of books and cold dark nights

There has been a big spurt of newness on my nightstand, the cold dark nights always give me a good excuse to head up to my bedroom early and dive into a book. I just finished "Of Bees and Mist" last week. Loved it. Very atmospheric, and sad, and annoying at times. The names of the characters drew me in: Meridia, Permony, Ravenna, Malin. Wonderful read.

Last night I stayed up late to finish "13 1/2", Nevada Barr's newest. No Anna Pigeon in site, no national park setting. But it was a page turner, and I 'could not put it down'. Good thing I am not a book reviewer, I would have already run out of things to say.

Next up: "A Homemade Life" by Molly Wizenberg. A food book, a cook book, I am thinking along the lines of Ruth Reichl's books that I love ("Tender at the Bone", "Comfort me with Apples", "Garlic and Sapphires"). And speaking of Ruth Reichl, the world will be a little less rich with the loss of Gourmet magazine. First Mary Engelbreits's Home Companion, then Country Home, what magazine that I subscribe to will be the next on the chopping block? Luckily for me, I have YEARS of Gourmet magazines in my stash to keep me cooking for a really long time.

And since I am often late to the party, for so many things, I just started reading Janet Evanovich's series with Stephanie Plum. I know, I know, what is up with me? It was forced on me by a zealous rummage sale mom this summer, and I reluctantly paid up. And of course, I am hooked. I should really stop by and thank her.

No shortage of reading material for these cold winter (I mean autumn, it's only October, right???) evenings...