#45 CYB: Spring Fiction, Spring Treats, and a little AI
Hi everyone,
As an avid reader, I look forward to spring's new fiction. Here, I've curated a list of my favorite recent fiction reads. I hope you find something here that sparks a great reading experience.
BOOKS
Kiley Reid, Come and Get It, Penguin Random House, 2024. My pandemic book club read Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age in 2021, soon after it came out. Her second novel is as readable and funny as her first, with engaging, original characters. If you enjoyed Such a Fun Age, you won't want to miss this one. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Roxana Robinson, Leaving, W W Norton, 2024. Leaving is a compelling story of late-life love and the complexities that come with it. Decades after a failed college romance, widowed Sara and married Warren, both parents of adult children, reconnect. What happens next is unexpected, poignant, and understandable to every one of a certain age, juggling loyalties to family, love, and work. The Washington Post said Leaving was “A study of the complex joy and pain of late-life love; it is a tour de force and arguably her finest work yet. ”
Welcome Home Stranger, Kate Christensen, 2023. Having loved Kate Christensen’s Blue Plate Special memoir back in 2013, I wanted to read Welcome Home Stranger, her most recent book. A novel about midlife loss, this story is about Rachel, returning to Maine from DC to manage the death of a challenging mother, an estranged sister, and a past love–only nothing goes right. If you like dysfunctional family drama served with a side of exquisite writing, this is your book.
The Last Cruise, Kate Christensen, 2019. Set against the backdrop of a luxury cruise, The Last Cruise is a narrative that cleverly explores societal microcosms through its cast of diverse characters. As things unravel, Christensen’s storytelling keeps you hooked. Have you read this? Let’s discuss it.
Valley Verified, Kyla Zhao, Penguin Random House, January 2024. Valley Verified is a great read, merging themes of tech entrepreneurship, high fashion, and tech industry sexism into an engaging romantic comedy. Kyla Zhao’s writing packs wit and wisdom, making this an ideal pick for a thoughtful yet entertaining novel. This is a fun summer read with some bonus profound truths. I'd be curious to hear your opinions.
I’d love to hear from you about these or any other books that have recently touched your soul or sparked your curiosity. Happy reading.
TREATS
M&M COOKIES, recipe by Eric Kim. I made these rich, buttery cookies with the little neighbor girl after watching Eric Kim describe chopping the M&Ms and the delicious sugary shards going into the dough. They taste great, even if you’re not a kid.
Crispy Baked Tofu, Cookies & Kate: Now that I know how to make crispy tofu, I’ve been using BBQ sauce instead of tamari as the marinade and making it every week with choy sum or asparagus as the greens.
BECAUSE YOU MADE IT THIS FAR
Thank you for joining me on this journey! I hope CYB#45 has sparked your curiosity and made you smile. If anything in this issue resonates with you or you have suggestions for future topics, please let me know. If you're new here and have enjoyed this mix, subscribe.
Warmly, Susan
PS Only one AI thing this week: The Curious Learner’s DIY Generative AI Toolkit: Practical Lessons and Strategies—my latest AI blog post.