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Dinner with Edward
Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship | Isabel Vincent
I loved every moment of this book . . . Everyone deserves their own Edward--and everyone deserves to read this book. Susannah Cahalan, bestselling author of Brain on Fire When Isabel meets Edward, both are at a crossroads: he wants to follow his late wife to the grave, and she is ready to give up on love. Thinking she is merely helping Edwards daughter--who lives far away and has asked her to check in on her nonagenarian dad in New York--Isabel has no idea that the man in the kitchen baking the sublime roast chicken and light-as-air apricot souffl will end up changing her life. As Edward and Isabel meet weekly for the glorious dinners that Edward prepares, he shares so much more than his recipes for apple galette or the perfect martini, or even his tips for deboning poultry. Edward is teaching Isabel the luxury of slowing down and taking the time to think through everything she does, to deconstruct her own life, cutting it back to the bone and examining the guts, no matter how messy that proves to be. Dinner with Edward is a book about love and nourishment, and about how dinner with a friend can, in the words of M. F. K. Fisher, sustain us against the hungers of the world. A rare, beautifully crafted memoir that leaves you exhilarated and wanting to live this way. Edward is a marvel of resilience and dignity, and Vincent shows us that the ceremony of food is really a metaphor for love. The key is to live your life generously. Rosemary Sullivan, author of Stalins Daughter Isabel Vincent delves deeply into matters of the kitchen and the heart with equal and unabashed passion . . . Rich with description of meals savored, losses grieved, and moments cherished, its at once tender, revealing, and utterly enchanting! *Gail Simmons, judge on Bravos Top Chef and author of Talking with My Mouth Full One of the most stylish and emotional works of nonfiction I have ever read. I savored every page. Bob Colacello, author Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up Although the food (I am partial to the roast chicken, lovingly described) is excellent, it is the charming and effortlessly wise company that makes this sweet read a charming way to pass a day. George Hodgman, New York Times bestselling author of Bettyville Delightfully combining the warm-heartedness of Tuesdays with Morrie with the sensual splendor of Julie and Julia. This is a memoir to treasure. Booklist, starred review
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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

This is a sweet story about a middle-aged woman who befriends 93-year-old Edward after the death of his beloved wife. They bond over delicious food & their friendship changes her life. Listening to this made me very hungry! Thanks for the recommendation @DebinHawaii ! 4⭐️

#HauntedShelf
#FrightClub
#audiobook
#foodie

DebinHawaii I‘m glad you enjoyed it! I read it with my virtual foodie book group & it inspired a lot of good dishes cooked from it! 😋 2mo
44 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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JenlovesJT47
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Time spent reading yesterday: 3 hours = 30 points x‘s 5 for 4 readathons = 150 points.

#HauntedShelf
#FrightClub
#31by31
#Spookoween
#Witchathon
#ReadAway2024

👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻

TheSpineView Excellent! 2mo
Catsandbooks 👏🏼👻🧡 2mo
33 likes2 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Thanks for the #Two4Tuesday tag @TheSpineView 🤗

1️⃣ This is tough so my top 3 are mango 🥭 watermelon 🍉 & sweet/crisp juicy apples 🍎 (so Honeycrisp of course), but I love most all fruit & could keep going!

2️⃣ Tagged! One of my favorite novels of food & friendship, it‘s all about sharing a weekly meals. 🍽️ Highly recommended.

TheSpineView Honeycrisp is my favorite too. Thanks for playing! 2mo
Lesliereadsalot We‘re the mango and coconut people! 2mo
43 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Teresereading
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I heard about the promise Edward made to his dying wife long before I met him.
#firstlineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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DebinHawaii
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#HumbleHarvest

Two favorite books where food meets #Friendship from my shelves. 🤍🍽️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 😍 14mo
Eggs Beautiful pairing 🥘🍽️🧡 14mo
kspenmoll I really loved Love and Saffron. I have not read the other book stacked. 14mo
52 likes3 comments
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TheSpineView
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Prompt: Amy Adams

Klou Great choice!! 3y
47 likes2 comments
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Tamra
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Pickpick

Fittingly I prepped Easter dinner this morning with Isabel and Edward.

If you like foodie memoirs, check it out. It‘s an affirming testament to friendship at and between any age.

54 likes1 stack add
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mrp27
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#3books #ivereadinaday

I‘m not one to read a book in a days time but I did with these three.

OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👍🏻 4y
31 likes1 comment
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Emily92Bibliophile
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Pickpick

Loved this story! Great audiobook but I will soon buy a copy of this so I can see recipes and take notes/ underline great quotes about living life together and the relationships we have in our life. HIGHLY recommend to all.

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Ncostell
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Pickpick

I absolutely adored this book. Isabel was going through a painful divorce and 90 year old Edward was grieving over the loss of his beloved wife Paula. Edward is a wonderful cook and makes gourmet meals that they share while building a beautiful friendship that helps them both heal. Isabel Vincent is a journalist and has written a lovely memoir that struck the right chord without being overly sentimental.

MicheleinPhilly This sounds wonderful! 5y
Ncostell @MicheleinPhilly Yes, it really was a nice read about the joy of food and the connection between people who take the time to enjoy each other‘s company. I loved it! 5y
kspenmoll This sounds like a great memoir! Nice review; you made me stack it! (edited) 5y
Ncostell @kspenmoll Thanks! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 5y
51 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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mrp27
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Getting back to it this morning with some coffee and Pan Dulce, Mexican sweet bread. I'm pleased with last nights reading time, let's see what I can do today!! #24in48

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mrp27
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Anyone else participating in #24in48 next weekend? Here is my tentative stack along with some graphic novels on my iPad. My stack still may undergo some tweaking but so far this is what I plan on reading.

DebinHawaii I need to sign up but I am going to try! Great stack! 📚👍 5y
mrp27 @DebinHawaii Thanks! Hope you can make it! 5y
AlaMich I was a little obsessed with The Westing Game as a tween. It‘s a great book! 5y
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mrp27 @AlaMich My niece recently read it and she insists that I must read it now. A readathon sounds like a perfect time to do so! I'm sure it'll be great. 5y
Librarybelle I‘m so excited for the readathon! Great stack! 5y
mrp27 @Librarybelle Me too, I really hope to make a dent in my stack! 5y
Crazeedi Guernsey was great! 5y
mrp27 @Crazeedi I've heard nothing but great things! 5y
MemoirsForMe Yay! I‘m signed up for the Readathon too. Still working on my stack. 😊 5y
39 likes10 comments
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Jmrose
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“ Give of yourself, not yourself.”
#suchagreatread. #lifelessons

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tpixie
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This is the sweetest book! We all need an Edward in our lives!

tpixie @Graciouswarriorprincess you might see if you can find this as an audiobook. So far It‘s a cute quaint read like 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @tpixie. Thank you! I will try to see if I can find it on #Libby! 7y
86 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Jmrose
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Who doesn‘t love a towel with a hood and a good book!
#BeachTowelAndBook
#GrandbabiesNewSummerTowel
#ReadingResolutions

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DebinHawaii
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#Aprella #DinnerForTwo 🍽Isabel & Edward's dinners sometimes included others but often it was just the two of them in this foodie memoir by a journalist who as a favor, starts having weekly dinners with a friend's father that turn into a lasting friendship. Chapters start with a menu of what Edward cooked. I made my take on his Shrimp & Corn Chowder when we read it for virtual foodie book club. I'm craving it now-so it's good there's 🍤for dinner.

ReadZenRites That looks delicious 😋 7y
Mdargusch That looks so good! 🤤 7y
Reviewsbylola This sounds like a sweet book. 7y
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Bookzombie That looks delicious! 7y
emilyhaldi Love the story behind the book!! 💖 7y
hes7 Yum! 😋 7y
Herschelian I love reading ‘foodie‘ books - this has gone straight on my TBR list, thanks! 7y
Cinfhen I bought this as a daily deal but still haven‘t read it.... 7y
tpixie I‘m reading this for my IRL book club and want all the recipes! Edward is so sweet!! 7y
DebinHawaii @tpixie Edward is wonderful and the food really is excellent. My virtual foodie book club all made some amazing dishes from or inspired by it. 😋 7y
tpixie @DebinHawaii great idea! 7y
tpixie Thanks!!!! 7y
85 likes3 stack adds13 comments
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Lkm
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Hello, has anyone here read this? I‘m curious to hear what you think/thought. I‘m only on Chapter 5. So far, it‘s only ok to me.

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mrp27
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#heartsandhardcovers #dinnerdate

I've been wanting to read the tagged title, looks good. I had a very late lunch out today so for now it's just ice cream for dinner, these sweet faces and the sunset.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww cuties!!!! 🐶❤️ Beautiful sunset!! 🌅 7y
AmyG Hahahaha...we do ice cream for dinner! And yes...it‘s when we have a late lunch. That made me smile this morning. 👊🏻 7y
mrp27 @AmyG Glad to make you smile! 7y
41 likes3 comments
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BookNAround
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A rainy day at the cottage meant we fled the island for Petoskey and McLean and Eakin Booksellers. Look at the adorable bag a whole bunch of Michigan independent book stores have banded together to do. Buying it meant I got 10% off my purchase. If I use it at the other participating stores, they'll give me 10% off too!

MrBook 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
KathyWheeler I love that bag! (edited) 8y
ReadingEnvy Love it love it 8y
See All 6 Comments
Smangela That is so cool! 8y
RealLifeReading Cute tote! 8y
LiteraryinPA What a wonderful idea! 8y
30 likes6 comments
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tracyrowanreads
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Pickpick

This book resonated with me for very personal reasons. I had an Edward, and reading Vincent's account of her friendship with her Edward was bittersweet. It's also a lovely memoir.

The photo is a late instar of the Eastern Black Swallowtail. The Housemate and I raised about a dozen last year and gave them all French names for some reason. This one is Jean-Paul, first to leave us. The little horns showing mean he's annoyed with me.

Soubhiville How cool! 8y
tpixie Great photo!!!🐛 8y
EloisaJames Very cool! Was he annoyed that you were too close? I wouldn't have thought they had many emotions! 8y
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tracyrowanreads @EloisaJames I had been petting him lightly in hope of seeing him extend his horns so I could snap the photo. I suspect their emotions are simple, contentment and annoyance. 8y
tracyrowanreads @Soubhiville, @tpixie thanks. My phone has a remarkably good camera. 8y
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tracyrowanreads
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Really needed a palate refresher.

lettersfromriya I don't know if it's the lighting but this looks like a little gift wrapped book and it's beautiful! 8y
tracyrowanreads @lettersfromriya 😊😊😊😊 8y
11 likes1 stack add2 comments
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tracyrowanreads
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Forgotten? Laginappe? Spontaneous generation? A magnetic bookmark found nestled in this used book.

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Miss_Kim
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Is there a word for the quote at the beginning of a book?

Miss_Kim Thanks @DebinHawaii for the like! I'm joining in your cook the books and thought I'd get this read even though it's cutting it close 😁 8y
DebinHawaii @Miss_Kim Yay! At least it's a short book! 😆 So I was going to leave a reply but I wanted to find out the answer to your question & went and googled it. It's called an epigraph--a phrase, quotation or poem set at the beginning of a document or book. 👍😀 8y
Miss_Kim Aha! Sometimes they're the best part of a book! Our library only had this one in large print and I'm speeding right along. I have the next one on my desk already! 8y
5 likes1 stack add3 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

A charming foodie memoir about the friendship between a journalist & the elderly father of a good friend. It starts as a favor to a friend but the weekly dinners cooked by Edward slowly develop into a strong friendship that teaches & helps Isabel & Edward when they both need it. With Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder & baguette inspired by the book for my online blogging foodie bookclub & today's lunch & #soupersundays Recipe link👇🏼🍲📚💙#litsycooks

kyraleseberg This book sounds amazing and that food looks incredible 😍😍😍 8y
KateTheBookworm Looks delicious! 8y
See All 13 Comments
Bookquilter Loved this book!!! 8y
Christine 😋😋😋 8y
Jinjer Yum!!!!! 8y
Blueberry How does your online foodie bookclub work? 8y
DebinHawaii @kyraleseberg @KateTheBookworm @Christine @Jinjer @Bookquilter Thank you! Both the book and the chowder were great! 🍲📚👍 @Blueberry It's a bi-monthly group of mostly food bloggers who read a foodie book, make a dish inspired it & post their thoughts. You don't have to be a blogger though, you can read & cook along & write it up and send it to that month's host. 8y
DebinHawaii @Blueberry We are going on 9 years now-lots of fun. Here's a link to the blog site: http://cookthebooksclub.blogspot.com/?m=1 (edited) 8y
Centique Oh man that looks good. Not quite chowder weather here yet - but give me a few weeks and I'll be making this 😊 8y
KarenUK That soup looks amazing! And I've been thinking of reading this... nice review💕 8y
Miss_Kim This is so cool! Right up my alley! Going to check your website right now ❤ 8y
reader44ever Thanks for the link! I enjoyed reading your blog post. 😄❤ 8y
117 likes7 stack adds13 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Yep, it's your Aloha Friday gratuitous spicy garlic avocado toast picture.😋I couldn't wait and took a bite and a few sips of the honey-cinnamon soy latte before the picture.😊Starting this book for my online foodie bookclub, due at the end of the month. Just a couple chapters before work but so far it is a charming, food-filled memoir. #booksandfood 📚🍴💜

LauraBeth 📚🥑🍞☕️😋 8y
saresmoore I couldn't say it better than @LauraBeth ! 8y
lynneamch Unable to resist foodie fiction. Stack! 💕 8y
See All 7 Comments
Bookquilter I loved this book... it was one of the best things I read last year. 8y
Talewaggingreads I'm with @lynneamch . Stack and smack!☕🍰🍽 8y
DebinHawaii @LauraBeth @saresmoore 😂👍 @lynneamch @Talewaggingreads It's foodie non-fiction but it's definitely foodie & so far reads like a novel somewhat! 👍🍴📚 @Bookquilter I am really enjoying it so far! 📚💜 8y
Laalaleighh The toast! 8y
106 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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Cinfhen
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#seasonsreadings2016 I had a Nook years ago but once my hubby bought me an iPad I've never looked back. All my Ebooks and ARC's are read completely on my IPad but there is still nothing that beats a paper bound book in your hands😍📚I'm grateful for the ease and convince of my #Ereader but this reader is totally old school in my preference 💗Below is part of my current #TBR, I also have a stack on my Kindle app, Bluefire app and OverDrive app🙄

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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Cozied up on the couch with my napping baby to finish this delightful little book of musings on life, love, and friendship shared over delicious meals. What a quiet and lovely read. Life is good.
PS- I only wish I could cook and appreciate food like these two did!

LizzyM Had to wake him up 15 min after I posted this so we could pick his sister up from preschool and he is still crying. Not so peaceful now😳 Oh well, you win some and you lose some... 8y
readinginthedark Waking them up is the worst! 8y
25 likes1 stack add2 comments
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cecilhoney1988
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Really looking forward to this book 📚. Love books about food and relationships.

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LyndseyReads
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I often like to read short books in between long projects to keep my reading momentum. I'm reading this before tackling The Secret History for the FIRST time. (Barring any library holds suddenly arriving.)

LyndseyReads Bought upon recommendation by @rebeccaschinsky on All The Books. 8y
20 likes1 comment
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Hcb83

Just finished this delightful book, but there's still 20 minutes left on the dryer and I have no other book!🙁

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TeeCee
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Pickpick

Sweet, short book that'll make you hungry while reaffirming faith in humanity.

MrBook I like that. You talked me into it 😊👍🏻. 8y
2 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Trudle
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Although placed weeks apart, these two library holds came in two days apart. Coincidence?

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Gulfsidemusing
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Pickpick

A delightful memoir of a friendship between a middle-aged woman in a failing marriage and a ninety-something widower trying to find meaning after the death of his beloved wife. Edward is also a gourmet cook. Each chapter begins with a dinner menus and, naturally, includes Edward's tips and secrets. But this is as much about life, love, and sharing as it is about food. A perfect read for my recent flight from Denver to NY. 3 1/2 stars

35 likes5 stack adds
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Litlady
Pickpick

Being an unadulterated foodie and having suffered loss of family and loved ones within the last 10 years had me relating to this sweet and endearing story on so many levels. A wonderful, quick read that will remain inside your gut and heart for a long time. Now if I could replicate Edwards Apple Gellete and shrimp & corn chowder! 🍎🍤🌽😳

22 likes2 stack adds
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Gulfsidemusing
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I love to support indie bookstores when traveling. Off the Beaten Path in Steamboat Springs, CO is a small, but extremely well-curated shop...and they have coffee! Love this quiet reading spot at the hotel.

britt_brooke Steamboat is so beautiful! Enjoy! 8y
SharonGoforth Gorgeous view! 8y
Gulfsidemusing @britt_brooke My first time here... already want to come back! 8y
See All 9 Comments
[DELETED] 2232195534 I'll keep this bookstore in mind in case we get back to Colorado in the next couple of years. Beautiful view. Hope you guys are having a great time! 8y
Gulfsidemusing @SharonGoforth it's hard to concentrate on the book with a view like that😉 8y
Gulfsidemusing @kaysreadinglife we are! You must be starting the countdown to your trip! 8y
Jess_Read_This I really enjoyed this book! Bonus to you for supporting the indie bookstore. 😊 8y
Gulfsidemusing @Jess_Read_This Glad to know you liked it, and I love indie bookstores 😍 8y
ValerieAndBooks I lived in Colorado recently for a few years, but never made it out to Steamboat Springs. Looks like I missed out on that bookstore! 8y
34 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Gulfsidemusing

I love to support indie bookstores when traveling. Off the Beaten Path in Steamboat Springs, CO is a small, but extremely well-curated shop...and they have coffee! Love this quiet reading spot at the hotel.

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Litlady
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Why, yes. I think I will! Getting ready to feed my body and brain. 🍴 🤔 📚

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cathy6098
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Bailedbailed

Boring, that's all😴😴

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BethFishReads
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Mehso-so

Edward would approve of home-grown sage. I think I would have liked this infinitely better in print. Sad to say that the mediocre performance on the audiobook affected my connection w/ story. Fab foodie scenes & who wouldn't want their own Edward. (Read by Elise Arsenault; more in AudioFile mag)

Gulfsidemusing Think I'll opt for print. Thanks. 8y
Gulfsidemusing @BethFishReads I always do!😊 8y
See All 8 Comments
Jess_Read_This Yeah.. I think I would have struggled with this one as an audio book. I read the print and I think it made some of Edward's life pointers more significant to me rather than hearing it read to me. 8y
LitHousewife That's too bad. Why can't all books and narrators be a perfect match? I suppose it keeps the reading life interesting. 8y
BethFishReads @Jess_Read_This @LitHousewife bad audio = read in print 8y
LivinginaLibrary Oh that's too bad but good to know. I really want to read this but will steer clear of the audio 8y
23 likes1 stack add8 comments
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LyndseyReads
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Book haul from The Booksellers at Laurelwood in Memphis. I want to read them all NOW.

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Autumnscribe
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. When I first received it I had thought it was a novel. But somehow knowing Edward is real made him even more special. This book is Tuesday's with Morrie meets Julie and Julia with just enough New York thrown in for dramatic flare and grounding. It is quick, but honest.

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Autumnscribe
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Finished this little beauty today. Wonderful. Just wonderful. The review will have to wait until the story is done percolating, but rest assured it will be positive.

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Autumnscribe
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Jess_Read_This
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🍓☕️Breakfast with Edward.

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Autumnscribe
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Started this today... Not sure just yet.

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Bookquilter
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Pickpick

Dinner with Edward is a brief visit with a kindred spirit; a refresher course in the code of life - dedication, patience, passion. I didn't want this morsel to end...

15 likes2 stack adds
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Bookquilter
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Picked up this gem from the library...

SusanInTiburon Sounds great! 9y
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KateTheBookworm
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Pickpick

This was a sweet story about a friendship between a middle-aged reporter and her 93 year-old neighbor. The relationship between them was nice and all, but I was in it for the food. Each meal was an elaborate multi-course affair and it inspired me to plan some culinary adventures of my own. 🍝🍷🍨

Jess_Read_This I want to read it for the food descriptions too! 9y
NatalieR Geez, sounds like reading this book will make me gain more weight! 😁 I'd constantly be in the pantry! 9y
jessdean I wanna read this!! 9y
34 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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KateTheBookworm
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These chapter title menus are making me hungry. French words just make food sound better, don't they? "Bordelaise" "Gruyere" "Galette" yummmm??

Krisreadsbooks Malbec ❤️🍷 9y
44 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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KateTheBookworm
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I've been on a bit of a memoir kick recently so I thought I'd cap off my three day weekend with one more - Dinner with Edward - a story about food and friendship. This is another "All The Books" pick, so shoutout to @bookriot for the punk rock author coasters. ?

BookishFeminist I've got those coasters, too. They're pretty fantastic 🤘🏼 9y
31 likes2 stack adds1 comment