May 26, 2009

Books, Books and More Books

I've recently read that the publishing industry is in trouble, that people aren't buying books like they used to. With all the magazines folding lately, we know those are suffering as well. I think it's one of the saddest things I've ever heard. I know for sure I'm doing my part as I am a total book junkie! Here are some of my recent recommendations that I've been meaning to share with you. I'd love to hear your faves.

This is what I'm reading right now and maybe I'm a little late to the game but if you haven't already read this, it's a delight.

Clearly there is a theme running through my fiction and clearly I'm yearning to be in France. This book is wonderful. I will read it again. I can't say that about too many books.

If I didn't already have a mom, I'd totally adopt Ina. This is her latest and I love it as much as all of her others. Hers are my go-to cookbooks. Don't ask me to pick a favorite. I'd sooner pick a favorite child.

A lovely sewing book with hip, do-able projects!

Fun, simple and whimsical projects. You'll find something in here that you must make!


A wonderful craft book with projects that will be cherished for generations. If you love her blog, you will love this book. If you haven't visited her blog, go now!

A great read for the 9-12 crowd or even the Mom's that love them! Emma, who is 8 just read the first 3 books in this series and is seriously hooked.

34 comments:

  1. Great books choices!! The first two of favourites of mine...I read all of Peter Mayle's books..wonderful! I just wrote about Provence yesterday!

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  2. Jen, thanks so much for the new recommendations. After reading your previous post about the Matchmaker of Perigord, I read it and absolutely loved it. It will be nice to return to France and read A Year in Provence.

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  3. These all look great! I soooo need to get back in to reading for me! I honestly can't remember the last book I read that wasn't read aloud to a young boy...

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  4. thanks for sharing! i adore books...and plan on adding a few of these to my list!

    i'd love to be in france too!

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  5. Who are all of these people that are deciding they don't need books in their lives? It's tragic. Thanks for sharing your picks! I haven't read any of them, so I'm gonna write 'em down. (Except for the sewing ones, since I'm terrified of the bobbin.)

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  6. oh - the matchmaker has been on my to-read list for a while now. Glad you are enjoying it. I must pick it up!

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  7. Hey Jenn...For your French/Provence kick how about Vicki Archer's 'My French Life'! Beautiful book all around and fellow blogger.

    Nice Chices.

    I just finished the world according to Pi...and last years favorite Three cups of Tea.

    I swear our house alone is funding the industry...I'm bucking for built In bookcases!

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  8. I loved A Year in Provence and am now reading The Matchmaker (per your recommendation). Check out French by Heart by Rebecca Ramsey.....I think you will like it.

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  9. Water for Elepahnts. It's not in France, but I loved the book!

    TerriB in Oregon

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  10. I'm always interested in what others are reading!

    Have you read "The School of Essential Ingredients"? I started it today and it wonderful!

    I've always wanted to read the Peter Mayle book...now I will make a point of getting it from the library.

    Marianna

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  11. I love Peter Mayle's books! I always am reading a book - always. I would feel utterly lost without one.

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  12. I recently finished The School of Essential Ingredients. A lovely book. It captured you all the way through. Thanks for your recommendations! Nancy

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  13. Fabulous books! Must put these on my summer reading list! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Gosh can you imagine a world without books? Thanks for the new recommendations. . . . I will get them on my list.

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  15. I love the Peter Mayle books! I am going to look for the Matchmaker book...that sounds really good. Thanks so much for visiting me...I love your blog!

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  16. cute post.
    me...i just read the twilight books...
    hooked.
    you can bet the publishing company won't fold with me out there...

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  17. I read A Year in Provence many years ago and it seems like a good one to re-read. On my next trip to the Librar I will look for the "Matchmaker" book. That looks like it's right up my alley. Your other selections are fun too. We have a lot in common!

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  18. 'A year in Provence' is one of my all time favorite books. I might read it again this summer.. Enjoy.

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  19. The book industry floundering! Who would ever think but with things like the Kindle out there and books on cd who knows, but for me, I love the feel of a book in my hand and turning pages and we won't even mention the 3 antique pieces of furniture I (just had) to have for all my favorite books!
    It's my turn to pick for my book club and I am choosing People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I hope it is good.

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  20. After reading A Year in Provence, all I wanted to do was eat cheese and drink wine.
    Thanks everyone for all the recommendations!

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  21. Great choices. I need to make some selections and get busy. Summer is a great time to catch up on some reading.

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  22. I love books and am always looking for a new favorite. Thanks for the recommendations. I recently read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and found it very interesting. Maybe it is due to my being in the south but I really enjoyed it. Gave me a whole new perspective.

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  23. Aw sad to hear about publishing going under. Thanks for the book recommendations :)

    All the best,
    Allison

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  24. I just adore Ina, too. Shes my kinda gal. Devoted wife, charming lady and most excellent cook and entertainer! Go Ina, Go Jen!!

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  25. Jen, I've been reading your blog for a long, long time, and I'm always stunned at how many things we have in common. I, too, am a book and 'zine lover...just bought a copy of 'creative blogging' yesterday as a matter of fact. Don't know why it took me so long to leave you a message, but I just recently started my own blog at http://claudescove.blogspot.com I hope you'll visit me there too, and now that I'm this deep into blogland, I'm sure to drop you a line again!! It's a cool place to be.

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  26. what a lovely post. a pleasure to read. :)

    xo

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  27. Thanks for the book recommendations. I've checked several of your suggestions out from the library today...

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  28. I love Ina's cookbooks too. She has the best dessert recipes. I'm making the coconut cake this weekend for my hubby :)

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  29. Those books look like fun! I especially love craft books, with fun yet do-able) things to do! :) I have been collecting them, but have yet to actually DO any of the projects in them! But I plan to, I really do! :) Thanks for the book suggestions!

    I hope you are having a good week! :)

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  30. Nice Selection of Books. I just splurged on the most BEAUTIFUL book for my Birthday....
    An Affair with a House by Bunny Williams....SALIVATING over the beauty. Reading this book has also made me realize that I AM having an affair on MY home with another home I have been in a relationship with for over 9 months http://lifeatbuttercupfarm.com/home-infidelity/ ...sounds a little strange I know...

    I always have a stack of books...browsing more than I am reading these days...Summer is here though...thanks for the suggestions.

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  31. Vacation starts in a couple of weeks so...I'll order your first 2 choices and read them! Thanks!
    My recommendations would be:
    1) Middlesex (THE best written book ever)
    2) Pablo Neruda's love poems
    3) Nate Berkus Home Rules
    4) Jamie Oliver's receipes.Always make me laugh. And drool
    5) Classics like Jane Eyre, Sense and sensibility etc

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  32. A Year in Provence makes me sooooo hungry, every time that I read it!

    If you haven't read it already, The Namesake is wonderful.

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  33. oh, that is so sad. i just went to borders last week and bought lots of book to read this summer. A lot of my favorite magazines are gone too.

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  34. I love this post - thanks for all the great book recommendations!

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