Reading resolutions and a roundup of love stories that stand the test of time (and tissues)
New year, new books to read! This month, we’re turning our attention to the latest offerings that will help keep our resolutions on the right path.
The Age of Light FICTION (LITTLE, BROWN AND CO.) BY WHITNEY SCHARER, $23.
This year, my goal is to devote more attention to debut authors. To that end, Whitney Scharer’s seductive and searing semifictional tale of the life of Lee Miller, 1920s model–turnedphotographer-turned–second World War correspondent for Vogue and muse/lover of artist Man Ray, is first on my list, and it’s an amazing read. In Scharer’s skilful hands, the blend of what’s fact and fiction is seamless
( and reveals the brave, unconventional and daring Miller as—despite all her illustrious hyphenates—a heartbreakingly human woman whose extraordinary life is worth commemorating. Lee Miller—and Whitney Scharer— are my new idols. —SM
Kinda Vegan COOKBOOK (ADAMS MEDIA) BY ADAMS MEDIA, $26.
To be honest, restrictive diets aren’t my thing. But with increased awareness of how food production impacts climate change (which is an in-our-lifetime threat), I’m seeking out new ways to add vegetable-based meals to my repertoire that are tasty and easy to pull together. It’s a resolution I aim to keep this year, so I’ll be relying on a few vegan and vegetarian cookbooks to help me through. I can’t wait to make the Easy Black Bean Burgers and the Eggplant Puttanesca from this pick, out in January. —AD
Good and Mad NONFICTION (SIMON & SCHUSTER) BY REBECCA TRAISTER, $36.
Let’s face it: As women, we live in a world that doesn’t take our anger seriously and has taught us to suppress our rage. I know that I, for one, can bottle things up. So when I picked up the latest from Rebecca Traister—author of All the Single Ladies, writer for New York magazine and contributing editor at Elle— I was inspired by her sharp insights in this exploration of the power of women’s anger and its ability to effect change and alter the course of history. Good and Mad will fire you up, leaving you educated and resolved to put your rage to good use in 2019. I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know. —AE
As the annual visit of Cupid and his amour-wielding arrow approaches, we at Canadian Living are contemplating the idea of literary love. The CL Book Club members took a poll of our colleagues’ beloved books about this enchanted state of being, and we’re happy ever after about the results. Did your favourite make our list? Email us at cl.readers@tva.ca and let us know!
The Martha Manual NONFICTION (HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT) BY MARTHA STEWART, $50.
My New Year’s resolution takes the cake (literally): Be more like Martha Stewart. I want to be tidier, better organized, able to fix anything, remove any stain, grow a great garden, mend my clothes, tackle my home handiwork, host a killer party and cook the perfect feast—with, of course, a perfectly frosted cake to finish it all off. Luckily, I’ve laid my hands on an expert how-to for everything listed above— The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Anything. A tell-all tome for budding homemakers and aspiring do-it-yourselfers, this will be my key to being the queen of doing it all. —SC