After two weeks of taking field trips together, we're back to share our check-in with everyone here.
What's happening in that stack of books you've got?
Gaby Brabazon: I'm still working my way through Circe because I usually do my reading after work... but I haven't really had an "after-work" these days. So. I am still working on that, but I'm very excited about this book called Candy Freak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, which I want to gift to a large number of people in my life. It’s specifically focusing on little candy companies, especially regional ones that are just heavily nostalgic for people in those areas at the right time, and it's apparently super funny. So that's definitely coming to a stack of to-be-read very soon.
Grace McKinney: Now I'm just in a waiting game for the last book in the Arc of a Scythe series to come out, but I'm reading an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) of a middle grade novel. It's promising to be a pretty good one, so I'm excited to share it with you.
I'm also rereading my favorite Christmastime picture book, little tree by e.e. cummings illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray. My family always put out seasonal picture books for Christmas, so it's sitting on my coffee table.
GB: Now that's seasonal decorating I can get behind. You may have just inspired a new tradition!
GM: It's a pretty great one. I support you.
And what's been a highlight on the menu lately?
GB: This is kind of an eating-adjacent answer, but I just bought all the things I need to make toffee, which is one of my favorite things to do around the holidays. It's simple but not easy, and I love the process of making it. Plus, my husband is getting excited to make all his Christmas cookies, so it's just going to smell great around here.
In actual eating news, I went to Capo with a few friends this weekend and had one of the best donuts in history... It was a hot chocolate peppermint doughnut, and I basically ate none of the food I'd ordered after that.
GM: I took a little jaunt to New York City with some friends this weekend and we popped into the Bryant Park Winter Market with no expectations to get food, but we ended up getting pierogis from the Pierogi Boys, and I lucked out with the LAST kielbasa. They also had my absolute favorite ginger ale from Boylan, so it was an all-around serendipitous little meal to eat as we watched the ice skaters mosey.
Last but not least, share a bit of pop culture.
GB: Do I even have any culture? No, no, seeing the Winnie-the-Pooh exhibit this past week was so much fun. The MFA did a great job, and a free Wednesday night outing for Cosmic Bookshelf didn't hurt.
GM: Well, since we haven't checked in for two weeks, I have a few little joys to report. First, my parents and I watched The Shop Around the Corner while I was home for Thanksgiving, which just absolutely delighted my You've Got Mail-loving heart. And then I finally watched Won't You Be My Neighbor?, the documentary about the life of Fred Rogers, while on my plane ride back to Boston from home. It was just as wonderful as everyone said it was, but also I need to stop choosing movies that will make me cry on airplanes.
And, of course, the Winnie-the-Pooh exhibit was such a joy. I admittedly could have just enjoyed the nostalgia of it all, but have come away with so much more appreciation for the creation of the Hundred Acre Wood.
Now it's your turn—what are you reads, eats, and cultural tidbits for the week?
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