Finding Colin Firth, Mia March
A sweet story of three women whose lives intersect in a small Maine town, where Colin Firth is filming a movie. A few characters from March’s debut, The Meryl Streep Movie Club, appear. I liked the characters (and the mouthwatering descriptions of Veronica’s “magic” pies). Predictable, but light and fun. (I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.)
Soil and Sacrament: A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith, Fred Bahnson
A thoughtful memoir about the connections between faith and food, largely lost in the U.S. today. Bahnson explores several faith-based food movements, from an abbey in South Carolina to a Jewish organic farm in Connecticut, while musing about our ties to, and responsibility for, the land. Rambling at times, but still interesting. To review for Shelf Awareness (out Aug. 6).
The Finishing Touches, Hester Browne
Left on the doorstep of a London finishing school as an infant, Betsy Phillimore grew up amid white gloves and curtsies, but always wondered about her birth parents. When her adoptive mother dies, it turns out the school is in trouble, and Betsy jumps in to modernize it (while secretly researching her past). A fun, modern-day fairy tale.
The Thin Man, Dashiell Hammett
“Retired” detective Nick Charles and his wife Nora get pulled into a missing persons case involving the family of an old friend. This book is known as a noir classic, and the plot was compelling, but I didn’t care for most of the characters. (I had hoped to like Nick and Nora better.) So-so.
Eat With Joy: Reclaiming God’s Gift of Food, Rachel Marie Stone
We’re all overwhelmed by conflicting messages about food, diets and calories. Stone takes a refreshing perspective, exploring the ways in which eating (and cooking and buying) food can be a creative, restorative, life-giving process instead of a string of worries. (She gardens and shops at farmer’s markets, but admits to ordering takeout regularly.) Unpretentious, encouraging and delicious (several recipes included).
To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care, Cris Beam
The U.S. foster care system is broken – and the statistics for drug abuse, homelessness, etc. among former foster kids are staggering. Beam follows several foster kids (mostly teenagers) and foster families in NYC, trying to understand where the system breaks down, and why. Heartbreaking, well-researched, and ultimately more descriptive than proscriptive. But one thing is clear: the system needs to change. To review for Shelf Awareness (out Aug. 13).
Surviving the Applewhites, Stephanie S. Tolan
After Jake Semple gets kicked out of yet another school, he comes to live with the Applewhites, a cheerful, chaotic family of eccentric creatives. Only E.D., age 12, is completely non-artistic, and she resents Jake’s intrusion into their family. But when a local theatrical production of The Sound of Music meets with several disasters, the Applewhites – and Jake – rise to the occasion. Fun and kooky.
Le Road Trip: A Traveler’s Journal of Love and France, Vivian Swift
A pair of middle-aged newlyweds take a wandering honeymoon in France, from Paris to country villages and back again. Swift’s watercolors and sketches accompany tidbits of history and musings on love, travel and the lure of the road. Lovely and amusing.
Swept Off Her Feet, Hester Browne
London antiques appraiser Evie Nicholson heads to Scotland to appraise a castle full of ancient furniture and clanking armor. She’s especially intrigued by the story of a Downton-esque American heiress who saved the estate from ruin – and by the handsome current heir, Robert. Fun and witty, full of meaningful glances, dusty heirlooms, complicated Scottish reels and a glorious candlelit ball.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot sets out to solve a murder in a small English village, with the help of the local doctor (who narrates). He interviews a varied cast of suspects, all of whom (of course) are hiding something. Intriguing, with a shocking twist near the end. Great fun.
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What are you reading?
cakes, tea and dreams 
Have you read Hester Browne’s Little Lady Agency books? I really enjoyed them. If you haven’t read them, I have copies I’d be happy to send you. (I’m trying to whittle down my collection.) I’ll have to read these from your June Roundup.
Hmm, I like the sound of “Eat with Joy.” So often eating turns into either a nuisance (“So hungry/so busy!”) or a guilt-trip (“Because anything that taste that good must be bad for you!”)
I just finished (late, late last night) “Life After Life” and I couldn’t put it down!