Friday, January 22, 2010

Things I'm Loving: Book Edition


Admittedly, I have not been the best reader lately. Usually I consume books (and magazines) like they're going out of style,(I also purchase them that way, too...), but with the Holidays and the general hustle bustle of my life lately (and my latest obsession with youtube), my books (and journal, for that matter) have been tres ignored. That all changed, however, on my recent trip to DC, and I'm back in business, baby.

1. The Road by Cormac McCarthy


This book was recommended to me by my boy bestie J (see DC pics below). He said it was "dark, but really good." I'm always intrigued by "dark" books as they are not typically found in my regular rotation. I brought this book with me to DC, started reading it on my departure day and finished it in a matter of hours. Yes, it was that good (and easy to read). Apparently it's going to be a movie with that hot bad boy Lord of the Rings guy. I bet the movie is going to be sad and scary. I can't wait to see it!

(How weird! My fab friend Nina just blogged about The Road, too!)



2. The Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin



I only recommend this book to those of you who enjoy the occasional "chick lit" and who liked The Nanny Diaries (TERRIBLE MOVIE). Because it's not really that good, but it's good if you want to know what happens next, ya know what i mean? I bought it as a book on CD for my drive to Dallas over the Holidays. Admittedly it took a little while for me to get into it, but once I was in, I was in. There is, after all, nothing I enjoy more than learning about the crazy lives of the Manhatten elite. Why do you think I'm so obsessed with Gossip Girl? (Also - if you like books on CD, I would listen to the original Nanny Diaries on CD b/c Julia Roberts narrates, and she's surprisingly hilarious.)



3. Living etc.


I guess this doesn't technically count as a "book", BUT if you're missing Domino as much as I am, then you're going to like #3. Living etc is a British interior design magazine that is, dare I say, better than Domino. It's chock full of insane interiors, both realistic and somewhat achievable to pure, amazing and completely unattainable fantasy. It's good. Really, really good. (And bonus: its website is awesome, too!) The only thing that sucks is that it's British and therefore includes lots of British-only home goods (augh how I miss them...) AND it costs an arm and a leg to get it in the States. What I do when I'm feeling tres pauvre is visit Borders, grab a latte, and leisurely flip through it. Putting it back on the shelves is always painful, but at least I've gotten my daily dose of design inspiration. (Psst - you can still get Domino inspiration from this fabulous flickr pool!)



4. Cleaving by Julie Powell


I debated whether I should include this one in... I adored Julie & Julia (both the book and the movie), and so it was no question that I would read Powell's latest memoir, despite its tagline, "A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession." (It also got pretty awful reviews.) But when I saw that I could get the book on cd, unabridged AND read by the author herself, for about $5, I couldn't help myself. I popped in the first CD a couple days ago, and well, let me say this. I don't LOVE the book, but it is without a doubt very interesting (in a bad train wreck/Jersey Shore kind of way), and I find myself wanting more. For that reason, Cleaving has made the list. I'll let you know how I feel once I'm done.

(and yes... I am now a fan of the Jersey Shore. le sigh.)



5. Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran


Okay so technically I can't be "loving" this book because I haven't yet read it. BUT, I know I'm going to read it, and that the likelihood of me loving is high. So it's made the list. (I also need a kick-in-the-butt because my vegetarian eating has gotten a bit too lax lately, and I'm not proud of it.) Have any of y'all read it? What did you think? Want to book swap??


10 comments:

Kirsten said...

The Road is awesome - I'm a huge CM fan. The movie has already been out - I didn't see it, I heard mixed things. I don't think I could watch it on a big screen - too depressing.

Eating Animals is AMAZING. I really loved it. I loved it more than other books on the subject - I may re-read it. I blew up my facebook posting about it. It's that good.

I've been interested in picking up Powell's latest - the reviews threw me and I opted not to. But, maybe I will now (embarrassingly enough, I'm addicted to kind of trashy, drama stuff from time to time).

I kind of think doing a blogger book exchange would be fun...thoughts??

Analiese said...

I am reading Eating Animals right now too, and it's SO good. It's a different kind of book than I thought it was. Not preachy, not authoritative, just an honest exploration of a complicated topic. Have you read Food Rules by Michael Pollan? I haven't, but have heard it's great.

Pink Heels said...

I know that I shouldn't say this outloud for fear of being stoned to death but I did not like the book or movie about Julie and Julia. I even found Meryl Streeps interpretation of Julia Childs annoying. It is an unusual fact, I recognize this, but I tried so hard to like the book and movie. I just couldn't make it work for me. LOL

Nina (Femme Rationale) said...

so funny that we both blogged about the road. so far i am LOVING it. it's just so beautifully written despite the dark theme. my friend saw the movie & he really enjoyed it.

i'm not a fan of julie powell so i'm not even curious about cleaving.

i'm curious about eating animals. i'm planning on reading the omnivore's dilemma next. it's been on my list of "to read" for a couple of yrs now.

KK said...

I'd love to read your review of 'Eating Animals' and the double movie-book whammy of 'The Road.' There are so many good books out right now, it's impossible to read them all - I need reviews from people I trust!

Zell said...

Thanks so much for this post! I've never heard of Living etc , so i'll have to check it out. Also, it reminds me that I MUST purchase and read Eating Animals. I'm a rather new blogger, but i would LOVE a book swap! Sorry we missed each other in DC & hope to catch you next time!
<3,
Hilary

D.M. SOLIS said...

Great Posts, Carolyn! Beautiful images throughout. I especially like your pics from Julia's kitchen! Thank you, peace and continued good things for you in travels, reading, and cooking!

Sincerely,
Diane

Sallie Ann said...

Ahhhh...love the idea of a book swap. I've got all the Cormac McCarthy you can handle. Boy, he is a dark one. Child of God just about did me in in Southern Lit 353. And you already know my thoughts on Julie Powell (I think I went off on her last week? Ha!) But that magazine looks amazing. And I haven't read Eating Animals yet, but am dying to. I really liked Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilema, so want to gulp down Food Rules too!

Globetrotting Cacti said...

Thanks for sharing your recommendations. I have made a note of the titles to follow up on my next shopping trip!

I love Living Etc. Happy to buy & post to you if you like. You have my e-mail address.

Did not know that there was a follow up to The Nanny Diaries. Loved the book - hated the film too.

Now off to dream of having a library in my house.... wouldn't that be great?!

kylie said...

you know how much i love to read so i love this post. soo want to read eating animals. have read such mixed reviews about cleaving, mostly hanging out in the bad range so please let us know what you think when you finish!