What I've read in 2023 so far + Portuguese treats

A list of books I loved, and some tasty breads and pastries from recent travels

I’m writing this from Portugal, where I’ve been the last few weeks exploring Lisbon and getting beat down by Atlantic waves in Ericeira. Since I’m away and not baking bread, I’m giving you a different kind of Good Book/Good Bread issue today. Below, I’ve recapped everything I’ve read so far this year, and included a brief description of what I loved or didn’t about them. Click the hyperlinked ones to read previous issues featuring that book. And to finish off, a few photos of some delicious pastries and bread I’ve had in Portugal.

What I read and loved

In The Weeds by Tom Vitale:
Parts Unknown is one of my favourite tv shows ever, and this look inside the chaos of producing it was excellent.  

More by Majka Burkhardt 
An honest look at motherhood and identity pre-and post-children.

Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson 
One of my favourite books of all time, just such a good premise—orphaned twins who spontaneously catch fire.

The Storyteller by Dave Grohl 
A sweet, genuine, and humble biography.

We Are What We Eat by Alice Waters
An ode to good and nutritious food from a noted chef and educator. 

Return to Solitude by Grant Lawrence 
A funny and warm book that made me think about how strong our ties to certain places can be.

Flour Lab by Adam Leonti 
A really cool guide to milling your own flour to make bread, pasta, and pastries. 

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson 
A solid mystery set in a small town in Ontario, like the ones I know from childhood summers.

Fuzz by Mary Roach 
Filled my head with all kinds of weird facts about animals that I’ll inevitably use to fill an awkward silence one day soon, like the exact weight of excrement an elephant produces per day.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
An adventure and coming-of-age story in a remote and wild setting.

Ducks by Kate Beaton 
A beautiful graphic novel about the sub-culture of camps in Alberta’s tar sands, made especially interesting being told from the point of view of a young woman.  

Breadsong by Al Tait & Kitty Tait 
Part cookbook, part memoir. Loved how it was written by together by a father and daughter. 

In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience by Helen Knott
An unflinching memoir unpacking addiction, intergenerational trauma, and strength.

Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley 
A mind-blowing collection of essays about growing up on film sets and facing our biggest fears. 

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What wasn’t for me: 

Always Pack a Candle by Marion McKinnon Crook
Cool premise but the writing was too clinical for me. 

Everyone in this Room Will Someday be Dead by Emily Austin 
Found it really stressful to read about someone so anxious, as a fellow anxious person!

The Idiot by Elif Batuman 
This book made me feel kind of like an idiot. I just couldn’t get into the writing or understand a lot of what was happening. 

Circe by Madeline Miller 
Felt like a lot of it was over my head. Maybe I needed to have more of a foundation in Greek mythology to enjoy it. 

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica 
Interesting plot, but didn’t believe a lot of the choices the characters made. 

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What I didn’t finish: 

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong 
Writing was BEAUTIFUL but was feeling a little sensitive when I was reading it and had to switch to something lighter. Will try to read again. 

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Portuguese bread and pastries I ate: a retrospective

A cheesy, herby, flaky breakfast of champions

A perfect and dreamy almond tart. I ate at least one per day.

Is there anything more beautiful than a personal cheese wheel?

That’s it! Thanks for reading. If you’re enjoying Good Book/Good Bread, feel free to share it or forward to a friend!