Good Reads
Reading has always been an important part of my life. As a little girl I would sneak lights to read after my bedtime. When I lived in Japan I spent my hours on the train reading and gave Amazon Japan a lot of business sending me books in English. Although my schedule nowadays doesn't permit me to read as much as I would like I still fit it in when I can. 
Currently I am in the midst of reading "The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of Elements" by Sam Kean. I find science history really fascinating (yes, I am a nerd) and this book full of quirky tales involving the elements has me totally engrossed. I'm really enjoying it and can't wait to finish it.
I just finished reading "Baking Cakes in Kigali: A Novel" by Gaile Parkin. Set in Rwanda after the genocide, the book tells the tale of a Tanzanian woman, Angel Tungaraza, brought to the country through her husband's job at a university. Known for her cake baking and wisdom, Angel helps others while raising her grandchildren and dealing with the pain of having lost her own children. The book revolves around an apartment complex of expats and is full of colorful characters and stories and, as someone who enjoys baking, I loved the cake descriptions. Although the bleak realities of AIDS and genocide are present, "Baking Cakes in Kigali" is uplifting and I found it a wonderful read.
Another recent book that I enjoyed was "The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears in Paris at the World's Most Famous Cooking School" by Kathleen Flinn. The book is her memoir of moving to Paris with her new love to attend the famed French cooking school Le Cordon Bleu after leaving her job. Part of the reason I adore this book is because I am jealous and would love to do the same. The stories are about good food, adjusting to living in a foreign country and following your dreams. What more can you ask for in a book?
So, what have you been reading? Can you recommend me some good reads? I need to start planning some books to bring to Italy with me next week.
Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 8:24AM | Posted by Lisa | 6 Comments | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article 
Reader Comments (6)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett was extraordinary. I tore through it. It made me laugh, drove me crazy, gave me some insight...worth it. If you like the movie, you'll love hte book.
The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (1 of 3) - unusual story about history, witchcraft, vampires, demons and science. There's a lot of science in this book actually. It's not really a romance, not really a thriller but a little of both.
THe Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins -Couldn't put it down. Literally. I'd lay awake in my bed reading until after midnight. My boss was the same way, my cousin and my sister too. It's technically for teens but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I recently read and can recommend "Cutting for Stone." The story is elegantly written and highly engaging. It is about twin orphans being raised by Indian doctors in Ethiopia. I learned a lot about medicine and foreign culture in this wonderfully entertaining novel. Part of the story is even set in Italy! Have fun on your trip!
I am fascinated by the Amish culture so i read anything by Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, Shelley Shepard Gray, etc.
There are many authors in this genre now.
Thank you to everyone for the recommendations! I've got some great ideas to hit up the bookstore with before my trip.
Jen- I had heard that "The Help" was good and have been meaning to read it but I hadn't heard of "The Discovery of Witches" before. It sounds very interesting and different. I actually read the Hunger Games trilogy while I was on my business trip to Las Vegas and Pasadena in January. I forgot to pack a book so I picked up the first book at the Detroit Airport on my way out of town and then picked up the other two on my trip since I couldn't put them down. Definitely a fun read!
Sandy- "Cutting For Stone" sounds like a book right up my alley. I love novels that teach me things while being entertained. I'll definitely have to pick it up!
Kathy- I had no idea there was an Amish literature genre. It looks really interesting. I grew up in Northeastern Ohio and there is a sizable Amish community a little over an hour from my childhood home. It is really lovely countryside and we used to go for day trips there when I was a kid.
"Ghengis:Birth of an Empire" by Conn Iggulden. Growing up I've heard of Ghengis Khan, but never really knew much about him. This book was a fascinating eye-opener for me. Not only did I begin to understand how such a person came to power, but I learned a bit about Mongolian culture. Of course it is fictional, but still very exciting.
Ethylene- "Ghengis" Birth of an Empire" sounds like an excellent suggestion. I love historical fiction!