Biblio File
Tasty Patron Picks and Engrossing Winter Reads from Open Book Hour
What are you reading? Every month at our Open Book Hour, Mid-Manhattan readers meet to trade fiction and nonfiction book recommendations. Today, we’d like to share their picks from the past few months with you.
We'd love your reading recommendations, too! Please feel free to share your favorites in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
Before we begin the list, some facts about Open Book Hour: If you enjoy swapping book recommendations with other readers, Open Book Hour at Mid-Manhattan Library at 42nd Street meets the second Friday of every month at 2 PM. Here's information on upcoming meetings and themes. You can also find links to our past reading lists here and printable versions of recent lists.
In with the New: Books that Change Your View
In January, readers shared books that opened their eyes to something new or helped them see something in a new way. Most recommendations were recent nonfiction titles across a variety of topics, and a few fun novels.
The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty That Transformed a State and Shaped a Nation by Miriam Pawel (2018)
Helen was impressed by the strong women in the Brown family and their influence on Jerry Brown, as described in this extensive authorized bio.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel (2017)
Janet was so fascinated by this story of a man who lived alone in the Maine woods for 27 years that she wants to read it again.
All God’s Children: The Bosket Family and the American Tradition of Violence by Fox Butterfield (1995)
Joan M. recommends this dark, true story of a family, with a timeline that spans the days of slavery in South Carolina to Harlem in the 1970s. For those who wish to understand the painful roots of violence and racism in America.
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King (2018)
Mary found this account of Mr. Rogers’s journey from very shy child to beloved television presence to be inspiring.
Drawn to Berlin: Comic Workshops in Refugee Shelters and Other Stories from a New Europe by Ali Fitzgerald (2018)
Elizabeth responded to these comics depicting refugees who find ways beyond language to tell their stories.
Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast (2014)
One of Helen’s favorites, this nonfiction comic deals with the difficult topic of aging parents, with a great cartoonist’s trademark wit.
The Address: A Novel by Fiona Davis (2017)
Joan W. found this glimpse into the inner workings of an historic New York apartment building most interesting. The novel is set in the Dakota in 1884, the year it opened. The Address reminded us of the classic time travel tale, Time and Again by Jack Finney, a richly detailed historical novel also set in the Dakota.
An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten; translated from the Swedish by Marlaine Delargy (2018)
I enjoyed these stories featuring cagy octogenarian Maude, an anti-Miss Marple who commits murders instead of solving them.
It’s Cold Outside: Books for the Winter Season
In December, we asked readers to share reading recommendations to brighten dreary winter days. They offered a selection of literary classics, a great New York wit, and tales of legendary figures retold.
The Portable Dorothy Parker, originally published in 1944
Whatever the season, whether you’re sad, glad, or contemplative, there’s something in this witty New Yorker’s writing for you.
Job, the Story of a Simple Man by Joseph Roth (1930)
Translated from the German by Ross Benjamin. Hope alone refuses to die in this beautiful and profound 20th century retelling of the biblical tale.
Embers by Sándor Márai (1942); translated by Carol Brown Janeway (2001)
A lyrical, melancholy examination of a lost friendship from a great Hungarian writer.
Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker by Gregory Maguire (2017)
The latest clever and engaging retelling of a classic tale, by the author of Wicked.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005)
This riveting, richly detailed take on the Dracula story, set among modern academics, is creepy and also quite humorous.
Food for Thought: Recommended Food-Related Books
In November, we asked readers to share favorite reads related to food, from cookbooks and food/restaurant memoirs to meals and cooking described in novels. We discussed novels featuring recipes, memorable meals, or sumptuous food scenes, a selection of culinary memoirs, and help with leftovers.
Fictional Meals
Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries by Philip R. Craig
Joseph enjoyed the local color and excellent recipes for New England favorites included in each entry of this cozy mystery series.
The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones (2007)
A widowed American food writer enters the world of elevated Chinese cuisine in this engaging romantic novel. Although she read it some time ago, Helen remembers the detailed descriptions of menus and food preparation.
The Recipe Box: A Novel with Recipes by Viola Shipman (2018)
Joan enjoyed this heartwarming family story set in a Michigan orchard, which offers recipes for delicious baked goods in each chapter.
For a fun look at food in fiction, Dinah Fried offers photographic interpretations of meals from literature, accompanied by quotes from the books and author anecdotes, in Fictitious Dishes: An Album of Literature’s Most Memorable Meals.
Chef’s Memoirs and Culinary Advice
Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton (2011)
Helen highly recommends this great memoir from an award-winning chef who started out as a rebellious teenager moving to New York.
In Yes, Chef: A Memoir (2012), Ethiopian-born Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson recounts his fascinating journey to culinary stardom in New York, starting with Sunday dinners at his grandmother’s.
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain (2007, updated ed.)
I had been meaning to read this for ages and loved finally listening to Anthony Bourdain read his breakout memoir on audiobook. It was really interesting to hear the seeds of his later television adventures as he describes his first trip to Japan at the end of the book. If you are missing Bourdain's presence, borrow one of his books or audiobooks, or check out this list of books he recommended.
Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way by Kamin Mohammadi (2018)
The author travels from the U.K. to Italy, where she falls in love with an Italian, Italy, and Italian culture, discovering "how to live," including some easy Italian recipes. Lauren appreciated this look at the benefits of a slower-paced life, allowing time to enjoy mealtimes with family and friends.
Now & Again: Go-to Recipes, Inspired Menus + Endless Ideas for Reinventing Leftovers by Julia Turshen (2018) gave Lauren some new inspiration for what to do with her leftovers.
Are you reading anything good? Please share your recommendations in the comments section below!
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Comments
“The Browns of California”
Submitted by Miriam Pawel (not verified) on February 16, 2019 - 12:41am