Book Chat Issue #68

A big warm welcome

Hello reading friends and a big warm welcome to new subscribers.

A bit about me...

I read a lot (and always have). As a child I could usually be found with my nose in a book, reading whilst walking to school, or under the covers after lights out. My earliest memories are of visiting the library with my two sisters. We travelled by bus and were allowed to borrow whatever we could carry. As a result, we would stagger home with great piles of books, often totally unsuitable. I still love the library and visit often. It never fails to amaze me that public libraries exist.

I’m conscious that although thousands of books are published every year, it can be hard to find a really good read. My aim is to help you narrow down your choices by recommending books I’ve enjoyed.

Over the past two years this newsletter has become my passion. I try to keep it short because I know you are busy, but I’m always on the lookout for my next great read and love talking about books, so feel free to rave about a book you’ve loved or just say hi.

This newsletter also contains simple recipes, because let’s face it, who doesn’t need a new recipe?

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What I’ve been reading

It’s been a while since I shared a reading round-up, so even though you could flick back through the archive if you were so inclined, I thought a quick recap of my favourites so far this year would be useful. And if you’re new around here, it will give you an idea of my reading tastes.

Small Pleasures, by Clare Chambers in Issue #29

The Dead Romantics, by Ashley Poston in Issue #49

In the Blink of an Eye, by Jo Callaghan in Issue #53

Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan in Issue #59

Stealing, by Margaret Verble in Issue #62

The Rachel Incident, by Caroline O’Donoghue in Issue #65

This is not a book about Benedict Cumberbatch, by Tabitha Carvan in Issue #66

Favourite reads this year

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What I’ve been eating

To say there’s been a lot going on in the world lately is an understatement. When I’m feeling overwhelmed I find it calming to read cook books. I rarely make anything because the recipes often need ingredients I don’t have in my cupboard, or there are simply too many steps, but I enjoy browsing and daydreaming.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve enjoyed flicking through a beautiful new cookbook by Claire Ptak, owner and founder of Violet Bakery in London. She is famous for making Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake, and the recipe is in the book, but to be honest it’s quite involved and I can’t imagine I will ever bother making it.

But I did find a very easy recipe for a Brown Sugar Victoria Sponge and decided to make one for my lovely daughter-in-law for her birthday. Although the printed version looks complicated (it involves making your own jam), I can assure you that you really don’t need to go to all that trouble. Just buy some decent jam from the shop and you’ll be fine. You can find the full recipe here.

BROWN SUGAR VICTORIA SPONGE

For the cake:
250g unsalted butter, at room temperature
250g (1¼ cups) brown sugar
4 eggs
250g (1¾ cups) plain flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt

To assemble:
150g strawberry jam
230g (1 cup) double cream (whipped)
icing sugar, for dusting

Method:

Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy

Beat in the eggs, one at a time

Whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt and add to the mixture. Mix until just incorporated

Divide between two sponge tins (lined and greased) and bake for 25 mins at 180°

When cool, fill with jam and cream and dust with icing sugar

Bask in the glory of a job well done

Brown Sugar Victoria Sponge

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International Book Club

If you’re new around here, you may not know that all subscribers are warmly invited to join our international book club. The way it works is that we all read the same book, then get together for a chat via the magic of the internet. It’s just like a face to face book club, but we meet online.

Joining is easy. Just hit reply and let me know you’re interested and I will add you to the invitation list. You’ll get a google meeting invitation with all the relevant info. We meet approximately every three months, so there’s plenty of time to read each book.

So far we have read The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

I hope you will think about joining us for the next meeting, which will be in early February. The next book we’ll be reading is Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt.

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Thank you for subscribing. It means a lot to me. If you have any reading friends who would enjoy this newsletter, please share.

Until next time, happy reading.

Marg xxx