Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Crystal King

I'm back, and I greatly appreciate everyone's patience and kind comments asking when I would get my ass back into the blogging world. Well, yesterday was the day. I'm officially moved into my gorgeous new house, which has the most beautiful kitchen, so Food in Books has returned. Having lived in controlled chaos surrounded by … Continue reading Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Crystal King

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

One of the books I'd want to have with me if stranded on a desert island, this noir-style novel has everything you could want in an adventure story. The Shadow of the Wind is set in post-WWII Barcelona, and has tongue-in-cheek melodrama, mystery, forbidden love, a spooky mansion, hints of the supernatural, a strange, scarred … Continue reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

Thanks to ET for the photography. Anymore, reading about the experiences of immigrants who come to this country seems to be the norm. It makes sense, after all. We are a country built almost entirely upon waves of immigrants from around the globe. My own family were immigrants from Spain and the Netherlands via Mexico … Continue reading The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

Thanks to Dr. H for the photography. Lord John Grey was a major character in the Outlander series, being the warden of  Ardsmuir Prison in Scotland, where Jamie Fraser was imprisoned after Culloden. Lord John, being the fascinating character that he is, got his own spinoff series - of which today's book is the latest … Continue reading The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Thanks to JG for the photography. Set in a slightly alternate universe, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell has been touted as the Harry Potter for adults. It's far more than that, however. Set in England during the Napoleonic wars, its a lengthy book that delves deeply into the mythology of Faerie. One thing that has … Continue reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk

Thanks to TB for the photography. This book took me five years to read, but not because it's particularly long or boring. No, My Name is Red is one of the most entertaining and complex murder mysteries I've ever read. The book is told from 12 different viewpoints, including the murder victim himself - a … Continue reading My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk

The Demonologist by Andrew Pyper

Thanks to CHC for the photography! October winds to a close, and all the spooky, scary things that went bump in the night are on their way out, ushering in the holiday season. The supernaturally-themed book that I raced to the October finish line is a new favorite, a little gem of a novel which … Continue reading The Demonologist by Andrew Pyper

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Thanks to KRB for the photography. The title was the hook for me with this book, not to mention the book cover. Yes, in this case, I did indeed judge the book by its cover, and I was pleasantly surprised. Though nominally a book for young adults, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a … Continue reading Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

The Bible

I find the Bible quite fascinating to read, as literature. Please don't stone me for saying that. I grew up Catholic and I have utmost respect for people's beliefs. But for me, The Bible, from my earliest memories of reading a made-for-kids version with lots of cool pictures that my dad bought me from some … Continue reading The Bible