Tag: Literature

The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

~ foodinbooks ~ 8 Comments

If I could have any set of books with me on a desert island, I'd choose the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, the Johannes Cabal books by Jonathan L. Howard, and The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by the one and only Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This mysterious, lyrical, dark and yet oddly uplifting series, set … Continue reading The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

~ foodinbooks ~ 24 Comments

I realize I am late to the party with this book, but seriously, I only "discovered" A Discovery of Witches, and forgive my cheesy-ass pun, when the Sundance Channel started airing the previews for the TV series based on the book trilogy. The series looked so well-made that I had to read the book and … Continue reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Roman Tale by Carroll Baker

~ foodinbooks ~ 31 Comments

I don't screw up in the kitchen much, so when I do, it's usually in a spectacular fashion. Today was no different, and I think it must be the universe's way of getting back at me for daring to read some total fluffy, smutty trash. But it's set in Italy, I told myself as I … Continue reading A Roman Tale by Carroll Baker

The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra

~ foodinbooks ~ 34 Comments

The Last Supper, that immortal painting by the equally immortal Leonardo da Vinci, always fascinated me, even as a child. Just looking at it takes you into that world, sitting beside Jesus, watching the disciples react to the news he would soon die, and noticing the amazing details of the work itself. Reading The Secret Supper … Continue reading The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

~ foodinbooks ~ 23 Comments

Reading this book and getting to know the main character of Cesar Castillo in The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love was both a joy and a sadness. This is a man with a great lust for life, dancing and drinking and eating and womanizing.......and with a talent for making decisions based on instinct and … Continue reading The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

~ foodinbooks ~ 28 Comments

One of my Christmas gifts, this book is one of the most compelling that I've read in ages. I'm a terrible literary snob, as I'm sure is no surprise to anyone who follows my blog, and I am very picky about what I read. So when I am compelled by a book, for me I … Continue reading Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin

~ foodinbooks ~ 30 Comments

I was first given the book Winter's Tale by a woman who worked with me in a law firm,  several years ago. She was an odd woman, claiming to be psychic and in touch with - in her own words - "the universal forces." She was a practicing Wiccan, though it turns out she was … Continue reading Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

~ foodinbooks

Kate Morton is, for me anyway, hit or miss. I loved The Lake House, and have plans to blog it sometime in the future. I disliked The Forgotten Garden because it was just so implausible. But I really enjoyed The Clockmaker's Daughter. It is precisely the type of book I love - fictional but set … Continue reading The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi

~ foodinbooks ~ 14 Comments

Robert Girardi is one of my favorite "unknown" writers. He wrote Madeleine's Ghost, which I blogged about previously, and Vaporetto 13 is another novel that combines cynicism, hope, the supernatural, and a gorgeous city as the backdrop. In this case, Venice. You can read about what makes Venice so uniquely gorgeous and special by checking … Continue reading Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

~ foodinbooks ~ 22 Comments

I am a diehard Bond Girl. I've seen all the films, read all the books and of course, have my own opinions about who has been the best Bond of all. Having a major crush on Timothy Dalton, I am biased in his favor, but there is also something to be said for the talents … Continue reading Casino Royale by Ian Fleming