Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution, Nathaniel Philbrick
Since moving to Boston, I love reading about it and its history. This account of the British occupation of Boston, the mustering of the ragtag colonial army, the battle of Bunker Hill, and the evacuation of the redcoats, was fascinating. Philbrick focuses on Dr. Joseph Warren, friend of Paul Revere and leader of the patriot movement, as well as Samuel Adams and other colonial leaders. He traces the events leading up to Bunker Hill and the later fight on Dorchester Heights, complete with maps and interesting asides. To review for Shelf Awareness (out April 30).
An Irish Country Wedding, Patrick Taylor
I love this series following the adventures of Drs. Fingal O’Reilly and Barry Laverty in Ballybucklebo, County Down, Northern Ireland, in the 1960s. This book features O’Reilly’s long-awaited wedding to the sweetheart of his youth, but first the doctors must solve several problems. Their indispensable housekeeper falls ill; a young couple seeks advice on buying their first house; Barry begins dating a pretty schoolteacher; and the crooked town councillor, O’Reilly’s nemesis, is scheming again. Great fun.
Writings from the New Yorker 1927-1976, E.B. White (ed. Rebecca Dale)
I love E.B. White (as you may have noticed): his keen observations and quiet wisdom, so perfectly rendered. This collection of short, witty pieces from his many years at The New Yorker was delightful, instructive, hilarious and occasionally profound. Wonderful for dipping into or reading straight through (if, like me, you can’t get enough).
44 Scotland Street, Alexander McCall Smith
I like McCall Smith’s mystery series about the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Botswana, and picked this novel up for my book club. It follows the loosely connected lives of half a dozen people who live at the titular address in Edinburgh. Some of the characters are likable, some not, but it’s fascinating to watch their paths crisscross and see how they all perceive one another. And since I’ve visited Edinburgh, it was fun to travel there again.
Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes, Shauna Niequist
I love Shauna’s blog and her two previous books, Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet. She writes with warmth and honesty about food (and our complicated relationship to it), the craziness of working and traveling and raising two little boys, finding time to build friendships as a grown-up, and memories of places she loves (her parents’ lake house, Chicago, Paris). This book made me nod in recognition, chuckle, and wipe my eyes – and I’ve already made three of the recipes. To review for Shelf Awareness (out April 9).
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What are you reading?
cakes, tea and dreams 
Thanks for your great book reviews as usual! I almost always find at least one book I want to add to my reading list.
Thank you! 🙂
I’m not ready to finish Bread & Wine yet. I savor Shauna’s writing like none other.
I started reading Quiet last night. At long last.
I’m taking “the scenic route” through The Hobbit, then I think The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman. I really need to step up my reading — I’m lagging way behind my goal. I think I need to add Bread & Wine to my TBR pile…
I read ‘Writings from the New Yorker’ in December. I agree it is one that you can just open up a page at random and dip into. I will definitely be looking for more of White’s writing in the future.