Book Chat Issue #93

Like a new husband?

Hello reading friends!

You might wonder how I choose the books I share in this newsletter? (You might not wonder at all, but I’m going to assume that at least one of you has asked yourself this question.) Do I just share whatever books I’ve been reading lately, or am I more choosy than that?

The answer is that I probably read about three books for every one I recommend.

I read a lot, but not just because I’m retired. I’ve always been a big reader, one of those children who loved to read by torchlight under the bedclothes. But even though I’m a voracious reader with wide tastes, I’m also quite fussy. I can go into a bookshop and find only one or two books I actually want to read. Thank goodness for libraries where one can browse and pick and choose without restraint.

I’m going to assume you’re a fussy reader too. There’s no shame in being fussy. Life is too short to read books you aren’t enjoying.

If you’ve read a book I’ve recommended, please let me know. I’d love to hear what you thought, even if you didn’t like it.

What I’ve been reading

This week’s pick is a real winner for many reasons. The premise is interesting, it’s well written, and it made me laugh.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio is about a woman whose husband keeps changing into a new one every time he goes up into the attic. One husband goes up and a completely new person comes down. It’s like Sliding Doors on steroids.

And who amongst us wouldn’t want to exchange our partner for a new one every now and then? Hubby didn’t unpack the dishwasher even though you left it open to show it was ready to unpack? Send him up to the attic and get a new model!

The trouble is that Lauren can’t choose what qualities the next husband will have. He might have even less attractive habits than the previous husband - chewing with his mouth open, hogging the bed, or having an unwanted hobby involving fermented products. Or he might be abusive. (One of the husbands is mean and he’s quite hard to get rid of).

As Lauren churns through husbands she begins to think she might never find the perfect man, and I guess that’s the point of the book. At what point to we settle for someone who is loving and not too irritating? Someone we can live with for the long haul? The book invites you to think about what you really need in a relationship to make you happy. A recommended and fun read with a satisfying ending.

What I’ve been eating

If you’re new around here, you might not know that I love eating, but I’m very lazy. That’s the main reason most of my recipes are simple.

I would rather be reading than stirring risotto for hours, but I love rice dishes so when I saw this recipe in the New York Times, I really wanted to eat it. Unfortunately, I was also starving and it was lunchtime, so I decided to make a cheats version. Probably not as good as the real thing, but definitely delicious on a rainy day.

Cheats Risotto

Combine one packet of pre-cooked brown rice, one cup chicken stock (I used a cube) and any vegetables you have on hand (eg broccoli, spinach, peas, chard, asparagus, plus sweet potato or pumpkin).

Cook gently until the vegetables are soft. Top with grated parmesan.

International Book Club

Book Chat is read across 28 countries, so choosing a time for bookclub that suits everyone is difficult, if not impossible. I’m not complaining, that’s just the way the world works folks! But it does mean that people in Europe and the UK and Ireland miss out because we usually meet at a time that doesn’t suit. Even subscribers on the other side of Australia find it difficult to join in once we start daylight saving (hello Bev).

So this is a special call out to subscribers in Europe, the UK, Ireland, Africa, Morocco (or anywhere in that part of the world). If you would like to join the International Book Club, let me know by hitting reply and I will set up a second meeting at a time that might suit you. You aren’t obliged to attend, but I would love to know if more people are interested in coming along to our virtual meetings. They are friendly and informal and you don’t need to be a literary type.

We are currently reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride and will be meeting in December. Let me know if you are interested.

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That’s all for this issue,

Once again, thanks for reading and don’t forget to share this with a reading friend.

Till next time, keep safe.

Marg xx