Annette > Recent Status Updates

For the first time since I began the goodreads challenge, I have met my goal. Sixty books was the magic number for me. I tend to read across genres so some of my choices were very long, and others were quick reads. I am pleased with most everything I read this year. Only one or two clunkers were abandoned. Reading is my number one leisure activity so the year was obviously filled with many hours of entertainment.

What a treat to read a book about the real inhabitants of Washington, D.C. My family lived in the city for generations as did Ms. Gray's and her recollections of growing up in SE Washington gives me insight into the neighborhoods my father's family lived and worked.
Her stories of the past and meeting many interesting and often famous people were second to the day to day wanderings around East Capital Street.

Interesting characters and a meandering plot throughout. The main character, Eva Thorvald, is the link between all of these random people. The book takes on cooking, baking, slow food, GMO's organic food and wine, along with the snobbery and sometimes ridiculous foodie culture. The chapter on Pat's dessert bars is laugh out loud hilarious. It reminded me of Fannie Flagg's description of a beauty pageant. A good read.

Lovely little story about a woman, a man, a mugging and the search for the owner of a purse. I am not going to give anything away. Charming. It was a nice change of pace.