Book Review: Walk With Me: New York: Photographic Stroll Through New York Streets Capturing Serendipitous, Everyday Urban Poetry, by Susan Kaufman

Walk With Me: New York: Photographic stroll through New York streets capturing serendipitous, everyday urban poetry. by Susan Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a collection of incredible photographs of many of the Manhattan (and Brooklyn) neighborhoods. Susan Kaufman has a background in magazine publishing and fashion, and has a wonderful eye for architecture, decor, and history. Her photographs immerse the reader in each of the city's wonderful areas. Her captions describe the location of each photo, and she includes a map at the end of each neighborhood chapter which identifies her favorite streets and locations.

I discovered this book at the shop in the main branch of the New York Public Library a couple of years ago. I glanced through it and realized that I *had* to have it! Since we regularly visit our son and soon-to-be-daughter-in-law in NYC, I have reviewed her book and compiled a list of her favorite streets and points of interest. During our NYC visits we try to explore two or three new areas, using her book as our guide. We have found so many interesting sites that we wouldn't have discovered otherwise! Pro Tip -- follow her on Instagram @skaufman4050 to get her wonderful photos in your IG stream daily!

Please note that the author has compiled another book focusing on the Hamptons!
Walk With Me: Hamptons: Elegant photography tour through Hamptons estates, beaches, and the cultivated ease of summer living.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This historical fiction novel of the Frick Collection is told in dual timelines in alternating chapters.  In 1919 the Frick family - Henry Clay Frick, wife Adelaide, and daughter Helen Clay Frick - is in residence with all their servants.  Lillian Carter, also known as Angelica, is a model and muse for many sculptures in New York City.  She takes a job as Miss Helen's private secretary, and helps her start the Frick Art Reference / Research Library adjacent to the mansion.

In 1966 Veronica Web is a model from England who snagged a job with Vogue in the Frick Collection.  She is stranded in the house in the middle of a snowstorm after the other models and photographers have left.  Joshua is a part-time Frick archivist and provides her with his extensive knowledge of the family and the house.  

Both women are very young (early 20's) and make some immature and bad decisions due to their circumstances.  In spite of this, I embraced both timelines and the characters, especially Joshua.  

The Frick family and house figure prominently in both storylines - the marvelous art work, sculptures, paintings, lavish furnishings, etc.  This book was extensively researched by the author, as is true with all of her novels.  In her Author's Note, she gives more history and background on the real-life character of Lillian, along with a great bibliography and reading recommendations.  I initially wanted to read this book to find out more about the Frick Collection in New York City.  I visited this museum in May 2025, soon after it reopened after a long renovation from 2021-2025.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/. 

View all my reviews

Book Review: Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri (A Tuscan Mystery #1)

Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nico Doyle is a retired New York City homicide detective who has recently retired to a small village in the Tuscan countryside.  He moved to Gravinga, his wife's hometown, after she recently passed away.  He spends his days at the local coffee shop, trying out new recipes, and helping his wife's cousin at her family's small restaurant.  Things change when he discovers that a man has been murdered.  Salvatore Perillo is the maresciallo of the local police, and once he discovers Nico's background he requests his help in finding the guilty party.  

The reader is immediately immersed in Tuscany -- the food, the lifestyle, the customs, espresso, wine, and even more food!  The Chianti Classico Expo, a large wine tasting event,  takes place in the middle of the murder investigation.  I loved all the characters, especially Nico and Onewag, the stray dog he adopted.  The interplay between Perillo and his assistant Daniele brings a lot of humor to the story.  All in all, a very charming cozy mystery set in the Tuscan hills.  Highly recommended, and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/. 

View all my reviews

Book Review: Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman (Mrs. Blossom #1)

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars. Muriel Blossom is a retired widow who just won the lottery, and is embarking on a 2-week vacation. She is spending the first week alone in Paris and then her best friend is meeting her for a one week cruise along the Seine River. She encounters a series of suspicious individuals and unusual circumstances during her week in Paris. Once on the cruise, her friend is busy looking for husband number four while Mrs. Blossom is trying to figure out what is going on. Everything comes to a head and all is revealed by the end of their cruise.

I was in the midst of reading two very heavy non-fiction books when I realized that I needed an escapist mystery. This book was exactly what I needed at that time. It's a light mystery and a quick read, plus the sights of Paris, the trip along the Seine, and the wonderful descriptions of food are a bonus. There's the murder and the mysteries, but the real draw for me was the character of Mrs. Blossom. Readers of Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan series will enjoy her appearance in a couple of scenes in this book. This is the first in a new series, and I'm looking forward to more of Mrs. Blossom's adventures in the future.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A charming, "meet-cute" story about two best friends (female/male) who take an annual vacation together. The book follows them over 12 years and 12 vacations. I'm usually not a fan of non-linear novels but I can see how it works in this case, interspersing the back story vacations with present day. Incredibly smart, witty dialogue. It should be made into a movie. Where is Nora Ephron when we need her?!? 

Re-read 2/2026 - I upgraded the rating to 5 stars this time!

This was the first book by Emily Henry that I read -- five years ago. I was absolutely charmed by her writing, the characters, the story, and her dialog. After reading all of her other books, I wanted to revisit it to see if it held up. It certainly did...and much more! I really appreciated it the second time through, especially the structure of the book with the non-linear timeline.

Because I read the hardcover book the first time, I wasn't aware of the Reader's Guide / Behind the Book, where Emily compares her book to a flipped version of the movie When Harry Met Sally... (which incidentally is one of my all-time favorite movies). And of course, I'm now looking forward to viewing the Netflix movie based on this book. Overall, a really wonderful reading experience!

In case anyone is interested, here's the list of vacations:

12 summers ago - University of Chicago orientation where Poppy meets Alex
11 - The drive together from U Chicago to Linfield, Ohio
10 - Victoria, Canada
9 - Nashville
8 - San Francisco
7 - New Orleans
6 - Vail, Colorado
5 - Sanibel Island, Florida
4 - Sweden / Norway
3 - Tuscany
2 - Croatia
1 - No Summer Trip
This summer - Palm Springs, California

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani

The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars.  Giuseppina Capodimonte Baratta (Jess) lives with her Italian American family in Lake Como, New Jersey.  All of her relatives live within a two-block area, and the family is incredibly close.  She currently works for her favorite uncle in the family business – Italian marble.  Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, she is a 30-something adult who has not achieved her goals or dreams, which prompts her to seek therapy through the online Thera-Me. 

All of this changes when she makes a life-changing decision to move to Cararra, Italy to pursue her dream of learning more about the marble business.  Jess learns the marble business from Italian artisans, travels to Milan and the Italian Lake Como, makes new friends, finds a family, encounters love and loss, and most of all discovers herself.

It’s fun to follow Jess on her adventures in self-discovery, and her Italian American family provides quite a bit humor.  The part of the book set in Italy is incredibly descriptive, and made me want to jump on a plane immediately!  As with all the Adriana Trigiani books that I have read, I absolutely loved it and fell in love immediately with the main character.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci

What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an absolutely wonderful food memoir and the title tells you everything you need to know. It's basically Stanley Tucci's journal throughout 2023, chronicling what he cooked, what restaurant he went to, where he traveled, who he was with, and what he ate. A fascinating individual and an enviable life!

Full disclosure, I love Stanley Tucci - both his writing and his films. He has such an interesting life and a very dry wit which really comes through in his writing. I read the print book, but I also have the audiobook on hold at the library and have been waiting very patiently for several months.

Stanley, I keep waiting for my invitation to your London house for Thanksgiving dinner with your wonderful family and in-laws (Emily Blunt and John Krasinski). I would love for you to make me one of your wonderful martinis!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/. 

UPDATE - October 2025 
I read this book again for one of my book clubs, and I think I enjoyed it even more with the second reading!  Stanley Tucci is a true Renaissance man -- actor, chef, writer, artist, designer of cookware, family man, and documentary creator!  

I love the fact that he once again includes several recipes in this book.  And also that he writes about his cooking success as well as his failures -- forgetting ingredients and overcooking!  Just like those of us who are cooking at our houses!

I just heard that he is going to be joining NBC's coverage of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy, to highlight the region's food, culture, and history!  I will read / view anything this talented individual is involved with!

View all my reviews

Book Review: Mastering the Art of French Eating: From Paris Bistros to Farmhouse Kitchens, Lessons in Food and Love.

Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris by Ann Mah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The author and her diplomat husband are stationed in their ideal city -  Paris.  Almost immediately, Calvin is summoned to Baghdad for one year and Ann must stay in Paris due to the potential danger.  Alone in a city that was meant to be shared with her French-speaking husband, she vows to make friends, find a job, and explore the country seeking out the classic food that it is known for - steak frites, crepes, cassoulet, bourguignon, and more! 

This is an incredible memoir, full of food, recipes, travel and French history!  I loved reading her descriptions of the food, restaurants, chefs, scenery and much more!  Highly recommended for anyone loving Paris, France, French food, and travel writing.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.  

View all my reviews

Book Review: Gardens of the High Line: Elevating the Nature of Modern Landscapes by Piet Oudolf

Gardens of the High Line: Elevating the Nature of Modern Landscapes by Piet Oudolf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an absolutely beautiful book which spotlights the gardens of the High Line -- the 1.45 mile long elevated garden walkway on the west side of Manhattan.  It was developed using the New York Central abandoned elevated railway line running from the Whitney Museum to 36th Street.  Each of the 13 sections of the garden is given a separate chapter in the book, spotlighting the plantings throughout the seasons.   

Piet Oudolf is the landscape architect responsible for these gardens.  He is from the Netherlands but has been involved in designing gardens throughout the world.  The other two that I've visited are the Oudolf Garden Detroit at Belle Isle Park and the Lurie Garden in Millenium Park in Chicago (near the Bean sculpture).   

The accompanying text is helpful in giving us the history and backstory of how the project got started, its development, roadblocks, and ultimate successes.  However, what really makes this book special is the stunning photography of the variety of flowers, shrubs, trees and landscape.  Oudolf relies on native plants and seeks out those that will be self-sustaining especially in a challenging environment.  

This book is highly recommended to those planning on visiting the High Line in New York.  And for  garden lovers unable to visit in person, this is an excellent way to appreciate it through the beautiful photography!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.  

View all my reviews

Book Review: Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill (Advance Reader Copy)

Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Come join our protagonists Joe and Meredith Penvale on the journey of a lifetime - The Orient Express from Paris to Venice.  It's a celebratory trip after the conclusion of Joe's 18 months of medical treatments.  They are looking forward to a luxurious and relaxing trip, but everything changes when the cabin adjacent to theirs is found covered with blood, but the body is missing.  Considering the title of the book, it's no surprise that this isn't the only dead body found on the train.

For readers familiar with Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, you'll find a lot of similarities in this modern day re-telling.  It starts with the classic locked room mystery and proceeds from there to involve other train employees and passengers.  Reader, be aware that there is a large cast of characters; it might be helpful to start taking notes at the beginning of the book in order to keep them all straight.  I really enjoyed everything about this book -- the murder mysteries, the passengers and employees coming together to help solve them, The Orient Express, the luxury train travel, the food, and more!  Highly recommended.  

Thank you very much to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book.  It is scheduled to be published on August 19, 2025.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: What I Ate in One Year [and related thoughts] by Stanley Tucci

What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an absolutely wonderful food memoir and the title tells you everything you need to know.  It's basically Stanley Tucci's journal throughout 2023, chronicling what he cooked, what restaurant he went to, where he traveled, who he was with, and what he ate.  A fascinating individual and an enviable life!

Full disclosure, I love Stanley Tucci - both his writing and his films.  He has such an interesting life and a very dry wit which really comes through in his writing.  I read the print book, but I also have the audiobook on hold at the library and have been waiting very patiently for several months.  

Stanley, I keep waiting for my invitation to your London house for Thanksgiving dinner with your wonderful family and in-laws (Emily Blunt and John Krasinski).  I would love for you to make me one of your wonderful martinis!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Fodor's Montreal & Quebec City

Fodor's Montreal & Quebec City by Fodor's Travel Guides
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent compact travel guide for Quebec City. Includes history and background information about both cities, as well as hotel and restaurant recommendations. Lovely photos and maps detailing the sites to see. 

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: You Are Here by David Nicholls

You Are Here by David Nicholls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Immerse yourself in this wonderful fiction book about a trek across northern England through Cumbria and Yorkshire.  A mutual friend sets up a 3-day hike in northern England for seven people.  Two people drop out before departure, and then three more leave on the rainy second day.  Only Michael and Marnie remain and decide to extend the hike longer.  Both are recently divorced and finding it difficult to embark on new lives in the post-marriage and post-pandemic world.  The extended hike gives them more than enough time to get to know each other and slowly form a bond between them.  I thoroughly enjoyed their very intelligent, witty dialog.

We are immediately transported to rural England, which is at the same time rugged and beautiful.  We really get a sense of place in Nicholls' writing - feeling the heavy rain, viewing the spectacular scenery, and experiencing the excruciating fatigue after a long day's hike.  Maps of each section are included which is very helpful.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bill Bryson continues to write about his travels, this time traveling alone across Europe.  The book chapters are arranged by cities and countries, and he definitely explores the entire continent from the northernmost point in Norway to Istanbul. 

I originally listened to the audio of this book in 2002, but read it again (alternating between audio and Kindle) for this month's book club.  He narrates the book himself and has a charming accent which is a fusion between Midwestern U.S. and British.  The book was originally published in 1991, but it still stands the test of time today.  I have to admit that I frequently laughed out loud while reading this book.  Bryson is definitely the funniest and most entertaining travel writer I have encountered!

It would have helped immensely to have a map of his travels included in the book.  I kept referring to Google Maps to remind me of the European geography.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: This Is Happiness by Niall Williams

This Is Happiness by Niall Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a book club selection, and I had the toughest time trying to get into the book.  My husband recommended that I read a little slower, taking in the language, the setting and the characters, rather than trying to speed through reading like I usually do.  He also suggested that I listen to the audio instead of reading the print book.  A genius suggestion!  It was read by Dermot Crowley, an Irish actor, and he brought the story to life for me!

Noel (Noe) is a young man who goes to live with his grandparents (Ganga and Doady) in Faha, a small village on the western coast of Ireland in County Clare.  The story is told through his eyes, looking back as an old man at the magical time he spent in Faha.  We experience the people and the pace of small town life.  Electricity is coming to Faha, and Christy is one of the workers sent to help the residents sign up.  He rents a room from Ganga and Doady, and consequently he and Noe end of spending a lot of time together over the months.  They share love, loss, music, pubs and much more.  

I finished this book a week ago, but I am still thinking about the story, the language, its beauty and Faha.  Highly recommended, especially the audio version!  Please read the other Goodreads reviews; they are much better at describing the language, the setting, and the way that this book made me feel!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/. 

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl (Advance Reader Copy)

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stella St. Vincent is a young woman who is a shy, introverted book editor, very withdrawn into herself.  Her estranged mother is outgoing, always surrounded by men, and the life of every party.  When her mother dies, she leaves her a one-way ticket to Paris along with the note "go to Paris."  Stella complies, takes a leave of absence from her job, ends up making quite a personal transformation, and finds herself, in spite of herself!

The setting was Paris in the 1980's.  We encounter food, restaurants, chefs, art, fashion, the Shakespeare & Company bookstore, books, and reading.  All the things I absolutely love in a book.  She meets people along the way who befriend her and help her out.  She has a wonderful way of expressing herself, whether it's eating an oyster, viewing a beautiful painting, wearing couture fashion, or looking at Parisian street life.

The author has such a way of transporting the reader to the locale, in this case - Paris!  I have read several other books by Ruth Reichl and find this to be true of all of her writings.  I really love reading her books and would highly recommend this new novel, her second.  It is due to be published April 23, 2024.  Run, don't walk, to your local library or bookstore, grab it and read it --you won't be disappointed.  While you are at it, check out her first novel, Delicious, published in 2014, along with all of her non-fiction books.  Be aware of content warnings for this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley

All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Patrick Bringley's memoir is about the 10 years he spent as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.  He was in his mid-20's, fresh out of school and working at The New Yorker in NYC when his older brother developed cancer and passed away.  Wanting to do something completely different, something where he could grieve, he applies for a job as a guard at the Met.  This book focuses both on the art in the Met but also life as a museum guard.  He talks in-depth about a wide variety of pieces of art in the museum, and also focuses on his favorites.  Recommended for anyone who loves museums, art, and the feeling you get when viewing masterpieces that have survived for hundreds of years.  The appendix which gives information on all the art covered in his book, but the incredible bonus is the link from his website which the links to each piece of art with an image and background information for each!  Find it here - https://www.patrickbringley.com/art.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah

Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating historical fiction account of 20-year old Jacqueline Bouvier and the year she spent in Paris in 1949 -- her junior year at Vassar.  She stays with a family in Paris, along with several other girls from Smith College.  She has broken free from the close confines of her mother and family life, and gets to explore what she wants to, unencumbered.  She immediately loves the Parisian life -- restaurants, clubs, theater, making friends, seeing the sites, a burgeoning romance, etc.  It is said that Jacqueline Bouvier felt that this year was the most impactful and influential part of her life.  The reader gleans a true sense of time and place in post-war Paris; the sparkling as well as the remnants of war.  

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: 111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss by Amy Bizzarri

111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss Revised & Updated by Amy Bizzarri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely LOVE this series of travel books.  Each entry in the book is basically two pages:  one with the text and the other with a very nice photograph.  There is a lot of focus on history and off-beat locations.  Travel directions, websites and tourist information is always included.  What was really helpful to me are the maps at the back showing where all 111 places are located!

I first came across this series in the New York Public Library bookstore - 111 Places in New York That You Must Not Miss -- and it followed me home.  I checked this one out of our local public library right before our trip to Chicago.  My big mistake was not getting it sooner - like a month before the trip so I would have a chance to delve into all the wonderful Chicago locales that I Should Not Have Missed!  Even so, I enjoyed reading more of it after our whirlwind 3-day Chicago tour over Memorial Day.  Look for other books in this series; I was surprised by how many have been published!  Check out https://www.111places.com.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/. 

View all my reviews

Book Review: Sunny's Kitchen: Easy Food For Real Life by Sunny Anderson

Sunny's Kitchen: Easy Food For Real Life by Sunny Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anyone who watches The Kitchen on Food Network knows Sunny Anderson.  She's as bright as her name, and brings her humor and cooking skills to the show every week.  I finally got a chance to read her cookbook, which was published 10 years ago.  This book is a tribute to her family, her military service, and all the places she has lived throughout her life (the official list is included in the back of the book!).  Interspersed are photos of Sunny at various ages.  I definitely want to try the majority of her recipes, and the color photos definitely do them justice.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews