Thanks, Hope! These are great picks. I'm also enjoying The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton at the moment - it's great so far!
As you’re on your way to work, a holiday event, or that next errand this week, enjoy a classic Henry James novel or listen to the best of Anderson Cooper. If you’re worried about impulse buying while you’re out and about this holiday season, check out an article that will help you tackle your shopping dilemmas. And if you need a break from it all, settle in at home and try a delicious recipe with a new cookbook from a much-loved NYC blogger.
On Your Kindle
Washington Square, by Henry James
The basis for the classic play and film The Heiress (currently on Broadway starring Jessica Chastain and David Strathairn), this is perhaps James’ most heartbreaking novel. Catherine Sloper, the only child of an imperious widower, is the heiress to a large fortune. Her gentle nature and plainness means that Catherine’s strengths are often ignored. When she falls in love with the handsome but poor Morris Townsend, her father opposes the relationship, believing Townsend to be after his daughter’s inheritance. And what ensues is a contest of wills that changes Catherine’s life forever.
On Your Smartphone
“Gotta Have It?” by Sally Kempton
It’s the holiday season, which means many of us tend to buy (and eat) things impulsively. In this Yoga Journal column, author and meditation teacher Kempton explains the emotional longings at the heart of our temporary desire for certain things—relationships, possessions, even desserts—that may derail our larger life ambitions. She then gives us some practical ideas for being consciously aware of our emotional patterns.
On a Podcast
CNN journalist Anderson Cooper is widely acclaimed for his coverage of international and national events. But even fans of his television program don’t always realize that he maintains a free podcast. Tune in and get caught up on global news during your morning commute.
Old School
The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, by Deb Perelman
Fans of Perelman’s long-running cooking blog, Smitten Kitchen, won’t want to miss this lavishly illustrated cookbook. As a self-taught cook working in a tiny NYC kitchen, Perelman’s recipes will appeal to many 20-something readers. She is engaging without being pretentious and emphasizes healthy ingredients in an accessible way. If you feel similarly daunted by the idea of cooking in a small apartment kitchen or know someone learning to cook in her first place, Perelman’s book makes for an excellent gift.
