october reads, part 2

Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke
I’ve long loved the famous “live the questions” quote from this book, but hadn’t read the whole thing before. Fascinating to read Rilke’s words in context, and there are some other bits of good advice, on how to write and how to live. Brief, but worth pondering.

MWF Seeking BFF, Rachel Bertsche
I love Rachel’s blog about her ongoing friendship quest – so was thrilled to receive an ARC of this book (out Dec. 20!) and to review it for the Shelf. I wasn’t disappointed. Rachel’s self-deprecating humor shines through as she details her 52 friend-dates (I was reminded at times of the dating memoir 31 Dates in 31 Days). As a relative newbie in my city, I definitely empathize with the friend search, and even picked up a few useful tips.

Dear Enemy, Jean Webster
I loved Daddy-Long-Legs, so I expected to enjoy this sequel – and I did. Sallie McBride, a New England society girl, finds herself the new head of an orphanage and plunges right into reforming it into a model institution. She’s overwhelmed by the work, but quickly comes to love the kiddies – and even to tolerate the orphanage’s dour (but handsome) Scottish doctor. Such a fun turn-of-the-last-century read.

All Wound Up: The Yarn Harlot Writes for a Spin, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Stephanie’s hilarious blog is famous in the knitting world – and for good reason. She gave a reading at the Booksmith on Oct. 18, and the house was packed with knitters, most of whom were alternately knitting (myself included) and wiping away tears of laughter. This third collection of her essays is witty and honest, with a lot of deadpan humor and a few lovely, reflective moments. (Best understood if you’re a knitter.)

Ginger Pye, Eleanor Estes
I found this at the Strand when visiting Allison in New York – a lovely vintage edition of a vintage story. Jerry and Rachel have a beloved puppy, Ginger, who can do all sorts of tricks; he gets lost; and eventually (spoiler alert) he gets found again. Sweet and fun, if a little slower-paced than the Moffats series by the same author.

Anne of Windy Poplars, L.M. Montgomery
An utterly perfect read for fall – Anne’s adventures in winning over the Pringle clan, bonding with little Elizabeth and even befriending the prickly Katherine Brooke. Her time in Summerside, away from her beloved Gilbert, reminds me of my time in Oxford, away from J…such uniquely precious times before the beginning of marriage. And her optimism, of course, shines through on every page.

How to Love an American Man, Kristine Gasbarre
A memoir about love and loss – and getting relationship advice from your grandma. I lost patience several times with the narrator’s constant need to be validated by a man (and I wasn’t all that sold on the guy she fell in love with), but the story was entertaining. (The best parts are undoubtedly Krissy’s deep love for her grandpa and her growing bond with her grandmother.) Reminiscent of Adriana Trigiani – big Italian family in small-town Pennsylvania, and a family of strong women.

The King in the Window, Adam Gopnik
I adored Gopnik’s memoir Paris to the Moon, and enjoyed this fairy-tale romp through Paris – shades of Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter and even a bit of Narnia. Oliver, a lonely American boy living in Paris, becomes the King in the Window almost by accident – and discovers a whole new world, complete with loyal subjects (who live inside windows) and a villain who must be stopped. Fun and clever.

A Corner in the Marais: Memoir of a Paris Neighborhood, Alex Karmel
I’ve spent a few afternoons strolling the charming Marais district on Paris’ Right Bank – eating falafel, poking around in vintage shops, browsing books at The Red Wheelbarrow and sipping chocolat chaud at les philosophes cafe. So I enjoyed this memoir-cum-history of the area (though the chapter on French land deeds and auction papers was a bit dry).

Guardians of Being, Eckhart Tolle & Patrick McDonnell
I am a devoted fan of Mutts, McDonnell’s daily comic featuring the adventures of Mooch the cat, Earl the dog and all their friends. So this little gift book pairing McDonnell’s drawings with Tolle’s wise words on what we can learn from animals about living in the now? Perfection. (To review for the Shelf.)

A Life in Stitches, Rachael Herron
A sweet, honest collection of essays on knitting, family, love and the writing life. Herron writes with warmth and wit about her sisters, her beloved cat (and the knitters who helped raise money when he needed surgery), and her ups and downs in love. Every chapter, of course, involves at least one knitting project, and there’s even a free pattern at the end. Nice, knitterly comfort reading before bed.