watching companion has recently moved away. I grew up in Durham but went to UVa, so I get grief all the time about my basketball allegiance. If you’re ever having a game viewing and need extra Duke spirit, let me know!

        Reply
        • KathEats says

          December 12, 2011 at 9:05 am

          I think we have met before!? I toured the UVA garden once and went to see a panel – I think you introduced it?

          Reply
          • Kendall says

            December 12, 2011 at 3:08 pm

            Oh, how funny! I just googled ‘katheats uva panel’ and sure enough your post about that Food Collaborative event that I helped organize/host last year popped right up (that was probably five or six months before I started reading KERF). That’s cool that you found out about it via the Sustainable Dining blog I maintain for work – I’m sure I’ll see you around town!

            Reply
            • KathEats says

              December 12, 2011 at 6:18 pm

              Oh fun!!! We need to get together 🙂

              Reply
              • Kendall says

                December 13, 2011 at 9:11 am

                For sure. I’ll email you at the start of the new year!

                Reply
  105. rachel p says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:49 am

    “Fall On Your Knees” by Anne Marie MacDonald and “Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver are hands down my favorites!

    Reply
    • robin says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:22 pm

      love

      Reply
  106. Leah says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:18 am

    Anything from Phillipa Gregory I LOVE! If you like anything about The Tudor Dynasty then you will love this! I loved the Showtime series “The Tudors”! Highly recommend her books!

    Reply
  107. anne says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:49 am

    If you prefer description to dialogue I would recommend Isabel Allende. I’m surprised no one has mentioned her yet. Especially “The House of The Spirits” and “Daughter of Fortune.” Since you listed Ahab’s Wife as your favorite, then you will love the main character in each one of these books.

    Reply
  108. Kathi says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:51 am

    I commented last night but thought of more this morning. I read a lot of non-fiction and one favorite is Growing Up by Russell Baker. Another that is historical fiction, Loving Frank by Nancy Horan written about the lives and loves of Frank Lloyd Wright, very moving. For non-dialogue and tons of description, The Mitford Series by Jan Karon. Love books!!!

    Reply
    • Jeanie says

      December 9, 2011 at 3:18 pm

      I adore Father Tim, Cynthia and everyone who resides within the town of Mitford. Such wonderful books.

      Reply
    • robin says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:21 pm

      love the Mitford books

      Reply
    • Steph says

      December 11, 2011 at 9:46 pm

      Growing Up by Russell Baker is my all-time favorite biography – I first read it when I was quite young and it had such a profound effect on me. More recently I loved Andre Agassi’s Open. Possibly my #1 non-fiction book is Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc.

      Reply
  109. Katie @ Plates and Paste says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    I’m picky with books too. I don’t enjoy fiction to much. I like reading real stories and love memiors. It takes me forever to get through books though cause I can never seem to make time to read!

    Reply
  110. Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    The Queen’s Fool is a good one–but I LOVE brit lit.

    Reply
  111. Bret says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Hi Kath –

    I have read your blog for a few years. I suppose it’s time I stopped lurking and said “Hi!” I loved Ahab’s wife as well, it is one of my favorites. The following books are my top five:

    The Power of One – this book is simply beatiful.
    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
    Bel Canto
    Corelli’s Mandolin
    The Book Thief

    Happy reading!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      December 9, 2011 at 5:13 pm

      Hi Bret!

      Reply
  112. Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    This was such a fun, pretty post. I loved The Hunger Games—couldn’t put them down!! I can’t wait for the movie!!

    Reply
  113. Mandy says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    Anything by Paul Auster is good. “Mr. Vertigo” is my favorite.

    Reply
  114. Meg says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    The Queen’s Fool is actually my favorite by Philippa Gregory–her best, imho.

    My most recent favorite read is The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield–definitely a book for book lovers! And if you haven’t read A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, put it on your list! It’s like Harry Potter for grown-ups, only better. (/end librarianerd)

    Reply
    • Neena says

      December 11, 2011 at 10:26 pm

      I, too, LOVED The Thirteenth Tale! What an excellent story!

      Reply
  115. Jen Papaya says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Amazing!

    Reply
  116. Hannah @ eat, drink and save money says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Everyone is different when it comes to books. Pat Conroy is my favorite author, so I guess I like dialogue. Never thought of it that way before. Good to see you got a book by Margaret Atwood. I also like her a lot.

    Reply
  117. cathy says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    The Queens Fool is really good!

    Reply
  118. Jeanie says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    My favorite new series are the Alan Bradley books. He writes about a girl named Flavia deLuce. They are wonderful books.

    Reply
  119. Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Book swaps are such a great idea!! I think this is great!

    Reply
  120. Hillary says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    The book that made me want to become an English teacher was The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I really, really think you would like the Game of Thrones series (it was made into an HBO series this year). If you like HP and LOTR, you will love this series. I just finished book 2 last night and I am HOOKED!

    Reply
  121. Hawley says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    You MUST read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. All the women in my family loved this book!

    Reply
    • robin says

      December 9, 2011 at 7:19 pm

      love the Red Tent also

      Reply
  122. Lee says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    The only book out of that stack that I’ve read was the Curious Case of the Dog in the Night time. It was good.

    Reply
  123. Alexandra Petroff says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Awww your cat is so pretttyyy

    Reply
  124. Rachel says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    I love book swaps! I wish I was back in high school/college when I had more time to read. Curious Incident of the Dog is really interesting. It gives a perspective on autism that leaving you thinking about the disease. The Queen’s Fool is ok, but not one of her best novels. Let the Great World Spin is ok…I always felt like it was ‘dense’ which I don’t know if that’s the best way to describe it, but it was good…but I couldn’t never read it for very long each sitting.

    The best book I’ve ever read is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. If you haven’t read it, you NEED to read it. Really amazing and inspirational and amazing!!!!!!!

    Hope you are enjoying the Hunger Games!

    Reply
  125. robin says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. I have read it four times, I have even emailed the author with my admiration of this novel, and I must say, he replied back. Its about an over weight guy who faces some really tough crap in his life and then one day he just gets on this old bike and takes off.Oh and what he experiences, oh my. GREAT READ!

    Reply
  126. Graziella says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    The best book I ever read is the one I am reading right now. My English teacher suggested it to me and I have loved it because I think it has really influenced my thinking of people, culture, morals, and religion. It’s called The Piosonwood Bible. I wouldn’t call it an easy read but for people who want a deep book but aren’t ready to take on a classic, I would suggest this book.

    Reply
  127. Sarah Williams says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    Still Alice and Left Neglect are two of the best books Ive ever read!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 11, 2011 at 6:09 am

      I completely agree – I just read Left Neglected in one day -albeit a long one flying from the States to SE Asia, but it really spoke to me and the hectic life I lead and was a wake-up call I am taking seriously to try to slow down my crazy life.

      Reply
  128. Maddie says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    My favorite books of all time all time are the Anne of Green Gables series–brings me back to my childhood. I recently read The Postmistress, and it was an interesting read of different ways people react to the effects of one overarching crisis: WW2.

    I’m getting a kindle for christmas, so this has been a great way to build my list for downloads!

    Love the idea of the book swap–were there leftovers afterward? I suppose you could donate the leftovers to a library or goodwill…

    Reply
  129. Chloe (In Fine Feather) says

    December 10, 2011 at 11:10 am

    LOVE book swaps and will read almost anything. Right now I’m reading Mountains Beyond Mountains when I have time between work & school.
    Maybe I’ll arrange a swap between my friends 🙂 Also a great way to save some moola!

    Reply
  130. Kelsey K says

    December 10, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    The Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime is such a good book. So interesting and a very quick read!

    Reply
  131. Ivy says

    December 10, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    I love Cider House Rules.In an effort to be a grown-up I’m trying to expand my horizons by reading more non-fiction. I thought Barbara Dernick’s Nothing to Envy:Ordinary Lives in North Korea was incredible.

    Reply
  132. Joh says

    December 10, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    I absolutely loved “love virtually” by Daniel Glattauer. It might not be for you since it’s written like a virtual conversation via emails. But I found it very witty, funny and absorbing – a quick, fun read that immediately caught my attention. Maybe you’ll give it a try, I highly recommend it.

    Reply
  133. Jess says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:14 am

    I loved The Help. Anything by Jodi Picoult is great too.

    Reply
  134. jenna k says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:52 am

    jd salinger is my favorite author. most people only know him because of “the catcher in the rye,” but i like his other stories better. “raise high the roof beams, carpenters” is quite possibly my favorite book/short story ever. salinger tends to write with lots of description as well. 🙂

    i read “seven types of ambiguity” by elliot perlman a few years ago, but i remember really liking it. it’s pretty long, but it’s broken up into seven parts that are overlapping parts the same story, just told through the eyes of different characters. his collection of short stories, “the reasons i won’t be coming” has some gems, too.

    i just graduated, and i already have a list of books i want to read asap. the list will probably get 10x longer from reading the comments on this post!!

    Reply
    • jenna k says

      December 11, 2011 at 3:54 am

      oh, and you should try reading a screenplay for a fun change. they tend to have way more description 🙂

      Reply
  135. Zoe @ loseweightandgainhealth says

    December 11, 2011 at 5:07 am

    Def start with ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog…’ which is original and intriguing and well written. My favourite books ever are ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ , ‘ The Cider House Rules’ and ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khaled Hosseini (who also wrote the brilliant “the Kite Runner’). A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of those books you can not put down and it makes you so glad to be a female in a democratic country and so thankful to everyone in your life who is kind and decent to you.

    Reply
  136. Steph says

    December 11, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is fantastic! Whoever gets that is lucky. My favorite book of all time is Slaughterhouse-5. Close runner-up is The Great Gatsby.

    Reply
  137. April says

    December 12, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    To Kill a Mockingbird, She’s Come Undone, Good in Bed & 1984 are some of my faves. If you’re interested in swapping your books online, I highly recommend Swap.com, it’s a great place to swap books, movies & music. All you pay is a few $ shipping! I use it all the time.

    Reply
  138. Lele says

    December 15, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    I lovvvvvvvvvved Let the Great World Spin, my boyfriend lovvvvvvvvvvved Dune (except the ending. I kind of thought it sounded like a dorky boy book :D) I lovvvvvved Are Men Necessary in college. Don’t necessarily know how I’d feel now 😀
    My favorite book of all time is The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.
    I know I am posting on this a week late. But I love books 😀 So I figured you wouldn’t mind.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Topics to browse >>

Get my exclusive promos –>

    Footer

    hi! Im Kath.

    I'm a Registered Dietitian, healthy eater, and mom of two from Charlottesville, Virginia. Here you’ll find a healthy mix of real-life meals made from whole ingredients balanced with the pleasures of life, including buttercream frosting and good wine. Plus a sprinkle of nutrition, home life, beauty, parenting, and travel.
    about | privacy policy | contact

    Recipes

    • Oatmeal Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Smoothie Recipes
    • All Recipes

    Nutrition

    • Healthy Mindset
    • Real Food
    • Weight

    Life

    • Exercise
    • Wedding
    • Charlottesville
    • Travel
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Copyright © // 2023 Kath Eats Real Food
    Jump to top