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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

September 14, 2013

Connect Through Reading: Oh My Heart

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Oh friends… do I have some good books to tell you about today! I think two of these books will probably make my top ten best books for 2013… they were *that* good! I am so excited to share them with you.

Connect Through Reading Book Reviews - Me Before You, The Fault in Our Stars, The Interestings and The Undomestic Goddess

 

First up is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. 

Fault In Our Stars by John Green reviewed at www.dineanddish.net

I’ll admit, I’m a big “judge a book by the cover” girl, and I honestly avoided reading this book (and the one following) because of their covers. They just didn’t pull me in or grab me. I am so very thankful I was convinced by some friends to pick this book up because once I did, I couldn’t put it down.

The Fault in Our Stars is a story about two teenagers who meet in cancer support group, develop a friendship and fall in love. It’s about finding hope and meaning on their journey and sharing a common ground with someone who “gets it”. I can’t tell you much about the story without giving it away, but you will laugh, and you will cry and you will be so heartbroken when this book is over because it will be a permanent part of your heart, forever. I read this book weeks ago and am tearing up writing this because this book touched me so. Oh, and full disclosure… it’s young adult fiction, but please don’t let that stop you from reading it!

I gave The Fault in Our Stars 5 stars on Goodreads. Download The Fault in Our Stars on your kindle here, buy a paper copy on Amazon and add it to your virtual library on Goodreads here.

Next up, Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

Me Before You book review at Dine & Dish

OK do you see what I mean about the cover? It is definitely not a book I would have picked up just based on the cover, but again, I am so happy I got past that. This book… oh this book! I just can’t even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book and how much the message of the book has impacted me.

In short, this book is about Will, a man who has it all but tragically becomes a quadriplegic after a horrible accident. Soon after, he attempts suicide because the thought of turning in his active lifestyle for a life in a wheelchair is unbearable, but  he was unsuccessful. That’s when his family brings in a caregiver (Louisa) to watch over him so he doesn’t have the chance to try and kill himself again. Louisa then decides it is her job to show Will his life is worth living… and the story unfolds from there.

This is one of those books (Like The Fault in Our Stars) that will move you. It will change who you are and impact you in ways most books don’t. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!

I gave Me Before You 5 stars on Goodreads. Download Me Before You on your kindle, here, buy a paper copy on Amazon and add it to your virtual library on Goodreads here.

(Be prepared… both of the books above are ones you’ll start and won’t put down. I read them each in a day, choosing to hide on my couch and be absorbed in a book over household chores!)

Next up, The Undomestic Goddess

The Undomestic Goddess review on Dine & Dish

 

I read (or actually listened on audiobook) The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, in between the two books above. I needed something light and fluffy to read, and after reading I Got Your Number, I knew a Sophie Kinsella book was sure to fit the bill.

This wasn’t my favorite Sophie Kinsella book, but it was good enough to keep me entertained and enthralled. Samantha is a 20 something year old lawyer trying to make partner at a prestigious law firm and giving up any chance of a life to do so. Even “intimate relations” are timed at 6 minutes (the official efficient metric for an attorney). Samantha ends up having a mental breakdown, hops on a train out of town and ends up in the countryside at the home of a couple hiring a housekeeper. After a bit of a misunderstanding, true Sophie Kinsella style, Samantha turns in her attorney badge and becomes a housekeeper.

Thoughts of Ameila Bedeila came to mind as Samantha struggled with even the basic of household chores. Love, friendship and family – and living a life that truly fulfills you – are all common themes in this book.

I gave The Undomestic Goddess 3 stars on Goodreads. Download The Undomestic Goddess on your Kindle, here, buy a paper copy from Amazon or add it to your virtual library on Goodreads, here.

Last up, The Interestings. 

The Interestings

I’m not going to actually review this book, because I have to be honest and tell you I didn’t finish it. As it turns out, The Interestings, weren’t so interesting to me. I made it about 56% of the way through and just couldn’t finish.

So, I know some of you have read this book and according to your reviews on Goodreads, LOVED it. Tell me, should I give it another chance?

My next two reads are…

The Prayer BoxLisa Wingate wrote a big many years ago called Tending Roses and it was the book that helped me to recognize my priorities, quit my job and stay home with my kids. If you haven’t read that book, I highly recommend it. I’m excited to read Lisa’s, The Prayer Box. I’ve heard such great things about it!

Night FilmThis is another one I wouldn’t pick up based on the cover, but I’ve heard such amazing things about Night Film! I’ve moved it to the top of my “to be read” pile. I can’t wait to dive in!

OK – that’s it for now. It’s your turn –>

Loved-lately

 

I love my Kindle Paperwhite. Read all about it here!

Kindle Paperwhite Home

 

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Book Review, Previous Tagged With: amazon, book reviews, goodreads, reading

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shaina says

    September 14, 2013 at 11:52 am

    You should read Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. It was one of my favorite easy reading books this year. I go back and forth between serious and light books. Fall is good for the light reading for me because so many release between now and October. I spent my summer reading heavy, intense books. I think I’m doing it backwards, reading the “beach reads” once the cold weather starts.

    Two books from this summer that I loved were The Round House and Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Both were The National Book Award Winners for 2012 for fiction and nonfiction, respectively. I’d recommend both.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 15, 2013 at 8:16 am

      Just added those to my TBR pile! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Shaina says

        October 1, 2013 at 9:02 am

        I would just like to point out that it was me who sent you over to E&P land. I’m glad you loved it as much as I did. xo

        Reply
  2. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says

    September 14, 2013 at 11:58 am

    I love all your recommendations! Me Before You look’s like a great read, and I can’t wait to dive in. Also, I’m halfway through Night Film, and I haven’t been able to put it down for the past three days. It’s a definite must read.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      OK I decided to do Elanor and Park before Night Film. I can’t wait to dive into that one though!

      Reply
  3. Anna (Hidden Ponies) says

    September 14, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    Just requested those first two from the library – sadly they didn’t have The Prayer Box, but it sounds really interesting! I recently read “Mornings in Jenin” about the Israel/Palestine conflict and it was haunting and sad but I couldn’t put it down and it’s one of those books that I’m so glad I read despite the tragic subject matter. For Book Club we also read “The Memory Palace”, a memoir by a woman who grew up with a schizophrenic mother…such an interesting topic, but not my favourite in terms of writing style.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      Anna – if you send me your mailing address I’ll mail you The Prayer Box! I’m done with it 🙂 kristen at dineanddish.net
      Thanks for the other recommendations as well.

      Reply
  4. camille says

    September 14, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    That’s interesting, the covers that don’t grab you are the ones I like more!

    We just started watching Game of Thrones, so we’re reading the books as well, by which I mean I’m reading them first since Matt was in the middle of another book and I’d just finished my last one. If medieval sagas full of sex and blood are your cup of tea, you’d be into these books… if not, best to give them a miss.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      I like faces or scenes on the covers, I think that’s why? The books were so good though!

      Reply
  5. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says

    September 14, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    I love The Fault in Our Stars too! Have you read any Jonathan Tropper? He is my current favorite.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:03 pm

      I haven’t – but will go look him up now! Thanks!

      Reply
  6. MJ says

    September 14, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Me Before You was one of my favorites this year too! Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots was another that I read recently and LOVED LOVED LOVED, and I’m currently reading Tell the Wolves I’m Home, which is stunningly gripping so far. I’ve had The Interestings downloaded on my nook forever, but haven’t started it yet. Maybe I won’t. Too many good books, so little time 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      I agree – I don’t have time to waste on a book that just doesn’t grab me (but so many people have liked it too, so who knows?)
      Thanks for the recommendations! Can’t wait to read them!

      Reply
  7. Pat Wogan says

    September 14, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    I loved Me Before You. One I thought about a lot after I read it. I know it had to end the way it did, but somehow wished it hadn’t.. I also liked the Undomestic Goddess. It was a bit lighter, but liked it probably because of that. I am now reading War Brides. I’m having a little bit of difficulty keeping the characters straight as it is a bit disjointed, but I’m only about half way through. I really liked The Fault in My Stars. It was another one I wished I could have changed the ending, but only because the ending made me sad. I liked The Story of a Beautiful Girl. It was another book which left you thinking about it long after you had finished the last page. I recently re-read The Great Gatsby and found it as good as I remembered. I am enjoying The Kindle. I have read several more books which I haven’t mentioned here…I think you and I have the same taste in books. Can’t wait to finish War Brides so I can start something else. Oh, I didn’t finish The Night Circus…just couldn’t get into it. I’m not a fantasy literature lover. I love realistic fiction.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      I love that we can share books on the Kindle, mom. It gives me someone to talk about them with! Glad you are enjoying them.

      Reply
  8. Kristi says

    September 14, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    I love book review posts. I’ve just added all of these books except the Sohpia Kinsella one since I’ve already read that, to my wish list on Amazon.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      Awesome, Kristi! Let me know if you’ve read anything great lately! I love recommendations!

      Reply
  9. Stephanie says

    September 14, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    I actually just finished the fault in my stars and totally loved it. I also was hesitant to read it because the cover didn’t grab me. I just started readi Bossypants last night. So far it’s hilarious!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      Bossypants is so great. I actually listened to the audio version (Tina Fey reads it). Hilarious!

      Reply
  10. Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says

    September 14, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who judges a book by its cover:) I need to put a couple of these on my list to read!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      I’m horrible at doing that but am trying to get better. Thank God I ignored the covers of the two I mentioned… they were so very good!

      Reply
  11. Alissa says

    September 15, 2013 at 8:34 am

    I loved Undomestic Goddess, it was one of my favorites! I am currently re- reading The Cupcake Lovers series by Beth Ciotta, Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr, and finally the Discovery of Witches series.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:34 pm

      Ohhhh off to check those three books out on Goodreads. Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Pat Wogan says

    September 16, 2013 at 10:27 am

    I finished War Brides at 1:00 this morning. It was a sad book, but ended very well. I guess you can tell it was a page turner once I got into it. Thanks for posting it on our Kindle.

    Reply
  13. Hallie Sawyer (@Hallie_Sawyer) says

    September 16, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    I’ve just read two Susanna Kearsley books, The Firebird and Mariana–loved them both. The Fault in our Stars is one of my favorite books. Gus and Hazel are on my top ten literary couples. I just bought the ebook (through Kobo app on my iPad-trying to support my local economy) You Have Lipstick on your Teeth. It is a collection of very funny essays by some very funny ladies. I highly recommend!

    See you on Goodreads!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks so much for the recommendations Hallie! Off to check them all out! (and I need to check out Kobo too!)

      Reply
  14. lisabella says

    September 21, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    I recently read The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman. I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. I laughed, I cried. I loved!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      That sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the recommendation!

      Reply
  15. Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    I read a lot, so I’m always on the look out for new books. I especially love finding reviews like this! So excited to read your review of The Fault in Our Stars and Me Before You….I came so close to picking each of these up a handful of times, and at the last second put them down. Adding them to my library queue asap!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 24, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Oh definitely read those two… they are beyond wonderful! (Have tissues handy!)

      Reply
  16. Denise says

    September 24, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Just picked up Me before You and The Fault in Our Stars. Have started Me, and am loving so far. Kristen, you always have the been book recommendations – you are definitely my go to gal!

    Reply
  17. jill says

    October 6, 2013 at 6:25 pm

    I had trouble getting through the Interestings too! I didn’t understand all the hype. I ended up finishing and you really didn’t miss much 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. September Favorites: Food + Fun. | How Sweet It Is says:
    September 30, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    […] books… the fault in our stars. Recommended by Kristen and a bunch of you in the comments a few posts ago. I can’t even talk about it. And […]

    Reply
  2. September Favorites: Food + Fun. | pinmeplease says:
    September 30, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    […] books… the fault in our stars. Recommended by Kristen and a bunch of you in the comments a few posts ago. I can’t even talk about it. And […]

    Reply

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Book Lovers Giveaway (read to the end)!!! ⬇️ ⬇️ 

Supporting my local independent bookstore @rainydaybooks looks a lot different than it used to these days. Temporarily gone are the days of lingering in store, browsing the shelves, walking out with an armful of books I didn’t expect to buy. The pandemic has made independent bookstores pivot in ways they’ve never had to before, but I’m so happy to say they are CRUSHING IT! And as we virtually celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, I wanted to share a way you too can help keep Independent bookstores afloat now (and in the future).

You know I’m a huge fan of @librofm , the absolute best audiobook alternative that gives money back to the independent bookstore of your choice with your audiobook purchases. Well, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, they are giving YOU a free audiobook! Here’s what you need to do…

Spend $15 or more at your bookstore between April 24th and 26th. Submit your receipt at libro.fm/ibd and Libro.fm will email you a link to your free audiobook by April 28th! Easy peasy, right?

Wait! There’s more! 🌟 I’d love to give one Dine & Dish follower the chance to win a 3 month @Librofm audiobook membership. To enter, simply tag your favorite independent bookstore here and tell me what you love the most about it! That’s it! Winner will be chosen at random on April 27th. Yay, books!

#indiebookstoreday #indiebookstore #bookstoreshoutout 
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So question for any of you who sent your kids to out of state schools or went to out of state schools...how did you do it? She wants to get the heck out of Kansas (I’d like to go with her!). We have money saved, she’ll most likely get a scholarship or two, she’s paying and has money saved as well...but even with that out of state tuition is a beast of an amount. So, did you just assume that student loans were going to be part of that life? And is that worth it to give your kids a shot at a new life outside of your home state? I wish I would have left Kansas for university, and have been here since I was born 😩. I want different for her if that’s what she wants but also just don’t have any experience with how people do out of state college! Any tips?

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My friend @wakschmale makes the best strawberry jam...and I completely forgot about a jar she gave me last year until this morning. Which then inspired me to make my favorite buttermilk biscuits. So so good. Are you a jam, honey, just butter or plain biscuit fan? I love biscuits allll the ways, except with gravy. I have super bad memories of biscuits and gravy growing up. 🤢
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I’m still slowly making my way through the alphabet for @kimklassen_innercircle a-z photo challenge. I’m bound and determined to finish. It may just take me a little longer than I originally anticipated 🤗.
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The “long haul” effects of having Covid back in December are really presenting themselves lately. The continuous persistent headaches are taking a toll and the connection between the brain fog and word retrieval function of my brain has been extra challenging. I had no idea a couple months out, the cognitive effects would still be hanging around.
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With that said, when I get a burst of inspiration I’m grabbing on for dear life. I made our favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe yesterday and felt the desire to update the blog post photos from 2007! We make these cookies all the time, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so many years to give that poor post some new photos.
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If you’re interested in the recipe you can find the link currently in my profile. Enjoy!!
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H is for...high!
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It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
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I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
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G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
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F is for...food photography.
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This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
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Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
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