Book Recommendations:
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow: Modern Mrs. Darcy recommended this one, so I acquiesced, not realizing it was fantasy. I would describe it more as grim and gothic, and it has enough “real world” that I quite enjoyed the mystery of it all: a haunted house that calls to a new warden (after the mysterious death of the current one), a brooding boy, a forgotten bad luck town, a love story. I liked it, didn’t love it, but there is no doubt that author Alix E. Harrow is a terrific writer. Her descriptions make me swoon with near envy… I saw this book all over the airports two weeks ago, meaning it’s selling well and being read by many!
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese: A few months ago my friend Mindy told me I should read The Covenant of Water, “but read his first book first.” I have avoided both Verghese books because they are so long and intimidating-looking, but my friends, this was only my loss. WOW WOW WOW. Cutting for Stone was published in 2009 and I’m JUST GETTING TO IT? Why did no one twist my arm and say AMY YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BRILLIANCE. I rarely listen to audiobooks but on a whim, I clicked Play…and that was that. It’s long: 23 hours 54 minutes, but I was hooked immediately, enthralled by the story of the brilliant Dr. Thomas Stone, the Indian nun Sister Mary Joseph and the secret union that begat twin boys, Marion and Shiva who are raised by the Indian doctors Hama and Ghosh. It is an epic and powerful love and coming-of-age story in a country in turmoil. There’s deep betrayal, grace, pain, and lots of anatomy. It will stick with me for a long time. I loved the details of medicine and surgery, and also the way Verghese can probe and articulate the breaking and redemption of the human heart. It’s so so good.
This book was very different from The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy, but it had the same effect: the writing, characters, setting, and story stopped me in my tracks. I’ll be getting my own paper copy to study and read and underline and dog ear...
Up next and reserved at the library:
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (recently acquired for film by Oprah and Mindy Kaling, no biggie) and What Happened to Rachel Riley by Claire Swinarski?
What did you read in January?
And:
Watching: Suits, season 8. The language can be a turn off as nearly every lawyer has to use the same curse word in the exact same way to make a point (very uncreative), BUT, I think it has terrific acting and I’ve become quite attached to Harvey, Donna, and Louis. After months of getting through all EIGHT seasons, I’m on the hunt for a new show. Recommendations?
Eating: I’ve only made and devoured the cinnamon rolls from
but I’d like to make everything she publishes. Drooling.Running on: HUGE FAN of UCANN Edge gels (during long runs) and post-workout protein powder (cookies and cream). 26.2% off for only 24 more hours! They have a patented “livsteady” complex carbohydrate mix that keeps you full for hours after a work out and gives me awesome energy. No quick-sugar energy crashing.
Cover Image: Watercolor painting by Elizabeth Wade!
Drawing: nothing. honestly, I’ve totally failed on my January goals to draw.