(Window display at McNally Jackson in NYC)
The Genius of Language: Fifteen Writers Reflect on Their Mother Tongues, ed. Wendy Lesser
A fascinating, varied collection of essays by writers – most of whom write in English – on the (often fraught) relationship between English and their native tongues. Found at McNally Jackson on our NYC trip.
Anne of Windy Poplars, L.M. Montgomery
I have read this book so many times, but I always reach for it in the fall. I love Anne’s adventures in Summerside – befriending the proud Pringles, doing a bit of matchmaking, spending many quiet evenings in her wonderful tower room.
Lila, Marilynne Robinson
I adore Gilead and Home, Robinson’s previous two novels. This book views some of the same characters from a different angle, telling the life story of Lila, Reverend John Ames’ wife. Heartbreaking and beautiful, and an unflinching look at Dust Bowl poverty.
Death in Four Courses, Lucy Burdette
Key West food critic Hayley Snow’s second adventure (I recently read book #5) finds her at a food writing seminar where the star speaker turns up dead. Full of backstabbing foodies, yummy meals and quirky characters.
Sidney Chambers and the Problem of Evil, James Runcie
Newlywed priest Sidney Chambers continues solving crimes in 1960s Cambridge and musing on the universe’s big questions. The cases are slow-paced and never too hard to solve, but still enjoyable.
The Song of the Lark, Willa Cather
A gorgeous, sweeping novel telling the life story of Thea Kronborg, a Colorado girl who becomes a famous opera singer. So much here about art and passion, love and striving. And I love Cather’s lyrical prose.
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett
I read this book years ago and fell in love with the gorgeous language and unusual storyline. I reread it for book club and found it as beautiful and heartbreaking as ever.
Links (not affiliate links) are to my favorite local bookstore, Brookline Booksmith.
What are you reading?
cakes, tea and dreams 
Katie, I love your blog! I am a Massachusetts native living in NC, so it is lots of fun reading about your New England adventures. I especially love your pictures of some of my favorite places, especially Cape Cod!
I’m also reading Lila right now and agree that it is “heartbreaking and beautiful.” I’m amazed that Marilynne Robinson can tell the same story from different perspectives and still have so much to say.
Love your Reading Roundups especially. I always add a few titles to my Goodreads list after reading those posts!
I just finished Lila as well. So beautiful! Robinson must have loved her characters as much as we do, to write 3 books about them. I read Bel Canto for our book club last winter too; it’s such a wonderful book. The Willa Cather book intrigues me: I confess I haven’t read one word of her work.
I started with O Pioneers! and also read My Antonia, which I adored. She captures the West in such stunning prose.
We read Bel Canto for our book group at least 10 years ago. It still remains one of most favorite read, and mine. The characters and storyline just linger on forever.
LOVED Bel Canto and I’m keep hearing about Lila. Will have to get my hands on that one.