M. Suzanne Terry

You didn’t actually think I’d skip the TBR because it’s a series month, did you? Of course, you didn’t. A good chunk of the list still fits the theme of the series, though. This month’s TBR is definitely food-heavy. 

I typically lean toward the “eating and reading don’t mix” side of things. I prioritize the safety of my books (and, more importantly, books I’ve borrowed from friends or the library) over any hunger pangs I may feel while in the midst of a really good story. If I’m holding the book in my hands, I will go for hours without any sustenance beyond coffee, water, or tea. 

An unhelpful relative once remarked that reading was a good diet plan for me (PSA: Let’s not say things like this to a child. Actually – let’s not say these things, regardless of the age of the other person. Let’s mind our own business and also stop perpetuating diet culture.). 

My fairly recent (i.e., within the last few years) embrace of audiobooks allows me to be a little more flexible in this area. I don’t have to worry about getting crumbs or other food-and-drink residue on the pages if I’m listening. Most of my reading is still pretty old-school (i.e., physical book in hand), though. 

So any time I have a long reading session planned, the menu looks a lot like snacks I can pick up and eat with one hand that don’t leave a lot of residue behind. This may be why one of my favorite suppers is just snacks. I associate it with those glorious nights of reading.

Here are some of the things I’ll be reading during such nights this month.

Book Clubs

Three of these can count for this month’s Girlxoxo key word reading challenge (keywords – darkness, take, and of), so I’m pretty set for success there!

• A Flicker in the Dark by Stacey Willingham
• The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson
• The genre we’re discussing at Rise and Shine is “something scary,” so I’ll likely talk about Holly Horror from the section below.
• The Takedown by Carlie Walker
• Shoot the Moon by Isa Arsén
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (already read, but I love it so I will probably read it again and yes, I am very excited about the series coming out)
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

Seasonal Reads

The cooler weather isn’t the only reason I love October. It has the contrasting feel of cozy and spooky as it gets darker earlier outside while warm clothes and blankets start making an appearance again. Gonna cuddle up with a cup of tea and these books this month.

• Holly Horror by Michelle Jabès Corpora – The first bedspread I remember from my childhood that was uniquely mine was Holly Hobbie. So…a haunted Holly Hobbie story? OMG YES. I’m super hyped about this new series.
• The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes – A cozy magical realism story that Jenny Lawson describes as “…like Practical Magic and Encanto had a baby.” Sold!
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – I actually read this one this past weekend, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I read it in one sitting. Thanks to everyone who recommended it to me!
• The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods – Recommended by someone with infallible taste (i.e., very similar to mine) in books. It’s got mystery, books, mystical elements…I’m already hooked.

Foodie Books

And, of course, I’d never feel as if I’d explored a topic thoroughly if I didn’t also read extensively on the subject. This month, we are continuing with the Friday Fives, but they will specifically be food-oriented. I’ve been reading cookbooks, food memoirs, and foodie fiction even more than usual in the past few months. I’ll also be including a few articles and other types of media (I’ve just started The Bear on Hulu) in the mix. This is my current list of books I want to read next on this broad subject, but I’m sure I will add cookbooks or substitute others that grab my attention as the month progresses.

• Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan
• The Dog Who Ate the Truffle by Suzanne Carreiro
• Life Without a Recipe by Diana Abu-Jaber
• Coming Home To Eat: The Pleasures and Politics of Local Food by Gary Paul Nabhan
• A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White
• Give a Girl a Knife by Amy Theilen
• World of Pies by Karen Stolz
• Chocolate: A Love Story by Max Brenner
• Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes From London’s Ottolenghi by Yotam Ottolenghi
• Salt Fat Acid Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat
• My Life in France by Julia Child
• The Comfort Food Diaries: My Quest for the Perfect Dish To Mend a Broken Heart by Emily Nunn
• The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Where do you land on the snacks-or-no-snacks spectrum while reading? Feel free to share your favorite book-friendly refreshments in the comments.

I’m writing about the intersection of food and home this month. Click to see the full list!