A few of my favorite books in different genres with short but sweet reviews!
On Faith
Walking the Bible - Bruce Feiler
I am the farthest thing from a Bible thumper, but this book grabbed me and brought the Old Testament to life. Feiler travels through the first five books of the Bible (the Torah in Judaism) on foot, camel, jeep, and rowboat and writes about his findings. It's a great adventure story and so appropriate for the present time when the three Abrahamic religions have so much trouble finding common ground, yet all began in the same place and have so much shared history. On History |
Where God Was Born - Bruce Feiler
A companion to Walking the Bible, Feiler travels from Israel to Iraq to Iran this time and writes about his findings on place and people. His findings demonstrate that all the Abrahamic faiths drew from each other and peaceful coexistence is possible and furthermore can make each faith even stronger. |
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The Wright Brothers - David McCullough
We all owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Orville and Wilbur Wright who were the first to fly successfully, consequently changing the course of history. With the exception of the computer, I can't think of another 20th century invention that had more impact on mankind. |
The Borgias - Christopher Hibbert
The Borgias were a powerful Roman family during the Italian Renaissance. During their time of political influence, the patriarch Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander VI. If you think the Kardashians are scandalous, they don't hold a candle to the Borgias from Rome who would stop at nothing for fame, political power or wealth! On People |
The House of Medici - Christopher Hibbet
The powerful Medici family is practically synonymous with Florence in history; Florentines owe many of their priceless Renaissance treasures to this family, the bona fide leaders before and during the Renaissance period, which many argue started in Florence. They were the first patrons of Michelangelo, DaVinci, and Botticelli. Need I say more? |
My Life in France - Julia Child
Fantastic biography that focuses on how Julia Child got her start and became the Julia Child we know... the famous chef, personality and author of 'Mastering the Art...." Julia overcame many obstacles, both in her personal life and professional life as a female chef; her story is a good reminder of how hard work, tenacity and humor will take you far. |
Alexander Hamilton - Ron Chernow
After reading this biography on the complex yet fascinating subject of Hamilton, Lin-Manual Miranda felt compelled to write his smash hit musical 'Hamilton' to bring the story to the masses (or more appropriately, anyone lucky enough to get a ticket). The book is fantastic and does the fascinating subject justice; I found the opening chapters of Hamilton's childhood and how it shaped him the most interesting. Oh, and of course the duel scene! |
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power - Jon Meacham
Among all the Founding Fathers, I think Thomas Jefferson was the most philosophic. He was an accomplished scientist, statesmen, diplomat, writer, architect... the list goes on much further. Decidedly his most important gift to the United States was writing the Declaration of Independence. Also an avid reader and letter writer, when the Library of Congress burned down, he donated his own personal collection. A man after my own heart! On Food |
Leap of Faith - Queen Noor of Jordan
The story of Grace Kelly isn't the only American fairy tale; American Lisa Halaby married King Hussein of Jordan in 1978, converted to Islam and became queen consort of Jordan. This is an amazing story of how an American girl became queen in a Muslim country. |
Heat - Bill Buford
Written by a foodie journalist who worked the line at Babbo, a famous NYC Italian restaurant, with no prior knowledge or experience in the food business. He also traveled in the owners footsteps through Italy for hands on learning of Babbo's cuisine. Fun and interesting read, especially if you're curious about the restaurant business. 
Florentine: Food and Stories from the Renaissance City - Emiko Davies
A collection of recipes and essays from Florence; I spent half a year abroad and these recipes are the closest I have found to authentic Florentine cuisine. Delicious. |
Cooked - Michael Pollan
This book explores four different ways of food preparation involving four elements: Air (baking), water (stewing, braising), fire (grilling) and earth (fermentation). Reading a book on food organized in this way made me realize how food preparation connects us to the planet and gave me a greater understanding of the science behind cooking |
The Dinnertime Survival Cookbook - Debra Ponchek
I have discovered many crowd pleasing family recipes in this book, and my boys can be tough critics. When I cook from this book, everybody eats. Magic. On Self Awareness
The Road Back to You - Ian Cron
I was introduced to the Enneagram, an ancient personality type system, by this book. It's a thought provoking model of personality typing and provides fascinating insight into each of the 9 types; it gave me a greater understanding of how some of those nearest and dearest to me tick, and full of funny and interesting examples. Classics
Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
A masterpiece; my favorite classic. Tolstoy was an incredible writer; I have no idea how he could understand the mind of a woman so well to write a character such as Anna so believably. The simultaneous storylines, his gripping writing of his characters' thoughts and emotions - both male and female - and the vivid details of Russia at the twilight of the tsarist era all add up to an amazing book and my favorite classic. 
All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Remarque
A powerful tale of WWI and trench warfare written in the first person. The genius of this book is that the writing is so clean and simple, yet the story itself is so powerful and moving. The writing doesn't need to be dramatic or overbearing, Remarque captures the gravity of war and his characters transformations by telling their story so beautifully and deeply. On Parenting |
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook - Ina Garten
I think food is best when it's simply prepared. Ina Garten seems to think this way too, although her recipes always give the dishes a little something extra that I couldn't come up with on my own. 
Quiet: The Power of Introverts - Susan Cain
"The fool speaks, the wise man listens." After reading this book, you will appreciate the true value of this saying. In this age of social media, over sharing and people broadcasting the most minute details of their lives, this book brought a welcome argument for just the opposite. Such good food for thought. 
Portrait of a Lady - Henry James
Isabel Archer, an energetic young American woman, travels to England to visit an aunt; there the story unfolds. Isabel is left an inheritance that she believes will grant her more freedom, however just the opposite proves true. I think the power in this story is James's mastery of Isabel's character; instead of viewing Isabel as a victim of her own choices after she is trapped in an unhappy marriage that was her doing, the reader believes that Isabel will ultimately prevail over her dismal circumstances and continue to live with hope and remain true to herself. |
Happiest Baby on the Block - Harvey Karp MD
This book is easy to read and follow, even for the sleep deprived! It's suggestions worked well for us and kept both baby and Mom pretty happy. |
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - Marc Weissbluth, MD
Letting my babies cry it out wasn't my style of mothering, so I was grateful to find and read this book on sleep that made sense to me and worked for my family. |
The Purpose of Boys - Michael Gurian
Got boys? Think they're from another planet? Sometimes I think Moms just don't have that innate understanding of boys that Dad do. Read this, it will help. Poetry |
It's a Boy! Michael Thompson, PhD
Another great parenting book on boys and what makes them tick. |
Lunch Poems - Frank O'Hara
Frank O'Hara is my favorite Beat poet and this collection of poems did for poetry what On The Road did for literature. My favorite (hard to find!) poem of all time, Steps, is included in his book. 
The Complete Poems - Elizabeth Bishop
A tidy compilation of all of Elizabeth Bishop's poems. Her poems on a variety of topics are all so eloquent and I find the travel poems, especially on Brazil where she lived for 15 years, most interesting. One of my favorite poems of hers is 'At the Fishhouses' as it makes an unassuming location seem so beautiful and grand. Historical Fiction
The Paris Architect - Charles Belfoure
An incredible, redeeming story about occupied Paris during WWII and the power and bravery of the underground movement. You'll never look at architecture the same way again. 
Z, A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald - Therese Anne Fowler
Zelda was a woman before her time. She defied her families wishes and ran off to NYC to marry F. Scott Fitzgerald, who at the time was a struggling writer. Their rise to one of the most elite couples of the hedonistic Jazz age and life as expats sounds magical, but the reality is that it was anything but that. I can fully understand and appreciate the title of Fitzgerald's novel 'The Beautiful and the Damned', I couldn't think of a more appropriate description of the Fitzgerald marriage. 
The House at Tyneford - Natasha Solomons
The story of a young Jewish woman in 1930's Austria who flees a privileged life for the safety of England. Her brave story of starting over in a new world without family, anything familiar or speaking the language is a moving read. 
The Flames of Rome - Paul Maier
A novel of Ancient Rome. Recommended by my Latin teacher to gain understand of the fascinating Roman civilization. I've been reading and re-reading since high school. A fun must-read if you're planning to visit the Eternal City and tour the Roman Forum.. It will make ancient Rome come alive! 
Russian Winter - Daphne Kalotay
The two simultaneous settings of this book immediately drew me in, 1920's Russia and present day Boston; the stories are connected by a mysterious piece of jewelry. This book weaves through both settings and the beauty of the story of a Russian ballerina and her tenacity and toughness was amazing. 
The Traitors Wife - Allison Pataki
The story of Benedict Arnolds wife; This fictional biography of Peggy Shippen lends perspective on the power that spouses have can have over one another and attempts to explain how Benedict Arnold, a top Revolutionary war general, could betray the US and basically hand West Point over to the British! 
Mademoiselle Chanel - CW Gortner
A fun and fantastic fictional biography of Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, or as the world knows her, Coco Chanel. She rose from extremely humble beginnings to become one of the worlds most famous designers, transforming women's wear in the process. She was smart, ambitious, and extremely hard working, she chose her career over everything else... a formidable woman. But who would expect anything else from the founder of the house of Chanel? |
Seamus Heaney - Selected Poems
A lovely anthology of poems by the famous Irish poet. His simple yet rhythmic prose draws his reader into each poem and allows you to examine the subject through another lens. My favorite poem in this collection is "A Kite for Michael and Christopher", most especially the last paragraph. 
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost
This book is on our coffee table every winter; it's beautifully illustrated and is a lovely edition of one of Frost's most famous poems. Great to just pick up and read to kids on a winter evening. 
America's First Daughter - Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie
Behind every Founding Father there was a Founding Woman. This is a fantastic fictional biography about Patsy Jefferson, Thomas Jeffersons daughter who served as his confidante and First Lady for her late mother during his administration. Patsy had an amazing life beside her father and was an indispensable help to one of American's greatest founders and patriots. 
The Vatican Princess - CW Gortner
The story of Lucrezia Borgia, daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI. In Roman times, women's rights were laughable, however it's impressive how Lucrezia is able to assert herself and use her power as a female to have some control over her destiny and not just exist as a pawn controlled by her father's ambitions. 
The First Princess of Wales - Karen Harper
A story of the Middle Ages in England and one savvy woman who saved herself and her children by catching the eye of a king. 
Lily of the Nile - Stephanie Dray
Fantastic novel set in Ancient Egypt and Rome, this story begins after Cleopatra was captured by the Romans and committed suicide with Marc Antony. The story is about Cleopatra's three children, mainly her daughter Selene. She came to Rome as a prisoner of the Romans, lived in the Emperor's household in Rome and made quite a life for herself; she went from being a captive to the Emperor's advisor and confidante. 
The Accidental Empress - Allison Pataki
A fictional biography of Sisi, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress of the Ottoman Empire, during it's height and power. Sisi came to power in place of her sister after she came between the couple while they were engaged. Sisi's marriage and subsequent fame and fortune changes everything her life.. her story is a good reminder to watch what you wish for! 
The Winter Palace - Eva Stachniak
A novel of Catherine the Great, one of history's most impressive and powerful female rulers. Her story is told through the the eyes of a loyal and trusted servant Barbara who lives though a rags to riches scenario to take an important and influential place in the Russian court as Catherine's most trusted confidante. 
The Confessions of Catherine De Medici - C.W. Gortner
Cathrine D'Medici leaves her powerful Medici family in Italy to marry into the French royal family. While surviving in the French court is perilous, nevertheless she stays true to her Italian Medici roots and becomes a powerful political force when her husband, King Henry II of France passes prematurely. She is able to carve out an impressive position for herself and her children and earns an important role in French history. |