On My Nightstand

Hey bookworms! It’s been awhile since our last On My Nightstand, and in the meantime I’ve built up quite a list of recommendations that I’ve been dying share with you guys. From an indulgent cookbook to a tome on wellness eating to the latest memoir from a favorite funnywoman, there are some real gems in this month’s collection that’ll have you burning the midnight oil. Hand Made Baking: Recipes to Warm the Heart, Kamran Siddiqi. Maybe my “nesting” instinct is starting to kick in, but lately I’ve been having frequent weekend baking urges… and finding myself wanting to make everything in this book by the blogger behind the Sophisticated Gourmet. This cookbook covers simple pleasures like flourless chocolate cake and yellow birthday cake, as well as more elevated creations like Arabian Nights Baklava. And the photos are so gorgeous you just might want to lick the page.

All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr. It had been a few months since I’d let myself get immersed in a really great novel, and this one was perfect for reigniting my literary bug. In this difficult-to-put-down tale, a blind French girl and a German boy (who unwittingly gets swept up in the Nazi movement) play out their stories in the midst of devastating World War II. Marie-Laure and Werner’s lives could not be more different, yet become completely intertwined, and the reader is swept along in their heartbreaking and beautiful stories.

The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins. Can’t wait to dive into this thriller that sounds like a cross between Gone Girl and a Hitchcock thriller. From the Amazon reviews: ““Be ready to be spellbound, ready to become as obsessed. . . . The Girl on the Train is the kind of book you’ll want to press into the hands of everyone you know, just so they can share your obsession and you can relive it.” I have a feeling I’m going to need to set aside some late nights for devouring this one.

Yes Please, Amy Poehler. Since my book club made this one its current selection, I’m finally diving into Amy Poehler’s memoir… and boy am I glad. It’s funny, thoughtful, and inspiring, and makes me wish I knew Amy in real life (though reading this book will make you feel as though you do.) Her stories, thoughts, and ideas provide a hilarious inside look into the entertainment business, as well as provide words of wisdom that any woman trying to “do it all” can surely appreciate.

Skin Cleanse: The Simple, All-Natural Program for Clear, Calm, Happy Skin, Adina Grigore. At times in most of our lives, perfectly clear skin can feel so elusive. And have you ever noticed that buying more products and applying more treatments can actually make skin woes worse? In this fun-to-read guide, skincare expert Grigore breaks it down: telling us why we should actually be using less products, why they should definitely be all-natural, and how our diet is probably having a bigger affect on our skin that we might think. We featured some of Grigore’s homemade skincare recipes on the blog this morning, as a matter of fact… hop on over to check them out!

The New Health Rules: Simple Changes to Achieve Whole-Body Wellness, Dr. Frank Lipman & Danielle Claro. With all the conflicting info out there about what we shouldn’t eat (should everyone avoid gluten? Should I go vegan… or give Paleo a try?) it’s refreshing to come across a book that’s full of balanced, practical advice that everyone can put into practice no matter where they are in their wellness journey. Dr. Frank Lipman offers up nugget-sized “rules to live by” on topics such as eliminating toxic cleaners from the home, eating a diet that benefits our body, and getting a restorative night’s sleep.

For tons of other book ideas, be sure to check out the last few editions of On My Nightstand!

featured image from The New Health Rules: Simple Changes to Achieve Whole-Body Wellness