Books mentioned in this episode:
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If you’d like to support your local indie, check out Indiebound.com. And by all means, go grab one of these from your local library!
• The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, by Deb Perelman (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Once Upon A Chef: The Cookbook, by Jen Segal (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• How to Get Sh*t Done, by Erin Falconer (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• The Barefoot Contessa cookbooks (try Cooking for Jeffrey: Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• cookbook author Marcella Hazan (try Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking: Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• author David Leibovitz (try L’Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home: Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Joy the Baker Over Easy: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Leisurely Days, by Joy Wilson (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Cook Like A Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks, by Ina Garten (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
♥ The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify, by Francine Jay (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondō (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Where’d You Go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
♥ Today Will Be Different, by Maria Semple (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
♥ Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen, by Laurie Colwin (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
▵ The Light Between Oceans, by M. L. Stedman (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Anything is Possible, by Elizabeth Strout (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• The Dollhouse, by Fiona Davis (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• The Address, by Fiona Davis (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• The Masterpiece, by Fiona Davis (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Young Jane Young, by Gabrielle Zevin (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Alternate Side, by Anna Quindlen (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
• Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: A Memoir of a Woman’s Life, by Anna Quindlen (Amazon | Barnes and Noble)
Also mentioned:
• Deep thoughts by Jack Handey, via Saturday Night Live on NBC
• The Barefoot Contessa’s frozen lime pie, via The Food Network
• Quote from Anna Quindlen: “I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.”
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What do YOU think Maria should read next? Let us know in the comments!
23 comments
When Maria was talking about why she enjoyed Today Will Be Different, it immediately made me think of this one: The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143117351/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4xpOBbBACAWZ2
Have either of you read it? It was and is unlike any other book I’ve read before and worth checking out!
Ha! I just popped on to recommend the same book. It’s so engaging- love the notes and sketches, etc.
I like the hearts next to some books! Could you also add symbols for the books you recommend, so that I can easily spot them afterwards? I often listen to your podcast while doing chores around the house and don’t always have a notepad handy to jot down the books you suggest.
Agree! I can never remember coming back which ones were which. I’m terrible with remembering details.
I love Meghan’s suggestion about the hearts and adding symbols to the one’s you recommend!
I wonder about “Kitchen’s of the Great Midwest” by J. Ryan Stradal for Maria – such a great foodie book!
Thanks, Stefanie! And I second Kitchens of the Great Midwest – it sounds perfect for Maria!
Yes! I loved the book. It was 5 stars for me!
I think that Maria should try The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson. Strong, witty and funny females abound plus the comic book aspect was so interesting!
Completely agree! I think The Almost Sisters is a great book for Maria. Really any of Joshilyn Jackson’s books, but I do think The Almost Sisters is probably more up her alley.
I second this one. Joshilyn Jackson’s protagonists have a lot in common with Maria Semple’s. I would also recommend Marisa de los Santos’ Love Walked In, Belong to Me, and I’ll Be Your Blue Sky.
I’m professional in advertising but the world of publishing always intrigued me so I really appreciated this inside peek into Maria’s job. I also shared the podcast with my bookish niece who a HS senior and knows she wants to pursue a career in publishing. I felt the episode with the two libraries was also a great insight into interesting jobs. I love that this podcast not only has great book conversations but that they can be inspiring from a career standpoint. Thank you for having great guests and asking great questions, Anne!
What a fun discussion! I adore Laurie Colwin and hope Maria has read “More Home Cooking”–her Damp Gingerbread recipe is a favorite 🙂 For strong women in trying circumstances, check out “The Calculating Stars” by Mary Robinette Kowal and “An Extraordinary Union” by Alyssa Cole.
Maria, What a wonderful episode. Thanks for sharing your insights about the publishing world.
I was so happy when you mentioned Stephen Pressfield’s book, *The War of Art*. It’s one of my favorite books about the creative life. Have you read *Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: And What You Can Do About That* also by Pressfield? It’s my favorite book about writing. Like the first book, it’s short but chock full of tips for improving your writing.
Since you like historical and fantasy, I’ll recommend the Temeraire series beginning with *His Majesties Dragon* by Naomi Novik. It takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, but dragons exist and become part of the air force for each country involved in the war. Eventually through the nine books Temeraire and Laurence travel to almost every continent on the planet. Each dragon has a distinct personality. Some of them like Temeraire are educated. I found it to be a captivating series.
I suggest LM Montgomery’s The Blue Castle! Hilarious characters, a bold female main character, and lots of nature.
I wanted to suggest a fantasy option for Maria. I occasionally dip my toe into the fantasy water, but don’t always find what I’m looking for….however, I LOVED City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty. It’s the start of a trilogy, has a strong female protagonist, is beautifully written and is well reasearched and intelligent. Hope you have a chance to check it out!
Maria might like “Convenience Store Woman.” I listened to it on audio and it was really great. I think just reading it would be a different experience.
Great episode!
Maria, you did a wonderfully thorough job of explaining what you do and do not like in certain books. Thank you for telling us about Laurie Colwin; I’ve added her to my TBR. (I trust your opinion because I also don’t jump on brand new books but wait to see if they have staying power.)
You might enjoy “Time and Again” by Jack Finney. This is a combination of historical fiction/fantasy, set in New York City. It was one that I could not stop reading and haven’t forgotten in 30 years.
Preface: I am a WSIRN SUPERFAN! I’ve listened to every episode. Name a title, and I’ll tell you if it’s been on and if so, how many times.
This episode is my all-time favorite! Potentially tied with Episode 8 ft. Preston Yancey. I’ve OD’d on all the contemporary fiction with the capital-I issues so this episode was a breath of fresh air. I’d love to hear from more guests with a lighter reading preferences like Maria.
Thanks for all you do, Anne! I’ve sent many a reader your way and they always come back refreshed with a renewed passion for the reading life.
P.S. Bring Preston back, pretty please!
I second that request…Preston, an update perhaps? Or Preston revisited? Thanks ?
L.
Based on your conversation on the Pod Cast. I think she (and you) would enjoy “Dinner- A love Story” by Jenny Rosenstrach. This book certainly includes some recipes that I am anxious to try but the stories surrounding the recipes are what really draws the reader to “devour” this book! Happy reading and cooking.
Hello, I loved fiction when I was young as well and recently discovered Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and it has renewed my love of fantasy! The first in his series is The Eye of the World.