Book Chat Issue #91
Hello reading friends and a big welcome to all my new subscribers!
I hope I can point you in the direction of some fabulous new reads, and maybe inspire you to cook something lovely for yourself.
If you’ve been a long time subscriber, thank you for being here!
Can I ask you for a favour? Could you forward this newsletter to someone in your circle who enjoys good books and food and ask them to consider subscribing?
I’d be really thrilled if you could do that. Cheers!
What I’ve been reading
Sometimes it only takes a couple of paragraphs to know you are going to love a book. When the writing is good and something surprising happens in the first couple of pages, I’m usually hooked.
Such a book is Pity Party by Daisy Buchanan. I’m a big fan of her podcast You’re Booked, where she talks to writers about how their reading habits influence their writing, so I thought I’d check out her most recent novel.
In the opening paragraph, she describes being distracted at the funeral of someone called Ben.
Ben’s funeral happened on a Wednesday. As I stood in church, between his mother and my best friend, trying hard to think sad thoughts, all my brain could manage was this really feels much more like a Friday. I kept drifting off, listing my weekend chores - thinking about sorting the bedlinen and laundry, and wondering if I should go for a run in the morning before remembering when it was, and where I was. Get it together Katherine. You’re paying seventy quid a year for the Headspace app, and you can’t stay focussed during an actual funeral. What’s wrong with you?
It was the saddest occasion imaginable. My brain knew that, but the rest of me wouldn’t play along.
As it turns out, she’s not a horrible unfeeling person. She’s stuck behind a wall of emotions because Ben is her husband and her grief is profound.
After Ben’s death, Katherine’s life begins to unravel, although it’s gradually revealed that her marriage was in trouble long before his boating accident. Seeing that she is not coping with her situation, her friends insist she takes some time out at a wellness retreat. The result is hilarious and often tender. Katherine is a relatable main character and you really feel for her, even when she’s making poor life choices. This is a funny and heartwarming book and I absolutely loved it.
You should also check out Daisy’s podcast. It’s entertaining, funny and thoughtful.
What I’ve been cooking
Sometimes I wonder if I really need more recipes, or if I just want someone to remind me to make a dish I haven’t made recently, but still love.
Last week I made a pear and spinach salad for a pot-luck dinner I went to. This particular salad ended up on the table at family dinners so frequently that someone commented on it and it made me feel a bit self-conscious (even though it always got eaten). I didn’t make it for a while after that, but I had some nice ripe pears and I thought why not?
It’s embarrassingly easy to make but there is a secret ingredient which lifts it out of the ordinary.
Pear and spinach salad with walnuts
Take two ripe juicy pears, peel and cut into small thinnish slices. Place them in a bowl and immediately dress with fresh lemon juice, the zest of a lemon, and virgin olive oil (about one tablespoon). Sprinkle with one heaped teaspoon of caster sugar and leave to marinate for an hour or so. Do not omit the lemon zest because you are feeling lazy and can’t be bothered zesting. (It’s the secret ingredient).
When you are ready to eat, add about four generous cups of baby spinach, or rocket, or a combination of both. Toss gently to distribute the pears. Add half a cup of toasted walnut pieces.*
If you have some on hand, you can add shaved sharp parmesan. Add this immediately before serving so it doesn’t go soggy.
I know this hardly seems like a recipe because it’s so easy, but it is delicious and it’s always very popular.
*I sometimes candy the walnuts for special occasions. After toasting, place them in a small frypan with a couple of teaspoons of maple syrup and heat until they are coated and jammy. Remove, cool and separate before adding to the salad.
International book club
Our next book is The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. We’ll be meeting in November, so get your hands on a copy and start reading now.
Book Club is free for subscribers. If you want to come along, just hit reply and let me know and I’ll send you a calendar invitation. (You don’t need to do this if you are already on my list. You’re automatically invited).
Next year we’ll be reading Tom Lake for our February meeting and The God of the Woods for our April meeting.
Well that’s all for this issue.
Until next time, happy reading and look after yourselves.
Marg xxx
Funny, I just found this podcast right before your post and followed it but I didn’t know that she has a book too! Guess I should start listening to it lol 😂 thanks for the recommendation!
Always something I want to read and eat! The salad sounds simple and delicious—I love candied walnuts, though I never made them with maple syrup. The combo of candied nuts, pears and slightly bitter greens is lovely. Kind of goes with the book—bittersweet. Thanks, Marg!