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Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir
Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir | Ruth Reichl
112 posts | 104 read | 4 reading | 62 to read
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

Still going with a pick, but did not love this one like I thought I would.

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Ang203l
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Trying to get a couple more books in for February! #catsoflitsy

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Lydiamansel
Pickpick

Quick read, loved the recipes

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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

Gourmet was never the food magazine that drew me in but this was such a delight to read. I really enjoyed the commentary around the photography and how it shifted during Ruth's tenure (I looked up that cover with the woman in pink holding berries *shudder*.) But perhaps my favourite part was the shoestring Paris trip, I just want to jump on a plane and eat!

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gracemom
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Perfect book for this frosty Texas evening.

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NotoriousMBG
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Pickpick

Ruth Riechl‘s venerable memoir surrounding her days at the helm of Gourmet magazine is fantastic. The behind the scenes of Gourmet as it struggled to survive the economic crisis of 2008 is entertaining & bittersweet. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys food writing or chef memoirs in particular. Bonus: there‘s a sprinkling of recipes in the book that sound wonderful.

5 likes1 stack add
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Well-ReadNeck
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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Book 126 of the year done.

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Amiable
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Pickpick

My husband ate all the plums, so nectarines are the best I can do. 🤷🏻‍♀️
I am not a foodie, nor do I like to cook. Not even a little bit. But I was completely captivated by this memoir by Ruth Reichl, who was the last editor of “Gourmet” magazine before it ceased publication in 2009. That‘s the sign of a great writer. Definite pick. 👍🏼👍🏼

Velvetfur Great photo! Love all the colours 🙂 4y
Amiable @Velvetfur Thanks! I really was bummed about my husband finishing off the plums, though. I should have taken a photo a few days ago. 😀 4y
Bette Really colorful and inviting ❤️📸👍 4y
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Velvetfur @Amiable He didn't save you the plums 😂 4y
Amiable @Velvetfur No, he most definitely did not! 😄 4y
Liz_M Did he leave a note of apology saying the plums were delicious, sweet, and cold? 😆 (edited) 4y
LeahBergen Oh, the irony. 😆😆 4y
71 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

A memoir about Reichl‘s time leading gourmet magazine. Lots of behind the scene gossip.

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Amiable
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For many people the arrival of summer signals a dive into “beach reads.” Not for me — 8 of the last 10 books I‘ve read have been nonfiction. Stopped at the bookstore today and bought 3 more to extend the streak. #NonfictionNerd

cariashley Save Me the Plums is wonderful! 4y
Sharpeipup Loved that book! Enjoy! 4y
Ruthiella I like the reflection in the photo! Neat.😀 4y
74 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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StaceGhost
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@TheSpineView @julesG 1. I‘m hoping a secluded beach is in my future 🏖🤞2. Absolutely! Although I prefer my porch because the bugs out here just don‘t quit till I get bit ☠️🧛🏻‍♂️🦟 @BookwormAHN @QueenEdys

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 😊 4y
19 likes1 comment
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UwannaPublishme
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Pickpick

Another delightful memoir and my May #DoubleSpin! Renowned chef/food critic Ruth Reichl took on Gourmet Magazine as its Editor in Chief during the magazine‘s last decade & reignited its fervor. You can‘t help but savor her eloquent writing as well as her compassionate leadership. “I don‘t know everything,” she admits. But Ruth sure knows the secret of success: “Hire people smarter than you...and trust them.”👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@TheAromaofBooks
#BookSpin

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! And I feel like you should know that PG Wodehouse's close friends & family had a nickname for him... Plum! 😂 4y
UwannaPublishme @TheAromaofBooks Are you kidding me??!!?? 🤣🤣🤣Now I KNOW PG and I are destined to be together! 4y
Tanisha_A Great review! 👏🏽 4y
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TheAromaofBooks From the Wiki page on Wodehouse - “Wodehouse wrote in 1957, 'If you ask me to tell you frankly if I like the name Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, I must confess that I do not. ... I was named after a godfather, and not a thing to show for it but a small silver mug which I lost in 1897.' The first name was rapidly elided to 'Plum', the name by which Wodehouse became known to family and friends.“ 😁 4y
UwannaPublishme @Tanisha_A Thank you! 🤗 4y
UwannaPublishme @TheAromaofBooks PG is quite a character! He‘s really growing on me. 😁👍🏻 4y
58 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Beccacraft
Pickpick

This memoir about food critic Ruth and her trials, successes, and learned lessons in running Gourmet magazine was delightfully raw, witty, real, and fun. A great book, an inspiring author, and an easy read during these crazy pandemic times.

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booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my Youtube Vlog at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrhJzXvYlUk

Enjoy!

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Blaire
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I‘ve had a hard time focusing on books but am enjoying this food memoir about Reichl‘s time as the editor of gourmet. Hearing her read the recipes and talk about food is comforting. Enjoying a nice glass of Prosecco while cooking for my family. #keeplitsypositive #grateful

Lindy ❤️I too have felt comforted by listening to one of Reichl‘s memoirs. When my mom was dying, I was grateful to sink into 4y
Blaire @Lindy happy you found comfort with her voice as well. The combo of the pacing and food and voice is quite soothing and a real escape. Stacking my kitchen year. 4y
61 likes2 comments
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AileenRR
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Mehso-so

I liked Reichl‘s My Kitchen Year better. That being said, I love reading about the magazine world in the 90s and 00s.

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thebluestocking
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Pickpick

A food memoir + running Gourmet magazine? Yes, please. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the inside look at running a Condé Nast magazine, but my favorite parts were the descriptions of food and Reichl‘s family life.

AlizaApp I just read this! Loved the Condé Nast gossip 4y
thebluestocking @AlizaApp Totally! 💙 4y
68 likes1 stack add2 comments
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

This was a lovely audio book to listen to, Ruth Reichl reads it herself. This is a memoir of her tile as editor in chief at Gourmet magazine and I liked hearing all the behind the scenes stuff. I made the spicy Asian noodles expire Ruth makes at home ( easy and delicious) and I think I will make the final recipe too ( German apple pancake)

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mcctrish
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Apparently this cover pissed off hoards of Gourmet readers #turningpoint

LiteraryinLawrence Why were they upset? 4y
mcctrish @LiteraryinLititz apparently up to this point trends in food trickled down from rich, this was a turning point in trends reversing ( cupcakes, tacos, street food ) and restaurants embracing a new aesthetic 4y
36 likes2 comments
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Ncostell
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Pickpick

While this was not my favorite of Ruth Reichl‘s foodie memoirs, I still loved the behind the scenes peek at her years at Gourmet magazine. I liked learning a bit about the world of magazine publishing and living vicariously through Ruth‘s tales of traveling and fine dining.

AutumnRLS Which is your favorite? I have a couple, but haven't dug in yet. 4y
Ncostell @AutumnRLS I really enjoyed her earliest memoirs which were 4y
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Ncostell @Autumn RLS Her book about her years as the New York Times food critic was interesting too 4y
AutumnRLS @Ncostell those are the three I have! Lol. 4y
Ncostell @AutumnRLS Great! I would probably start with Tender at the Bone if you want to go in chronological order. Happy reading! 4y
52 likes7 comments
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michellelav
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Pickpick

This gourmet memoir was a light and enjoyable read. I'm sad to admit I've never had the pleasure of reading gourmet but this book made me wish I had! Ruth is so enjoyable and comforting. This book always left me hungry for more. And just hungry in general 🍐🍇 I absolutely loved it. 💕

Thank you @MallenNC for the #newyearwhodis recommendation 😊📚 @monalyisha

monalyisha Great review/photo! 4y
michellelav @monalyisha Thank you! 4y
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AlizaApp
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Pickpick

Came for the Condé Nast gossip (which was both plentiful and delightful), but also enjoyed the casually dropped-in recipes and Reichl‘s warm, witty writing.

kd_lawson This books was so well written. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author and it was wonderful! 4y
52 likes1 comment
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mcctrish
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I‘m listening to Save me the Plums and Ruth read out the recipe for Spicy noodles she makes her son ❤️ so I made them for dinner #winningatlife

Julsmarshall looks delicious! 4y
brilliantglow Thst looks soooooo good 4y
mcctrish @Julsmarshall @brilliantglow it‘s so easy too! I‘m glad I have some leftovers for tomorrow 🙏🏻 4y
Tamra 😋 4y
mcctrish @Tamra it is exactly that 4y
49 likes5 comments
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mcctrish
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Next up in audio

Megabooks I have this as an ebook but haven‘t read it yet. 4y
mcctrish @Megabooks I‘ve just started it and I‘m happy that the author is reading it 4y
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MelindaOtt
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ruth Reichl has become my favorite food writing, with her joyous descriptions of all things culinary (and some things that aren't.) This particular book is laced with a bittersweet thread, which is expected given the subject of the end of Gourmet magazine. But this book is truly about a woman finding herself in a position she doesn't feel prepared for, finding her own confidence, and excelling.

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marleed
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Pickpick

With fond memories of eating plums while hiking with my dad, and seeing so many picks of this book on my newsfeed I had to stack it. I‘m the family standout for my inability to cook, but I did live in a culinary district for 5 years where I learned of the James Beard Award. To add to my surprise and delight this book focused on NY publishing - my favorite book setting!

MallenNC I enjoyed this one a lot. 4y
marleed @MallenNC NFNov was my excuse to finally read two Nora Ephron memoirs. This book somehow gave me those feels - and that‘s a good thing! 4y
MallenNC @marleed I can see that comparison! I read this because it was on Modern Mrs Darcy‘s summer reading list. (edited) 4y
marleed @MallenNC I love how challenges and reading lists can impact what we read! 4y
43 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

Another mesmerizing memoir from Reichl, this one covers her time at the helm of Gourmet magazine. Her descriptions of food and people are equally delicious. I‘d recommend reading this one after Garlic and Sapphires.

“It‘s good for a writer to know that the words she‘s so carefully crafted today, will be wrapping someone‘s fish bones tomorrow.”

”The more stars in your itinerary the less likely you are to find the real life of another country.”

marleed I just finished this last night! 4y
26 likes1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

I‘m jumping on the bandwagon! Yes! Pick it up. Doesn‘t matter if u r a foodie. And, yes, the audiobook is 💯

TheShaggyShepherd I really enjoyed that audiobook too! 4y
SheReadsAndWrites I love her books ❤️ 4y
82 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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BekaReid
Pickpick

I really enjoyed reading Ruth Reichl's latest memoir. She is an excellent writer who makes you feel like you're right by her side as she navigates through the food magazine world during her time at Gourmet.

Bookwormjillk This was one of my favorites so far this year 4y
11 likes1 comment
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theladygreer
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So the luncheon I spoke at today featured three authors, and I fangirled quite a lot over #3 on the program. Her brief talk about the beginning and the end of her career at Gourmet was, of course, fascinating.

ValerieAndBooks I‘ve read her earlier memoirs, so should look for this one! 4y
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Pam.Kokomo
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Pickpick

This is my favorite Ruth Reichl book so far! Bonus points because she reads the audiobook.

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kd_lawson
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Pickpick

I loved this book!
I listened to the audio (read by the author) and was utterly captivated.
Reichl has such a way with words and makes you feel like a friend.
If you love good writing and food this is a must read!

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SaraFair
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Pickpick

Loved listening to Ruth Reichl read this. It was so interesting to hear the behind the scenes look at the magazine business, learn the vocabulary, and learn what sells. Little anecdotes about certain issues were fun, even though I have never read one Gourmet magazine. Food and business go great together.

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cariashley
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Pickpick

Love, love, love. No one writes about food like Ruth Reichl and this was a joy to listen to. I need to get around to her other books!

SamanthaMarie I've read all of her other books and they are all grade A. I really love her writing. I own this one but haven't gotten to it yet. I need to read it! 5y
58 likes1 comment
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Clwojick
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Pickpick

I devoured this book. Started and finished in basically one sitting, with a mini nap in the middle. There‘s something about listening to someone describe food. You can almost taste some of the recipes Ruth talks about this book, and my mouth was watering frequently. Loved every minute of it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

#SummersEndReadathon

Bookwormjillk This might be my favorite audiobook all year. She did such a great job. 5y
SaraFair I loved it too. I think being interested in business makes it an awesome read with the food elements mixed in. Her life is so adventurous and fun. 5y
90 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Clwojick
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Has anyone else seen these “skip the line” items on Libby lately? 1 week holds, and you can only have 1 at a time, but how amazing is this? They‘ve just started popping up over the last 2-3 days, and I am FLIPPING OUT over them. The waits for popular audiobooks at my library is always 6+ months. I never get my hands on anything even relatively new through this app, so this addition is an absolute game changer.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Suet624 I haven‘t had this happen yet but I‘m excited about it. 😀 5y
Clwojick @Suet624 I tend to come across them in the What‘s New section. I check back a few times a day, and there‘s normally at least one a day. 5y
TheShaggyShepherd I get my library loans through Overdrive but the library keeps advertising for Libby. Is there a big difference between them? 5y
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marleed That‘s so cool. When I have a new book, I make the finish a priority so I can return it quickly to the line. I love this concept! 5y
Clwojick @IvoryLunatic I think they‘re pretty similar, but I find Libby easier to use. Overdrive is accessible on the computer though, and I don‘t think Libby is. 5y
Clwojick @marleed Agreed! If it‘s something super popular or something that I had to wait forever to get I always try to get through it quickly to shorten up the length others have to wait. 5y
Suet624 Good to know. I never look at the new ones because I hate waiting weeks for a book. 5y
ljuliel I found these in Subjects, then SKIP THE LINE . There are 2 libraries I have cards with that have a pretty good turnover in this area. The others, I never find anything in them. Pretty handy dandy. 5y
mom2bugnbee Yes! This has happened to me several times over the last two months. I wonder if the algorithm is such that you're more likely to get another if you use it & return it in a timely fashion? I'm currently reading the newest Jodi Picoult because of this feature! 5y
mom2bugnbee Btw, mine have happened with books that I have in hold, but aren't due to come to me for some time. 5y
mom2bugnbee Ha! I JUST got another one while I was scrolling through Litsy! ? I actually have a long list of Lucky Titles to look through on my Libby "homepage" under the What's New & What's Popular. I never saw that before! 5y
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bernadette
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Pickpick

I love how Reichl describes food and she made Gourmet sound wonderful. This book made me want to check out Gourmet cookbooks.

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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

I've seen this book everywhere since it was released this spring. I enjoyed the #audiobook narrated by the author. Less actual food than what I had anticipated but I still enjoyed it! Reichl mainly writes about her experiences as the editor of Gourmet magazine which I found enlightening.

79 likes1 stack add
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bernadette
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Current read. I'm not much of a cook - I try but my results are uneven - but I love food writing and of course food!

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Chelsea.Poole
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My first time #audiopuzzling and it's so nice! The kids were asleep and my sister in law and I worked a puzzle. It's one of our things at the beach each year 😊
Reading this foodie #memoir which is a window into a very different world from my own. I love when that happens. Reading is the best ♥️

82 likes2 stack adds
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bookandcat
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Pickpick

I love food memoirs and I'm secretly fascinated by magazine companies so this memoir of Reichl's time at Gourmet was intriguing. Her writing is great but I swooned over her descriptions of food in the book. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

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akfreeborn
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Pickpick

Ruth Reichl is a favorite of mine and it was wonderful and poignant to read of her tenure at Gourmet Magazine. She is so interesting and relatable. I want to have a dinner party with her. She seems so genuine.

Sapphire She is a favorite of mine too. I haven't read this one, but have read about her time at Gourmet. Garlic and Sapphires is my favorite of hers, but I love her cookbook. I also have a series of books she edited for the modern library that I love. 4y
akfreeborn @Sapphire Garlic and Sapphires is the best. I even use a couple recipes from there regularly. You will like this one. I feel like Reichl would be a cool friend! 4y
25 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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suvata
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Mehso-so

ModernMrsDarcy.com Summer 2019 Reading List

Anne Bogel, I love you but please stop with the “foodie” memoirs. Just not my jam ...

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Bookwormjillk
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June felt like a slow reading month, but looking back it really wasn‘t at all. A lot of great books this month, but my very favorite was Save Me The Plums.

MrBook Wow!!! A lot of great ones! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
keepingupwiththepenguins Not a slow one at all, that looks like a fantastic - and varied - reading stack! 😍 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego You did a fabulous job! 💖📖💖 5y
Kaila-ann I finished Burial Rites this month too. Awesome reading month. 5y
45 likes4 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This book was a great peek into the workings of Gourmet magazine, told by someone who clearly loved their job. I also enjoyed the insights into how a working mom with a demanding job managed to make things work. Plus the stories about fancy people in New York were just plain fun. The audiobook was read by Ruth Reich which was a nice touch. Highly recommend.

36 likes2 stack adds
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Bookwormjillk
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Week 1 #BFCr2 check in:
✅ Walked between 8k and 12k steps a day (actually I beat that on several days, and since I‘m feeling okay I won‘t try and cut back)
✅ Tried meditation 2x
✅ Did pretty well with my bone health diet, but could improve here, especially could eat more veggies
✅ Finished 2 audiobooks, tagged is my fave

Next week:
Focus on drinking more water and eating more veggies 🌽

Pictured: today‘s walk on The Natl. Mall

TheDaysGoBy Sounds like you had a great week! 5y
RealLifeReading Ooh a Yayoi Kusama gourd! 5y
wanderinglynn Great first week! 🙌 How did your meditation go? I will say that meditation took me a bit of practice. When I first started, I had a tendency to want to prevent thoughts from entering my head because I thought that's how it worked. A yoga teacher told me to allow the thoughts to flood in, but to let them pass through like clouds in the sky, not stopping or forcing. That's when I found the stillness comes in the space in between the chaos. 💜 5y
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Bookwormjillk @wanderinglynn Meditation was good. Great tip from your yoga teacher! 5y
Bookwormjillk @RealLifeReading Interesting! I didn‘t know they were a thing. I‘ll have to read some background information. 5y
DivineDiana Are you in Washington DC? I am loving the photo of the Kusama pumpkin! 💛 5y
DivineDiana @Bookwormjillk 👏🏻I am in driving distance and am putting this on my “to do” list! Is the Kusama pumpkin a permanent installation? 5y
Bookwormjillk @DivineDiana not sure. It‘s been there the last two times I‘ve visited, but it seems like it moved across the street. It‘s really cool! 5y
DivineDiana 👍🏻 5y
31 likes10 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Today‘s #audiowalk was a little different. I walked to catch a bus that will take me to hear some music with a friend. Hooray for Friday!

This was my longest walk so far, and I felt it, but I didn‘t suffer so I‘m happy.

I love this audiobook. So fascinating.

#24B4Monday #BFCr2

wanderinglynn Great job! 🙌🏻 And lovely tree! 💚🌳 5y
LapReader Why drive when you can walk is my motto. Go you! 5y
twohectobooks A+ to no suffering :) 5y
48 likes3 comments
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Lauren890
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 I just finished listening to this and now I want to immediately listen to her other books. I wasn‘t a follower of the magazine she discusses (Gourmet) but I found her descriptions of the inner workings of her job as editor in chief fascinating. I could listen to her describe food all day, and loved the inclusion of recipes. I highly recommend on audio!!

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Bookwormjillk
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I am loving this book. I expected delicious descriptions of food, but am very pleasantly surprised by the day-to-day working mom work life talk. Reichl‘s apt description of situations without balance: “No matter where you were it always felt like the wrong place.” I‘m so grateful things for working moms are getting better.