Hello reading friends,
Welcome to another issue of Book Chat! I’m so glad you’re here.
I try to recommend a wide range of books in this newsletter, but I’m conscious that I have very particular tastes. This is a good thing in my book; I’m not apologising. I’m a firm believer that everyone should read exactly what they want to read, and not worry about what anyone else thinks.
Having said that, if you think we have similar reading tastes and you’d like some personal recommendations, let me know. (Just hit reply and an email will magically arrive in my inbox.)
Tell me three books you particularly enjoyed, and one that wasn’t quite for you (and why), and I’ll send you some suggestions. Depending on the number of requests, it might take me a little while to get back to you, but I will definitely reply.
What I’ve been reading
Charlotte Woods is an Australian author, best known for The Natural Way of Things and The Weekend, both of which are excellent novels. She has been described as one of our most provocative writers. Her latest book, Stone Yard Devotional is less confrontational than her other novels, but thought-provoking in its own way.
It’s about a woman who abandons her city life and marriage to return to the place of her childhood, holing up in a small religious community hidden away on the stark plains of the Monaro. She does not believe in God, doesn't know what prayer is, and finds herself living a strange, reclusive life almost by accident.
I felt frequent flickers of recognition as she reflected on her life. It made me think of my own childhood and my mother’s thrifty habits. If you grew up in a home where nothing was wasted, this might resonate with you as well.
Carmel saw me scraping a few spots of blue mould off some bread and freaked out. We had a brief spat over it – I suggested we think of the global hardship everywhere and not waste mostly good bread. She said she was only thinking of Simone’s asthma, because inhaling mould was very bad for asthma patients. I said she wouldn’t be inhaling it because I was cutting it out, and what about blue cheese in that case, but she had flounced out.
It’s very lowering at times, to look over the days here and consider my own words and actions.
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
Readers who live outside Australia will find the descriptions of the mouse plague horrifying, but I can assure you, it’s all true.
It’s a slim, quiet, reflective book. I enjoyed it very much.
What I’ve been eating
Do you like French toast? I love it, but rarely make it at home. It somehow seems too decadent, so I usually stick with my muesli and yoghurt, or toast and marmalade on weekends.
Last Friday I was in Sydney seeing a show, and the next day I had lunch with my two lovely daughters, so I treated myself. Isn’t it pretty?
French toast (also called Boy Scout Bread) is very easy to make. It’s a fun thing for children to cook and it’s a good way to use up bread that’s a bit stale, but not mouldy.
How to make French toast
Whisk together two eggs with two tablespoons of milk, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and one teaspoon of vanilla. Soak some stale bread (white bread or brioche is best) and fry gently in butter until golden. Serve with maple syrup, fruit, or ice cream, or all three!
Looking for more?
Speaking of books and bread, here’s a lovely newsletter you might enjoy.
Book club
Our book club pick for May is How to Build a Boat by Elaine Feeney. If you’d like to join the book club, send me a message and I’ll add you to the invitation list. We connect via zoom and it’s free to participate. If you’re already part of the book club you’ll automatically receive an invitation.
A little bit about me…
Hi, I’m Margaret Moon, a writer and editor living on the sunny Central Coast in New South Wales, Australia. If you love reading and eating, let’s connect on Instagram.
Cheers and happy reading,
Marg xxx
Marg, this idea came from a restaurant while on a trip to Las Vegas a few years back. Have made it many times!
Always great reading recommendations. French toast is a fav. I also at times like to mix crushed corn flakes and oats together and dip the battered bread into that mix giving is a flavorful crust. Cast iron skillet is my preference just like my mom did. Thanks Marg!