–Pema Chodron

–Simon and Garfunkel

Santa Barbara

Sunday at Ocean Beach

When all else fails, look within.

“It was possible to feel superior to other people and feel like a misfit at the same time.”
―Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot

Mendocino, CA

“She wanted a book to take her places she couldn’t get to herself.”
―Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot 

A used bookstore in Salt Lake City.

I missed you since the place got wrecked
And I just don’t care what happens next
looks like freedom but it feels like death
it’s something in between, I guess

–Leonard Cohen, “Closing Time”

Sutro Tower, my favorite SF landmark.

Leonard Cohen’s been on my mind since I went to see him a couple weeks ago at the beautiful Paramount Theater in Oakland. Leonard played for 3 1/2 hours – pretty incredible for a man of 79. I was there with my dad which was really special because he was the first one to introduce me to his music. As I sat there watching Cohen play “Suzanne,” I remembered listening that song over and over when I was about four. I can still see the white cassette tape in my mind, how my dad would pop it into the tape player in our old green Volvo. I think “Suzanne” might be my first real musical memory. Isn’t that wild to think about? Do you remember the first song you loved?

Here’s a shot of the man himself with his incredible band. And a link to “Suzanne,” a song that I will always love.

“The tasks that have been entrusted to us are often difficult. Almost everything that matters is difficult, and everything matters.”

–Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

–Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Go after it.

Ten reasons to love this book:

1. The whip smart, world-curious, cynical-yet-thoughtful, determined, and funny 15-year-old protagonist, Bee.

2. It will have you suddenly fascinated with Antarctica — a place I forgot about immediately after learning the seven continents in 2nd grade.

3. The characters are cracking at the seams, but Semple renders them lovable and hilarious.

4. Gossip. Lots of gossip.

5. It makes Seattle out to be a rainy corner of Hell.

6. Semple turns modern suburban life inside out to reveal the truly ugly and twisted innards lying just under the surface. It is extreme satire that you will (sadly) relate to.

7. The cover!

8. You will have no idea what happens next.

9. You will not want the book to end.

10. This quote: ”My heart started racing, not the bad kind of heart racing, like, I’m going to die. But the good kind of heart racing, like Hello, can I help you with something? If not, please step aside because I’m about to kick the shit out of life.” –Bernadette

Now, cookbooks aren’t  my thing. I’m a timid cook and would rather spend my time and money on reading books, you know? But I fear this book is a gateway to a cookbook habit. And it’s the perfect gateway for a reader like me, because it is a memoir/cookbook hybrid.

The author, Jenny Rosenstrach, started a dinner diary early in her marriage to help plan out meals for the week. She has written down every dinner she and her husband have made since 1998!

Through the short essays and recipes, we learn how dinner has shaped her home life and brought her family comfort and closeness, and also watch her evolve as a cook.

I’m someone who skated through my 20s without ever really cooking. I would prepare meals at home — toaster oven veggie burgers, a bowl of black beans with hot sauce (yum!). That was as complex as it got. But recently, I’ve been drawn to trying recipes here and there. And this book got me because the author makes cooking sound so fun and easy. She was not going for Martha Stewart perfection. She just wanted to cook for her family so they could eat well and share yummy meals. I love that idea.

I was tickled by the cute pictures:

And her wholehearted embrace of the cocktail hour spoke to me, too. Don’t these look delicious? And notice how she calls the cocktail section “medicine” — I hear ya, Jenny!

I was so motivated by the book that I picked a recipe to cook that night. I made the clam spaghetti and it was seriously tasty! I was pretty proud of myself.  (I would post a picture, but I don’t think there is any way to make clam spaghetti look beautiful. It sure tasted good, though.)

I recommend this book if you are a new cook who needs a little hand-holding, or are looking for some easy dinners to add to your arsenal. Plus, it is a good read. I know I’ll be trying a lot more of the recipes.

Favorite activity.

As the frantic holiday shopping begins, as you sift through sweaters at J. Crew trying to figure out which one your brother might actually wear, and rack your brain for a gift for your sweetie that’s practical but still kinda romantic, take a minute to remember the best gift of all: books!

I’m pretty proud that my employer launched a Give Books campaign this year. We even enlisted booksellers and taste makers to share their top holiday picks. It’s a cause I believe in, so here are the books I recommend wrapping up and putting under the tree:

Gone Girl

Riveting, unpredictable, literally can’t-put-downable. Turns marriage completely inside out and switches perspectives between the wife and the husband, so appeals to men and women in equal measure. Can be devoured in a day or two.

Wild

This book will change your life. That is all.

Paris in Color

I blogged about the process of working on this title and even though it’s one of my own, I truly believe it is a gift that keeps giving. Anyone will love getting lost in these photos of Paris on a long winter’s night.

The Art of Fielding

I love baseball, and I loved college, and I love how this story is seeped in the nuances of both. I can think of so many people in my life – guys, girls, baseball fans, fans of The Secret History – who would enjoy this book.

The Year of Magical Thinking

There’s been a lot of sad news within my circle with year. Loss and illness and hard hard things. I’ve grown to understand that this is just part of life. Reading others’ perspectives on grief, love, faith, and grace can help us through these times when it’s impossible to even imagine a way through. Joan Didion’s book is one of the best (see also: Wild, above).

And what’s on my wish list? Here’s a few just in case Santa’s reading . . .

Give books!