Yes! I have finally moved on from my race, and have-gasp- other things to talk about. First up- I FINALLY finished The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
I had a love/hate relationship with this book. The story is interesting, the writing is great, it was compelling; but it takes place in the Middle Ages, and boy, were things terrible back then. I could hardly get through ten pages without some new horrific incident occurring. And by “horrific” I mean- detailed descriptions of rape, murder, towns being burnt to the ground… it was a little too much for me.
I kept reading because I really did want to find out what happened, but about 2/3 of the way through, as if things weren’t bad enough already, one of the good characters made a decision that was so poor, something just snapped in me. “Fine!” I thought. “I wash my hands of you and your terrible choice! Enjoy your life, which will be horrible from now on!” I just had to detach myself from the story a little, and read on as if I were a neutral observer, rather than someone deeply invested in the outcome.
I will say the ending was great. I finished it with relief- but now I find out it’s the first book of a TRILOGY. No! No, no, no. You can’t make me read any more of this- my mental health can’t take it.
For something completely different, my next book was:
This was the polar opposite of Pillars, which was just what I needed. I’ve read a lot of Anne Tyler, and figured this would be a quick and light read- I didn’t expect to love it. But I did! As usual with her books, I could really relate to the main character.
I’m too young for this, I thought. Not too old, as you might expect, but too young, too inept, to uninformed. How come there weren’t any grownups around? Why did everyone just assume I knew what I was doing?
Yep, I know that feeling. This is a woman around my age who’e dealing with her daughter’s wedding, a job upheaval, and her ex-husband (AND A CAT!!!) It was an easy read, and the ending was so touching, it brought tears to my eyes.
Now I’m reading this:
This book came to my attention because it takes place in Waco, Texas, where I have been many, many times over the last four years, because my son is in college there. I picked it up now because I’ll be in Waco very soon for graduation.
The story takes place in 1993, and revolves around two teenagers- one the son of the sheriff, and the other a girl living in the Branch Davidian compound. It’s told from their alternating points of view and well, I’m pretty sure it’s not going to end well! But I’m enjoying it- the author is from Texas, and the book has an authentic Waco-ish feel. It’s also interesting to read about Waco in the 1990s, long before Chip and Joanna Gaines took it upon themselves to gentrify the town.
Lastly, I cooked! I made the Ultimate Vegan Chili from Nora Cooks, which we enjoyed. My family tends to be lukewarm about leftover chili, so I turned it into chili cheese fries for the second meal, which received an enthusiastic thumbs up. Now, I feel like all my meals have an “I can explain” aspect, and this is no exception. I used Miyoko’s vegan liquid mozzarella, and guess what- if you heat it up in a saucepan, it’s no longer liquid. It gets very thick and gloppy.
The texture was off, but the whole meal was really delicious! Even my daughter liked it, so you know it was good.
What are you reading now?
When was the last time you had chili cheese fries?- I highly recommend it!
Top photo by Blaz Photo on Unsplash
20 Responses
I don’t know that I’ve ever eaten chili cheese fries. It does look and sound tasty.
I’ve not read any of these books. The trilogy? That sounds awful. I’m reading a thriller right not called 56 Days. So far it’s good, but I’m not sure as a mother of a daughter close in age to the young woman in the book that this was a good choice for me. Eek. I fear I’m going to be sort of unsettled by the outcome.
Yes, I don’t know if that thriller would be a good choice for me either. I need soothing reads right now (so don’t ask me why I’m reading a book about the Branch Davidians, sigh.)
I’d forgotten all the traumatic events in _Pillars of the Earth_, I guess!
FWIW, I think the writing and pacing in the rest of the trilogy was a bit off, so you’re not missing much if you decide you don’t want to complete it.
Those chili fries look so yum!
(I got suckered into watching a show about the Branch Davidians by my older kid and it was heartrending and terrifying. I hope it ends well for the characters in your new book.)
Maya, I don’t think I’ll ever forget some of the events from that book! Good to know I don’t have to read the other two.
I”ve never had chili fries, although I like the concept.
i’ve started with berrypicker last weekend as I was craving a good story. then as I started traveling again, it’s not happening again. looking forward to some solid reading hours this weekend.
I’ve heard that book got very mixed reviews! I’ll be interested to hear if you like it.
I’ve never had chili cheese fries. Though, in general, I don’t like cheese on top of anything. Give me a nice slice of aged cheddar and I’ll enjoy it on its own. But on top of pizza or a sandwich. I’m a hard pass. EXCEPT grilled cheese of course, obs – or it would just be grilled…bread.
I read two great books in April. Go As a River and Northern Spy.
Hmm! I’m starting to wonder if chili cheese fries is an actual thing, or if I just made it up. Anyway… if you liked cheese on top of things, you would like it!
Your relationship with Pillars sounds like a full-blown saga in itself! I completely get the need to emotionally detach just to make it through.
I had to do the same yesterday with the Netflix series “You”. It got so nerve-wrecking (guy stalks a woman, then starts killing off anyone who gets in the way) that I had to actively shut off any sympathy for the characters.
Sometimes you just have to protect your brain! 😂
Yes, that’s a great way to explain it! I ust couldn’t remain emotionally involved.
I just finished that Anne Tyler! I liked it. It was a sweet, quick read which fit the bill for me exactly.
Right now I’m reading Animal Instinct and wow, is it wild. It’s essentially a pandemic sex book, but it also has a lot of smart things to say about marriage and motherhood. The main character has just created an AI bot and things are getting weird in the book! But I’m here for it!
I have never in my life had chili cheese fries!
Ha ha… you seem to find these weird books, Nicole! Wasn’t there something about a door? Or I think that might have been a podcast episode.
THE DOOR SEX! Yes! I did read a book called Unhinged (and it WAS, hoo boy, it was) where a woman has sex with her sentient front door. I mean. Of all the weird books that one was probably the most creative. (doorknob) (peephole)
I’m not sure if I’ve ever had chili cheese fries, but that just means that I’m not living my life right. When I was on my trip a few weeks ago I got an unexpected hankering for poutine, so I have at least had “fries with things on them for dinner” recently.
You sold me on We Burn Daylight. I haven’t been to Waco (yet), but it’s on my list.
I’m sorry you didn’t adore Pillars of the Earth as much as I did. I honestly found it riveting and could not stop myself from compulsively reading it. Maybe the Kingsbridge trilogy isn’t for you, although it’s probably my favorite historical fiction series ever.
Is chili cheese fries like poutine? Because I’ve had poutine and it was…not awesome. I don’t think I’m a chili cheese fries lady, although I would certainly give it a try.
We Burn Daylight sounds really good! I may have to try it.
It’s been a few decades since I read Pillars, but I loved it… and also never picked up one of the sequels. And I have survived just fine, lol.
Is it weird that I have never once had chili cheese fries? I like chili. I like cheese. I like fries. I’ve just never thought to put them together!
I’ve had Pillars of the Earth on my kindle for probably 10+ years but never felt compelled to read it. I think I bought it back when I would buy 0.99 or 1.99 ebooks (which I never do anymore). But your review does not make me want to read it now!!
I am reading ‘Prep’ by Curtis Sittenfeld. It was published 20 years ago and is about a boarding school in the NE. I have read most of her work but missed this one. I heard that a short story in her latest collection is about the character from this book so I decided to read it. It’s very angsty since the characters are in HS but I am liking it!
I’m reading the second book in the trilogy you have promised not to complete (A World Without End!!! )Mwahahahaha! It’s really good. I really like it. Still so much horrible stuff happening (the plague hits! – not really a spoiler because, history!) and the bad guys never seem to get their comeuppance. And then when they do you realize it doesn’t matter because all the systems in place mean someone else is right there ready to abuse power and make people miserable. If only there were parallels in reality today, maybe that dynamic would be more relate able. 😉
(Having said that I found the plague part a lot harder to read after living through a global pandemic! Not nearly as removed for me and filled me with dread in ways reading about it did not used to before.)
Ooh, I picked up Fall of Giants by Ken Follett when I was at a used bookstore in December. I’m hoping to read that one for my goal of reading one 500+ page book every quarter. It’s so intimidating, though!
I’ve never tried chili cheese fries! I feel like I would like them, though.
I am currently finishing up a romance called Let’s Call a Truce, which has been a fun read but nothing life-changing. And I just finished an EXCELLENT thriller on audio, Look Closer by David Ellis. So good!
I’m glad you enjoyed the Anne Tyler – I really liked it, too. Although I wished it was longer!
I’m currently reading a light romance novel set within women’s cricket and a memoir by a long-term friend of T.S. Eliot … an odd contrast, maybe!