Blonde Bibliotaph

It's hard to believe it has been nearly five years since my last blog post.   There has been an awful lot of life lived in those five years:  I have a husband and two (!!!) babies. I left what I thought was my dream job to open two businesses of my own.  I've had good times and some not-so-good times.   I didn't set out to take a five-year hiatus from Blonde Bibliotaph.  Somewhere along the way of wedding planning, getting married, and having two kids, I set down the books and didn't pick them up again for longer than I'd like to admit.  When I first started blogging, it was the beginning of the 'Bookstagram' movement.  It was a scramble to post about new books first, reach a certain number of followers, and be sent ARCs.  Somewhere along the way, I lost my love for reading.  It became more about reading what would do well in an Instagram post than about what I actually wanted to read.   Over the last five years, a lot has...

I don't typically share much about my personal life on here, so for those who don't know, I am getting married this October!  On Saturday, I had my Bridal Shower, which was everything I've ever dreamed of.  As you may have guessed from the title of this post, at least a few books made it onto my wedding registry - you wouldn't expect anything less, would you? Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child 752 pages First released 1961 " For over fifty years,  New York Times  bestseller  Mastering the Art of French Cooking  has been the definitive book on the subject for American readers. Featuring 524 delicious recipes, in its pages home cooks will find something for everyone, from seasoned experts to beginners who love good food and long to reproduce the savory delights of French cuisine, from historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly artless perfection of a dish of spring-green peas. Here Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle break dow...

 It has been a rough few weeks here in Blonde Bibliotaph-land - I'm talking a surprise kitchen renovation, a majorly cracked windshield, and job troubles.  The bright spot of my summer so far has definitely been getting back to my books.  I am working on the ever-growing piles on my bookshelves, but there are also so many new books coming out that I'd love to get to soon.  Here are a few at the top of my list: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller Fiction  Release date 7/6/2021 "It is a perfect July morning, and Elle, a fifty-year-old happily married mother of three, awakens at "The Paper Palace"--the family summer place which she has visited every summer of her life. But this morning is different: last night Elle and her oldest friend Jonas crept out the back door into the darkness and had sex with each other for the first time, all while their spouses chatted away inside. Now, over the next twenty-four hours, Elle will have to decide between the life she h...

It's officially summer!  There are so many things I'm looking forward to, including June's new releases:   The Personal Librarian By Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray Historical Fiction Release date 06/29/21   “In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white--her com...

Happy May!  Not only is it my birthday month, but today is my birthday!  Looking back over this past year, I am very thankful for my family, my friends, and my health.  It seems like 29 is already promising new beginnings, and of course, some new releases: Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger Fiction Release date 05/18/21 " From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada and When Life Gives You Lululemons comes a highly entertaining, sharply observed novel about sisters, their perfect lives . . . and their perfect lies. A seat at the anchor desk of the most-watched morning show. Recognized by millions across the country, thanks in part to her flawless blond highlights and Botox-smoothed skin. An adoring husband and a Princeton-bound daughter. Peyton is that woman. She has it all. Until . . . Skye, her sister, is a stay-at-home mom living in a glitzy suburb of New York. She has degrees from all the right schools and ...

Spring has sprung - April in New Jersey means the start of nice weather!    I am looking forward to when it’s warm enough to sit outside and read.  In the meantime, here are some books I’m adding to my TBR list: World Travel:  An Irreverent Guide By Anthony Bourdain Travel Release date 04/20/21   “ Anthony Bourdain saw more of the world than nearly anyone. His travels took him from the hidden pockets of his hometown of New York to a tribal longhouse in Borneo, from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Paris, and Shanghai to Tanzania’s utter beauty and the stunning desert solitude of Oman’s Empty Quarter—and many places beyond. In World Travel , a life of experience is collected into an entertaining, practical, fun and frank travel guide that gives readers an introduction to some of his favorite places—in his own words. Featuring essential advice on how to get there, what to eat, where to stay and, in some cases, what to avoid, World Travel provides essential context th...