The Glass Hotel and Tahini Blondies

Hello there! Time is flying by . . . I can’t believe it’s almost summer (well, it *is* summer according to New Orleans weather, but . . . ). We are in a mad dash for end-of-year things at my daughter’s school and figuring out logistics for next year, but I’ve also found time for some books and bakes. I hope you have too!

• I just posted my review of The Glass Hotel, by Emily St. John Mandel, on Instagram. It was such a great read. My second Mandel, though it’s been sitting on my shelves since it was published. I’m very excited for The Sea of Tranquility and I think Mandel will continue to be an auto-buy author. Fun fact: I picked up Station Eleven on a whim at a library sale in 2016. I must’ve bought that book for $3 or something, and it was one of my favorite reading experiences. So funny to remember exactly when a beloved author came into your life.

• Currently reading James by Percival Everett, and it’s as good as everyone says. I have never read Huckleberry Finn and I’m doing fine. Percival Everett has such a gift with language, irony, humor, and depth. Ugh, it’s wonderful.

• For Mother’s Day, I did our usual scones because the kids (and I) love them, and I did tahini blondies as the something special. They were super easy to make, much like any brownie recipe, and then you filled the top with black and white sesame seeds and salt. They were good! Baking with tahini was unique, and I’d love to find some other tahini recipes.

• Like I mentioned earlier, time has been nuts and gone in a blip. We’re not sure where our oldest will be going to school next year and that’s causing a lot of anxiety. The school system here is bonkers. But, summer is settled and I’m trying to focus on what summer activities I really want to do with the family. Not sure we’re up for much traveling yet, but hoping to go on a hike or something, hit up the water park a few times, etc.

• I’ve recently started listening to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast, Wiser Than Me, and it’s so amazing! She talks to older (wiser) women about their life, their philosophies, and generally how to age happier. I have really found it compelling and powerful . . . the latest episodes have been especially remarkable: Ina Garten (who has a memoir coming out this year!!!!!), Patti Smith, Debbie Allen, and Anne Lamott (I’m actually reading Bird by Bird, so this was fortuitous!).

• I also have weeks of links saved . . . enjoy!

  • A list of 10 “quiet” books

  • There was a viral Substack post proclaiming that people don’t buy books anymore; here’s a Slate article on what that post got wrong.

  • Librarians on 20 Easy Enjoyable Ways to Read More Brilliant Books

  • How to Start Small Rituals That Make Every Day Feel Special - there is a very amusing anecdote about Victor Hugo getting naked in there

  • Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor came out last week and has received some rave reviews!

  • I’m very excited to hear that The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is coming to a big screen!

  • Also coming is an adaptation of Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow!

  • Emma Gannon: “Why bother writing books?”

  • Shauna Niequist has a list of “Soooo Many Great Books, Spring 2024”

That’s all for today. I’ll be back in your inbox soon with another round of books and bakes. I’m also thinking about starting a series about getting into publishing—this was something I scoured the internet for before I finally made it, but couldn’t find much. Let me know if you have any thoughts about that!

I’ve also been thinking about starting a Meet the Booklover series, or similar, wherein I interview bookstagrammers or other bookish folks here on my Substack. What do you think? Would you be open to an interview? Let me know!

Thanks for being here! I hope you have a great rest of the week, filled with good books and baked goods!!

@bookforte

@bookfortebakes