Welcome to Quick Lit where I share books that I chose for my own reading enjoyment in a mini-review format. These are not books I received for review, but books that I’ve been wanting to read or that have caught my attention. Most of them have been talked about ad nauseam or have been on my to-read list for a long time so they don’t really need a full review. But, I’d still like to give them some space here on the blog, so instead, I’m offering mini-reviews of the books that won’t get full-page space here.
I’ll be linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy and her monthly Quick Lit link-up. Be sure to head over to see others share their Quick Lit posts. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read more about that.
I went on two separate vacations in July and since returning I’ve been busy getting our daughter all packed and ready to head to college. She leaves TOMORROW! Empty nest life is going to happen and I’m honestly excited and a bit nervous. So, all that to say I didn’t read very much in the last month.
I recently reviewed FOOD FIGHT, a middle-grade novel about a middle-school boy who is forced to confront his unique eating issues on a 3-day class field trip. I also recently finished THE ROYAL GOVERNESS by Wendy Holden but I’m holding the review until I finish her newest novel, THE PRINCESS which I am still reading. I’m also listening/reading THE WINNERS by Fredrik Backman. At 21 hours, my Libby hold has already run out of time at 66%, but thankfully, I have the physical copy to keep reading it. I’ll just miss Marin Ireland’s voice reading it to me.
Here’s What I Did Finish in the Last Month
YOUR TABLE IS READY
Tales of a New York Maître D’
By: Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
Narrated by: Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
Published: December 6, 2022
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Non-Fiction/Memoir
Format: Audiobook through Libby
My BFF recommended this one to me and at first, I found it pretty interesting, and then…I didn’t. I listened to the audio narrated by the author and I found him to be a bit pompous. But, maybe he can be after all of his success. The book is definitely “R” rated with lots of graphic details which I felt were unnecessary. The author has a history with drugs and talks quite openly about how rampant drug and alcohol use was in the restaurant business. The author had a few “Forrest Gump” like scenarios where he was with celebrities during the height of their popularity or before he knew who they were. That was a fun part of the book.
I did find the behind-the-scenes of running a restaurant in NYC to be quite interesting. I’ve even dined in one many years ago and it was fun to relive the experience through his descriptions. If you like the restaurant scene or NYC, this might be the right book for you. It just wasn’t for me.
THE LAZY GENIUS KITCHEN
Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy it Like Never Before
By: Kendra Adachi
Published: May 3, 2022
Publisher: WaterBrook
Non-Fiction/Cookbook
Format: Hardcover
I pre-ordered this one and read almost all of it upon arrival. Then I put it on my shelf and forgot about it until recently when I finally finished it. If you are unfamiliar with Adachi and her podcast or previous book THE LAZY GENIUS WAY, I recommend you check her out. It is helpful to know her “formula” by reading her previous book first.
Even though I loved THE LAZY GENIUS WAY, I feel like THE LAZY GENIUS KITCHEN is more for those who want to learn to cook, need help planning meals, need help organizing their kitchen, or need advice with cooking. Did I learn some helpful tips? Yes, but mostly this was full of stuff I already know how to do and do it well.
I appreciated the recipes at the end of the book as well as her numerous lists. I’ll keep this one for now and likely pass it on to our daughter when she gets her own apartment.
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
By: Bonnie Garmus
Published: April 5, 2022
Publisher: Doubleday
Historical Fiction
Format: Hardcover
This has been on my shelf for over a year. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it that I finally made it a priority to read. Elizabeth is quirky, but I truly adored her and her daughter Mad (Madeline). This story was so smart, very witty, hilarious yet also horrifying. I became so frustrated with the patriarchal hubris and how it blinded the men to see something really amazing right in front of them. Garmus’ research and creation of characters was amazing and I think I would read anything she writes. If you liked the Barbie movie, add this one to your reading list.
Courage is the root of change-and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what YOU will change. and then get started.
Bonnie Garmus, LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
If you’ve been holding on to a dream, Elizabeth in LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY will give you the nudge to go after it!
What good things have you been reading? I’ve also read books that I reviewed for publishers. Check them out, HERE.
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Posted Under Bonnie Garmus, Book Review, cookbook, historical fiction, Kendra Adachi, memoir, Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, non-fiction, Quick Lit
I’ve had the Lazy Genius Way on my bookshelf since publication! I really should read it. I love her podcast! And I’ve heard a lot of mixed talk about Lessons in Chemistry and have been wanting to read that. Maybe this fall I’ll finally check both of them off my list!