Books are a uniquely portable magic.
Stephen King
Reading is like an escape from reality for me. When I pick up a book, I like the weight of the tome, the crispness of the untouched page, and the excitement of meeting new people. When I start reading, I often get so sucked into it that I forget about my surroundings. My imagination takes over and I’m free to fantasize about whatever I want without worrying about anything else. It’s like I can create a little world in my mind and imagine what the characters look like, how they act, even the inflection in their voices. It’s sometimes crazy how something as casual as reading can leave such an impact on you.
While podcasts and TikTok® may be having their time in the spotlight, books have endured the ages. It’s well accepted that reading offers both mental and physical health benefits, but did you know it can be protective of your memory? According to the National Institute on Aging, reading a book is one of the best activities for keeping one’s mind active, and can even help to improve memory.
Books are tremendous resources for learning, as well as inspiration to try new things and expand our horizons. Whether your interests are reading about other cuisines or parts of the world, a self-help book on leadership and growing yourself, or simply how to train for a half-marathon, books become friends. “National Read a Book Day” is Sunday, September 6. Here’s some books for your eating, drinking, working, & playing pleasure. Life Explored through books!
Books for Eating.
Everything is Under Control: A Memoir of Recipes is one of those books where you’ll simply lose yourself. It’s the perfect blend of memoir, sensuous prose with a luscious poetic layer, and an infusion of recipes. The author, Phyllis Grant, harkens you into her world where the key ingredients are family, career, grief, celebration and truth. Between each chapter are several blank white pages for you to contemplate and relish the book journey you’re on. Whether you’re a cook or not, it’s a reader’s feast to be enjoyed and savored.
Have you ever found yourself staring deeply into the pit of your pantry, not knowing what in the world you want to make for dinner? The Salvage Chef Cookbook is your right-hand man. In this book, Chef Michael Love starts at the beginning with chapters on how to use proper tools and make sure you’ve stocked up on the basics. He then shows you how to use your new-found skills and take what you have on hand to create dinner time masterpieces. If food waste feels like the 8th deadly sin to you, then you want to pick up a copy of this book.
Books for Drinking.
History buffs, story aficionados, and bartenders unite! In this second edition of his book, Imbibe!, David Wondrich uses history and storytelling to honor the classic American culture of the bar. Filled with both interesting little-known facts, questionable tales, and actual “how-to” recipes, this book does not disappoint.
Looking for help behind the bar? Want to wow your dinner guests with something special? The Joy of Mixology by Gary Regan is a straightforward modern-day home bar manual. But it’s more than that. It’s an entertaining look at how we view cocktails and happy hour. If you’re looking for the low down on the latest and greatest drinks to wow your friends, this is the book for you.
Books for Working.
A book recommendation for work would not be complete without something from Brené Brown. And Dare to Lead is no disappointment. Brené covers all the tough topics from courage and investing in yourself to ownership and potential. Even if you haven’t read anything from her before, pick this one up and get started today.
Ever find yourself in the throes of a pity party? Maybe you’re spending too much time alphabetizing your spice rack just so you don’t have to answer the hundreds of emails in your inbox? Get Out of Your Own Way by Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg is the book you need. It will put into action in your everyday work life—and maybe your personal life too. Say goodbye to procrastination and other self-defeating habits for good.
Books for Playing.
Talking as Fast as I Can is a collection of memoirs by Lauren Graham (of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood fame). While she may seem so far removed from your life, her stories are witty and real. She holds your interest from one chapter to the next. If you’re in the mood to laugh, cry, and be reminded that you’re not alone, this is the book to grab.
If you consider yourself an over-achiever or perfectionist, type A plans B may be just the inspiration you need to kick back and R-E-L-A-X. Self-described as a recovering perfectionist, Andria Flores reveals the weights that took her down to her own perfectionist rock bottom, and what she did to claw her way back to the top! Her poignancy and wit will make you laugh and cry. Andria’s book is a brand new release on Amazon this week. So, it is literally hot off the presses!
Not only a National Bestseller but a #1 International Bestseller, The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules is a must-have for your bookshelf. Author Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg takes you on a wild adventure using spunky characters and a gutsy storyline. This story’s hero and her sidekicks simply aren’t ready to give up living. If there’s a storyline that can incite laughter at the trials of aging combined with crimes involving the mafia, this is it. Grab some tea, set your walker aside, and dive in for an evening full of laughs.
With COVID changing the face of schooling options, and parents working more from home, that space can quickly become stressful and hard to manage. Ideas for keeping kids busy with creative projects that build their independence and don’t cost a fortune are understandably a hot commodity. I Am Not a Cereal Box fills the bill. Carlton Publishing Group has gathered up all their best ideas sure to inspire the most bored of kids. (And Mom and Dad may draw on a little inspiration too!)
Now Go On . . . and Read a Book!
No matter what book (or books) you decide to add to your library, the reasons for reading are plenty. And these books leave no room for excuses. I encourage you to pick up a book, find a quiet spot, and make yourself comfortable. Whether it be for the day or simply a half-hour, spend some time reading today.
RAMONA R MIDEIROS
September 5, 2020Great recommendations! I think my first read will be the Little old lady book. I need some good laughs. Again thank you Luanna for doing the work to guide us to good things many of which l have tried be it eating, drinking, work or play.
Sabine
September 6, 2020You have capsulized the reading so nicely as you separated it into the different segments. As a child, B4 internet, I used to spend hours in the library reading and checking out books with stories that would transport me back in history and into different parts of the world.