A cornucopia of coziness
Celebrating Ina Garten + other comfy recs
I downloaded Ina Garten’s delightful new memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens last night and I’m already 70% through.
Many know Ina for her simple but delicious food, but for me, she is so much more than a recipe developer. She reminds us not to take things too seriously, and that sometimes, store bought is just fine!
Her new memoire sparkles with this same reassuring warmth, and I loved learning more about her relationship with her beloved husband Jeffrey and how she defied gender norms to grow her business. I agree that it’s a “handbook for life.”
I don’t know about you, but most of the people in my life — admittedly, many journalists — are feeling a major spike in anxiety with less than two weeks until the election. Even from Germany, I am also having a hard time imagining what life is going to be like after November 5. So sinking my teeth into the happy world of Ina Garten — where nothing bad ever seems to happen — is a real comfort.
If that’s also you right now, I wanted to recommend some of my go-to “comfort books.” (And pick up Ina’s! It’s just wonderful).
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I don’t want to give too much away, because I worry the premise will scare some readers off. It is a bit strange (magical creatures, funny names), but I promise this fairytale is so rewarding.
I love this quote from Mikayla Edwards, a used book buyer from Green Apple Books in San Francisco:
“This is like a Miyazaki movie in book form: it’s comforting and kind, and helps me envision a slightly better and more beautiful world.”
I couldn’t agree more. It was my favorite book of 2020!
Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander
Despite the rather grim premise (an agoraphobic woman named Meredith trying — and failing — to reenter the world), this book is not at all depressing. Instead, it will make you want to reach for your loved ones and celebrate your own small victories.
This book is for jigsaw lovers, recipe appreciators, and cuddly animal enthusiasts. It’s quiet, but brimming with heart.
I wish I could read it again for the first time!
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
This autobiographical novel was a universal favorite when my bookclub read it last year (shoutout to my friend Margaret for selecting!)
The premise of this book is very 🌶️. Based on Ephron's real-life divorce from legendary journalist Carl Bernstein, the novel draws unabashed inspiration from his affair with the daughter of a former British prime minister . Talk about scandal!
That being said, this short book is a lot more than a political takedown. Ephron is warm, funny, and deeply flawed. This book feels like watching a Nancy Meyers movie — in the best way.
This is a great book to give a friend going through a bad breakup.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Rowell’s “adult” books haven’t quite landed for me, but she is masterful when it comes to writing about adolescence.
Fangirl is a 2013 YA novel that follows Cath, a shy college freshman struggling to adjust to life away from home. She has a hard time connecting with the world around her, and lives off peanut butter and granola bars instead of braving the cafeteria. Online, though, Cath is mega-famous, the beloved author of the Internet’s most popular Simon Snow fanfiction. (Simon Snow is a delightful riff off Harry Potter).
Maybe I adored this book so much due to my love for Harry Potter fanfic1 or because of the great relationship at the center of the story. Either way, I always recommend Fangirl to book nerds looking for cozier YA.
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame: A Novel by Olivia Ford
I was skeptical about this book at first — an elderly woman auditioning for “The Great British Bakeoff” and discovering herself along the way? Seemed extremely lame.
But, y’all. This book WRUNG out my heart.
The relationship between the protagonist and her sweet husband and the secret that threatens to tear them apart… Set against a delightful pile of Baked Alaska and Victorian Sponge! Fans of GBBO, rejoice.2
📚 Links and Things
My group chats are always popping off with links, so I wanted to start including some in Bookpeach! Here are some recent favorites:
Speaking of cozy, my friend Erica threw a grilled cheese party last week, and I have to shoutout Smitten Kitchen’s weeknight tomato soup recipe. 🥪
A celebratory look at how the WNBA became the most exciting league in sports.
For my DC and Love Is Blind girlies, here’s everywhere the show filmed.
A disturbing investigation about the brutal reality of being a flight attendant.
The NYT’s best books to read about immigration before the 2024 election.
My team at CNN spent the past several months working on an in-depth investigation into predatory fundraising practices on the elderly. Please read and share. 🚨
Happy reading! 💛
XOX
Alli
Speaking of, I am *loving* this season so far. It’s the best cast we’ve seen in ages! I am a huge Nelly fan, and of course think Dylan is just adorable.