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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

January 31, 2016

Weekly Reads – 3 Books to Love

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A review of the books When Breath Becomes Air, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Echo.

When Breath Becomes Air review

2016 has started slow for me on the reading front…after exceeding my Goodreads goal from last year by 9 books, I guess I needed a little break at the beginning of this year. Well, that break lasted a couple of weeks and now I am absolutely craving reading time again! My goal is to read 52 books in 2016 (my goal in 2015 was 30 books, so I’ve upped the ante quite a bit!).

I was thinking that after I read each book, I’d share my thoughts on them with you all so you can hopefully add to your “want to read” lists.  You can expect a weekly book review post from me from here on out. Hopefully they’ll be on Fridays, but you all know how I am… that may not always be the case 🙂 (I love how you all still stick with me, even though I’m incredibly inconsistent!)

I have three beautiful books to share with you today. All very different, but beautiful reads just the same.

When Breath Becomes Air

Have your tissues near by when you read When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This is a beautiful memoir with a message everyone should read. Paul was a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer when he was in his early 30’s. In this story, Paul faces his mortality head on but also confronts the issue of how medical professionals treat the dying. As much as I loved the book, the epilogue by his wife was just as beautiful and life changing. I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. Buy When Breath Becomes Air on Amazon or add it to your “want to read” shelf on Goodreads.

Echo

When my 12 year old nephew received this book for Christmas, I picked it up and started thumbing through it. My mother-in-law then went on to say that she had read it before wrapping it and loved it so much. I downloaded it on my Kindle soon after and began reading it. Echo by Pam Munoz Ruan, is a young adult book that I believe would appeal to adults just as much as tweens and teens. This story is about a magic harmonica that ends up in the lives of 3 different people in very distinct points in history. In the end, all three stories are woven together to make an incredible end to a magical journey.  I gave this novel 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. Click here to purchase Echo on Amazon or you can add it to your “want to read” shelf on Goodreads by clicking here.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

My mom has been telling me to read A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith for as long as I can remember. Why I didn’t listen to her before now, I’ll never know, as this classic novel was one of the best books I have ever read. This is Francie Nolan’s coming of age story as well as the story of her family and their struggle and hardship in Brooklyn during the early 1900’s. You will absolutely fall in love with this sweet, innocent, quirky, compassionate, creative girl. Your heart will break a million times, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll mourn and you’ll be incredibly sad the story is over when you reach the final page. I can’t recommend this book enough. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. You can purchase A Tree Grows In Brooklyn on Amazon by clicking here or you can add it to your “Want to Read” shelf on Goodreads by clicking here. 

Year of Yes

I’m currently reading Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and really enjoying it! I should finish Year of Yes in the next day then what’s after that is still up for debate. Any suggestions?

Have you read any great books lately? Let me know in the comments section below! Happy reading!

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: book, book reviews, echo, reading, when breath becomes air, year of yes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says

    January 31, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    I just finished The Lake House from Kate Morton last night. She’s one of my favorite authors and like her other books, this was a real page turner. I may just add your suggestions to my kindle tonight, I can always count on you for good books to read.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      January 31, 2016 at 4:07 pm

      Oh Aggie and I were just talking about The Lake House! I’m going to download that one now. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Aggie @ Aggie's Kitchen says

        February 1, 2016 at 12:57 pm

        I had it selected and I’m not sure if I actually bought it or not…I don’t think I’ve read this author yet, I’m glad you mentioned it Miss!

        Reply
  2. Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life says

    January 31, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    Oh I really want to read ‘Year of Yes’ and it sounds like I need to read ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’.
    I just finished ‘Alias Grace’ by Margaret Atwood and loved it, and I’m currently reading ‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters, which is an old fashioned ghost story set in an English manor house. I’m enjoying it! Next up is ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. I’m going to try and read lots of Japanese books in preparation for my honeymoon in Japan next year!
    I can’t wait for the regular book posts. There’s nothing better than talking literature 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      January 31, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      I didn’t expect to love Year of Yes as much as I do, but it’s great! And YES! Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn… I’m kicking myself for not reading it earlier on in my life!

      Memoirs of a Geisha was so great!! And thanks for the other recs!

      Reply
  3. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

    January 31, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    This is the first year I’ve set a GoodReads goal and I’m terribly excited so I’ve been tearing through books this month. Lol! I’m currently reading The Girl on the Train. I’m late to the party I know.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      January 31, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      You go girl! How many books did you set as your goal?

      Reply
  4. Maria says

    January 31, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    Hi – I would highly recommend The Nightingale and A Man Called Ove – love both of these. I keep hearing about When Breath Becomes Air so that might be on my library list next. I am currently reading Fates and Furies, I am finding it a bit confusing, but I must finish it!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      January 31, 2016 at 7:16 pm

      Oh yes – I loved those two books. In fact, I’d say The Nightingale was easily my favorite book from last year. I loved it so much! When Breath Becomes Air is a really quick read. I read it in an afternoon – it’s a really moving story!

      Reply
  5. Carrie @ poet in the pantry says

    January 31, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    It’s been something like 28 years since I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I suppose if I read it again, it would be like a new book. 🙂

    I just finished the 2nd book in the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series. I failed miserably at my reading goal for last year–trying harder this year!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:14 pm

      I need to read the Miss Peregrine’s Home books – did you love them? I don’t know why I’ve never picked those up!

      Reply
  6. Donalyn@the creekside cook says

    January 31, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    Plainsong by Kent Haruf – one of my all time faves. Love all his books – not light reading by any means though.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      I’ll look it up – thank you! I’ve had his book Our Souls at Night on my “Want to Read” list for quite some time!

      Reply
  7. Joanie @ZagLeft says

    January 31, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    I’m really looking forward to seeing more of your book reviews. I’m always looking for a good book to read. “A Year Of Yes” is on my list to read next so I’m happy to see you’re enjoying it. I just finished reading “The Nightingale” and loved it! “Brooklyn” is on my kindle now and I hope to get to reading it soon.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      I finished Year of Yes yesterday and I did really like it. If you like Shonda’s shows, you’ll really like her writing style!

      You’ll have to let me know about Brooklyn. Have you seen the movie? It is one of my favorite in a really long time. Such a great movie!

      Reply
  8. Hallie Sawyer says

    January 31, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    I just read Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall and loved it! It was told through a nine-year-old’s view and it was so, so good. It was a combo of Because of Winn Dixie with The Help. Also, love Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:13 pm

      Whistling Past the Graveyard was such a great book! I actually have never read Because of Winn Dixie though and need to! Thank you!

      Reply
  9. stefanie @ sarcastic cooking says

    February 2, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    I am so so glad you loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I read it seriously once a year. It is soooooo amazing. I added Echo to my books to read lis. Can’t wait.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:13 pm

      I’m so sad it took me sooooo long to read it! It’s a wonderful book!

      Reply
  10. SANDY LUDOVICO says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    I AM NEW TO YOUR BLOG AND AM SO HAPPY YOU HAVE GREAT INFO REGARDING BOOKS. I AM AN AVID BOOK READER – READ A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN AND LOVED IT. I ALSO LIKE KATE MORTON’S BOOKS MUST GET THE LAKE HOUSE. ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVERY READ IS THE SHELL SEEKERS BY ROSEMUND PILCHER AND FORTUNE IS A WOMAN AND THE RICH SHALL INHERIT BOTH BY ELIZABETH ADLER. THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING THE BOOKS.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:11 pm

      I’m so glad! The Lake House is definitely on my list to read soon! I’ve heard so many great things.
      So glad you commented! Nice to meet you!

      Reply

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More than just a food blog, Dine & Dish has always been a place where I've shared what's happening in our life. These life posts tend to be my absolute favorite blog posts. Come get a taste of life as it happens in our house!
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happiness  HAPPINESS

I believe that in order to live a happy life, you have to make happiness happen through implementing simple things that make you happy into every day. Here are a few of the things that bring me happiness - I hope they do you too.

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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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 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
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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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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
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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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E is for...Excitement!
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There’s a lot of excitement in Kansas City as our beloved @chiefs head back to the Super Bowl this weekend! #runitback 🏈
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It’s so strange because winning the super bowl last year was the last “normal” thing that happened before the pandemic hit. We went from a city full of excitement to shutting down and sheltering in place. Maybe when we win and bring the trophy home this year, it’ll be the start of something great. Let’s hope!
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Who are you rooting for Sunday? Chiefs, Buccaneers or tacos? 😂
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D is for... Dreary (and Dog)
February has always been my least favorite month. I have a special name for this month that may start with another not so nice F word...🤭.
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In Kansas, the sun usually doesn't shine that often, it's cold, and just kind of gray and blah.
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My indoor jungle makes me happy though...especially this space in my office. Houseplants almost makes me forget we’re in the “F” month 😂.
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Also, my dog (my favorite d word) would not sit still for a picture when I had my tripod set up, but I finally caught her sitting on her bed and had to catch a picture with my phone. Swipe and you’ll see she is much overdue for a haircut.
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C is for Coaching, Coffee and Crystals! Lots of C words today. My @rockyourhappy coaching practice has been the best thing. I am so lucky to be working with really great clients who are doing the hard work and making big changes in their lives. It’s been the perfect fit for me and I know it’s what I am meant to be doing. Coffee, of course, is my favorite C word and Crystals…my daughters got me into the energy powers of crystals and it’s been really fun to learn all about them.
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My beautiful, custom, Rock Your Happy bullet journal is from @maisielaneco . Coffee/espresso is from @mistoboxcoffee Fabulous photography backdrop is from @poppybeesurfaces . Crystals are from a wonderful local shop here in town.
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There’s still time to join in the @kimklassen_innercircle photography group, where this months theme is A-Z. Join us!
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#flatlayphotography #flatlayoftheday #bulletjournal2021 #bulletjournals #crystalsofig #coffeephotos #coffeephotography #kimklassen_innercircle #prettylittleinspo #cisfor
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B is for Books! Are you a big reader? I wasn’t really a reader growing up. Well, I take that back. In junior high I plowed through the Sweet Valley High series (anyone else?) 😊 And when I was in elementary school I would bust my butt to get to the highest level in the SRA Reading box before anyone else. But I wasn’t a kid who you’d find with their nose in a book, ever.
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It wasn’t until I was an adult, and my kids began to sleep through the night, that I started reading for fun. Now, I read all the time and it’s one of my favorite pastimes. I love talking books with people and sharing recommendations. I really don’t watch TV, so books, especially right now, is my main form of entertainment.
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This is why for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photography challenge, I knew that Books would be my B. It’s my favorite B word (beating out Bullet Journaling, Bread, Blankets, Be Happy, etc).
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#simplepleasuresoflife #prettylittleinspo #bookcommunity #slowliving #cozyvibes #bookphotos #bookslove #beautyyouseek
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A is for Alone. I think one of the hardest things for me to get used to this past year is rarely being alone. My husband used to travel all the time. My school aged kids were in school all day while I worked. I’d even get several days a month in a hotel room by myself for my work travels. I like my alone time and it’s definitely something I miss.
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I’m easily distracted so you will usually find me working in complete silence…maybe just the hum of my essential oil diffuser and the sound of my fingers on my keyboard. I need the quiet and treasure silence.
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With that said, I’ve loved the extra time with my family - and we’ve all learned over the past several months how to give each other space and recognize when we need that space. As of today, my kids all are back to school full time in person 😢. Nick is still working from home and will be for the time being, but now the aloneness feels strange. I’m sure we’ll get used to this “new normal” yet again!
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This month in @kimklassen photography Inner Circle, we’re tackling the alphabet, with an A-Z photography challenge (interpreting that however we see fit). If you want to join us, check out this wonderful community of photographers at @kimklassen_innercircle 📷.
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#picturesofme #talesofthemoment #kimklassen_innercircle #homeishere #beautyyouseek #alonebutnotlonely #lightstreaks #itsthelittlethings #cozyliving
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